Californian Redwoods Wedding

Nestled deep in the Otway’s, just outside of the tiny township of Beech Forest is one of the most picturesque locations for an intimate wedding or elopement. Known by the locals as simply, “The Redwoods'“. I remember when I was growing up, many people referred to Beech forest as the place where it rains for 9 months of the year and drips from the tress for the next 3 months.

It has grown in popularity in the last five years as the perfect location for either an elopement or a wedding due to stunning backdrop that it creates for your wedding photos. It is not surprising why they have become so popular in recent years. In an area where Eucalyptus tress abound, The Redwoods create something a little bit different. They create a majestic quality to your ceremony and even have their own natural amphitheatre. They also have the added bonus of having two nearby waterfalls that can be featured in your couple portraits if you, like me, are a little bit on the adventurous side. They are called Beauchamp Falls and Hopetoun Falls and are two of my absolute favourite waterfall along the Great Ocean Road and the Otway National Park.

Simone and Jared chose The Redwoods for their intimate ceremony and it really was the most perfect location for them! They had originally organised to have their wedding on the 11th of June, however Covid had other plans and we had to reschedule to the week later! I was playing netball in Gellibrand on the 11th and happened to drive home to Apollo Bay via Binns Road, where The Redwoods are located. It was a dark dreary evening; not ideal for a wedding! Perhaps it was just luck, or maybe it was fate but the wedding was rescheduled to the next Saturday… and wow the weather was amazing!

So on the 18th June, in the middle of Winter, we miraculously had the most stunning weather, albeit a little cold! Jared and Simone opted for a late ceremony, so we knew that lighting wouldn’t be ideal, however it was established that flash wasn’t an option. They preferred low light and loved the look of grain in their images, as they feel it adds to the romanticism that they envisioned. I am so glad that they decided that because they were styled perfectly to capture images that created a soft romantic feel with the perfect little touch of grain. But honestly; the dress, the suit, hair and makeup and the flowers just tied together beautifully.

Surrounded by close friends and family, including their children Jared and Simone were married in the most beautiful ceremony that really captured the essence of who they are. It was such a beautiful evening and they and their guests continued on with the celebrations at The Beech Forest Pub.