News

Taylor & Andy’s Perfect Spring Spur Elopement

October 1, 2023

In the picturesque landscapes of Mount Beauty, Tawonga, Bright, and Wandiligong in Victoria’s High Country you will find the perfect backdrop for a modern and intimate wedding or elopement. Today, we’re thrilled to share the heartwarming wedding day story of Taylor and Andy, a super stylish couple who chose the enchanting Spring Spur in Tawonga (near Mount Beauty and Falls Creek) for their romantic elopement and celebration.

A Love Story That Crossed Continents

Taylor, hailing from Texas, and her handsome Australian husband to be, Andy, embarked on their journey to forever with great style and elegance. Their love story began in Melbourne during Taylor’s working holiday in 2016. Fate brought them together at the Worker’s Club Pub, and within weeks, they found themselves deeply in love.

Despite the challenge of long-distance dating, their connection only strengthened. Taylor moved back to Melbourne in 2017, and in 2019, on the breathtaking island of Kauai, Andy proposed. Fast forward to October 1, 2021, their wedding day, a day filled with unbridled joy, laughter, and the promise of a lifetime together. In and out of lockdowns their wedding plans were cancelled. When they saw a window to elope they jumped at it and a plan was made. The week before the elopement the Surf Coast where they were living was plunged again into a lockdown and we waited with bated breath…..and then on Sunday 26th September I received an email from Taylor saying, “Great news that Surf Coast is coming out of lockdown and we can still go ahead for my and Andy’s elopement at Spring Spur this Friday, October 1!”

We were on!!!!!

A Venue Like No Other: Spring Spur in Tawonga

The stage was set for Taylor and Andy’s magical wedding at Spring Spur – the home of Bogong Horseback Adventures. Owned and operated by the Baird family since 1986, Spring Spur is a hidden gem on the foothills of Mount Bogong, offering a warm and intimate space for couples seeking a unique wedding experience. The property, spanning 40 hectares of rising farmland has a homestead, stables, accommodation, horses, horses, horses and views for days!!!!! For couples wanting a ceremony with a view, Spring Spur provides endless opportunities for capturing those special moments from an elevated perspective that takes in the valley and the spectre of Mount Bogong.

A Modern and Stylish Elopement

The Baird family, with their dedication and hard work, have created a venue that combines rustic beauty with modern comfort, making Spring Spur a dream setting for a wedding. Taylor and Andy’s elopement was nothing short of magical, surrounded by rolling hills and the charming ambience of the Tawonga/Mount Beauty region of Victoria’s High Country.

I arrived and Taylor was just finishing her makeup and hair with gorgeous Priscilla. I love working with her – she is excellent at what she does and is so easy going. I began with the photos of the surrounds and then the getting ready photos paying particular attention to the storytelling details as it was important to the couple and this, I believe, is where the spirit of a wedding day can be found. There is meaning and sentiment behind everything they choose and it is part of the story.

After a first look for the couple in the truly wonderful Stables building – it has wonderful textures, details and light – we had time for a pat for the horses and some carrots. The couple were picked up and driven up the hill to their ceremony location by the amazing and extremely accommodating host Lin Baird. Celebrant Heather Mull was waiting and Taylor & Andy exchanged their vows. It was beautiful and I had to pinch myself at how lucky I am to be part of these wonderful moments between people. We signed documents, threw confetti, congratulated the couple and then took our time taking photos with the views and the soft, pretty light. We returned to the homestead and took some more photos in the garden and with the gentle Spring Spur horses. The celebration continued in the Riders Lounge, with whisky and a game of backgammon and reading heartfelt messages from family members that could not be there with them on the day. Lin was preparing their dinner and pouring wine and had even made a wedding cake for the couple.

Capturing the Moments: Tailored Photography for Taylor and Andy

For Taylor and Andy, photography was a crucial element of their Spring Spur wedding day. With Taylor’s family overseas, they wanted to create a gallery that not only shared the spirit, beauty and joy of the day but also served as a cherished keepsake. They opted for a 3 hour wedding coverage, allowing them to focus on what was truly important to them.

We kept communication open and frequent from the time of booking until the day to be able to fully understand their vision for the elopement. From a first look in the stunning stables building to candid shots capturing the natural flow of the day, every moment was tailored to reflect Taylor and Andy’s warmth, joy, and love for each other. When asked to describe the ‘feel’ they wanted for their wedding day, Taylor and Andy used words like warm, classic, enriched, natural, relaxed, and sentimental. These elements were beautifully woven into the fabric of their celebration, evident in every photograph and memory created at Spring Spur. Their choice of classic, elegant, and earthy tones, along with the incorporation of gold, copper, brass, whites, sages, and deep reds, created a visually stunning and cohesive aesthetic.

Planning a wedding is a big task with plenty of moving parts. Covid really threw a spanner in the works. Taylor and Andy faced the challenge of navigating lockdowns and were determined to create a day that made their loved ones feel present, even if it was just the two of them. With a shared love for storytelling details, their wedding day was a testament to their connection and commitment to each other. Living in Rutherglen, I have been fortunate to spend plenty of time in the Mount Beauty and Bright region. When our children were small we holidayed every year at The Park in Mount Beauty. When on holiday we would do trail rides at Spring Spur. So, I was familiar with the property I just had not photographed a wedding at this location before. I went over the day before to see Taylor and Andy and we talked again over the timeline and I walked around looking at the light and exploring the location. In the end, it was an unforgettable day filled with laughter, love, and a touch of whisky, that perfectly encapsulated the modern and romantic spirit of eloping in the breathtaking landscapes of the High Country such as Mount Beauty, Tawonga, Bright, and Wandiligong.

For couples seeking a similar experience, Spring Spur stands as a testament to the beauty and magic that can be found in the Victorian High Country. Your dream wedding awaits, surrounded by stunning views, warm hospitality, and the promise of everlasting love.

Are you planning your own modern wedding or elopement?

Contact me today here, and let’s turn your dreams into reality.

Vendor Credits:

Makeup By Priscilla,

Celebrant – Heather Mull

Florals – Bright Florist

Contact Information for Spring Spur:

Spring Spur Website https://www.spring-spur.com.au