Russ and Dani's Wedding | Butterland, Victoria

Dani and Russ were married at the popular (and stunning) Butterland, a wedding venue in Newstead, Victoria. Over the course of the time they’ve known each other, they’ve been colleagues, friends and cross-continental lovers. Truly a love for the ages.

Russ: Dani and I had been living opposite ends of the world when I was planning our proposal. I would visit London every few months and we would travel for 3 weeks at a time.

When trying to determine the location I had all of UK and Europe to choose a proposal destination. In the end it occurred to me the perfect setting was where we had spent most of our time together, our home in London was opposite the Kew Royal Botanical Gardens.

I had set up a picnic and secretly organised a photographer to meet us for the big day. He was not very stealth in his approach, as Dani noticed him lurking around as I was readying my delivery! Of course I was nervous, but it all went off according to plan and it took Dani by complete surprise. She cried, we hugged, and we even garnered some applause from some of the locals passing by.

Butterland was an excellent choice of wedding venue, less than 2 hours drive from Melbourne CBD. It is also just 20 minutes from popular destinations Castlemaine and Daylesford. The venue itself has so much character, I did a little a little research and found out that it opened originally in 1904 as a butter factory (no surprise there I guess), and it operated as a successful dairy until 1975. In the early 80’s it became a candle factory these days hosts a plethora of weddings and events year-round.

Each year, Butterland Weddings provides a distinct feeling and aesthetic to couples and wedding guests, whether in winter, spring, summer, or autumn. They work with top-notch culinary partners and have an onsite florist, so they understand the importance of customization and personal style to make every wedding unique.

Dani: I love how thoughtful Russell is. Nothing ever escapes him, he is the man who always writes the most beautiful cards, puts on a feast for guests, makes the cups of tea.

He once told me that I remind him to stop and see the beauty in things, because when we walk I always stop and smell flowers, or pick fruit to eat. I think I do these things because with him I feel so present, and use my senses so much more.