THINKING OF A BYRON BAY ELOPEMENT? READ THIS FIRST
Ahh, Byron Bay … A unique place full of heart, life and magic. The Bay is interesting yet relaxing, intimate yet exciting, and down-to-earth yet totally luxurious. Thinking about planning a Byron Bay elopement to celebrate your love in a way that’s both laid-back and luxe?
You’re already onto a winner by deciding to elope Byron Bay-style! And I've got you covered with all the useful info, tips, and tricks you need to know before you elope in Byron Bay. Let's dive in!
How To Plan Your Byron Bay Elopement
While planning an elopement can be less stressful than planning a bigger/more traditional wedding, there are still choices to consider — and I’m here to help you prepare for them!
Here’s the down-low on the most important details you’ll need to figure out in the planning phase…
Determining The Scale Of Your Elopement
First and foremost, you should decide whether you’re having a micro wedding in Byron Bay or a larger elopement celebration. Small Byron Bay weddings are a sweet, heartfelt, close-knit option. Larger celebrations after an elopement can be as epic and extra as you want.
Which one you decide to plan depends on how YOU imagine your big day. What suits you best as a couple?
Choosing Your Location & Venue
Byron Bay has a diverse array of landscapes, so you’ll be spoilt for choice when picking out a spot! No matter which of the many Byron Bay elopement locations you chose, you’ll need a specific venue.
The perfect fit for you is the one that matches YOUR unique vision! It helps to ask yourself a few questions about the vibe you want for your awesome celebration of love…
Do you imagine eloping amidst a lush, green backdrop teeming with wildlife? Plan a Byron Bay forest wedding or garden elopement. Maybe you’re dreaming of a Byron Bay beach elopement with sand between your toes? Or perhaps you’re picturing an estate venue decked out to the max with amazing decor? In this case, arrange a Byron Bay estate or hotel elopement.
Selecting A Time
If you’re wondering what time of day to have an elopement in Byron Bay, I have some suggestions for you!
If you want the best possible lighting, both in person and in photos, plan your elopement around Byron Bay’s “golden hour”. Golden hour is the hour or so before sunset in any season and offers warm, soft, flattering light.
If you’re dreaming of a morning event, plan your elopement for around 10 am. If you do it any earlier, you and your guests (if you’re celebrating with any) may be scrambling to get ready. Also, you may feel rushed through your photos, cocktail hour, or other pre-ceremony parts of the day — give yourself plenty of time to enjoy it all!
Booking Your Vendors
Even if you aren’t having a celebration after your elopement, you’ll need a few vendors. If you’re having an intimate ceremony, the main vendor you’ll need is a celebrant to marry you and your love.
To capture your memories, you’ll also need a great photographer! Bringing that genuine love for your love, I offer packages for all kinds of intimate elopements, from simple ceremony memories to creative drone photography. Whatever vision you have in mind for remembering your day, I'm there with you to make it happen.
Picking Your Attire
Once you’ve sorted out all those details, you can choose your elopement attire. Wondering how to dress for a Byron Bay elopement? Well, it’s your special day. So it’s totally your call!
You could stick to the classics with traditional white dresses and tuxedos. You could keep a classic wedding colour palette, but opt for more casual attire. Or you may ditch black and white in order to wear super-colourful clothes, or outfits with sentimental value.
Whatever you choose, just make sure it makes you feel confident and comfortable. You’re going to look amazing!
How To Elope in Byron Bay
Now that we’ve covered the pre-planning basics, let’s get down to the fun part … Actually eloping in Byron Bay! You’ll need to do a few things to prepare for it.
Getting Ready
Picture your dream wedding. What comes to mind when you think of getting ready for your special day? Maybe you imagine a luxurious bridal suite or a specific meal. Maybe you ditch the traditional getting-ready-separately approach and get dressed together (with a cheeky glass of bubbles, of course).
Whatever your vision is, do everything you can to bring it to life. Even if you don’t want to splurge on this, make sure you make this part of your day special somehow! Pamper yourself, pump yourself up, or calm yourself down… Just do whatever you need to do to feel ready for this amazing day.
