Allison Barker officiating an outdoor wedding ceremony with a couple

Canberra Elopement Celebrant

A small wedding can still be a big moment.

If a big traditional wedding isn't your thing, an elopement might be exactly what you're looking for. You can keep the guest list small, choose somewhere meaningful and still have a ceremony that's personal, relaxed and completely yours.

I'm Allison, a Canberra marriage celebrant, and I'll help you create an intimate wedding ceremony that feels special without turning it into a production.

Plan My Elopement See What's Included

What is an elopement?

An elopement is simply a smaller, more intimate way to get married.

It doesn't have to mean secretly running away, and it doesn't have to mean skipping the ceremony. For some couples it might be just the two of you and your witnesses. For others it might mean inviting your closest family and friends.

The important difference is that an elopement can still include the things that make a wedding ceremony meaningful — your story, vows, rings, laughter, photographs and the people who matter most. Small wedding, meaningful ceremony.

Couple celebrating during an outdoor wedding ceremony

E L O P E M E N T  V S
  L E G A L S  O N L Y

Two different options — neither is better; they just suit different plans.

Legals Only

Best if: you simply want to get legally married without a traditional wedding ceremony.

  • Required legal ceremony
  • Required marriage wording
  • Marriage paperwork
  • Witnesses as required
  • Optional ring exchange
  • Short and straightforward ceremony
Explore Legals Only Weddings

Elopement

Best if: you want a small wedding but still want the ceremony to feel personal and meaningful.

  • Personalised ceremony
  • Your story as a couple
  • Personal vows
  • Rings, if you want them
  • A small group of guests
  • Meaningful location and photographs
  • Legal marriage requirements included
Enquire About an Elopement

W H A T ' S  I N C L U D E D

Personalised small ceremonies, including elopements, are currently offered through my Intimate package.

Currently via Intimate package

ELOPEMENT

A small, intimate wedding with a personalised ceremony

$1000

A booking fee of $100 is required to secure your date and time.

If you'd rather keep things to the legal essentials only, see Legals Only Weddings instead. Optional extras such as a signing table are listed on the packages page.

W H A T  C O U L D
  I T  L O O K  L I K E?

There's no single way to elope — here are a few shapes it often takes.

Just the two of you

A quiet ceremony with your witnesses somewhere meaningful.

Closest family and friends

Invite a handful of people who matter most and skip the large guest list.

Somewhere beautiful in Canberra

A park, garden, lakeside spot, small venue or somewhere that means something to you.

Ceremony followed by dinner

Get married in the afternoon, then celebrate over dinner with your favourite people.

Elopement now, party later

Have an intimate ceremony now and organise a larger celebration later if you want one.

Where can we elope in Canberra?

Canberra has plenty of settings that suit intimate ceremonies — from lakeside spots and gardens to parks, lookouts, private homes, small wedding venues, restaurants or private dining spaces, and places that simply mean something to you as a couple.

I can't promise that any particular public location is automatically available or free to use. Bookings, landowner permission or permits may be needed depending on where you choose. We'll talk through that when we plan your day.

Travel within 30km of Canberra is included in the Intimate package.

H O W  I T
  W O R K S

Tell me what you're imagining

Get in touch with your preferred date and a rough idea of the type of elopement you want.

Sort out the legal side

I'll guide you through the required Australian marriage paperwork and notice requirements.

Create your ceremony

We'll shape a ceremony that suits you — personal, without needing to become a large traditional wedding.

Get married

Meet at your chosen location with your required witnesses and enjoy the ceremony.

F A Q

Common questions about eloping in Canberra.

What is an elopement wedding?

An elopement is a smaller, more intimate way to get married. It doesn't have to mean secretly running away, and it doesn't mean skipping the ceremony. You can still include your story, vows, rings, photographs and the people who matter most — just without a large traditional wedding.

What's the difference between an elopement and a legals-only wedding?

A legals-only wedding focuses on the short legal ceremony and required paperwork. An elopement is still a genuine wedding ceremony — usually personalised with your story and vows — kept small and intimate. See the comparison above if you're unsure which fits.

How many guests can we have at an elopement?

That depends on the location and the feel you want. My Intimate package doesn't set a fixed guest number, so we can talk through what works for you. If you only need the legal essentials with up to four people present, the Legals Only package may suit better.

Can we elope anywhere in Canberra?

You have plenty of flexibility, but venue or landowner requirements, bookings or permits may apply — especially for public places. We'll check what's needed for the locations you have in mind.

Do we still need witnesses?

Yes. Australian marriage law requires two witnesses aged 18 or over to be present at the ceremony and to sign the marriage documents. Family or friends can usually fill this role.

How much does a Canberra elopement cost?

Personalised small ceremonies, including elopements, are currently offered through my Intimate package at $1000, with a $100 booking fee to secure your date. Get in touch if you'd like to talk through what suits your plans.

Can we write our own vows?

Yes — personal vows are a lovely part of many elopements. You'll still need to say the words required by Australian marriage law as well. We can include both.

Do we need wedding rings?

No. Rings aren't a legal requirement. Exchange them if you want to, or skip them entirely.

Can our family come?

Absolutely, subject to the location and the size of gathering you want. An elopement can be just the two of you with witnesses, or include your closest people.

Can we have a photographer?

Yes. An intimate ceremony can still be professionally photographed — many couples do exactly that.

Can we have an elopement now and a bigger celebration later?

Yes. Plenty of couples have a small ceremony first, then celebrate with a larger gathering later — at home or elsewhere. An elopement makes that easy.

How much notice do we need to get married?

Under Australian law, you generally need to give your celebrant a completed Notice of Intended Marriage at least one calendar month before the ceremony, and no more than 18 months before. In limited circumstances, a prescribed authority may approve a shortening of that notice period.

Y O U R  C A N B E R R A
  E L O P E M E N T  C E L E B R A N T

Allison Barker

I'm a Canberra-based Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrant. I take a relaxed, inclusive approach and believe in marriage equality — all couples are welcome.

My goal is to help you create a ceremony that suits you, rather than following wedding traditions simply because they're expected. Comfortable, personal and easy to be part of.

Read more about me, explore legals-only weddings, or get in touch.

Thinking small?

If you love the idea of getting married without organising a huge wedding, let's create something smaller, relaxed and meaningful instead.

Let's Talk About Your Elopement

E N Q U I R E

Tell me a little about the elopement you're imagining — I'll be in touch soon.

Location

Canberra region