Not every couple wants the big, 100 guest wedding and the entire days attention on them. Some prefer a small, intimate ceremony with a handful of loved ones, with an afternoon spent together taking beautiful photos in privacy and maybe a drink or two with close friends and family afterwards.
A short ceremony at Perth Registry Office doesn’t mean your entire day is over and done with once the papers are signed. In fact, I have spent entire afternoons with couples, turning it into an elopement around Perth.
In this guide, I will take you through what a Perth Registry Office wedding looks like, what you can expect and stunning locations a short walk away that will leave you opening your emails constantly the days after waiting for the photos to hit!
Your Registry Office Ceremony
The Perth Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages is located in Perth on St. George’s Terrace, so location wise, it is ideal for exploring afterwards. It lends itself to easy access to Elizabeth Quay, Como the Treasury, Council House and more recognisable Perth locations.
Here are some quick facts about the ceremony and the lead up, but for more details, visit the official website and ensure you are across it all:
- There are 2 wedding rooms here, with views over the Swan River
- You will need to lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage at least one month prior
- Two witnesses must be present (the registry does not supply this)
- Your must provide birth certificate or passport
- Between 20-35 guests allowed depending on the room
You will have the choice of doing your own vows, whether you exchange rings and can tailor the ceremony to your liking with your own music and a bridal entrance.
The ceremony is usually quite quick, followed by signing of the marriage certificate and a first kiss as husband(s)/wife(s)/partners.
Next, I suggest family photos
This is where you can relax, the formal part is over! Now, what I usually suggest is while everyone is gathered and congratulating you, we move somewhere quiet and take family photos.
Nearby to Perth Registry Office is Government House, also on St. George’s Terrace and only a 10 minute walk away. This provides a nice open location, where we can take all the various combinations of family members you would like and gives a good base for people to branch off afterwards.
Usually, I ask for a shot list for this prior to the day, so that we ensure we get everyone you want, all the combinations and things run smoothly. This is especially helpful for the family members who may not be able to stand for long periods, so it is all over and done nice and quick.
Then, couple photos!
Now, we leave your guests to go for a drink or two, while we wander off to various locations for couple photos.
This is where I find people relax a lot more being just the two of them…but there is always a hint of nervousness at having their photo taken. Don’t worry, I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve to help with this!
Some of my favourite locations, all within walking distance are:
- St. George’s Cathedral (even just the stairs and wall outside the building are a beautiful backdrop)
- Arches outside the cathedral
- The streets along the way
How much time do we need to do this?
There is no one size fits all for this.
Ceremony and a few shots: If you simply want your ceremony and a handful of family shots and a few couple shots downstairs somewhere we don’t need to really walk far to, then one hour is your sweet spot.
Ceremony, family photos and couple photos in a few locations: If you prefer a bit longer and want to walk to a few different locations, like the ones listed above, while spending more time exploring and photographing both family and couple shots, then I’d go for 2 hours. This allows enough time to walk between spots, take a variety of shots and I genuinely feel that this is when peoples nervousness over being in front of the camera lessens and the photos reflect that.
Ceremony, family photos, couple photos, multiple locations and drinks after: If you want to capture the full feel of the day from the ceremony, to the family and couple photos as well as meeting up and grabbing a drink afterwards, then I’d say 2.5 – 3 hours is for you. This way, your gallery feels like it’s come full circle on your whole day and you can even do a nice entrance into the bar/restaurant where your family and friends are waiting for you!
How much is it for an elopement package around Perth?
Package prices vary depending on the photographer and what they include, experience and level of service.
My 2 hour elopement package is $1200 and includes all the best digital images from your day and a sneek peek gallery 24 hours after (because I KNOW you are excited and honestly, so am I).
Obviously, if you prefer more time, we can look at alternative packages. All you need to do is ask!
What if it rains?
This may be an unpopular opinion amongst the photographer community, but I don’t obsess over the weather prior to my shoots. We can’t control it, so I’ve learnt to roll with it.
If it rains, we grab some umbrellas, we duck under cover if needed and we embrace it. Rain shots are so gorgeous, especially when you are both squeezed under the one umbrella and sharing a kiss in the rain, the ground becoming reflective with the water.
Of course, we will do all we can to protect the hair, makeup, dress and everything else. But we won’t be shying away from it!
Other little details you may or may not have considered
Flowers: Bring them!
Veil: I’ll help you secure it.
Heels: Yes! But a spare pair of flats to walk between locations won’t go astray.
Umbrellas: depends on the month, but yes.
Second outfit? I won’t stop you.
Transport: Our feet, the CAT buses, Ubers…happy to use it all, whatever you prefer.
Planning your Perth Registry Office wedding?
If you are keeping your big day small and intimate, but still want it to FEEL like a wedding, with a beautiful gallery that will be displayed on your walls for the next 60 plus years, then I can help you.
Get in touch via my contact page here. I cannot wait to start planning with you!
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