Elopement Melbourne
Eloping isn't just about skipping the big wedding. For a lot of couples, it's about having the wedding you actually want, with the people you actually want there, without the pressure, the planning, or the price tag.
We help couples elope in Melbourne all the time. Some want a quiet ceremony in our chapel. Others want to say "I do" in a garden, on a beach, or somewhere that means something to them. Whatever your version of an elopement or micro wedding in Melbourne looks like, we've got a ceremony package to match.
What Does an Elopement Look Like Today?
The modern elopement isn't what it used to be. Gone are the days of running off in secret to get married. Today, an elopement just means a small, intimate wedding, usually with just the two of you and two witnesses, or maybe a handful of close family or friends.
Some couples tell no one. Others invite their parents and siblings. Some post about it on Instagram the next day. Some have a bigger celebration later and keep the ceremony itself private.
What makes it an elopement is the focus. It's about the two of you and the moment, not the seating chart and the speeches.
Elopements and micro weddings in Melbourne (typically up to 20 guests) are the fastest-growing wedding style in Australia, and it's easy to see why. People choose to elope in Melbourne because:
Dramatically cheaper than a traditional wedding
Much less planning and stress
More meaningful because every detail is about you
Flexible on timing, location and style
Easier to organise at short notice
Where to Elope in Melbourne
One of the best things about choosing to elope in Melbourne is that you're not tied to a traditional venue. Here are some of the best elopement venues in Melbourne to consider, whether you want an indoor ceremony or something outdoors.
Our ceremony space at The Ivory Room. Located inside St Kilda Road Towers, it's modern, calm and filled with natural light, with sweeping views over Albert Park Lake and Port Phillip Bay. Perfect if you want a beautiful indoor ceremony without the hassle of organising an outdoor venue. See our Ivory Room gallery for photos.
St Kilda Botanical Gardens Rose Garden. A gorgeous garden setting with a gazebo that works as a wet weather backup. Popular with couples who want greenery and fresh air without trekking out of the city.
Fitzroy Gardens. The Old Bandstand has an undercover area that's great if the weather turns. Lots of beautiful spots for photos afterwards.
Your home or a meaningful location. We've married couples in their own backyards, at the place they had their first date, and in some truly unexpected locations. If it means something to you, we can probably make it work.
A note on outdoor ceremonies: some public spaces like parks and gardens require a permit. We can help you work out what's needed. Melbourne weather can also be unpredictable, so it's worth having a backup plan or choosing a spot with some undercover options. External ceremonies also incur an additional fee to cover travel and setup, so let us know what you're thinking and we'll work it out.
How Much Does It Cost to Elope in Melbourne?
This is where eloping really shines. Our elopement packages in Melbourne start from $295 Monday to Thursday, which includes everything you need to be legally married.
Legals Only from $295: A simple, no fuss ceremony. 15 to 20 minutes, two witnesses, all legal paperwork handled. The most popular option for couples who want to elope and keep things beautifully minimal
Intimate Ceremony from $495: Up to 16 guests, 30-minute booking, time for personal vows and photos. Great if you want a few close family or friends there for your micro wedding
Professional witnesses available for $50 each if you're eloping without guests and need someone to sign the paperwork
That's it. No venue hire, no catering, no florist. If you want any of those things, you can add them, but you don't have to.
Compare that to the average Australian wedding cost of around $36,000, and it's easy to see why so many couples are choosing to elope in Melbourne.
Can You Elope Without Witnesses?
Legally, you need two witnesses at your wedding in Australia. There's no way around this. But if you're eloping and don't have anyone with you, we can provide professional witnesses for $50 each.
Our witnesses are friendly, professional and genuinely lovely to have around on your day. They'll sign your paperwork, stay in the background if that's what you want, or join in the moment if you'd prefer. Just let us know what works for you.
For more on how witnesses work, have a read of Can You Get Married Without Witnesses?
How to Plan Your Elopement
Here's the good news: planning an elopement in Melbourne is much simpler than planning a wedding. You can pull the whole thing together in as little as a month.
Choose your date and time. We're available seven days a week, including evenings. Need something at short notice? Just ask, we often have availability
Complete your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form. This needs to be lodged at least one month before your ceremony. We can witness it in person, or over Zoom, FaceTime or WhatsApp
Decide where you want to get married. Our chapel, The Ivory Room, or an outdoor location of your choice
Bring photo ID and your two witnesses on the day. Or let us know you need witnesses and we'll sort it
Enjoy the moment. We'll handle the paperwork and register your marriage with BDM Victoria afterwards
If you need to get married in under a month, we can often help with a shortening of time application. Read more about getting married quickly.
What to Wear to Your Elopement
Whatever you want. This is the joy of eloping.
Some couples still go all out with a wedding dress and suit. Others keep it casual in something they'd wear to a nice dinner. We've had couples get married in jeans, in beach clothes, in cocktail dresses, and in full traditional outfits.
There are no rules. Wear whatever makes you feel like yourself.
Ready to Elope in Melbourne?
If you're planning an elopement or micro wedding in Melbourne, we'd love to help. As your elopement celebrant, we'll make the legal stuff easy so you can focus on the moment.
Book your elopement date or get in touch if you want to chat through your options. You can also view all our ceremony packages to find the right fit.
The best elopements feel spontaneous even when they're planned. Let us take care of the details so yours can feel that way too.