We’re thrilled to share the intricate details of this Luxe Elopement at the breath-taking Evergreen Garden Venue on the Gold Coast. Inspired by the beloved 1993 film The Secret Garden, this styled shoot reimagines a timeless story, blending luxury with whimsy to evoke deep nostalgia and romance. Our vision? To create an ethereal, reclaimed-by-nature sanctuary, brought to life through vibrant wildflowers, lush greenery, and intentional details, seamlessly blending modern trends with vintage elements.
Who are we? Van Dev Weddings, a luxury wedding planning and styling business located on the Gold Coast, Australia. With over 4 years as a wedding planner and stylist, I, Kodie Van Deventer—founder of Van Dev Weddings, believe in weaving my couples' unique love stories into their events, curating designs that are authentic, heartfelt, and unforgettable. This shoot reflects that philosophy—transforming symbolic elements into a celebration of beauty, purpose, and love.
Highlights: Luxe Elopement at Evergreen Garden Venue
Star Couple: Tyra Johannes and Kale Roberts, winners of Love Island Australia, brings authenticity, charm, and real-life romance to the scene.
Stunning Gold Coast Location: Lush pathways, cascading vines, and European-inspired architecture.
Enchanting Colour Palette: Soft whites, antique gold, muted lavender, dusty rose, deep greens, and burgundy—every hue chosen with intention.
Magical Ceremony Features: Romantic harp melodies, organically arranged flower installations, and an award-winning live wedding painter.
Fashion Highlights: The Bare Sea Bridal’s ethereal styled gown & House of Falcone’s bespoke suit exude elegance.
Unforgettable Details: A champagne bird bath, calligraphy love letters, symbolic antique wheelchair, rose-petal pathways, and adorable baby doll lambs.
Unique Reception: An intimate bed setting with vintage linens, fine china, and abundant florals.
Top-Tier Vendors: A dream team of creatives showcasing innovation and exceptional artistry.
Expert Imagery: Captured by Mitch Birchall Studios, using both digital and film photography.
Our Vision: The Secret Garden Theme - Reclaimed by Nature
This luxury elopement styled shoot breathes new life into The Secret Garden theme, embracing its timeless beauty while introducing a fresh, innovative vision designed to evoke emotion and nostalgia. The goal was to capture the essence of a romantic, untamed sanctuary—where nature reclaims man-made structures, symbolising resilience, healing, and the power of love.
Evergreen Garden Venue was selected as the perfect location to bring this vision to life. Known for its stunning gardens, hidden pathways, and European-inspired architecture, it effortlessly mirrors the whimsical setting of The Secret Garden. Cascading vines, stone walls, and castle-like structures provided a breath-taking backdrop that seamlessly blended with our theme. The timing of the shoot, October 31st, ensured the venue was brimming with life, as deciduous vines regenerated, jasmine bloomed, and jacaranda trees added splashes of vibrant colour.
Our carefully curated colour palette played a key role in the storytelling:
Soft Whites: Representing innocence and new beginnings.
Deep Greens: Symbolising growth and the untamed beauty of nature.
Antique Gold: Adding a luxurious, vintage charm.
Muted Lavender: Evoking tranquillity and ethereal beauty.
Dusty Rose: Portraying endless love and romance.
Burgundy: A symbol of passion and elegance, infusing depth and sophistication.
Outdoor Garden Ceremony: Romance in Bloom
The ceremony unfolded before the tabernacle in the front garden, where floral installations were artistically arranged by Realistic Artificial Flowers to appear as if nature had organically reclaimed the structure. A carefully selected mix of roses and wildflowers in varying species, colours, and textures reflected the beauty of untamed growth while adhering to the intentional palette. Elegantly placed at the base of each floral arrangement and other styling elements, coloured rose petals, curtesy of Rose Petals and Accessories, enhanced the romantic and ethereal nature of this styled shoot.
Adding to the romance, harpist Naomi Terashima performed ethereal melodies as our model bride, Tyra, walked down the aisle. Dressed in the Airly gown by The Bare Sea Bridal, Tyra embodied elegance and whimsy with a corset bodice, flowing fabric, delicate floral lace, and detachable sleeves. Her natural beauty was enhanced with soft, glowing makeup and effortlessly styled hair, perfectly aligned with the ethereal garden setting.
