Wallaringa Farm Winter Elopement
Rachel and Jake always knew a big, traditional wedding wasn’t for them. From the moment they got engaged, just the two of them, in their lounge room on Christmas morning, they dreamed of something more intimate and meaningful. And when they discovered Wallaringa Farm, they knew they’d found the perfect place to bring that dream to life.
Surrounded by rolling paddocks, peaceful countryside and that signature Wallaringa magic, their elopement was everything they hoped for… relaxed, romantic, and beautifully them. From getting ready in the homestead to sunset Polaroids with the horses, every moment felt effortless. This is the story of their day…
Their love story began in a way that feels so modern but so meant-to-be…
“Jake and I met through Hinge and we hit it off straight away ever since we started talking, soon after that we went to catch up for a coffee and chatting for hours and just like that here we are.
Jake proposed on Christmas morning, just the two of us unwrapping our presents. Jake surprised me getting on one knee and his speech brought me to tears, tears of happiness when he asked me to marry him and I immediately said yes !!!!”
Eloping wasn’t a last-minute decision for Rachel and Jake — it was something they’d talked about since early in their relationship. They had friends who’d eloped and shared beautiful stories about their days, and that helped confirm what they already felt deep down.
“We had always talked about eloping ever since we had been together in our relationship, we also had friends that had eloped themselves and they all had beautiful stories of their special days. They gave us really great advice and that just confirmed to us that eloping was the right choice for us.”
When it came time to tell their loved ones, they simply shared the news with honesty and excitement — and were met with nothing but support.
“We just told our family and close friends that our plans were to elope with just the two of us. They were happy for us, our family and friends just want to see us happy and if eloping made us happy they were happy too.”
Choosing a location was one of the most important steps, and as soon as Rachel stumbled across Wallaringa Farm, she knew she’d found something special. When they visited and met Jordana in person, it sealed the deal.
“Rachel had been looking at different locations and what packages were available. We came across Wallaringa Farm and immediately loved the scenery. Jake and I went and met Jordana and had a look at the Farm and the gorgeous homestead and we instantly fell in love with the place. Jordana was so lovely and kind very easy to communicate with and was very accommodating to us and the dreams we had pictured for our special day.”
The elopement day itself was everything they had hoped it would be — peaceful, slow, and filled with love and quiet anticipation. They spent the morning together, soaking in the last few moments of being fiancés, before the magic of the day gently unfolded.
“The whole day was so relaxing and peaceful, we woke and spent the morning together soaking up the last few moments of being fiancés with each other. Before we knew it Kara was finished with my hair and makeup, Ell soon arrived to start taking some photos of us getting ready and then it was time.”
“The ceremony was absolutely beautiful everything we had dreamt of, so relaxed and romantic. Which was exactly what Jake and I were after. Meredith our Celebrant was so lovely and organised our ceremony was so relaxed and peaceful and we loved particularly the moment when we were reading our vows to each other it was so surreal.”
Later that evening, they wandered out into the golden paddocks with Jake’s Polaroid camera to capture a few final memories with the horses, just as the sun dipped behind the trees — a moment that felt completely theirs.
“After we were married at the end of the day in the beautiful sunset we went back out to the paddocks to spend time with the horses and getting more photos with Jake’s Polaroid camera. Jake loves having these special photos taken at that memorable moment in time and having the one print and have that little keepsake.”
Looking back, it was the intimacy of the day and the people who brought it to life that meant the most.
“I really feel like the best part of the experience of eloping is I got to spend it with my best friend and reading our vows just to each other is so memorable to us. Also the beautiful people that help make our special day so special. Jordana for arranging the whole thing and having the stunning location looking pristine. Meredith for being the best celebrant ever! Ell for bringing absolute vibes on the day our photos were incredible, when looking back at our photos brings tears to my eyes. Kara she worked her magic and I had never felt so beautiful like I did on that day.”
And if you’re thinking about eloping? Rachel says go for it.
“Honestly if you feel like a big wedding isn’t for you, just elope you won’t regret it!!! If you think of it like this, these special days are meant to be about you two, you and your partner and if you want to elope with just the two of you and that makes you happy then go for it!!!!”
These are the amazing vendors involved in this elopement:
Venue: Wallaringa Farm
Photographer: Rogue Weddings
Hair and Makeup: Dreamy Looks by Kara
Celebrant: Married by Meredith
Cake: Megan Louise Cake Designs
Flower: The Dungog Flower Shop
