Elopements in the magnificent Manawatu

Small, simple, [but] significant.

An elopement is a small intimate ceremony with just the couple, the registered celebrant, a photographer and 2 witnesses. They are styled on a couple’s desire for intimacy, authenticity, while being up-lifting and fun.

The focus is very much on the couple, their relationship, and an amazing wedding day experience. From simply elegant, to Boho, to rustically wide and adventurous and anywhere in between. Elopements are where small is the beginning of something big.

Elopements are very liberating as there are minimal rules and endless possibilities.

Small and flexible ….

The beauty of small, is the flexibility it offers a couple. You can marry on any day of the week, during any month of the year. Opening a wider range of options for a venue, location, or destination.

Where, oh where, can I elope in the magnificent Manawatu or rustic Rangitikei?

Keeping it local, makes it simple.

One of the exciting things about the Manawatu / Rangitikei is that it has a wide range of options for an elopement. Let your imagination run wild. Consider a location or venue that reflects your values, personality, and interests / hobbies.

Magnificent Manawatu or rustic Rangitikei locations and venues ….

• Garden wedding - your own, others, community, or venue e.g.: Lansdale, Roseburn Park, Turitea Valley events, Victoria Esplanade, Greenhaugh gardens, Pohangina Heights

• Venue - yours, others, a hall, or place of significance e.g. sports / hobby venues

• Wedding venues, e.g.: Cicia Birch, The Coachman, Greenhaugh gardens, The Herb Farm. Bush Park.

• Lodges: Rothmoy, Mokoura

• Outdoors’s ideas - bush hut, by a river / waterfall / swimming hole, in the native bush, glow worms: e.g.: Dress Circle reserve, The White cliff boulders, Mangahuia wetlands

• Glamping, e.g.: Ridge Top farm

Wind and / or rain means have a plan “B”.

If it is snowing add elegant jacket or wrap and sturdy shoes or sorels and carry on. 

Reasons for elopement ….

Wildly rustic and adventurous, elegantly low key, boho and beautifully romantic, or authentic, meaningful and imitate.

These are all descriptions of elopements where couples have got married in their dream location. With an intimate ceremony captured for prosperity with a stunning backdrop. The focus is entirely on the couple, free from the hassle and stress of planning a large production and other related issues.

Elopements really suit couples who value the experience of the day; not overloaded with lots of people, arranging, and lost conversations. It’s about remembering the whole day, what you did and said with your partner, at a very special location.

Here are 14 compelling reasons to consider elopement especially now with Covid – 19 and raging house prices.

1. There are no rules around your day!

2. Wedding can be spur-of-the moment.

3. Escape the stress of planning a wedding

a. Limited planning

b. The couple fully commanding how their day unfolds

4. Because you want to get married now rather than waiting.

5. You hate being the centre of attention.

6. A traditional wedding is just not you.

7. The financial pressure.

a. Number people present - maximum 10

b. Reception is optional

c. Minimal or no need for decoration / theming / etc

8. You would rather spend the money in other ways.

9. Peer pressure for the perfect wedding.

10. The location you want to get married at.

11. You have complicated family politics!

12. To avoid cultural or religious issue.

13. Combine your elopement with your honeymoon.

14. Because elopements are intimate and more personal.

Small, simple, and less planning

The fabulous thing about elopement is they can be quite easy to organise and within a short amount of time.

There are 5 things you must have:

1. A location

2. A registered celebrant

3. A photographer

4. 2 witnesses [one can be the photographer]

5. Your marriage documents

Everything else is optional.

What to do first? Pick the location or venue.

Must dos for planning your day:

• Allow a minimum of 2 weeks.

• How do you want to travel to your location / venue?

• Obtain your marriage documents

https://www.govt.nz/browse/family-and-whanau/getting-married/get-a-marriage-licence

Optional extras:

• flowers, make up, decorations, etc.

• Rings: Yes / No

• Wedding attire: This is a wonderful opportunity to pick an outfit that reflects your own style, fashion, and colour preferences.

• Public venues: Do you need permission?

• What extra’s do you want to include in your day? E.g. decorative extras

How can I help you?

I am your celebrant and wedding planner. I take your ideas and turn them into reality at a location within the wider Manawatu / Rangitikei area using local suppliers and vendors. Your life adventure starts from a small unique celebration. Your significant moment marked with a beautifully authentic day and location.

Lansdale Garden with James and Noelia

When you believe less is more.

What does an elopement day look like, time wise?

There are two parts to this answer:

1. How much of your day do you want recorded?

2. What you want to do within your day.

Capturing portraits with soul - the photographer’s time.

The length of time a photographer and / or videographer is present depends on the couple’s plans. It may be as little as during the ceremony and immediately after wards, e.g. 2 hours or it could be for half the day or the whole day.

Oh! Can you give me some examples …

The morning begins with beauty preparations and getting dressed before travelling to the chosen location for pre ceremony photos with stunning back drop. The ceremony occurs, more photos are taken before travelling to a gathering of friends for a restaurant dinner.

The couple have booked 2 nights’ accommodation at a lodge. In the morning the group enjoy one of the lodges activities before a light lunch and preparations for the outdoor ceremony with a backdrop of white papa rocks. After the ceremony and more photos, they enjoy an intimate reception at the lodge. Finishing the day in the hot tub, under the stars.

A stunning garden is the chosen location for this couple’s elopement, marrying under an arche way. They celebrate their nuptials with a small, elegant picnic basket of goodies, bubbles, and a toast or two. The couple are wished well as they depart, destination unknown for their honeymoon.

The couple, witness, celebrant, and photographer hike up to a ridge top tramping hut. With lots of chatter and laughter they enjoy lunch and freshen up for the nuptials. Stunning vistas are recorded as vows are exchanged. As the celebrant and photographer depart the group change and go deer hunting. Finishing their day with a stunning meal, fine wine, and merriment.

Completely glammed up, reflecting their love of all things steam punk, the couple arrive at historic wedding venue by horse and cart. There setting is stunningly theme decorated, elegant, with music playing. Appropriately attired, the celebrants used wording within the ceremony to reflect the couples “steam punk” ideology. The nuptials are followed with a mini reception with a few extra guests, speeches, and dancing.

To have a reception / party or not to?

This is completely up to the couple. As is the location of such an event, how formal it is, etc. Again - no rules. Whatever feels right for the couple.

Here are some ideas:

1. After the nuptials.

2. Within the following couple of days

3. After the honeymoon

4. On your 1st Anniversary.

When inviting guests, remember to change the wording to: “invite you to a celebration in honour of our marriage” or something similar.

How to announce your elopement to family and friends.

Your family and friends may not be happy that you married without them. Be prepared for this; anticipate certain reactions and / or response. Be able to explain why you chose this option. Make it short, concise, and good natured. No guilt though. You made a choice, and you’re ok with it.

Telling your parents beforehand is recommended, though.

Tell your closest friends personally.

[1] Send everyone else a card with photos, announcing you are married by email and / or post. Make sure everyone gets the message at the same time, if you can.

OR …

[2] Use social media to announce your new status.

A bit of background info …

Traditionally an elopement happened when a couple ran away; getting married without the permission or blessing of their families.

NB: The difference between an elopement and a registry wedding is:

• Elopements are written specifically for the couple

• Registry weddings have a set wording, need a validated celebrant to officiate, and can only occur weekdays: Monday – Friday.