How to Elope in NSW: A Guide to Your Perfect, Intentional Wedding Day

If the idea of a big, traditional wedding doesn’t feel like you, an elopement might be the perfect way to celebrate your love—intimate, meaningful, and entirely on your terms.

New South Wales offers breathtaking landscapes, from rugged mountains to secluded beaches and enchanted forests, making it an incredible place to exchange vows in a way that feels raw and real. But where do you start? Here’s everything you need to know about planning your elopement in NSW.

1. Choose Your Location

One of the best things about eloping is the freedom to say I do anywhere that speaks to your heart. Some of our favorite NSW elopement locations include:

✨ The Blue Mountains – Epic cliffside views, misty valleys, and endless adventure.
🌊 The South Coast – Secluded beaches and dramatic rock formations for a dreamy coastal elopement.
🌿 The Southern Highlands – Rolling countryside, waterfalls, and hidden forest clearings for a magical woodland feel.
🏜 The Outback – Rugged red earth and wide-open skies for a truly one-of-a-kind elopement.

Whether you want to hike to a remote lookout, find a tucked-away spot in nature, or elope somewhere meaningful to you, we’ll help you find the perfect backdrop for your vows.

2. Legal Requirements: What You Need to Know

To make your elopement legally binding in NSW, here’s what you’ll need:

✔ A Registered Celebrant – Your ceremony must be officiated by an authorised celebrant.
✔ A Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) – This must be lodged with your celebrant at least one month before your wedding date.
✔ Two Witnesses – You need two people over 18 to witness your vows (and sign the paperwork). Don’t have guests? No worries—we’re always happy to be your witnesses!

3. Crafting a Ceremony That Feels Like You

Elopements give you the space to create something deeply personal—whether it’s a sunrise ceremony, a handfasting ritual, or simply standing together, speaking words from the heart.

Consider adding elements that make it special:

💍 Handwritten vows – Words that come straight from the soul.
🔥 A unity ritual – Handfasting, lighting a candle, or exchanging meaningful tokens.
🎶 Music that moves you – A song played on a speaker, a live musician, or the sound of nature itself.

There are no rules here—just your love, in the way that feels most true to you.

4. Choosing Your Vendors (or Keeping It Just the Two of You!)

Unlike big weddings, elopements don’t require an overwhelming list of vendors. It’s all about what you want.

Some vendors you might consider:

📸 Photographer & Videographer – To capture every raw and real moment.
🌿 Florist – Whether it’s a bouquet, floral crown, or a dreamy ceremony setup.
👗 Dress & Attire – Something that makes you feel you, whether it’s a flowing gown, a suit, or something completely unconventional.
🎤 Celebrant – Someone who gets your vision and helps craft a ceremony that feels authentic.

Or, if you’re craving something truly simple, you can elope with just your celebrant and photographer in an incredible location, with nature as your witness.

5. Plan a Celebration That Feels Right

Eloping doesn’t mean skipping the celebration—it just means doing it in a way that resonates with you.

🥂 Have a private picnic or intimate dinner after your ceremony.
🛶 Book a cozy Airbnb for a weekend away.
🧭 Plan an adventure—hiking, swimming, exploring, or anything that brings you joy.

Your wedding day should be a reflection of your love—not a performance for anyone else.

6. Capture the Moments (So You Can Relive Them Forever)

Your elopement may be small, but the emotions will be huge. Investing in photography and videography means you can hold onto those memories forever—every glance, every tear, every breathtaking moment in the landscape you chose.

At The Love Maze Co., we specialise in capturing elopements in a way that feels deeply cinematic and true to you—so that years from now, you can watch your film or look through your gallery and feel it all over again.

Ready to Elope in NSW?

If you're dreaming of a wedding day that’s intimate, intentional, and free from expectations, eloping might be exactly what you need.

We’d love to help you craft a day that feels like you—wild, romantic, and deeply meaningful. Get in touch, and let’s start planning your unforgettable elopement.

📍 NSW | Blue Mountains | South Coast | Southern Highlands
📸 Photography + Videography for the Wild & In Love