Eloping at Cudgera Creek - Bridget & James

Bridget and James sitting close together in long green grass, her wedding dress spread across the hillside at Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales. An Elopement Collective elopement, photographed by Bulb Creative.

Green hills, a country cottage and the two of them sitting in the long grass. Bridget and James’s elopement took place at a private stay in Cudgera Creek, in the countryside north of Byron Bay. It belongs to the quieter side of a northern New South Wales wedding: open views, a small team and time outdoors together.

Britt Withers planned their day for The Elopement Collective. Josh Withers led the ceremony, Bulb Creative made the photographs and film, and Fifth Avenue Florist created the flowers.

From the cottage to the hilltop

Their photographs begin inside the cottage, with the last buttons fastened, white flowers gathered and a little dog close by. Outside, the verandah opens towards the countryside. Getting ready and marrying in the same setting gave the day a lovely sense of continuity.

On the hilltop, Bridget and James stood together with Josh for their vows, the folds of the green valley stretching away behind them. The landscape gave them a beautiful backdrop without needing much added to it: their flowers, their people and the words they had come to say.

Room to wander

Afterwards, there was space to walk, run and settle into the grass. Bulb’s photographs follow those small changes in pace: a kiss on the hillside, a hand held on the walk back, Bridget’s dress spread beside them as they sit together.

A private country stay can make a beautiful base for an elopement around Byron Bay and the Tweed Valley. We help confirm that the property welcomes your ceremony, then shape the day around the setting and the experience you want. Start planning with Britt.

Bridget's wedding dress hanging in the window of a country cottage. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

White pointed wedding shoes with bow details resting on a patterned bedspread. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

A white and green bouquet by Fifth Avenue Florist resting beside a cushion on a window seat. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Close-up of white flowers and fresh foliage in Bridget's bouquet by Fifth Avenue Florist. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Bridget having the back of her wedding dress fastened beside the cottage window. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Bridget lifting her embroidered veil over her head as she gets ready. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Bridget standing beneath her veil with her white and green bouquet. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

James in a cream suit standing beside a small white dog at the cottage steps. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

James waiting on the lawn as Bridget comes down the cottage stairs behind him. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Bridget and James embracing at the foot of the verandah steps, her train spread across the grass. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Bridget and James walking hand in hand across the lawn with rolling hills behind them. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Bridget and James standing beside the weatherboard cottage with a small white dog at their feet. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Black-and-white photograph of Bridget and James outside the weatherboard cottage with a small white dog. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Bridget lifting her veil against a backdrop of green hills. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Black-and-white rear view of Bridget and James walking towards their outdoor ceremony. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Bridget and James holding hands as Josh Withers leads their ceremony overlooking the hills. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Wide view of Bridget and James's hillside ceremony beneath a cloudy sky. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Josh Withers speaking with Bridget and James during their intimate outdoor ceremony. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Black-and-white photograph of Josh Withers leading Bridget and James's ceremony. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Bridget and James facing each other during their vows with Josh Withers between them. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Close-up of a wedding ring being placed on a finger during Bridget and James's ceremony. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Black-and-white photograph of Bridget and James kissing after their vows. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

James looking back towards Bridget as she stands on the green hillside. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Bridget and James embracing in a grassy paddock after their ceremony. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Wide portrait of Bridget and James together on a green slope beneath scattered trees. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Bridget and James standing together in the grass, her bouquet and long train beside them. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Bridget smiling up at James as they stand close together in the paddock. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Bridget and James running hand in hand along the hillside beneath a wide sky. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Distant view of Bridget and James together on the crest of a grassy hill. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Bridget and James standing shoulder to shoulder against the open sky. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Black-and-white landscape photograph of Bridget and James on a low ridgeline. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Bridget and James standing together on the hill as warm light reaches the clouds. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Bridget's veil streaming in the breeze as she stands on the grassy hill. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Bridget reaching up to James as they kiss in the paddock. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Bridget and James kissing while seated together in the long grass. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Bridget and James lying close together in the grass, smiling at each other. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

Close-up of Bridget and James holding hands as they walk through the grass. At Cudgera Creek in northern New South Wales, for an Elopement Collective elopement. Photograph by Bulb Creative.

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