Planning an Elopement?

For some couples, spending a day (or weekend or even a week) with their family and friends is their idea of the perfect way to celebrate their wedding.  Others prefer a low-key approach.

There are many reasons why couples choose to elope.  It could be the expense, not being comfortable being the centre of attention, hating the thought of the planning and organising for a big wedding, or dealing with difficult family relationships.  Some couples prefer to elope so that they have a wedding that is more personal and just about them.

While some couples may head off overseas on a fabulous holiday to get married, others may want a ceremony at home – be it at a registry office or in a setting of their choosing.

If you are thinking about eloping, then you need to consider a few points:

If you are eloping in Australia, there are legal requirements to be met.  You still need an authorised celebrant and to complete the Notice of Intended Marriage Form at least one month before your ceremony.  Your celebrant will talk you through the legal requirements and advise what is possible.

How will you deal with family and friends who are upset that they missed out – this is particularly important to think about if you have a close knit family.

What aspects of a ‘traditional’ wedding do you want to keep?  You may want a photographer to record your special day and use these photos to share the day with family and friends.

Do you include family or friends as your two witnesses, or will you ask your celebrant to provide witnesses?

Will you hold a ‘party’ afterwards and tell family and friends they are now at your wedding reception?

Ultimately, whether you have a wedding ceremony with a large guest list, a small intimate ceremony, or you elope, your ceremony should be about two people declaring their love for each and committing to a future together in a way that is meaningful to them.

A Perfect Season for Your Ceremony

The date you choose for your ceremony might be based on any number of criteria, such as an anniversary, timing of holidays, availability of a venue or travel for important guests.  But how many couples choose a date because of the season?

Spring is the most popular season to get married – the days are getting longer and warmer and flowering blossoms can make a perfect addition to your ceremony setting.  It is a busy season for celebrants, so make sure you book in early.

Summer is the season of long sunny days and warm and balmy evenings.  You can take advantage of the glorious weather for outdoor weddings, which may include lawn games and other outdoor activities as part of your day of festivities.

Autumn is another popular wedding season – the days are cooling down after the heat of summer and the trees are looking spectacular with their vibrant colours.

Winter, while not as popular a wedding season, also has its benefits – like warm and cosy fires to enhance the mood of your celebrations.  Depending on your ceremony location, you can also have some beautiful and dramatic backdrops for your photos.

Regardless of the season, if you are planning an outdoors ceremony, you should always make sure you have a back-up plan.  While your ceremony will always be special, a back-up plan will ensure that regardless of the weather – be it hot, cold or wet – everyone will enjoy the ceremony.

Testimonials

  • Our written ceremony was perfect – it was clear that Rosemary understood what we wanted and delivered. On the day, the ceremony was above and beyond what we expected. We would definitely recommend Rosemary’s services to other couples planning their wedding.

    K and B

  • Rosemary was a friendly, helpful, thoughtful and professional celebrant who helped us create a ceremony that was perfectly suited to us. She was helpful throughout the whole process of planning and went over and above at the rehearsal and ceremony to make sure everything went smoothly.

    Anisa

  • Rosemary is a very calm, personable and professional celebrant. She helped us continuously in the lead-up to our outdoor wedding, ensuring our ceremony was wonderfully smooth. Of the many highlights of our wedding day, the ceremony was definitely one of them!

    Jaime and Nigel

  • For us, the ceremony was the most important aspect of our day and Rosemary helped us to find the right words to express our love and commitment to each other. Many people commented on how moving they found the ceremony and how well it reflected us as both individuals and as a couple. We would highly recommend Rosemary to anyone seeking a celebrant sensitive to and able to respond to the clients requirements.

    Karen and Grant

  • We’ve had great feedback about how lovely our ceremony was. Thank you for making this memorable not only for us but for our families and friends as well.

    Ruby and Mike

  • We really appreciated the work that you put into making the service just right for us – a great way to start our life together as husband and wife.

    Mark and Anna

  • Thanks for making our day so special for us. The ceremony was absolutely what we wanted and meant so much to us.

    Sandra and Terry

  • Rosemary was always very friendly and most helpful in providing suggestions. We were very happy and everyone commented on how wonderful the ceremony was.

    Laura and Tim