Eloping with close family in Yallingup
- May 15
- 4 min read
K & D are a Perth couple who eloped with their closest family in Yallingup, a town ~250km south of Perth in the Margaret River Region (the area we locals call 'down south' ).
With family flying in from the UK for the elopement, they focused on what was important to them: time with loved ones, excellent food and drinks, and an intimate ceremony that celebrated their commitment to each other, in the stunning location of Yallingup.
Thanks to Freedom Garvey Photographer for the images featured in this post.
Eloping away from home
Known for beautiful beaches, excellent wineries, huge forests, gourmet farms, art trails and epic bushwalks, Perth locals and visitors alike love to explore the diverse beauty of the South-West region of WA. It covers 24,000 square kilometres and stretches from Harvey to Walpole.
This region is a popular location for destination weddings and increasingly, elopements.
Having the elopement ceremony at the same place where you're staying on holiday is a great idea. I talk about the advantages of eloping in rented accommodation in this blog post 7 reasons to elope in an Airbnb.
But it's not just Airbnbs that can offer this private, no-travel-on-the-day elopement ceremony solution. Empire Retreat, now called Yala Yallingup is a gorgeous place with various accommodation options and a spa.
K & D booked onsite accommodation for the 8 family members who would be their only, and therefore extra-special, guests. Everyone arrived in Yallingup on the Friday, ready for a leisurely day of preparing for the ceremony and celebration on the Saturday afternoon and evening. The largest accommodation, The Farmstead, served a dual purpose as the couple's home base and also the location for the ceremony.
Setting up the Yallingup backyard elopement ceremony
When the backyard is as stunning as this, nature does the styling for you. No extra pieces were brought in for the ceremony.
A gravel path became the 'aisle' the bride would walk down, on her Dad's arm, at the start of the ceremony.
A few of the chairs from the outdoor setting were moved down into the garden, providing seats for those who needed them.
The existing table on the verandah would be the signing table for signing the important legal marriage documents.
This beautiful Xanthorrhoea (grass tree) was the perfect backdrop for the ceremony - nature's arbour at its best.
Acknowledging Country
At 4pm on a sunny Saturday afternoon in November, our intimate elopement group of the couple, 8 guests, photographer and celebrant gathered in the backyard of The Farmstead. I acknowledged our gratitude to be holding ceremony on Wadandi Boodja, the traditional country of the Wadandi Saltwater people of the Nyoongar Nation.
Read about why I Acknowledge Country in my ceremonies
Including family members in an intimate elopement ceremony
Many family members had a 'job' during the ceremony, which was a great way of making everyone feel part of the special event.
Examples of roles loved ones can play in an elopement ceremony, without them officially being in the 'wedding party', include:
escorting the couple down the aisle
being legal witnesses
looking after the rings and bringing them up during the ceremony
holding bouquets so hands are free for exchanging rings
operating the ceremony music
popping & pouring bubbly
throwing confetti
making a toast after the ceremony
Allocate these roles so people can play to their strengths - for example, don't ask a non-tech savvy person to be in charge of the ceremony music!
When loved ones aren't at the ceremony
This couple had a beloved family member who had sadly passed away a few years earlier, along with some family unable to make the trip from the UK. I talked about these loved ones in the early part of the ceremony. Mentioning people by name brings their energy into the ceremony. Even though they weren't physically present, they were included.
Exchanging vows and rings
K & D said "I do", spoke their personal vows they had written to each other, as well as their legal vows, and exchanged rings.
Signing the Marriage Certificates
The couple asked their stepmother and mother to be the legally required witnesses who sign the marriage certificates.
While we were signing the marriage documents, bottles of K & D's favourite bubbly from a local winery were popped and poured, ready for a toast to the newlyweds just after I pronounced them husband and wife.
After the elopement ceremony
A toast, congratulations and many hugs were followed by a FaceTime with best friends in the UK. Then the couple had a photo session with photographer Freedom, who captured some absolutely stunning images of them.
Later that evening, the table we signed the marriage certificates on was reset for the 'reception' - a gourmet private dining experience in the form of a long table dinner for the couple and their guests at The Farmstead, curated by Lagoon Yallingup.
Everyone stayed in their accommodation that evening. Another advantage of celebrating where you're staying - no designated drivers required!
On the Sunday, the guests departed and the newlyweds headed off to enjoy their honeymoon in another south-west location.
What did the couple think of eloping with Sally Bruce Celebrant?
K & D's 5-star Google review said:
"Sally helped to make our wedding day the best day of our lives.
I felt an affinity with her from our first meeting and she truly delivered on the special day.
I found her to be an excellent communicator: she kept us abreast of what she was doing throughout the journey and gave us timely reminders for our vows, music selection etc.
Sally has an amazing warmth and understanding meaning that it is easy to open up to her.
She spoke beautifully and with warmth during the ceremony and made our guests feel welcome. She also put me at ease with her reassuring presence.
I felt Sally really was a part of our truly special day and that’s what I was hoping for."
I was delighted to be part of this beautiful, heartfelt, elopement.
Celebrant - Sally Bruce
Venue - Empire Retreat, now called Yala Yallingup
Photographer - Freedom Garvey
Florist - Raw Habitat
