A Backyard Wedding + A New Surname: Why More Australian Couples Are Choosing Simple Weddings
A Backyard Wedding + A New Surname: Why More Australian Couples Are Choosing Simple Ceremonies
Short, meaningful ceremonies and name changes for a new chapter.
At I Do Drive Thru Weddings we are so lucky to be a part of weddings in all kinds of locations.
This one happened in the couple’s own backyard: with just four guests, their daughter, and the two of them. Everyone was dressed casually. It was calm, unhurried, and full of love.
They ordered a little cowboy ring box from I Do Drive Thru (which their daughter proudly brought forward), chose our two-minute I Do Drive Thru ceremony, and kept it beautifully simple. They planned to exchange personal vows privately later. The legal part was done in under five minutes.
Then they pulled a cake out of the fridge, said hello to a few people watching online, and shared the sweetest, happiest moment — no stress, no pressure, just a ceremony done exactly how they wanted.
From big traditional to simple and heartfelt
One partner told me she had a big Catholic wedding for her first marriage. This time around, she wanted something small and meaningful.
Standing in her own garden, hand in hand with her new husband, surrounded by her daughter and just a few loved ones, that’s exactly what she created — a ceremony that truly reflected this chapter of her life.
Choosing a new surname before the wedding
As part of their ceremony planning, this couple decided to take on a new family surname — something personal and meaningful to them.
To make it easier, one partner legally changed their name before the ceremony using a change of name certificate through their state’s Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) registry. This meant their new surname appeared on the marriage certificate once the ceremony was registered.
Because the name was already on the certificate, the other partner can now use that document to easily adopt the same surname — without needing to go through an extra legal name change process.
Tip: If you're planning to create a brand new surname together (not just take your partner's surname), it’s usually simpler if one of you changes your name before the wedding. That way, the new name appears on the marriage certificate and can be used by both of you afterward.
Getting married doesn’t have to be complicated (or expensive)
This ceremony was the perfect reminder of what we believe at I Do Drive Thru.
Your wedding doesn’t have to be big, formal or traditional. You don’t need a long guest list, a wedding planner, or expensive styling. What matters is that it feels like you.
We help couples across Australia have weddings that are:
Short and simple
Beautiful and meaningful
Easy to organise
Fully legal — no matter where you are
Whether you’re planning a backyard elopement, a city micro-wedding, or a roadtrip “I do” from your car, we love making the process as stress-free and joyful as possible.
Thinking about your own short, simple wedding?
You can have a ceremony that’s heartfelt, legal, and totally yours — without the overwhelm.
Learn more about I Do Drive Thru weddings