Canberra Secrets!
As written by Amelia Haddock, uber awesome Celebrant in Australia’s Capital, Canberra.
So…you’ve met your person, and you’re keen to get hitched. You start thinking about it, but the thought of organising, researching, and dare I say it, paying for a wedding seem daunting. Now what? Well, love in the time of COVID isn’t like any other time. Right now, at I Do Drive Thru couples have an opportunity to do things a little differently, without the pressure or fuss of hosting what might be a genuinely huge undertaking. Instead, you can pick one of these unreal locations to invite a few friends, pull up, and get hitched (by me!) with some of the best backdrops Canberra has to offer.
I’ve taken the hard work out of scouting for a spot, here’s a handful:
Top of the World
Canberra is a city by design, literally, so it is one good looking character from above, and we have lots of vantage points that offer beautiful views of the city below. Take any of the great lookouts including Mount Ainslie (as seen above), Red Hill, Black Mountain and you’ve got vistas for days. If it’s the heavens that you’re after, look no further than the observatory atop Mount Stromlo. If you’re the active type, you can head up the back of Chapman Ridge or behind Hawker you’ll find The Pinnacle, both nature reserves with gorgeous outlooks (just be ready to wear some sturdy footwear).
Room with a View
If you’re worried about the weather, and you want to find somewhere indoors as an option, look no further than the many venues offering a ceremony-ready space, catering, or both. The National Arboretum is an obvious choice with the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion offering the beauty and ambiance of a chapel with the view of a mountain top. The Boat House offers a stunning outlook with some of Canberra’s finest dining.
On the Road
Hit the road and take advantage of the fact that we have teamed up with Kamberra Kombi. You can cruise around Canberra’s streets and because the back seats all face each other, you could share a cheeky vino, a cheese platter or just some laughs. They have cut us an amazing deal-just $330 for two hours hire. You pick the route and they will get you there. Elope on the road or at the end of it-whatever suits!
Home Sweet Home
They say home is where the heart is, so why not consider getting hitched at your place? The benefits of getting married at home are many. Guest numbers are naturally limited to the space you have, and the budget is whatever you want it to be. Could this also be the great incentive for that deep COVID spring clean you keep talking about?
By the Water
Walter Burley Griffin had a vision for our Bush Capital, and provided that fabulous focal point in our central lake. Whether you want the manicured greenery of Nara Peace Park or the lawns near Reconciliation Park or the National Gallery of Australia, or want to be among the eucalypts of Weston Park, there are so many lovely spots where you can pull up and elope along the lake’s 40km of shoreline.
Due to the restrictions on wedding guest numbers in Canberra, many people search for the Canberra Registry Office, but guess what? There isn’t one! Instead, you can have a beautiful, fun, gorgeous, memory-making elopement or wedding ceremony with a very small number (or a few more now with restrictions lifting), without it costing a fortune or being stressful. It can be as simple as heading over to our ACT page and picking a package…