Five wedding ideas to discuss with Marion Hotel

Five wedding ideas to discuss with Marion Hotel

by | Aug 6, 2023 | elopement & micro wedding advice, Elopements, Micro Weddings, Uncategorized, Wedding Advice, wedding blog, Wedding Locations, Wedding Packages, Wedding Venues

Here are five ways to plan a small wedding or celebration around Marion Hotel.

You could keep everything in one place, travel to a ceremony nearby or surprise your guests at an existing celebration. Use these ideas as starting points and check current venue and supplier arrangements.

A wedding couple standing together on a bushland path

1) Marion Hotel & Totoka Urban Farm Adventure

One idea is to meet guests at Marion Hotel, travel together to a ceremony at TOTOKA Urban Farm, then return for the reception. Confirm transport, venue availability and accommodation separately, and allow enough time between each part of the day.

Private dining room with a long timber table

2) Intimate Ceremony & Lunch in "The Study"

Sometimes, the most heartfelt moments are shared with the closest of family and friends. Host an intimate ceremony and lunch in the cozy ambiance of “The Library” at the Marion Hotel. Surrounded by your dearest loved ones, exchange vows in a warm and inviting atmosphere, followed by a delightful lunch to celebrate the start of your new chapter together.

A couple holding hands beside autumn vines

3) Secret Wedding at a KISS Packages Venue:

For the more adventurous souls who love surprises, why not host a secret wedding at one of KISS Packages other venues or locations? This hidden celebration will remain unknown to your guests, leaving them pleasantly shocked when you reveal the exciting news during your engagement party at Marion Hotel. It’s a unique way to add an element of mystery and excitement to your special day.

Photo above: Vineyard wedding | Elopement Ceremony 

Outdoor dining space lit by strings of festoon lights

4) Surprise Twist Engagement Party turned Wedding:

An engagement party can become a surprise wedding for your guests. Plan the legal ceremony in advance with your celebrant, then agree on the timing and venue arrangements with the hotel.

Hotel bedroom with large windows and seating

5) Elope to the Treetops Room:

Picture this – just the two of you, the weekend away in the Marion Hotel’s Tree Top Room. That offers the perfect simple backdrop for an intimate elopement ceremony or just the simple legals only. Enjoy the luxury of room service, and to make it official, the hotel will provide a witness. It’s a romantic and stress-free way to start your journey as a married couple, surrounded by nature’s serenity.

5 Tips for Choosing Your Elopement or Micro Wedding location

5 Tips for Choosing Your Elopement or Micro Wedding location

by | Apr 8, 2023 | Destination Weddings, elopement & micro wedding advice, Elopements, Flinders Rangers, Micro Weddings, wedding blog, Wedding Locations, Wedding Packages, Wedding Venues

Choosing Your Elopement or Micro Wedding location

When it comes to planning your micro wedding or elopement, choosing the perfect location is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.

After all, your wedding venue sets the tone for your entire day and can make or break the ambience and overall feel of your celebration.

  1. Consider Your Style and Preferences

The location you choose should reflect your style and preferences as a couple. Are you more drawn to natural settings like parks, forests, and beaches? Or do you prefer the urban vibe of a cityscape or industrial space?

Consider what kind of backdrop and setting will make you feel most comfortable and happy on your big day.

A small wedding ceremony inside a rocky cave at Morialta

  1. Think About the Size of Your Guest List

Opting for a micro wedding or elopement offers the advantage of selecting a smaller, more intimate venue that may not be suitable for a larger guest list.

It’s essential to consider the number of guests you plan to invite and ensure that the chosen location can comfortably accommodate your group without feeling crowded or overwhelming.

Flexibility

This flexibility allows you to think outside the box, with endless possibilities for unique and memorable locations. While micro weddings or elopements may not be for everyone, they offer the opportunity to break away from traditional settings.

