Marry Now, Party Later

Marry Now, Party Later

In recent years, the phrase “Marry Now, Party Later” has become a rallying cry for couples eager to tie the knot without delay, yet unwilling to forgo a grand celebration. This trend, driven by both necessity and choice, has redefined the traditional wedding timeline, offering a blend of intimacy and anticipation that resonates with modern couples.

A bride and groom smiling together beside the sea

The Appeal of Marry Now, Party Later

The “Marry Now, Party Later” approach appeals to couples for several reasons:

A couple holding hands during their coastal wedding ceremony in black and white

Flexibility in Timing: Life doesn’t always align with our plans. Whether due to global events, personal circumstances, or simply a desire to be married sooner, many couples choose to exchange vows now and save the larger celebration for a later date.

Intimacy of Elopements and Micro Weddings: For many, the idea of an intimate ceremony is appealing. Fewer guests allow the couple to focus on the significance of the day without the pressures of hosting a large event. The immediate circle of family and friends present makes the moment even more special and personal.

A couple exchanging vows on the coast at Port Willunga
A couple exchanging rings beside the sea in black and white

Financial Benefits: Splitting the wedding into two events can ease financial pressures. Couples can have a modest ceremony now and save up for a more extravagant celebration when they’re ready.

Creative Freedom: With the pressure of a traditional timeline removed, couples have the freedom to plan a celebration that truly reflects their personalities. The party can be held at a unique venue, incorporate new trends, or even be a themed event that might not have been possible under traditional wedding constraints.

A wedding couple smiling at each other beside the sea

Planning a Marry Now, Party Later Wedding

If this approach suits you, start with these practical steps:

A small cliffside wedding ceremony in black and white

Choose the ceremony style: You might prefer a legals-only ceremony, an elopement or a micro wedding with a small group. Compare the KISS Package options and choose the services that suit your plans.

Communicate with Your Guests: Let your loved ones know your plan. Send out announcements for your “Marry Now” event and provide a “Save the Date” for the upcoming party. This way, they can look forward to celebrating with you later.

A bride and groom smiling together beside the sea
A wedding couple watching the sunset from the beach

Capture the Moment: Hire a photographer or videographer to document your intimate ceremony. These memories will be a great addition to the larger celebration later on.

Plan the Party with Intention: When the time comes to plan your celebration, think about what you want it to represent. Whether it’s a casual gathering or a grand affair, ensure it complements the journey you’ve been on as a couple.

A wedding couple walking along the wet sand beneath coastal cliffs
Bride and groom walking along the sand at Port Willunga

The Emotional Impact

One of the most beautiful aspects of the “Marry Now, Party Later” trend is the opportunity for couples to reflect on their journey between the two events. By the time the celebration rolls around, the couple has had time to deepen their bond and share their married life with family and friends. The party becomes not just a celebration of the wedding day, but of the marriage itself.

Marrying now and celebrating later lets you separate the ceremony from the party. Agree on what you want from each part, including who will attend and what you are comfortable spending.

The party can always wait.

A couple celebrating with a bottle beside the coast

Explore our elopement & micro wedding packages and preferred suppliers, or ask us about the services you need for your ceremony. You can make separate plans for a later celebration.

Adelaide Botanic Gardens Ceremony Sites

Adelaide Botanic Gardens Ceremony Sites

“Wedding Ceremony Site Ideas”

Botanic Gardens, Adelaide

Creating Your Dream Wedding with Our KISS Team in Adelaide

Adelaide Botanic Garden has a range of ceremony settings for elopements, micro weddings and larger celebrations. Compare the spaces, guest limits and booking conditions, then choose a spot that suits your ceremony and photos.

The KISS team brings together a planner, celebrant and photographer. We help you organise the ceremony, photography and agreed services, with the details confirmed before your wedding.

Parking and access vary with your chosen ceremony site. Confirm guest numbers, walking distances and arrival arrangements with the gardens and your suppliers before booking.

KISS Package Adelaide Botanic Gardens Ceremony locations
Summer House, Adelaide Botanic Gardens

1. Summer House

Choose from an intimate undercover ceremony in the historic rotunda or on one of the five lawn areas. It is a short walk to the North Terrace and other essential amenities.

