Our Craig’s Hut Story: Why This Place Stole Our Hearts
Scotty and I decided on an adventurous elopement up at Craig’s Hut. But the fun part? We told absolutely nobody. For a couple of months, we were in our own little bubble. No brand-new shoes, no endless dress try-ons, no seating charts. Just my six-year-old Ariat boots, a dress I found on Facebook Marketplace, and a sense of excitement for a day that felt truly ours.
Scotty has always been obsessed with helicopters, I’ve always been obsessed with snow, and together we’ve always loved the Victorian High Country. Craig’s Hut felt like the perfect mix of everything we adore. We wanted a day that was relaxed, a little wild, full of laughter and wind in our hair, no pressure, no expectations… just love, adventure, and a story we’ll never forget.
That’s why I wanted to write this blog: to share our experience and everything we learned about getting married at Craig’s Hut, from seasonal access and planning logistics to photography tips and vendor considerations, so other couples can create a day that’s just as magical and stress-free.
Why Couples Fall in Love with Craig’s Hut
Craig’s Hut is iconic for a reason. Nestled in the Victorian High Country, it offers:
- Alpine hills and snow-capped peaks
- Breathtaking sunrise and sunset views
- A sense of quiet seclusion while still being accessible
- An intimate, storybook setting for elopements and weddings
Its accessibility and charm make it a bucket-list wedding destination for couples seeking adventure, natural beauty, and an experience that feels completely their own.
When Can You Get Married at Craig’s Hut?
Timing is everything when planning a Craig’s Hut wedding:
- Track closures: The main Alpine track closes King’s Birthday weekend and reopens Melbourne Cup weekend (check official Parks Victoria updates each year as dates can vary slightly).
- Access during closures: Even when the track is closed, you can reach the hut via helicopter & horseback. Alpine Helicopter Charter (Alpineheli.com.au) flies from The Sebel Pinnacle Valley, Merrijig, picking up you and your crew. Keep in mind flights depend on weather, and confirmation usually happens 3–7 days in advance.
- Opening season access: Outside the closure dates, the hut is accessible via 4x4, though it is open to the public. For a quieter experience, choose midweek and avoid school holidays.
Pro tip: Weather can be unpredictable. Make sure your hair and makeup team is on standby and comfortable with reschedules, and plan flexibility into your day.
Planning Tips for Your Craig’s Hut Wedding or Elopement
Here’s what we learned from planning and experiencing our own day (we married when the tracks were closed, so we flew in)
- Flexibility is key: We scheduled two separate helicopter flights, one for Scotty, our daughter and myself, and one for vendors. We chose a midweek date to allow for weather-based postponements. Dave the pilot helped us with planning the coordination of flights and who is flying first etc. He takes a rough weight estimate of each person to figure out logistics, and does a final weight before you jump in the helicopter.
- Communicate with your vendors: Photographers, videographers, and celebrants must be comfortable with last-minute changes. A calm, flexible team makes the day effortless.
- Dress for adventure: Terrain can be uneven, wind can be strong, and weather changes fast. I wore boots with my dress, and it made moving around so much easier. I also wore leggings under my dress (but found with all the running around during portraits, I could have gone without them)
- Timing matters: Sunrise or late afternoon provides the softest, most magical light, and midweek days minimize other visitors. Traveling via helicopter, won't give you that much flexibility with time, it all depends on the wind. But there's plenty of spots with shade incase you get full sun.
- Expect the unexpected: Wind, snow, or sudden weather changes are part of Craig’s Hut’s charm. Embrace it, it adds authenticity and adventure to your elopement.
- Keep it personal: Forget what everyone else expects. Focus on a day that reflects you. That freedom creates magic and memories that last a lifetime.
- For the little ones: If you're flying in with a toddler, show them videos of helicopters and talk to them about the idea leading up to your big day, this helped so much, and although I was SO nervous about Wren being scared, she was SOOO excited and 6 months later, still tells everyone 'I went on a green helicopter'. Bring bribery snacks and spare clothes. There's hit and miss Telstra reception up at Craigs Hut, so my phone was a little lifesaver too while some couple portraits were taken.
Photography at Craig’s Hut: What You Need to Know
Having been married here, I now photograph weddings and elopements at Craig’s Hut with firsthand knowledge of:
- Lighting conditions – Alpine light can shift quickly, golden hour is ideal
- Wind and weather management – Plan poses and locations for comfort and stability
- Public access – Choose midweek to avoid crowds and capture intimate moments
Images featured in this post were captured by the talented Capture the Wild - Erin who photographed our wedding day. Even though I wasn’t the photographer for our wedding, my personal experience helps me guide couples to capture authentic, emotional, and location-aware images.
craigs hut through every season
Craig’s Hut isn’t just a beautiful location for weddings and elopements, it’s a place that photographs beautifully at every stage of life. I’ve also had the privilege of photographing a maternity session here, capturing the same sweeping High Country views in a completely different, yet equally meaningful way.
That session reminded me just how powerful this landscape is for storytelling, whether you’re exchanging vows, celebrating new life, or simply wanting something a little wild and deeply personal. You can view that Craig’s Hut maternity session HERE, and see how this location transforms across seasons and chapters.
The Right Team Makes All the Difference
A few weather postponements later, we finally brought everything together with the most incredible crew, people who were calm, flexible, and completely aligned with the vision for the day. When you’re planning a Craig’s Hut wedding or elopement, having vendors who understand alpine environments, weather delays, and the importance of staying relaxed truly makes all the difference.
Our wedding team: Celebrant – Ceremonies by Shaun | Photographer – Capture the Wild Photography | Videography – Murphy Film Co | Hair – Sam Eco Hair | Make Up – Studio by G | Florals – Love Sophie Florals | Helicopter – Alpine Helicopter Charter
Final Thoughts
Craig’s Hut isn’t just a location, it’s an experience. The most magical days here embrace:
- Flexibility with timing and vendors
- Personal touches that make your day unique
- Respect for nature and the track
If you’re dreaming of a Craig’s Hut elopement or intimate wedding, and want someone who understands both the logistics and emotion of the place, I’d love to help you plan and photograph it with care.