Think outside the box

In the past, we’ve held ceremonies in cliff-top caves, tattoo parlours, WWII bunkers, creek beds, backyards, on multiple cliff-top walks, showcasing the wide range of unconventional options available.

These locations would not be possible with larger guest numbers, emphasizing the exclusivity and intimacy of micro weddings and elopements.

  1. Consider the Time of the Year

     

    Winter:

    • Cozy atmosphere with crackling fireplaces
    • Indoor venues with soft lighting
    • Rustic decor creates warmth and intimacy

    Autumn:

    • Seasonal colour and open views
    • Vineyards showcasing rich autumnal tones
    • Walking amidst the beauty of changing foliage
    • Enjoying the coziness of rustic settings

    Spring:

    • Outdoor venues bursting with blooming flowers
    • Natural light casts a romantic glow
    • Exchanging vows amidst lush greenery
    • Garden ceremonies with fresh floral scents
    • Picturesque settings like vineyards and outdoor terraces

    Summer:

    • Celebrating under clear blue skies
    • Beach weddings with the sound of waves
    • Gardens filled with vibrant summer blooms
    • Countryside estates offering a serene backdrop
    • Dancing under the stars on warm summer nights

Couple at Port Willunga beach during a relaxed South Australian elopement

  1. Research Local Regulations and Permits

Depending on where you live, there may be local regulations and permits you need to obtain to hold your wedding in a certain location. Some councils require beach permits, while others don’t; some operate on a “first in, best dressed” concept.

For large weddings, we definitely recommend securing a site, while for smaller weddings, you can get away with not doing so.

Other locations like botanical gardens may require a photography permit, which, after years of experience, can work to your advantage. I might write another blog on this topic.

Be sure to do your research and make sure you have all the necessary paperwork and approvals before you book your venue. We can help you with this.

  1. Choose a Location with Meaning and Significance

Finally, consider choosing a location with personal meaning and significance to you as a couple. Maybe it’s the park where you had your first date, the beach where you got engaged, your family property, or even your backyard. Incorporating these personal touches into your wedding venue can make your day even more special and memorable.

 

Choosing Your Elopement or Micro Wedding Location can be a daunting task, but with these tips and advice from our team at KISS Package, you’ll be on your way to finding the ideal setting for your special day. Happy planning! 

A wedding couple beneath mature trees in a garden
A wedding couple walking across a garden lawn
How to include your loved ones in your micro wedding or elopement?

Dry Hire Wedding Venues: Complete Control and Creative Freedom for Your Dream Wedding

Dry Hire Wedding Venues: Complete Control and Creative Freedom for Your Dream Wedding

by | Feb 16, 2023 | elopement & micro wedding advice, Micro Weddings, Uncategorized, wedding blog, Wedding Locations, Wedding Packages, Wedding Venues

If you’re looking to plan your own wedding, you may have come across the term “dry hire wedding venue”. This type of venue rental allows you to have complete control over the space and create a DIY wedding that reflects your unique style and vision.

In simple terms, a dry hire wedding venue is a space that you rent out for a set period of time, and you are responsible for bringing in all the necessary equipment, vendors, and decor to create your dream wedding. This means that the venue provides you with an empty space, and you have complete creative freedom to transform it into your own unique wedding venue.

The beauty of a dry hire wedding venue is that you can let your creativity run wild. You can choose your own catering, your own entertainment, your own decor, and your own vendors. This allows you to tailor your wedding to your own unique tastes, and create a truly one-of-a-kind event.

While a dry hire wedding venue does give you complete control, it’s important to keep in mind that it can also be a lot of work. You’ll need to do all the planning, coordination, and execution yourself, or with the help of a wedding planner or team. But for those who enjoy the creative process and want to put their own stamp on their wedding, a dry hire venue can be a perfect choice.

Another benefit of a dry hire wedding venue is that it can often be more budget-friendly than a traditional wedding venue. Since you are responsible for sourcing your own vendors and equipment, you can shop around for the best deals and negotiate directly with suppliers to get the best possible prices.

