Eloping, in the modern sense, has a growing list of perks — embracing your spontaneous side, focusing more on an intimate adventure together — and it’s becoming more and more popular! If you’re considering eloping in Perth, a massive congratulations! It’s an exciting step and I’m ALL for it.
Consider this a guide to ditching tradition and learning all you need to know about planning a Perth elopement or micro wedding.
How To Elope In Perth
To ensure your elopement in Perth is legal (kinda important) there are some requirements you’ll need to tick off first:
- Lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage — either online or in person — with an authorised marriage celebrant or minister of religion at least one month before the intended date of marriage. You’ll need:
- Proof of your birth date and place of birth (birth certificate or passport)
- A form of photo identification (Drivers Licence, Passport, Australian Citizenship Certificate)
- To be at least eighteen years old, unless a court has approved a marriage where one party is aged between sixteen and eighteen years old.
- A divorce paper or death certificate, If either party has been married previously
- Before the ceremony you will also need to sign the Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage form, to declare that there is no legal reason why you should not be married.
- If you’re wondering — how much does it cost to elope in Perth? — the fee to sign your marriage register (which is all the necessary legal paperwork) is $399 (ex gst).
- During your ceremony, you’ll need two witnesses over the age of 18 and your celebrant will need to read The Monitum out loud to you.
- Once the marriage ceremony has taken place, your celebrant has 14 days to submit your marriage documents to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages to enable registration of the marriage. Once the marriage has been registered, you can apply to the registry for your legal marriage certificate.
Where To Exchange Vows For Your Micro Wedding In Perth
Now, on to the good stuff! Perth can be the most beautiful place to have an elopement or micro wedding — I’ve seen some truly magical ceremonies and celebrations take place across the city, from parks overlooking the city to quaint chapels!
Here are some of my favourite locations in Perth that are perfect for elopements and micro weddings:
The 1898 Old Tower House is one of Perth’s most iconic heritage landmarks and caters perfectly for intimate ceremonies! The venue has a romantic façade, decorative arched doorway, high ceilings, and panelled bay windows overlooking the courtyard.
(image above courtesy of Dennis Tan Creative)
So nice, they say it twice! This Vegas-style chapel has disco balls, neon lights, and space for a small group of guests — and is made for getting hitched with a twist.
(Images courtesy of Rebel Rebel Wedding Chapel)
Offering magnificent views and stunning native flora and bushland settings, Kings Park is a wonderful setting to tie the knot. They have 14 designated spaces for wedding ceremonies, including venues with immaculate lawns and heritage pavilions. Dreamy!
Named after the London park of the same name, this beautiful inner-city park has a lake with islands and two gazebos, including a wedding gazebo.
Located close to the Swan River foreshore and Elizabeth Quay precinct, the Supreme Court Gardens has an extensive grassed area semi-enclosed by mature trees, pathways, and garden beds.
The Best Spots For An Intimate Elopement Dinner In Perth
A celebratory dinner to toast the new beginning is, of course, a highlight of the day! Luckily there are some fantastic restaurants and smaller venues for hire that you can choose from. Here are my top picks for intimate dinners after eloping in Perth:
- Matilda Bay – Excellent yet relaxed dining overlooking the bay with private function spaces upstairs.
- Frasers in Kings Park – Informal, but with an elegant menu, Frasers has an alfresco terrace with city and river views.
- State Building – There are a number of private dining rooms available, with Post and Wildflower as the picks of the bunch!
- The Heritage – Located in the historic Royal Insurance Buildings, The Heritage includes a suite of private dining rooms, a wine bar, a cocktail bar, and a restaurant. Ticks every box!
- Garum – Award-winning authentic Roman Italian cuisine served in a stunning private dining space, ‘Polpo’, which seats up to 14 people.
- Fleur – A restaurant that offers a “European bistro-esque experience” with a private dining room (featuring a striking red marble table for 12 people) that is the ideal setting for a long lunch or candlelit dinner. I mean, just look at their sample menu.
- Lucy Mame at the QT – A space for 32 seated guests that really captures you with its bold design, natural light, and provocative art!
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To elope means to “take a leap” and one of the best ways to do that is to get in touch with me as your Perth elopement photographer! I’d love to hear from you and chat more about my favourite elopement locations and elopement packages in Perth!