Taking Photos
As a photographer, this is of course my favourite part of every event. When you’re getting married, the day can fly by in a blur, and it’s easy to forget the details. That’s where elopement photos come in. Your photographer is there to capture those fleeting special moments forever, so you can cherish your Byron Bay elopement images for years and years to come.
I recommend scheduling your couple’s portraits during the hour before sunset to get the best golden hour photos in Byron Bay. But if you’re planning an elopement at another time of day, no problem! You can always opt for an engagement shoot during that time, or just get great photos at any other time of day. Most wedding photographers will be happy to help you create the perfect plan for your photos.
If you book me for your Byron Bay elopement, I’ll guide you through the entire process. All you’ll need to do is show up and let your authentic and awesome love shine through. You bring the love and I’ll take care of the rest!
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but really, a picture can’t be quantified or compared to words. If you’re genuine and open, you’ll get pictures that capture those indescribable “things” that can’t be expressed any other way.
Before you know it, you’ll be growing old together and your authentic photos will become heirlooms!
Eloping Legalities
If you’re legally eloping rather than having a symbolic ceremony, you’ll need some official paperwork to legally complete your union. Thankfully, you can get all of this done online.
Before your intimate Byron Bay wedding, you’ll need to make sure you’re eligible to get married. Then, fill in the Notice of Intended Marriage form at least a month before your elopement. You’ll have to prepare your original documents (no photocopies are accepted). Bring a birth certificate and a divorce/death certificate if you were previously married. Finally, make sure you have a registered marriage celebrant and at least one witness for your event.
After your big day, you’ll need to apply for your Official Marriage Certificate. This also lets you change your name. It costs $60, or $88 for priority service, and you can apply for it here. You can also opt for the Commemorative Marriage Certificate, a more basic and visually appealing document. As a package, the commemorative and official certificates cost $87 or $115 for priority service.
Once that’s finished, you’re officially on your way to a lifetime of happiness and unconditional love!
Tips And Tricks For Making Your Byron Bay Elopement Super Special
Book fun activities for your elopement. If you’re also celebrating afterwards with a small group of guests, invite them all! Byron Bay has so many fun things to do, from kayak tours and surfing to wellness retreats and coastal walks. Doing those things with your loved ones makes your celebration more unique, more enjoyable, and much more memorable.
Create a special cocktail, based on your unique tastes, to drink on the day of your elopement.
Write your own vows. You might even get them framed afterwards, to look back on for years to come.
Don’t be afraid to ditch tradition. Your day is your day, and it should feel that way. Fortune favours the bold!
Consider a remote or distant location for your elopement, as these can be breathtaking and totally intimate. One of the advantages of eloping is that you can select places you couldn’t use if you were hosting a whole wedding.
Eat a tasty and special meal together on your special day. Hey, just because it isn’t a full-fledged wedding doesn’t mean you don’t deserve the best food!
Incorporate something special about your love story. Think of an ode to your first date, small gifts for each other based on your quirks, or a curated collage.
Looking For A Fun And Laid-Back Wedding Photographer? I’ve Got You!
I’m a Byron Bay elopement photographer who wears many hats and feels like an old friend. I’m also an 80s-loving goofball, a devoted husband and dad, and a passionate artist. I’ll be your partner in planning, an unofficial guest, and your go-to guy for whatever you need!
I believe that no two love stories are the same, so I focus on capturing your unique love. I document classic and timeless memories through a creative, candid, storytelling-based approach, letting love steal the show.
I promise your photography experience will be awesome and comfy, even for brides, grooms and family members who don’t love being in front of the camera. But I do have to warn you… If you book me, be prepared for dad jokes!
You can check out my portfolio for examples of my style, take a look at my package options for more info on what I offer, and get in touch with any questions.
Don’t leave something as important as your wedding or elopement photos to chance. Whenever you’re ready, let’s start bringing your vision to life!