Google Earth came in handy for this bride and groom when searching for “the perfect mountain” to elope to.
The Victorian couple headed to New Zealand for their Queenstown elopement and followed up with an official ceremony back home in Australia. Amber Williams, a photographer herself, and partner Mark Gracie, a FIFO miner, rounded up their favourite photojournalist for the big trip. “Combining our passions of photography, mountains, snow, travel, aviation, weddings, love and adventure, we came up with a wedding like no other,” explains Amber.
“I spent a long time on Google Earth looking for the perfect mountain top to elope. I expected we would need to travel to Nepal, but fortunately stumbled upon somewhere a little closer to home,” says Amber. Although they technically had a handful of guests (their children, the pilot and the photographer), it was a ‘solo mission.’ “There was no one there to hear us say our handwritten vows,” smiles Amber. “This was about us.”
Back home, the pair were officially married by the bride’s mother Jacqui Clarke on November 6, 2015 with 100 guests at Gum Gully Farm in Silvan.
The wedding was full of personal touches and sentimentality, including Amber wearing her mother’s veil and Mark’s grandmother’s bracelet. As the bride is a vegan, most of the food and even the wine served at the reception was vegan. The couple spent over a year collecting antique plates and crystal ware for the tables, and the floral arrangements, decor and cake were all made and arranged by close family.
Elopement photos courtesy of Alex Coppel.
Wedding photos courtesy of: Moments Collection Photography, Robyn Slavin Photography & Design and Amber Willliams Photography (the bride!)
New Zealand provided the perfect setting for the couple’s snow-capped elopement.
“I chose Alex for our New Zealand photography because he has the ability to work in extreme conditions and for his skill of reading light,” says Amber. They studied photography together at university.
Gum Gully Farm is located in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges.
The couple’s rings were custom designed by Ralf Fisch Fine Jewellery.
Amber Williams is a wedding photographer based in Yarra Ranges.
Bomboniere: DIY / Brides Accessories: Kate Ketzal, Monique De Vercelli / Brides Gown: Watters Bridal / Brides Shoes: Betts, Gumboots / Cake: Bride's mum and sister / Caterer: Yarra Valley Catering / Celebrant: Jacqui Clarke / Entertainment: Maggie Murphy, Niko Di Stefano, Marysia Fitzpatrick, Erin Downie / Flowergirl Dress: Rebecca Serong / Flowers: Ron Boekel, Nic's Button Buds, Floramax / Grooms Attire: MJ Bale / Grooms Shoes: Windsor Smith / Invitations: DIY / Pageboy Attire: Op Shop / Photographer: Alex Coppel, Moments Collection Photography, Robyn Slavin Photography + Design, Amber Williams Photography / Rings: Ralf Fisch Fine Jewellery / Transport: Wanaka Helicopters / Venue: Gum Gully Farm / Venue Decor: DIY / Videographer: Allsorts Pictures