When it comes to choosing a dry hire wedding venue, there are a few things to consider. First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure that the space is large enough to accommodate your guest list and any additional equipment or decor you plan to bring in. You’ll also want to ensure that the venue has all the necessary amenities, such as restrooms, power outlets, and parking.

A dry hire venue gives you more say in the setup, but also more to organise. Before booking, check what is supplied and who will handle furniture, catering, power, toilets, pack-down and a weather backup.

Why KISS?

Booking a celebrant and photographer with a package for your dry hire wedding venue can offer many benefits beyond just having complete control over the venue. By choosing to work with a celebrant and photographer from the start, you can ensure that your vision for the wedding is fully realized and captured in a way that will last a lifetime.

Here are some of the benefits of booking a celebrant and photographer package for your dry hire wedding venue:

  1. Shared vision: When you work with a celebrant and photographer from the start, they are able to understand your vision and help you to achieve it. By collaborating with them, you can create a cohesive theme and atmosphere for your wedding that is unique and reflects your personality.

  2. Cost-effective: Booking a celebrant and photographer package can be a cost-effective way to hire two essential vendors for your wedding. You may be able to save money on individual vendor fees by bundling services together in a package.

  3. Time-saving: By working with a celebrant and photographer from the start, you can save time and stress by having two important aspects of your wedding planning taken care of in one go. This can leave you more time to focus on other aspects of your wedding planning, or simply allow you to relax and enjoy the process.

  4. Working together: Booking a celebrant and photographer package gives the two suppliers a shared plan for the ceremony and photos. Confirm the timing and responsibilities before the day.

A celebrant and photographer package can simplify part of a dry hire wedding. Compare the inclusions and costs, then make a separate plan for the venue and any other suppliers.

KISS McLaren Vale micro wedding dry-hire information graphic 

McLaren Vale Institute Hall – Available with KISS Package as a “Dry Hire Package”

 

Overall, dry hire can be a practical and cost-effective option for a micro wedding with a large guest list, but it requires careful planning and coordination. It’s essential to work with reputable vendors and communicate clearly with your guests to ensure a memorable and enjoyable wedding day.

 
 

 
Elopements Vs Micro Wedding

Elopements Vs Micro Wedding

by | Feb 2, 2023 | elopement & micro wedding advice, Elopements, Micro Weddings, Wedding Advice, wedding blog

Answering the Most Frequently Asked Question – What’s the Difference Between an Elopements & Micro Weddings?

Planning a wedding can be an exciting and joyful experience, but it can also be stressful and overwhelming. That’s why more and more couples are choosing to have Elopements & Micro Weddings instead of a traditional larger celebrations.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of these intimate celebrations.

What’s the Difference Between an Elopement and a Micro Wedding?

An elopement wedding is a wedding that is typically planned and carried out in secret, with only a few close family members or friends in attendance.

These types of weddings are often much smaller and more intimate than traditional weddings, and they often take place in a more relaxed or unconventional setting, such as a beach, a park, or a mountain top.

Elopement weddings are often chosen by couples who want to avoid the stress and expense of planning a traditional wedding, or who want to celebrate their love in a more private and meaningful way.

Traditional Elopements the couples would choose to run away and then announce after the wedding, that they are now married! this still happens more time then you would think.

For in-depth history on Elopements Wikipedia.org/wiki/Elopement

On the other hand, a micro wedding is a small, intimate wedding with a guest list of fewer than 50 people.

It is often a more budget-friendly alternative to a traditional wedding, and it allows couples to focus on creating a meaningful and personalised celebration with their closest family and friends.

Micro weddings can be held at a variety of locations, including traditional wedding venues, outdoor spaces, or even at home.

They can also be more flexible in terms of timing and duration, with some couples opting for a full weekend of activities rather than a single-day event.

Just think of a large wedding and make it smaller, with all the same elements.

