Maddy & Cameron’s Daylesford elopement
There's something incredibly special about couples who know exactly what they want their wedding day to be.
For Maddy, an Intensive Care Nurse, and Cameron, a specialist Joiner crafting beautiful staircases, that meant stripping away all the usual wedding expectations and creating a day that was purely, authentically them.
Their choice of Daylesford for their elopement couldn't have been more perfect. Just an hour and a half from Melbourne's hustle and bustle, this charming spa town has long been a favourite escape for couples seeking a romantic getaway.
With its historic buildings, stunning gardens, and reputation for incredible food and wine, Daylesford offers that perfect blend of luxury and laid-back country charm that makes it an ideal elopement destination.
The story began here too – Cameron proposed at the gorgeous Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens, having arranged a picture-perfect picnic hamper at their B&B.
When it came to their elopement, they chose the stunning Mayor's Residenceas their venue, a location that epitomises Daylesford's historic charm and elegant architecture.
From the start, Maddy and Cameron knew they wanted to elope. "It was important to us that the day went exactly how we wanted with just the two of us," Maddy shared, and that's exactly what they created – a day filled with their favourite things and zero stress.
What I love most about their approach was how they threw out the traditional wedding rulebook. They got ready together, sharing those precious morning moments as they prepared to become husband and wife.
Maddy looked absolutely stunning in her dress from Olivia Rose the Label – a piece that perfectly reflected her desire for something non-traditional yet special, with just the right amount of detail to make it unique.
The stunning blooms by The Flower Jar from Melbourne added that perfect touch of natural beauty to their day.
The day was peppered with moments that made me smile – like Cameron realising he hadn't even taken the tags off his suit while Maddy was having her makeup done, or how they laughed their way through the ceremony with our amazing celebrant Josh Withers, who'd travelled from Tasmania to be part of their day. Every moment was beautifully captured by Bulb Creative, who made the journey from the Gold Coast to document their story.
But my favourite moment? It was after the ceremony and it was just the two of them. Maddy described it perfectly: "That feeling was one I can't describe." It's these intimate moments that make elopements so magical.
Their evening ended with an incredible dinner where they celebrated in true foodie fashion – eating so much that Maddy thought she might be sick on the car ride home!
It's these real, unscripted moments that make each elopement unique and memorable.
When I asked Maddy about what marriage means to them, her answer was beautifully honest: "Marriage means always having a best friend. Getting to spend every single day with your person, even if they are frustrating you and want to make you pull your hair out, they are still there at the end of the day. Having someone to turn to, laugh with and experience life with. They are your safety net and support person."
For couples considering eloping, Maddy's advice is simple but powerful: "If you're thinking about it, chances are you're meant to do it. It was the best thing we ever did and would do it one hundred times over."
Looking back on their day, Maddy and Cameron wouldn't change a single thing. Their elopement was exactly what they wanted – relaxed, intimate, and completely true to who they are as a couple. After five years together and a 14-month engagement, they created a wedding day that was perfectly, uniquely theirs.
And that's exactly what we aim for at The Elopement Collective – helping couples create days that feel genuine to who they are, whether that's a sunrise ceremony in the mountains or, like Maddy and Cameron, a relaxed country elopement in one of Victoria's most romantic towns, filled with laughter and good food. Because at the end of the day, your elopement should be about you, your love story, and nothing else.
Want to create your own perfect elopement day? Let's chat about making your dream wedding a reality.