Eloping from overseas

The minute you say to each other "let's just elope" getting married becomes a very simple matter. You only have three decisions to make - where, when, and who by.

Australia is a very easy country to marry in if you are a visitor from another country. And Brisbane Queensland is a wonderful place to start your holiday and your married life. Top that off with an experienced and creative celebrant (an officiant appointed by the Australian Goverment to conduct legal marriage ceremonies) who is well-travelled, comfortable with different cultural expectations, and skilled at working with people at a distance, and you've got the makings of a wedding that will surpass your dreams.

NB: though you would have seen scenes of the devastating floods of January 2011 on your TV screens, the majority of Brisbane was unaffected. The magnificent efforts by volunteers have ensured that parks and other popular wedding venues in the CBD and along the river together with beaches, are well on the way to recovery, and many many lovely places to hold your ceremony came through unscathed. So don't be put off by recent events because, with almost 300 days of sunshine a year, and a climate that allows outdoor activities all year round, a major international airport and convenient access to a wide range of beaches, waterfront locations, parks, gardens, and interesting indoor and outdoor locations, together with big city variety, everything you need is available conveniently and usually at a lower cost than you will pay back home. (For example, for the cost of a registry office ceremony in England you will have a creative and interesting ceremony in a lovely location, on a day and at a time you choose, with enough change for a night in a luxury hotel afterwards). Best of all, the trees are green and flowers are in bloom all year round.

Making the arrangements
To arrange your marriage ceremony all you need to do is provide your celebrant with a properly completed, signed and witnessed Notice of Intended Marriage at least one month and one day before the ceremony can take place. This can be completed in another country but must be witnessed by an official at the Australian Embassy or Consulate, or a Notary Public. There are no licenses to buy and no residential requirements - so you can marry the day you arrive.

To book your wedding with me you will need to contact me to ensure I am available on your chosen day, complete my booking form and pay my fee.

No interviews are necessary (we can work entirely by email, phone, or airmail)

Make sure you check out the legal requirements as you must comply with the notice period and the requirement to show your celebrant official documents proving your identity, date of birth and that you are free to marry.

Choosing where to marry
There are no rules in Australia about how and where you marry.

You can be married day or night on any day of the year (24/7)
A legal marriage can be performed anywhere you choose so you can be married in a park, by the river, in a restaurant, a private residence, a wedding chapel, on a beach, in an interesting historical building or even surrounded by kangaroos, koalas, water dragons or other wildlife

If you let me know the type of venue you have in mind it will be my pleasure to suggest some places that meet your criteria and are within easy access of your accommodation. I can also help you with advice if you wish to have a professional photographer attend your ceremony (a very good idea!), plus any other information you might need to make your dream wedding a reality.

Your marriage ceremony
There are no limitations on what you may include in a legal civil marriage in Australia. Warm and Wonderful Weekday Weddings are tailored to each individual couple so your wedding ceremony will be everything you could wish it to be.