Weddings. Just the word alone is enough to send some brides-to-be into a hive-inducing planning frenzy with table settings, guest lists and menu options taking over prime headspace in the lead-up to the big day.
But there is another way—where you and your beloved, and perhaps a few close friends or family members, escape the hoo-ha and unnecessary stress, and elope.
If sustainability and slow living, along with captivating views and somewhere memorable to stay pre- and post-nuptials are important to you, then read on for five Slow Stays you can actually elope to.
Acre of Roses
Trentham, VIC
What could be more romantic than eloping to a working flower farm in country Victoria? The answer: nothing. Acre of Roses is a historic property and is home to not only two Slow Stays—The Miner’s Cottage and The Potting Shed—but a rambling garden that makes a magical setting for any wedding photo. Allowing for up to 10 guests, if an intimate celebration of love is what you’re chasing, then this is one of the best slow stays you can elope to. Say “I do” in front of the brick folly, toast to your future among the rose bushes and end a love-filled day in the cedar hot tub.
Upland Farm
Denmark, WA
Photos: Flossy Photo (@flossyphoto) www.flossyphoto.com.au | Holii and Ash (@holiiandash) holiiandash.com.au
Celebrants: Anna Cameron (@annacameron_celebrant) www.annacameron.com | Sarah Thompson (@sarahthompson.celebrant)
If you’re looking for a Slow Stay that specialises in elopements, you can’t go past Upland Farm in WA. Whilst the views are awe-inspiring and the accommodation is stunning, it’s the care and attention to detail from the owners and their impressive list of local suppliers, that will make your day feel effortless. From elopement packages for two—think: a romantic picnic in the paddock after the ceremony—to micro weddings for up to 20 guests, you’ll sign up to so much more than a pretty backdrop when you pledge your love at this gorgeous 107-acre property in Western Australia.
Hart’s Farm
Shoreham, VIC
Loved-up foodies will likely already have a soft spot for the Mornington Peninsula. So, imagine celebrating the most special day of your life on a 10-hectare working farm, where naturally fermented cider and olive oil is grown, created and then shared with guests. From waking up in the warmth embrace of a beautifully designed sustainable retreat and feasting on a homemade breakfast fit for a bride and groom, to saying your vows in an apple orchard or perhaps, somewhere in the rolling olive grove, every minute of your wedding stay at Hart’s Farm will be one to remember.
Homeostasis Retreats
Tamborine Mountain, QLD
If wellness is a thread that runs through your life and relationship, then Homeostasis Retreats could be the perfect place to elope to. Located in the clutches of rainforest covering Tamborine Mountain, this nurturing property has two unique abodes—a five-bedroom house and a one-bedroom architecturally- and Feng Shui-designed wellness cabin—that are available to book for your intimate day. With enough space for 11 guests, take advantage of their Wellness Menu in the lead up to your vows—magnesium salt therapy and a food detox can only add to your state of wedding Zen.
