Top Six Tips for Planning Elopement, Registry-Style Ceremonies
There’s something beautifully simple and deeply meaningful about choosing to elope or have a registry-style ceremony. Whether it's just the two of you, or you're surrounded by your closest loved ones, these smaller ceremonies have a charm and intimacy that many couples now crave.
As a Brisbane and Gold Coast wedding celebrant, I’ve had the joy of marrying couples in romantic elopements, spontaneous celebrations, and heartfelt micro-weddings — all without the fuss of a large-scale event. The beauty of an elopement or registry-style wedding is that it’s entirely about you.
If you're dreaming of a simple, stress-free celebration of love, here are six top tips to help you plan a meaningful, memorable ceremony.
1. Choose the Right Celebrant for Your Style
Just because your ceremony is small doesn’t mean it should feel impersonal. The right celebrant will ensure that your wedding day still feels special and significant.
Whether you're eloping in a Brisbane park or having a registry-style ceremony on the Gold Coast, choose a celebrant who understands the tone you're after — relaxed, heartfelt, or romantic — and one who will guide you through the legal process with ease and warmth.
2. Keep the Ceremony Simple — but Personal
Elopement and registry-style ceremonies are all about simplicity, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the moment feel like your own. A great celebrant will help you craft a brief but meaningful script that still reflects your love story.
You might not want a full 20-minute ceremony, but even a short celebration can include personal vows, a favourite reading, or a special nod to how you met.
3. Pick a Meaningful Location
Eloping gives you the freedom to choose locations that are personal, picturesque, and private. Think seaside cliffs at sunrise, a quiet Brisbane garden, or a peaceful Gold Coast hinterland lookout.
Just be sure your chosen spot is legally approved for weddings — your celebrant can help with the paperwork and confirm what's required to make your ceremony official.
4. Plan Your Paperwork Early
Even simple ceremonies need to meet legal requirements. You’ll need to submit a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form at least one month before your wedding day.
A registered wedding celebrant based in Brisbane or the Gold Coast will handle all the legal documentation, explain what ID is required, and ensure you’re fully prepared — no courthouse confusion or last-minute panic.
5. Decide Who You Want There (Or Not There)
Elopements and registry-style ceremonies are typically intimate, but who you invite is totally up to you. It might be just the two of you and your celebrant, or you might invite your parents and two best friends. You’ll need two witnesses over the age of 18 — beyond that, it's your call.
Some couples even surprise their guests by turning a casual brunch into an elopement! Whether private or semi-public, your celebrant can help you keep the moment special.
6. Capture the Moment
Even the smallest ceremony deserves to be remembered. Consider hiring a photographer for an hour to capture the moment you say "I do" and a few romantic shots afterward.
If budget is tight, your celebrant can suggest a local elopement photographer or even help coordinate a witness who can take a few candid photos. These images become treasured memories of your stress-free and love-filled wedding day.
Ready to Elope with Ease and Elegance?
Elopements and registry-style weddings are a beautiful reminder that love doesn’t need an audience to be real or meaningful. Whether you're planning a spontaneous escape or a carefully chosen micro-ceremony, Let’s Marry offers personalised celebrant services across Brisbane and the Gold Coast that are warm, professional, and heartfelt.
If you’re looking for a Brisbane wedding celebrant or a Gold Coast wedding celebrant who can keep things legally sound, beautifully simple, and joyfully romantic — I’d love to help you begin your next chapter together.