Rachael & Javiers Spring Elopement Wedding at Montsalvat with Welope

March 15, 2026

How a Small Elopement Wedding Grew into a Beautiful Celebration

Some weddings begin with a grand vision, while others start with the simplest intention – to celebrate love in an intimate and meaningful way. Rachael and Javier originally planned a small elopement wedding, wanting a relaxed and personal day surrounded by only a handful of their closest loved ones.

As the planning journey unfolded, however, they found it increasingly difficult to leave important people off the guest list. What began as a small elopement slowly evolved into a larger celebration, while still maintaining the warmth, intimacy and authenticity that made their original vision so special.

The result was a beautiful spring wedding at Montsalvat that perfectly balanced romance, family and simplicity.

Planning a Stress-Free Melbourne Elopement Wedding with Welope

One of the reasons the transition from a small elopement to a larger wedding felt so seamless was the support of the incredible team at Welope.

We had the pleasure of working closely with Abbey from Welope throughout the planning process and could not speak more highly of the experience. As changes arose and guest numbers increased, Abbey remained calm, organised and incredibly accommodating.

Nothing ever felt like too much trouble, and her communication and professionalism ensured all suppliers remained informed and coordinated. It was clear that her priority was making sure Rachael and Javier enjoyed the planning process while creating a wedding day that reflected exactly what they wanted.

As wedding professionals ourselves, we genuinely enjoyed working alongside Abbey and would highly recommend Welope to couples considering an elopement wedding or intimate celebration in Melbourne.

Spring Wedding Flowers for a Romantic Montsalvat Elopement Wedding

When discussing flowers with Abbey, it quickly became clear that Abbey wanted the floral styling to feel natural, whimsical and reflective of the beautiful spring season.

Montsalvat's historic stone buildings, romantic gardens and artistic atmosphere provided the perfect setting for organic floral designs.

For the ceremony, we created a stunning floor floral arch featuring:

Queen Anne's Lace
Baby's Breath
Chamomile
Andromeda
White Spring Blossoms

Rather than creating a formal structured arch, the design was intentionally loose and garden-inspired, appearing as though the flowers had naturally grown around the ceremony space.

The soft whites and delicate textures worked beautifully against Montsalvat's historic architecture and complemented the relaxed elegance of the day.

Rachael's Chamomile Bridal Bouquet and Javier's Matching Buttonhole

Sometimes the simplest flowers create the most memorable designs.

For her bridal bouquet, Rachael chose a beautiful posy featuring fresh chamomile flowers. The bridal bouquet perfectly reflected the intimate nature of the celebration while embracing the fresh beauty of spring.

The dainty blooms created a romantic and effortless appearance that felt perfectly suited to the venue and the overall wedding style.

To complement the bouquet, we also created Javier's buttonhole using matching chamomile flowers, creating a cohesive floral story between bride and groom.

The simplicity of the flowers allowed their natural beauty to shine and created a timeless look that photographed beautifully throughout the day.

Arriving in Style with Always Classic Cars

Adding another layer of timeless elegance to the day was the beautiful transportation provided by Always Classic Cars.

Their stunning classic wedding vehicles perfectly complemented both the historic setting of Montsalvat and the romantic atmosphere of the celebration.

The beautifully maintained cars provided wonderful photo opportunities while adding a touch of sophistication and old-world charm that felt completely at home within the venue's unique surroundings.

Why Montsalvat is Perfect for an Elopement Wedding

Montsalvat remains one of Melbourne's most sought-after wedding venues, particularly for couples seeking something intimate, romantic and unique.

With its historic stone architecture, charming gardens and European-inspired atmosphere, the venue creates an almost magical backdrop for both elopements and larger celebrations.

For Rachael and Javier, Montsalvat provided the perfect setting to celebrate their love while creating unforgettable memories with family and friends.

Repurposing Ceremony Flowers Throughout the Venue

One of our favourite aspects of this wedding was the thoughtful way the ceremony flowers were repurposed following the vows.

After the ceremony concluded, the floor floral arch was carefully separated into smaller arrangements that could easily be transported by family members.

These arrangements were then used throughout the venue to decorate the wishing well box and reception spaces, allowing guests to continue enjoying the flowers long after the ceremony had finished.

Repurposing wedding flowers is an excellent way to maximise value while maintaining a cohesive look throughout the celebration, and this wedding was a perfect example of how effective that approach can be.

Planning Your Own Melbourne Elopement Wedding?

At Lillypad Weddings, we love creating flowers for intimate weddings, elopements and celebrations of every size.

Whether you're planning a simple ceremony for two or a larger gathering with family and friends, our experienced team can create custom wedding flowers that perfectly reflect your style and vision.

Thank you, Abbey and the Welope team, for allowing us to be part of Rachael and Javiers' beautiful wedding day.