Josh Withers · Real Weddings · 4 min read
Maddy & Cameron's Daylesford elopement
A True Two-Person Elopement in Daylesford with Cameron & Maddy
As a celebrant, I’ve witnessed countless expressions of love, but there’s something extraordinarily special about being part of a true elopement – where it’s just the couple, completely focused on each other.
When my wife Britt, who you might know as The Elopement Collective, told me about Maddy and Cameron’s vision for their day, I knew this would be one of those magical ceremonies that remind you why elopements are so powerful.
Maddy, an Intensive Care Nurse, and Cameron, a Joiner who specialises in crafting beautiful staircases, chose to celebrate their love in the most intimate way possible – just the two of them (plus us vendors, of course!).
Their choice of Daylesford couldn’t have been more fitting.
This charming spa town, just a short drive from Melbourne, holds special meaning for them – it’s where Cameron proposed at the picturesque Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens, complete with a perfectly planned picnic hamper at their B&B.
For their elopement, they chose the stunning Mayor’s Residence, a venue that embodies everything that makes Daylesford special – that perfect blend of historic charm and contemporary elegance.
As I arrived in the afternoon, the atmosphere was notably different from typical weddings. There was no buzz of guests arriving, no family members fussing over details – just two people, completely present in their moment.
What struck me most was how Maddy and Cameron chose to spend their day together, getting ready in the same space, sharing those precious moments before becoming husband and wife.
Maddy looked absolutely stunning in her dress from Olivia Rose the Label, which perfectly matched the day’s relaxed yet elegant vibe. The Flower Jar from Melbourne had created beautiful arrangements that complemented the setting perfectly, and Bulb Creative was there to capture every moment with their signature style.
One of my favourite parts of the day was watching Cameron realise he hadn’t even taken the tags off his suit while Maddy was having her makeup done – these are the real, unscripted moments that make each ceremony unique.
During their vows, it was just us in that beautiful space, with no audience except the camera. The intimacy of that moment was palpable – when couples don’t have to project their voices for guests or worry about anyone else’s reactions, something magical happens. They can truly be themselves.
When asked about what marriage means to them, Maddy’s response resonated deeply with me:
Marriage means always having a best friend. Getting to spend every single day with your person, even if they are frustrating you and want to make you pull your hair out, they are still there at the end of the day. Having someone to turn to, laugh with and experience life with. They are your safety net and support person.
After five years together and a 14-month engagement, Maddy and Cameron created exactly the day they wanted – relaxed, intimate, and completely true to who they are as a couple. Their advice to other couples considering eloping? “If you’re thinking about it, chances are you’re meant to do it. It was the best thing we ever did and would do it one hundred times over.”
As a celebrant, these are the moments that remind me why elopements are so powerful. When couples like Maddy and Cameron choose to focus solely on their commitment to each other, without any external pressures or expectations, the result is pure magic. And working alongside my wife Britt to help create these intimate, meaningful celebrations? Well, that’s just the icing on the cake.
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