Elopement | Rustic Hinterland
Elopements are always something pretty special. For us, it’s a reminder of finding beauty in simplicity, stripping everything back to honour the true essence of marriage – that deep, unwavering love, commitment and “togetherness” between two people.
Amanda and Rhys were one such couple, and it was an absolute privilege to capture these sweet souls for their Byron Bay elopement. These guys created an intimate and authentic celebration crafted purely around the things they truly loved, and it was everything they envisioned and more.
We first met Amanda – a photographer herself – over coffee at a quaint corner shop, and her gentle spirit and soft heart captivated us immediately. We talked for what seemed like hours, and it felt like we had met a new best friend. To document the wedding of another photographer is unbelievably touching, and made the whole experience that little bit extra special from the very beginning.
Their simple, minimalist celebration took place at Villa Rustica; an effortlessly elegant Byron Bay venue nestled deep in the hinterland, surrounded by architectural facades, weathered stone walls and lush leafy palms. After a slow, leisurely morning getting ready at the villa (Amanda rocking a lace gown and red velvet flats, and Rhys looking dapper in a charcoal suit), these two lovers met poolside to share a private first look – one of our favourite memories from the day, filled with so much honest emotion, anticipation and genuine joy.
Guided by the relaxed warmth of celebrant Paul Voge, Amanda and Rhys exchanged personal vows in a short but incredibly sweet ceremony, before taking pleasure in the simple joy of sitting down to share a cheese platter and cut cake in the courtyard. With an appreciation for the finer details, a delicately styled table was set with ornate amber glassware, deep navy linens and trailing burgundy blooms – a thoughtful, beautiful space to share an intimate moment and enjoy each other’s company.
Camera in tow, we wandered around the villa to capture some sunset portraits of Amanda and Rhys bathed in the prettiest afternoon light, finding hidden corners, rustic doorways and lush natural backdrops at every turn. It was the perfect end to a truly memorable day, and one we won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
A huge amount of love and gratitude to these two humans for the opportunity to capture this incredibly special day (and relive it all over again through our lens!). See all of the beautiful details from their Byron Bay elopement below (as featured in Hello May), or connect with us here to learn more about our wedding photography packages.