Adelaide Botanic Gardens Ceremony Site : Cycad Collection

2. Cycads Collection

Under the shade of the Kauri Pine this lawn area gently slopes, allowing excellent vantage points for your guests. Looking out across the Main Lake, this popular location is close to the gates amenities, restaurant and kiosk.

Adelaide Botanic Gardens Ceremony Site: Palm House Lawns

3. Palm House Lawns

The large lawn foreground of the heritage listed Palm House accommodates large wedding parties. Located centrally within the gardens, the Palm House site is close to public amenities, restaurant and kiosk.

Adelaide Botanic Gardens Ceremony Site : Barbershop

4. The Barber Shop

This small rotunda suits intimate ceremonies. The wisteria arbours at the end of the Mediterranean Garden are also used for photographs.

Marriage register and certificate books on a garden table

5. International Rose Garden

When in flower, the manicured rows of colour provide a romantic setting in the International Rose Garden. Located near gates and amenities, the lawn area can accommodate large wedding parties or intimate gatherings. This is also where our Rose Garden Pavilion is situated, for marquee wedding receptions.

Adelaide Botanic Gardens Ceremony Site: Araucaria Avenue

6. Araucaria Avenue

The natural avenue created by the Araucaria (Hoop Pines) provides a spectacular framing around your ceremony. With a gentle slope, the site lends itself to a ceremony as well as being able to take in a panoramic view across the gardens.

Adelaide Botanic Gardens Ceremony Site : North Lodge Lawns

7. North Lodge Lawn

This ceremony area sits beside First Creek, with tree-lined lawns close to the Friends Gate on Plane Tree Drive. Confirm the route, amenities and access for your group when booking.

Adelaide Botanic Gardens Ceremony site : Economic Garden

8. Economic Garden

A display of plants of economic importance including those used for food, medicine, oils and dyes, as well as plants used in religious and cultural ceremonies. A beautiful manicured garden and wonderful backdrop of a quaint fountain.

Photos: Courtesy of Blanco Weddings & Scott Goh

Botanic KISS Package

Botanic KISS Package

Botanic KISS Package | Adelaide Botanic Gardens

The Botanic Bliss package combines celebrant services, professional photography and the permits listed in the package. It is designed for a garden wedding with the main ceremony services arranged together.

Package Includes:

  1. Celebrant Services:

    • Expert guidance and personalized ceremony scripting to tailor your vows and rituals to reflect your unique love story.
    • Officiating your wedding ceremony with warmth, professionalism, and attention to detail.
  2. Professional Photography:

    • A skilled photographer captures every heartfelt moment, from the exchanging of vows to the joyous celebrations.
    • Two hours of coverage from the ceremony. Additional coverage can be added.
    • High-resolution edited images presented in a digital format, ensuring timeless memories to cherish forever.
  3. Botanic Garden Permit:

    • Securing the necessary permit for hosting your wedding ceremony within the serene ambience of a botanical garden.
    • Access to designated areas for ceremony and photography sessions, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the natural splendour of the surroundings.
  4. Photography Permit:

    • Obtaining the required photography permit to capture your precious moments within the botanical garden’s picturesque landscapes.
    • Compliance with all regulations and guidelines to ensure a hassle-free photography experience while preserving the integrity of the garden’s environment.

 

Additional Options (Available Upon Request):

  • Ceremony Styling, including chairs, arbours, carpet runners & large umbrellas.
  • Customised floral arrangements to complement the natural beauty of the botanical garden.
  • Videography services to document your entire wedding journey in cinematic brilliance.
  • Assistance with venue selection, transportation arrangements, and other logistical aspects for a stress-free wedding planning process.

Choose the garden setting and the people you want there, then confirm the ceremony details and current inclusions with KISS.

Contact us with your date and guest numbers to discuss a Botanic KISS wedding package.

A wedding couple holding each other among flowers and trees

A wedding couple smiling together among flowers

Five wedding ideas to discuss with Marion Hotel

Five wedding ideas to discuss with Marion Hotel

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

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