Tash & Craig ~ Fitzroy Gardens Elopement

There, on an overcast June day in Melbourne – under the fig tree – Tash & Craig made their vows and solidified their commitment to each other.

So picture this – you’re off location scouting your local beaches on the Mornington Peninsula, you’ve got your camera and you just walked around the cliff edge on the back beaches of Blairgowrie, took some photos and started to head back towards the car when you realise you can’t find your lens cap in your pockets, or anywhere! You head back and re-trace your steps the way you went initially and along the way you bump into a super lovely couple and their little girl and ask if they saw anything on the ground on their way in. When they say no sadly they didn’t find anything, and you’re about to keep going but you watch them wandering taking photos on their phone and you can’t resist the urge to offer to take a quick snap of them and email it through. 

Fast forward a few months to me photographing their Elopement! What a ride indeed.

Tash & Craig initially planned on having their Wedding in the Portsea/Sorrento area, but due to multiple setbacks with Covid restrictions and the likes, they decided to Elope instead!

"My favourite part of the day was sitting in the car with Craig before we got out to walk to the ceremony together. We were both so excited to get married and just soaked it all in together."

Tash & Craig had an Airbnb in Melbourne City, where they were able to relax and get ready together – they chose to do their day completely unique to them and what felt right and I was so down for that. We all laughed together as they got themselves all dolled up, we drove together from the Airbnb to Fitzroy Gardens. 

“My favourite part of the day was sitting in the car with Craig before we got out to walk to the ceremony together. We were both so excited to get married and just soaked it all in together. Craig’s favourite part was shortly after that, walking down the aisle together to meet up with our Pastor under the fig tree. Saying our vows was by far the most emotional part of our day”

There, on an overcast June day in Melbourne – under the fig tree – Tash & Craig made their vows and solidified their commitment to each other. Emotions ran high, in the most genuine way, and as I snapped away I couldn’t help but feel myself holding back the tears as well. 

“It’s true what they say about how important it is to have a great Photographer that you also connect with, every photo you look at there is a memory attached to that photo with not only the person with you in the frame but the person behind the lens. We are so grateful we had Hannah there to capture our day and be a part of memories that will last a lifetime. 

Bringing with her this overwhelming sense of calm, we felt so relaxed around her, honestly it felt like she was an old friend we had known for years. As some of our photo’s capture, she had craig and I laughing and at one point in stitches over asking craig to whisper cereal names in my ear to get the shot! We still joke about it!” 

The best part I found about this Wedding was that it was completely about the couple, I loved that all they really needed was each other, and they were able to be completely present with one another throughout the day. Their advice for other couples getting married is “to step away and take a moment at some point of the day together, just the two of you.” 

I also asked them if there was anything that was a must have item or something you may not think about to include in your day, Tash had this awesome tip that I loved; “A must have item to have on your wedding day in my opinion is a scent to spray or burn so whenever you smell it, it takes you back to your wedding day. I had a candle burning whilst getting ready that matched my perfume I wore on the day (Hannah carried my perfume with her so I could touch up throughout the day, again, she is that amazing!).” 

“Although eloping wasn’t a part of our initial plans to get married, our elopement turned out to be the most relaxing, fun, and enjoyable day together. A massive part of how well the day went was thanks to Hannah – we wouldn’t change a thing about our day!” 

“A must have item to have on your wedding day in my opinion is a scent to spray or burn so whenever you smell it, it takes you back to your wedding day."

After the Ceremony, we got to wander through the gardens, around the Conservatory (not inside, because evidently it costs quite a lot to be able to take photos inside there! Something to be mindful of if you’re planning your ceremony or photos nearby) and after giggling our way around, playing in the autumn leaves and slow dancing in the gazebo (them, not me!) we finished the evening by popping down the classic Melbourne City Laneways for some night time snaps. 

Your Wedding Day is ultimately about you two, and how you want to do it, and Tash & Craig ran with this – to be a part of that was so special and I’ll never forget it. Thanks for having me be your third wheel for the day! 

"On a bride level, Hannah went from being my personal hype girl, to helping me with my last-minute bouquet, providing the music to get me ready, fixing my hair between shots and even curing my headache after a very teary ceremony with water and essential oils! (Yes, she is that amazing)."