Real Wedding – Gabriella & Frazer, Margaret River WA
In the stunning light filtered between towering trees in Boranup Forest, Gabriella and Frazer found their perfect ceremony setting. A celebration that honoured both magnitude and intimacy – where personal vows echoed through ancient trees and family gathered close.
Their path to this moment was equally considered. From chance meetings in university corridors to quiet reveals of their mutual respect and adoration, each step led them here – to a day designed purely around what mattered most by the talent at The Wild Elopement Co.
In Margaret River’s natural beauty, they created a celebration that proved there’s no template for perfect – only what feels true.
The meeting.
We met back at the very beginning of 2020. We somehow found ourselves in a younger cohort group of Humanities and Social Science secondary teachers at Edith Cowan University, WA. He had to receive his Australian citizenship before he could enter university, while I changed degree. We became fast friends which we maintained for a while, but eventually we realised we were actually meant to be together.
The ‘one’.
Frazer will say it happened over an accumulation of many different things (albeit early into our relationship), while I can narrow it down to one exact moment. In 2021, I had to travel a few hours south of where we were living to deal with a family emergency. This place was not one I was fond of nor felt safe in. Previous partners had never cared when I mentioned this to them, so I expected nothing less from him so early into our relationship (about nine months at this point). However, I couldn’t have been more wrong. While I was a shell of myself, Frazer quietly and lovingly prepared the car, got all my favourite snacks together, set me up with a movie and drove me down there. When we arrived, I had to drive to collect a family member and then deal with the issue. Frazer could not come with me, which he was fully aware of, but to ensure I felt safe, he walked around the town square for eight hours just so that I could know that if I needed help, he was there. It helped to even know he was close by. Not once did he complain or make me feel guilty, and that’s when I knew he was the one.
The proposal.
Another question that requires some backstory. In 2019, Frazer was living in a coastal suburb with his family and his dog Jurgen. When his family were deciding to move back to England after six years, Frazer was torn. He followed his family and booked a one-way flight back. However, two weeks before the flight, as he was walking his dog along the beach he realised. He explained that he loved his life in Australia, and he couldn’t imagine living anywhere else, that he felt in that moment that his future was here. A few years later it became our regular walking spot together. In December 2023, we were walking along that exact spot when he got on one knee and told me I was his future.
Choosing to elope.
We thought about it for a long time, and we actually planned out a big wedding and a small intimate one. When looking at both plans and trying to picture ourselves there, the elopement was the one that felt authentically us. We were initially worried about our family and friends’ reaction, but we realised that a wedding – no matter how big or small – is not about anyone except the two people who are promising themselves to each other. We decided then and there we were going to do exactly what felt right for us.
Planning process.
The planning of the elopement started out with researching. There is so much information and so many businesses out there that I felt horribly overwhelmed. I wished that there was one place that could give us a day that was uniquely us, but that wasn’t a wedding planner. That’s when I stumbled upon The Wild Elopement Co. I read their ‘About Us’ section and immediately booked my consultation appointment with Victoria. Everything from there was easy and stress-free. We discussed the main things that were important to us; getting married in Margaret River, my immediate family being there, and being in nature. We gave Victoria an image of our perfect day, and she made it a reality.
Style inspiration.
There was nothing significant to it to be completely honest. As corny as it sounds, we just followed our hearts. We knew we wanted to be surrounded by nature as we found ourselves the happiest in it. We knew we wanted to dress the way we would for a larger wedding, I knew I still wanted to wear my dream wedding dress. We knew we wanted my family there in whatever they felt comfortable in. And Frazer knew he wanted a red tie to represent Liverpool!
The look.
I made the most of the experience and went dress shopping with my mum and best friend. We went to a bunch all around Perth until there were two that I could envision myself in on my wedding day. One was just everything I had dreamed of and so I went with that! It was a beautiful off-the-shoulder A-line gown with cap sleeves and a leg slit. It was so me. Frazer knew he wanted to wear a navy suit and a red tie and boutonnière to represent Liverpool. And it was so him.
Favourite moments.
This is probably the hardest question here, as there are too many to choose from, but we both agreed that our favourite moment was sharing our personal vows.
Meaning of marriage.
Marriage to us is a life partnership with your best friend. A person that you see yourself being with, loving and taking care of for the rest of your life. There is not a single activity that we wouldn’t want to do with each other, whether that’s watching a trashy movie at home, or travelling the world. It’s being motivated to be the best versions of ourselves for each other and supporting the other person in whatever they may do with love and compassion. The vows you make to one another are not promises, they are privileges, to love your person to the end of time.
Wedding soundtrack.
Interestingly, we have very different preferences in music. But, there were songs we knew would be playing on our day that are very important to us. He waited for me to The Beatles and Elvis. We celebrated with champagne and ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’.
Aisle: Slide Away by Oasis
First Dance: If I Had A Gun by Noel Gallagher
Funny stories or near disasters.
There was nothing major in the lead-up (thankfully); however, on the day, there were a couple of funny hiccups. Firstly, I got ready with my mum and my nana at the beautiful Edge Luxury Villas in Margaret River. I forgot my flowers and only realised when we had already left; Frazer accidentally jumped the gun with his “I do”; and my brother, who was giving us the rings, tried to give me my own ring and Frazer his ring! We all had a big laugh at that one.
Planning surprises.
Honestly just how effortless and stress-free it was. We weren’t dealing with family pushback or conversing with multiple vendors. It was relaxing and we had the space to just be excited for our upcoming day.
Breaking the elopement news.
Frazer and my immediate family knew about it beforehand, but the extended family were the only ones I was nervous for! We actually sent out an email with some beautiful photos and an invite to an afternoon tea at my parents’ house. There, we celebrated and shared photos on the big screen. Fortunately for us, their reactions were very supportive, understanding and simply happy! They understood that we did was right for us and were supportive of our choices.
Words of wisdom.
Just go for it! Whatever might be holding you back, whether it’s fear, anxiety, or thoughts of possible regret, break it down to the core ‘want’ of the situation. If you wholeheartedly want a large wedding, absolutely go for it! If you wholeheartedly want a day that is solely about the two of you, unique and intimate, elope. If you worry about not being able to celebrate with others, there are so many opportunities for celebration in the lead-up and even afterwards with a reception party! Take the opportunity to do something for yourselves and what is authentically YOU.
It is the best decision we ever made, 0 regrets.
Considering an elopement or micro-wedding? You need our breakdown on exactly what to plan, how to approach it and why a micro-wedding can be the perfect celebration for couples seeking low-key love.
GABRIELLA AND FRAZER’S VENDORS
Planner and Coordinator: The Wild Elopement Co
Photography: Victoria Baker – Owner of the The Wild Elopement Co
Ceremony location: Boranup Forest, Margaret River WA.
Celebrant: Weddings by Kate
Florist: Alyssa from Studio Alyssum
Hair: Rachel from Hidden Beaute Studio
The Dress: Oxford Street by True Society from Tuscany Bridal
Rings: Temple & Grace
Grooms suit: Tarocash
Ties: Tarocash
Honeymoon: Clare at Edge Luxury Villas, Margaret River WA