Benefits of Elopements & Micro Weddings

Now that we’ve defined the difference between a micro wedding and an elopement, let’s dive into the benefits of these intimate celebrations:

  1. Stress-Free Weddings

Planning a traditional wedding can be a stressful and overwhelming experience, from coordinating vendors to managing the guest list. With a micro wedding or elopement, you can simplify the planning process and focus on what’s truly important – celebrating your love with your partner and closest family and friends.

Our celebrant and photography package at KISS PACKAGE can help make the planning process even more stress-free, with personalised and customisable services that cater to your unique needs and preferences.

  1. More Affordable

Weddings can be expensive, with the average cost in Australia reaching over $36,000 for a traditional wedding. By contrast, micro weddings and elopements are typically much more affordable, allowing you to allocate your resources towards other priorities, such as travel or buying a home.

Plus, with fewer guests, you can splurge on quality vendors and amenities without breaking the bank.

  1. Eco-Friendly Weddings

Micro weddings and elopements are also more eco-friendly than traditional weddings, as they typically require fewer resources and generate less waste.

By choosing a smaller celebration, you can reduce your carbon footprint and make a positive impact on the environment.

  1. Personalized Weddings

Micro weddings and elopements allow you to personalize your wedding day in a way that may not be possible with a larger, more traditional wedding.

From choosing a unique location to creating a customized ceremony, you can tailor every aspect of your celebration to reflect your unique love story and personal style.

At KISS PACKAGE, we offer celebrant and photography services that can help you create the perfect micro wedding or elopement.

We help with your ceremony and photography, with the services and details agreed before your wedding.

Contact us today to learn more about our services.

A wedding couple walking hand in hand through a vineyard
A wedding couple walking through an open landscape beneath mountain ranges
A wedding couple embracing indoors in black and white

“Love on the fly – romance and spontaneity”

“Love on the fly – romance and spontaneity”

by | Jan 25, 2023 | elopement & micro wedding advice, Elopements, Micro Weddings, Uncategorized, wedding blog

Elopement is the ultimate act of romance

 

 

The Allure of Eloping: Embracing Romance and Spontaneity

Eloping embodies the pinnacle of romance and spontaneity. The notion of fleeing together to exchange vows clandestinely, free from the burdensome weight of orchestrating a conventional wedding, is a cherished fantasy for many couples. 

Liberation and Adaptability: The Appeal of Eloping

What makes eloping particularly appealing is the liberation and adaptability it affords. Couples can decide impulsively to elope, bypassing the need for extensive premeditation. This spontaneity fosters a sense of adventure, enhancing the romantic allure of the occasion.

Focusing on What Matters: Love and Intimacy

Moreover, eloping allows couples to concentrate on the essence of their union: their profound affection for one another. It alleviates the strains and demands associated with traditional wedding arrangements. Additionally, it presents an opportunity for a more intimate and personalized ceremony, all while being mindful of a modest budget and selecting a location that resonates with the couple’s desires.

Consider Eloping: A Thoughtful Alternative

So, for those contemplating marriage, the option of elopement warrants serious consideration. “Relaxed” in this context embodies a state free from tension or anxiety. It also connotes a lack of stiffness, promoting a sense of spontaneity that some find less taxing and more conducive to ease and fluidity.

“When it comes to romance, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of spontaneity. Whether it’s a surprise weekend getaway, a spontaneous kiss in the rain, or a surprise proposal, the element of surprise adds a spark to any relationship. With spontaneity, there’s a sense of excitement and unpredictability that keeps the passion alive and the love strong. So let go of the plan and embrace the unexpected, because when it comes to romance, the most memorable moments are often the ones you never saw coming.”

A wedding couple smiling together among tropical plants
A wedding couple silhouetted against a coastal sunset
A wedding couple sitting together in an open landscape beneath the Flinders Ranges

Elopement is the ultimate act of romance.

The History of Elopeing | Wikipedia.org/wiki/Elopement