Kale, our model groom, wore a bespoke three-piece suit by House of Falcone in a soft beige hue, paired with a deep green tie and a luxurious floral lapel. This unique touch replaced the traditional buttonhole, showcasing the garden's powerful embrace and nature's seamless integration into the styling.
To enrich the experience, a live wedding painter, Donna Gibb, created a masterpiece during the ceremony, capturing the magic and beauty of the moment. Donna’s talent added an interactive, one-of-a-kind element to the shoot, leaving our couple with an extraordinary artwork full of detail and memories for them to cherish forever.
Two baby-doll lambs, courtesy of Mindfulness With Miniatures—a company deeply committed to the well-being of their animals—roamed freely throughout the gardens, embodying the dreamlike and life-giving qualities that The Secret Garden represents. Their gentle presence added to the ethereal ambiance, further immersing us in the story.
Event Design: Symbolism and Unique Touches
The champagne bird bath stood as one of the most unique features of this luxe elopement. A robin-inspired bird statue perched on the edge—a nod to the beloved character who guided Mary to the garden—alongside scattered rose petals and elegant coupe glasses. This symbolic detail added depth, charm, and luxury to the post-ceremony celebration.
The antique wheelchair display was another show-stopping element, rich with meaning. Reclaimed by creeping vines and wildflowers growing through the wheel spokes and seat fabric, it reflected nature’s regenerative power while paying homage to The Secret Garden’s character Colin. Positioned as though abandoned in the garden and untouched for years, it is a profound symbol of hope, healing, and the beauty of overcoming life’s challenges through the support of loved ones.
Romantic Outdoor Reception: Whimsical Bed Setting
Stepping through a garden corridor, the couple were welcomed into a hidden nook where the ‘Reclaimed by Nature’ theme reached its pinnacle. At the heart of this space was a romantic, vintage-inspired bed setting in the form of an opulent picnic, offering a lavish and intimate alternative to the traditional reception table.
The bed, dressed in antique linens, frilled cushions, and flowing drapery, not only set the stage for a romantic evening but also symbolises safety and comfort, echoing the protective haven of Colin and Mary’s beds depicted in the film. Flowers and greenery encroach upon the mattress, symbolising nature’s strong embrace, while an antique gold trolley, adorned with soft fabric fashioned into a bow, align with contemporary wedding trends.
Upon the gold trolley is a stunning Lambeth-style cake adorned with delicate floral appliques, courtesy of the very talented team at 160 Degrees. The revival of this cake trend added a modern touch while remaining true to the nostalgic theme. Mix-matched fine china and elegant crockery were thoughtfully placed at the foot of the bed, further enhancing the luxurious ambiance and emphasising the setting as a sanctuary of comfort and safety within natures embrace.
The Dream Team
This styled shoot was made possible by a team of top-tier vendors whose artistry, creativity, and dedication brought our vision to life:
Planner/Stylist/Stationery: Van Dev Weddings
Venue: Evergreen Garden Venue
Photographer: Mitch Birchall Studios
Content Creator: Content By Kris
Florist: Realistic Artificial Flowers
Groom's Suit: House of Falcone
Wedding Dress: The Bare Sea Bridal
Harpist: Naomi Terashima
Live Painter: Donna Gibb
Cake: 160 Degrees
Animals: Mindfulness With Miniatures
Rose Petal Supplier: Rose Petals & Accessories
Bride/Model: Tyra Johannes
Groom/Model: Kale Roberts
This luxe elopement styled shoot at Evergreen Garden Venue on the Gold Coast beautifully reimagines The Secret Garden, weaving timeless themes of love, hope, and nature into a luxurious, modern-day elopement. With carefully curated details, a story-driven aesthetic, and an exceptional creative team, this shoot inspires couples to embrace a wedding or elopement experience that is both magical and deeply meaningful—a celebration that feels like you're stepping into your very own fairytale.
If you desire a wedding or elopement with a design as meaningful as it is beautiful, we would love to connect! Click the button below to book your complimentary consultation and let us share how we can bring your dream wedding or elopement to life.
Not ready to book a consultation just yet? Take a peek at one of our real-life weddings that we planned and styled! You'll find even more examples of how we beautifully represent each couple's unique love story and life experiences through thoughtful, intentional event design. Let this inspire you as you dream about your own extraordinary celebration.
Written by Kodie Van Deventer
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Beautiful <3