Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about eloping with I Do Drive Thru
Can't find your answer here? Text us on 0401 030 422 — we respond fast.
How do we legally elope in Australia?
Four steps — and we handle most of them for you:
What's included in an I Do Drive Thru elopement package?
Every package includes all of this — no hidden extras, no surprises on the day:
✅ Registered Commonwealth Marriage Celebrant
✅ NOIM lodgement with BDM — we handle it
✅ 2 or 5 minute ceremony — your choice
✅ Personal vows welcome in both versions
✅ Ring exchange included if you want it
✅ Zoom with your celebrant beforehand
✅ Presentation marriage certificate on the day
✅ Witnesses supplied if needed (+$120 each)
How much does it cost?
| Day | Celebrant | Photographer |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday (Tight Ass Tuesday 🎉) | $400 | $400 |
| Mon / Wed / Thu | $550 | $550 |
| Fri / Sat / Sun (before 12pm) | $650 | $650 |
| Fri / Sat / Sun (after 12pm) | $800 | $800 |
Witnesses $120 each if needed. Fancy Pants (up to 25 guests) adds $200. Travel fees may apply beyond 20km from a capital city CBD. See full pricing →
Can tourists or non-residents get married in Australia?
Yes — completely legally. There is no residency requirement under the Marriage Act 1961. Visitors from any country on any visa — including tourist visas — can legally marry in Australia. You can even get the NOIM witnessed in your home country by a Public Notary or Australian Consulate member and email it to us before you arrive. We supply witnesses if you do not know anyone in Australia. The marriage is internationally recognised. Read our full tourist marriage guide →
Where can we have the ceremony? Do we need a permit?
Anywhere in Australia — a park, a beach, your backyard, a café, a pub, a rooftop, a forest, a farm, a hospital. We come to wherever you want to be.
For most outdoor public locations, a permit is not required for small ceremonies where no infrastructure is set up — no marquee, chairs, or PA. Permits are the couple's responsibility but our celebrants know all the best locations and can advise on requirements for your specific spot. They also know some extraordinary secret locations most people never find — just ask.
Can you provide witnesses if it's just the two of us?
Yes — we supply witnesses at $120 each. Australian law requires two witnesses at every marriage ceremony — both must be over 18, understand English, and be sober enough to view the ceremony and sign their names. If you are eloping completely privately or are visiting from overseas and do not know anyone in Australia, we supply both. Just select this option when you book.
How long does the ceremony take? Can we add vows and rings?
The Vegas package takes 2 minutes. The Wham Bam takes 5 minutes. The Fancy Pants takes 7 minutes. The Big Kahuna takes 10 minutes. All include the legal requirements.
Personal vows and a ring exchange can be added to any package — just bring them on the day or tell your celebrant beforehand. You can also walk down the aisle to music at any ceremony. More words will not make you any more married — but if you want them, absolutely yes.
What happens if it rains?
Our celebrants know every location they work and always have a covered alternative nearby — a café, a covered pavilion, an undercover area. We use umbrellas, we wait for a clear sky, and occasionally we learn to dance in the rain. A little weather has never once stopped one of our ceremonies. We have a zero missed ceremony record since 2020 and we intend to keep it that way.
How soon can we get married? Is there any way to shorten the one-month notice?
The legal minimum in Australia is one month from the NOIM lodgement date — no exceptions without a formal approval process. In certain circumstances it is possible to apply to a prescribed authority (BDM or Local Court) to marry in less than one month. Approved reasons include:
- Employment-related or travel commitments
- Wedding or celebration arrangements already in place
- Medical reasons
- Legal proceedings
- Error in giving notice
If you need to apply, we can assist — a letter from your celebrant is required along with supporting evidence and an appointment with a prescribed authority. We charge $120 to assist with this process. If the authority does not approve the application we cannot proceed before the one month is up.
When do we get the official marriage certificate and can we change our names?
You receive a presentation marriage certificate from your celebrant on the day. For the official marriage certificate — the one required for name changes, passports, and other legal purposes — you apply directly to your state's Births, Deaths and Marriages office. Fees are payable directly to BDM and the usual turnaround is around 7 days. Your celebrant will walk you through exactly how to do this after the ceremony and provide the relevant BDM link for your state.
How many guests can we have?
The Vegas package covers up to 10 guests. The Fancy Pants covers up to 25. The Big Kahuna covers up to 100. The marrying couple are included in the guest count.
Can we still walk down the aisle and have an entrance?
Absolutely yes — at any package level. You can walk down the aisle, have music playing, make a proper entrance, and have the full ceremonial feel even with a 5-minute ceremony. The Fancy Pants and Big Kahuna are specifically designed to include all of this. But even the Vegas package can have an entrance and music if you want it — just tell your celebrant and they will make it happen.
Is the paperwork only ceremony really just paperwork?
Yes — it is genuinely that discreet. The legal minimum under the Marriage Act is 96 words and three signatures. We can sit at a café table and marry a couple and no one around them will even know a wedding has taken place. No ceremony, no performance, no one looking. Just the legal words, the signatures, and a marriage certificate. Completely valid. Completely private. Read more about paperwork only ceremonies →
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