Amber & Gareth’s Fernglen Forest Retreat Elopement
Exploring the lesser seen part of the RJ Hamer Arboretum
Amber and Gareth planned the ultimate intimate wedding done their way to suit their personalities. Doing it this way allows you to be more connected with your guests, you can still style it how you want without breaking the bank and concentrate on the things that really matter. One of Melbourne’s best celebrants Sam Lavery brought them together officially along with personalised vows in the Mount Dandenong accommodation of Fernglen Forest Retreat.
We also got to explore the lesser visited side of the RJ Hamer Arboretum which was well worth it. We found epic grassy clearings, lots of natural aussie bush and pockets with super green ferns. Highly recommended and can’t wait to return.
Tell me about the beginning!
Our wedding marks our 15-year anniversary. We started dating on 7 December 2010 and will be getting married on the same date in 2025. This occasion is about celebrating how far we have come, and everything still ahead of us, on a date that matters to us!
We met at university through friends when we were around 20. We were both studying at university in Townsville, North Queensland. Neither of us were originally from there, so we always had the idea that we might move somewhere else or travel after uni.
We were both pretty creative in our own ways - Amber with her graphic design and art, and Gareth with his DJing and music, and we wanted to go somewhere that felt a bit more ‘us’. So, we decided to make the big move to Melbourne. At the time, it felt like an adventure for a year or two and see what happens. We loved the people, the culture, and the whole experience, and we really grew up together here.
Ten years later, we have built a life we love. We have made Melbourne our home, we have our dog Indy and two amazing kids, Nora and Finley. We have changed a lot since those uni days, but we have grown together every step of the way, and our love is stronger than ever.
When and where did you get engaged?
We got engaged in Ardrie Park (Malvern East) in December 2019.
A bit more of the story - At the time we were getting closer to 30 and started to think more about our long term plans. Around that time, Amber’s sister was getting married. We went to their wedding in Mount Gambier. On our drive home, we got into some deep discussions about life, and what was next - we both knew it was time to take the next step.
Less than two months later - we were engaged. We went to our favourite local neighbourhood park where we loved to regularly spend afternoons chilling and playing with our dog. This time for a picnic, and Gareth asked the question.
Shortly after, we found out about the impending arrival of our first child. It seems like everything was ready and happening all at once! So we decided to put the wedding plans on hold and get everything else sorted - we bought our first home, started and completed our family, and now in 2025 have bounced back and are ready to have that wedding celebration!
What style/theme have you chosen for your Wedding Day? Feel free to elaborate about your choices and venue.
We have always loved the look and feeling of mountains, forests, cabins, and cozy moments with a warm cup of coffee by the fire. After moving to Melbourne, we took a trip to the Dandenong Ranges and absolutely loved it. It has been our favourite escape ever since, so it felt right to build our wedding around that feeling.
We are getting married at the Grand Lodge within Fern Glen Retreat in Mount Dandenong. The property is surrounded by lush forest, ferns, and tall trees. It will be a small, intimate elopement-style wedding with just our family. We are staying at the lodge for a few days, with the ceremony on the second day.
Even though the setting is natural and relaxed, we are keeping the look of the day formal and elegant. The theme is a green forest backdrop with contrasting outfits: the bride in all white with some black details (think: white dress, black stockings/boots, black and white details in the flowers), and the groom in all black (suit, shirt, everything). We have asked family to dress in rich, deep tones such as burgundy, purple, gold, green and black. From what we have seen they are all keeping to theme!
The venue and decor style will reflect a lodge and cabin style, with timber features and touches of white and black metal. Our ceremony will be held in a grass clearing near the lodge surrounded by ferns and trees, with a simple black-framed mirror welcome sign and an arbor in black and white. Photos taken both on and off site in the forest, with the contrast of black and white outfits against the greenery as a key visual element.
What are you most looking forward to on the day?
We are both generally reserved people - we are open and friendly individually and in small groups, but don’t like being in front of people and making a big show. But we are really looking forward to this being our day to celebrate and make it all about us! We are excited to step up to the occasion, do the photos, and have the ceremony! Gareth can’t wait for that first look at Amber, and to see her walking down the aisle.
Your Top Tips on planning your day!
It turns out that planning a small wedding takes a lot of the same effort as planning a big wedding - don’t underestimate all of the little details that go into a day like this!
Picking a theme early makes a lot of decisions easier.
Dream Team
Photographer: https://www.marcelvanderhorstphotographer.com/
Celebrant: https://www.samlaverythecelebrant.com
Florist: https://www.petalprovedore.com.au/
HMUA: rachaelbolermakeup.com
Cake Maker: https://www.instagram.com/cakdbychloe/
Content Creator: https://www.instagram.com/katyourcreator/?hl=en
