A newlywed couple and their 150 wedding guests were forced to shelter in a stable when a bushfire threatened lives and homes on a farm in Victoria's west.
Elle Moyle was hosting her friend's wedding on her property in Gazette, southeast of Hamilton, when the flames headed straight for them.
"We smelled the smoke at the venue and within 10 minutes the sky was completely red," Ms Moyle said.
Ms Moyle said the party sheltered in their large brick stable, which was surrounded by watered gardens.
She said everyone was terrified.
"Initially there was no way to get them out because the bus driver wasn't there and the bus was locked so no one could drive it," she said.
"The flames were only 100 metres away… the winds were crazy.
"We did our best to keep everyone safe and get them out of there but it was very touch and go.
"Then right at the dying hour the bus driver showed up so were able to get everyone safely out on the bus."
Ms Moyle said the bride — who was still in her wedding dress — and the guests, were all from the country and handled the situation well.
Amongst the wedding guests happened to be off-duty Country Fire Authority captains who were able to help out.
Ms Moyle said the fire's front eventually went over the property but they lost her brother's home and two sheds.
"Luckily (my brother) wasn't in it," she said.
"One of the other guys he lives with was working in the shed, he's just lucky he got out.
"There's a few (stock) that have been burned but it nowhere near as bad as it could have been."
