Elope in Melbourne | $1,800 Elopement Ceremony

What's included for $1,800

Everything you need to be legally married, plus a ceremony that actually feels like yours.

Everything in paperwork-only
A personal ceremony written with you
Help writing and saying your vows
Ring exchange and any rituals you want
A Melbourne location you choose
Planning by video call or coffee

Is an elopement right for you?

Yes, if you want vows and a real moment but not a wedding-sized guest list or budget.
Go smaller with the $780 paperwork-only marriage if you only want the legal part done.
Go bigger with the $2,200 wedding ceremony package if you are inviting guests and want professional sound and a fully custom ceremony.

Where to elope in Melbourne

You choose the place. The best elopement spots are easy for your witnesses to reach, quiet enough to hear each other, and close to somewhere good to eat afterwards. Some parks and gardens need a booking or permit, so check with the venue or council before you lock it in.

Gardens

Fitzroy Gardens, Carlton Gardens, Treasury Gardens and the Royal Botanic Gardens all look unmistakably Melbourne. Some require a booking or permit, so check first.

Laneways and the CBD

A quiet laneway, a rooftop, or the steps of an old building, followed by lunch around the corner. Easy for a handful of guests to reach by tram.

The bay

St Kilda, Williamstown, Brighton or Port Melbourne for a ceremony by the water. Pick a weekday morning and you will often have it almost to yourselves.

Home or a restaurant

Your backyard, your apartment courtyard, or a private dining room. Weather-proof, private, and the drinks are already there.

More ideas: simple and low-cost Melbourne wedding venues, photographers for small weddings, and the Melbourne wedding vendor directory.

How eloping with us works

1
Check your date
Send the date, rough time and location you have in mind. Josh confirms availability.
2
Lodge the NOIM
The Notice of Intended Marriage must be received at least one month before you marry.
3
Shape the ceremony
A short planning chat about you two, your vows, and any rings or rituals you want.
4
Elope
Say your vows, say the legal words, sign with your two witnesses, and go celebrate.

New to the paperwork? Read the NOIM guide, the legal requirements, and how the one-month notice works.

A Melbourne elopement on a budget

Eloping is one of the best-value ways to get married in Melbourne because it drops the most expensive parts of a wedding: the venue minimum spend, the catering for a crowd, and the hours of logistics. What is left is the part that matters, which is two people making promises to each other.

A sensible elopement budget looks like the ceremony, a photographer for an hour or two, flowers if you want them, and a long lunch somewhere you love. Weekday mornings are the easiest time to book photographers and restaurants, and public places are quieter.

If you are still weighing up the whole day, our guide to cheap weddings in Melbourne breaks down what couples actually spend, and simple weddings in Melbourne compares elopements with registry-style and paperwork-only options.

Melbourne elopement FAQs

How much does it cost to elope in Melbourne?

Our elopement ceremony is $1,800, fixed. That covers the celebrant, a personal ceremony, vows help and all the legal paperwork. Most couples add a photographer for an hour or two and a lunch or dinner booking, and keep everything else simple.

Can we elope with no guests at all?

Yes, but Australian law needs two witnesses aged 18 or over at every marriage. If you want it to be just the two of you, our witness service can supply them and they will stay in the background.

What is the difference between this and the paperwork-only marriage?

The $780 paperwork-only marriage is just the legal words and signing, in about five minutes. The elopement ceremony adds a personal ceremony written with you, your own vows, a ring exchange if you want one, and a location you choose.

Is photography included?

No. Keeping photography separate means you choose the photographer you love and only pay for the coverage you need. Our guide to photographers for small Melbourne weddings is a good starting point.

How many guests can come to an elopement?

An elopement suits the two of you and a small group. If you are inviting a room full of guests and want everyone to hear clearly, the $2,200 wedding ceremony package includes professional PA sound and a longer custom ceremony.

Do we still need a NOIM for an elopement?

Yes. Elopements follow exactly the same law as any other marriage in Australia. The NOIM must be received at least one month before the date, and you need your ID and birth documents.

Can we elope outside Melbourne?

Yes. Geelong, the Mornington Peninsula, the Yarra Valley, the Dandenongs and Daylesford are all possible. Travel beyond Greater Melbourne is quoted when you check your date.

Packages and prices