I have recently been asked to officiate more elopements. It seems that many couples are now less keen to invite all the family and friends to their wedding and instead create an intimate and meaningful ceremony for the two of them. They want it to be a celebration of their love and unity. No doubt their is also the factor of the money involved in a large wedding reception and sometimes couples aren’t so happy to be the centre of attention.
There are some lovely spots by the beach on the Sunshine Coast and Elope to Sunshine Coast are able to arrange a package to provide a set up, Celebrant, photographer as well as transport and make up etc.
However, there are also some wonderful venues on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Yabbalamba retreat near Mary Valley is a beautiful venue and has fully self contained cottages. This is a picturesque spot with a range of choices for an intimate ceremony. They include in their package an arbour, chairs, celebrant, staff to set up and hire of glassware and plates if you want to BYO. If you do have a few guests they can also add on catering and accommodation. I have the opportunity of officiating weddings at this location and please call me if you would like more details.

Front Page

As a civil celebrant on the Sunshine Coast it is a joy to be asked to officiate a Naming Ceremony. Couples decide to have a naming ceremony often as an alternative to a Christening. It is an opportunity to invite family and friends to formally name and welcome the child into the loving care of the family and community. It is also a time to acknowledge how others will play an important role in the child’s life – Siblings, Grandparents and Godparents. Promises can be incorporated into the ceremony as well as lighting candles, poems and blessings. Naming Certificates are also signed by both parents and Godparents.

Wedding Suppliers in Caloundra
When I first started marrying couples on the Sunshine Coast I knew very few other suppliers.
I became a member of the Caloundra Collectives and this was a wonderful way to get to know, as well as other Marriage Celebrants here in Caloundra, other wedding photographers and wedding stylists. As we are all locals it means we can be on hand for one another if needed.
It is wonderful that we can help each other out and give recommendations and if necessary referrals. Being able to work together as a team is so important on the day to ensure everything runs smoothly.
At a recent wedding in Caloundra I worked with photographer Richard Grenfell and Sheryl van Heerden. As you can see from the great photograph Richard took Sheryl and I enjoy working together and supporting one another. On this day at Bulcock beach it was a particularly windy day and these conditions can make it difficult. Sheryl and I did our homework the day before at the wedding rehearsal to find a more sheltered spot if needed on the day. It is always lovely to work with her and her wedding set ups are so beautiful.
Here are the details of these two wedding suppliers:
richardgrenfellphotography@gmail.com
admin@dreamweddingceremonies.com.au

Elopements Weddings on the Sunshine Coast Weddings4youqld.com.au
Advantages of Eloping
1. In many cases the number one reason couples choose to elope is financial. This is especially true for couples who have been living together, already share a child or are not on their first marriage. Eloping seems like a romantic and financially conservative option.
2. It can also be to avoid the anxiety associated with the organisation and escape family drama. Planning a wedding is time consuming and stressful as the couple seeks to make everyone in the extended family happy to meet everyone’s needs.
3. Eloping means the focus is on each other. It can feel like re-prioritising back to the couple’s relationship and their wishes for the core part of the process of getting married, which is to stand together and promise to love and commit to one another.
4. Another reason can be to avoid religious and cultural clashes. If there are substantial differences in each person’s culture or religion about how a marriage ceremony traditionally is, the couple may elect to elope to avoid the family pressure or expectations around this. Or the couple may want to have their wedding be non-religious.
5. Location! On the Sunshine Coast there are many beautiful Often couples who elope do it somewhere fabulous. The expense that may have been spent on a ceremony with so many guests they don’t feel terribly close to instead they get to spent on a combination wedding-honeymoon in an exotic or lush paradise.
6. A great wedding planning service Elope to Sunshine Coast takes the stress out of organising a wedding ceremony. They have Marriage Celebrants, Photographers, Set up for Weddings, Make up and more if required.
http://www.elopetosunshinecoast.com.au/
elopetosunshinecoast@gmail.com

Angela Braby


Photos by Lou O’Brien : http://www.imagesbylouobrien.com/