Reimagine your country wedding - scale down on numbers, but keep loads of love.
Right now, many couples are unsure of what the future will bring and are not confident to plan and book a large (in number of guests) dream wedding in the near future.
So much has changed since March this year; it is impossible to predict what will occur in regard to social gatherings and how long these restrictions will last.
As a result, many couples are now opting for an immediate ‘micro wedding’ or an elopement which means they don’t cancel their wedding date but have a much smaller ceremony than originally planned. Many are working on a follow up celebration event with a larger group of friends and family when social gathering restrictions are lifted, some of my couples are aiming for their first wedding anniversary!!!
My recent experience is that most couples ultimately just want to get married to the person they love; therefore, they are willing to change their plans to include a far smaller guest list than they had previously imagined. This means they can still be married on their planned date.
I have noticed that most of my couples are not postponing their weddings; couples tell me that the current social gathering restrictions have actually made them realise that the most important part of their wedding day is not the guests, friends, family, food, dancing and reception. It is the act of declaring their love and commitment to the person they love most in the world and becoming legally married. This, of course does not mean they do not care for the other incredibly fantastic parts of a wedding, but they have realised that the actual ceremony is the ‘essence’ of the day and they are willing to forgo all the extras in order to be married.
So, if you are one of those couples who simply does not want to wait until larger numbers can attend your wedding it’s time to keep planning and keep dreaming; change your guest list and plan for a smaller wedding.
A wonderful fact about a reduced guest list is it opens up greater scope for incredible natural and wild destinations in East Gippsland, which is where I am lucky enough to live. If you are a Gippslander who is thinking that the bottom line is to marry your true love and not put it off any longer, here are some wonderful local places of natural beauty which would be brilliant settings for your ‘micro’ ceremony or elopement. I would joyfully be your celebrant at any of these locations!!!
Metung is a picturesque lakeside village which has endless options for an outdoor ceremony, either in the bush overlooking the water or on the beach itself.
Lakes Entrance is located a short walk across a walking bridge from the Ninety Mile Beach, which is one of the longest and most beautiful stretches of pristine golden sand in the world
The Grange is only accessible by boat but would be the loveliest setting imaginable. Boats can be chartered from Paynesville, Metung and Lakes Entrance. A wedding on a chartered boat would be another option overlooking the Gippsland Lakes.
Kalimna has the most stunning elevated views across Lakes Entrance and would be incredible for a sunset wedding.
Nyerimilang Homestead (not far from Lakes Entrance) is a historic home surrounded by meandering gardens, bushland and pathways with elevated views of the Gippsland Lakes from many positions. It is quiet and incredibly beautiful.
Paynesville is another charming village set on the Gippsland Lakes with a plethora of sweet spaces for a tiny intimate wedding from jetties to beaches. You are bound to be accompanied by black swans in your wedding photographs. It’s just across the water from Raymond Island.
Raymond Island is unique and has many quiet and secluded lakeside spaces perfect for a wedding with the beautiful bush (complete with Victoria’s largest koala population), pebbled and sandy beaches, jetties and a choice of views from north, south, east and west of the island. This tiny island is accessible only by boat, from Paynesville, however you can take your car or travel as a pedestrian on the Raymond Island ferry which is available to the general public.
Tarra Bulga National Park (near Traralgon) is filled with lush gullies and towering tree ferns, where wooden walkways meander through cool temperate rainforest. If you want a stunning wedding destination this is definitely worth considering.
The Mitchell River and Nicholson River wind their way throughout the East Gippsland regions and there are endless locations along them suitable for a perfect wedding and picnic to follow. You might even choose a cycling wedding on the Gippsland Rail Trail!!
Eagle Point public jetty is quiet and the easterly views across the lake are superb. The Wildlife Reserve has many secluded and beautiful spaces within it. From the elevated lookout at the Eagle Point bluff the view is stunning as is the riverside. Ancient eucalypt trees abound there and would make a perfect setting for a wedding ceremony.
Other brilliant destinations absolutely worth mentioning include the Mitchell River National Park, Dargo High Plains, beautiful Buchan, Wattle Point, Meerlieu and of course the spectacular high country.
Travelling along the Great Alpine Road from Bruthen to Mt Hotham are countless settings for a small country wedding ceremony. This is one of Australia’s most scenic roads filled with breath taking scenery and unforgettable vistas.
One of the most stunning locations is the view from ‘Connor’s Hill’ which is a personal favourite of mine. Of course, both the Kosciusko Lookout and the historic township of Omeo would also be wonderful getaway wedding destinations for East Gippsland couples.
To top off this list would be Mt Hotham and picturesque Dinner Plain where a wedding in the snow would be simply divine and unforgettable. So, pack a picnic and a bottle of bubbly with incredible local produce from East Gippsland and savour your wedding day as a tiny intimate group.
Here are four simple ideas for a perfect East Gippsland wedding:
o Picture a sunrise Ninety Mile Beach wedding or a morning ceremony on the sand at Lake Bunga followed by romantic brunch catered by Albert & Co in Lakes Entrance.
o Perhaps a late lunch picnic of local produce from Lindenow amidst rolling hills after a stunning morning wedding in the bush at the Mitchell River National Park or on the banks of the tranquil Mitchell River.
o A micro mid-afternoon wedding at the Banksia Peninsula surrounded by the huge trunks of ancient banksias could be completed with valley views, cool-climate wines and sparkling champagne at Lightfoot and Son's in Calulu. Or you might like to pack these and enjoy them waterside.
o It would be hard to beat an afternoon lakeside wedding at Paynesville along ‘Sunset Boulevard’ or on the boardwalk at sunset on Raymond Island with only a short distance of waterside walk or ferry ride to (Vue de Monde-pedigreed chef Mark Briggs in the kitchen) Sardine Eatery & Bar.
If you want to plan your ‘getaway micro wedding’ with me as your celebrant, email or message me. If I’m available on your chosen date, I’d love to work with you to create the perfect ceremony to suit the two of you. Let’s make memories together.