Elopement, Micro Wedding or Traditional Wedding?
Choosing the right wedding style for you on the Sunshine Coast
One of the very first (and biggest) decisions you can make when planning your wedding is how you want to celebrate. Intimate and wildly romantic? Relaxed and beautifully low-key? Or a full-scale celebration with everyone you love in one place?
On the Sunshine Coast, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to wedding styles, venues and ways to say “I do” and there truly is no right or wrong option. The best choice always comes back to your values, your vision and what feels most like you.
So, let’s break down the difference between an elopement ceremony, a micro wedding and a traditional wedding celebration to help you discover which one fits your dream wedding day best.
What really determines your wedding style?
Before diving into guest numbers and logistics, pause for a moment and think about how you want your wedding day to feel.
Relaxed, carefree and deeply personal?
Joyful, social and filled with energy?
Or elegant, structured and beautifully grand?
Your ideal vibe, emotions and priorities, along with your budget, will naturally guide you toward the wedding style that suits you best.
No matter the size, every wedding can still include meaningful vows, stunning attire, wedding rings, a beautiful bouquet and a ceremony that feels genuinely you
Personal elopement captured by Terri Hanlon Photography
Sunshine Coast Elopement Ceremonies
An elopement ceremony on the Sunshine Coast is the ultimate expression of intimacy and romance.
This style of wedding is typically just the two of you, your celebrant, two legal witnesses and often a photographer to capture the magic with no guest list, no distractions and no expectations.
Elopements are wonderfully non-traditional and incredibly flexible. They can be planned quickly, held mid-week, hosted in breathtaking natural locations and often don’t require permits, depending on the location you choose.
From secluded beaches to hinterland lookouts, a Sunshine Coast elopement allows you to focus purely on your commitment, your love and the moment you’re creating together. It’s perfect if you value simplicity, privacy and emotional connection above all else.
Micro Weddings on the Sunshine Coast
A micro wedding is the sweet spot between an elopement and a traditional wedding. It’s small, stylish and stress-free!
Usually shared with around 10–15 of your nearest and dearest, micro weddings keep things intimate while still including many of the classic wedding elements you love. You’ll still enjoy a thoughtfully structured ceremony, a small guest list, a beautifully styled setting and a relaxed reception such as a cocktail hour, high tea or intimate dinner.
Micro weddings on the Sunshine Coast are popular for their ease, affordability and relaxed planning process, especially if you are planning your wedding remotely, because your guest list is small, venues are more flexible, timelines are simpler and the day feels effortlessly personal without the pressure of a large production.
Precious moment at Sandalford Winery, Western Australia courtesy of Melissa’s Photography
A grand celebration for the masses
As your guest list grows, so too does the sense of occasion and this is your wedding begins to feel more structured, more celebratory and wonderfully immersive.
From 30 guests through to 500, traditional weddings on the Sunshine Coast share a common thread: bringing your wider circle together to witness, celebrate and party alongside you.
With larger numbers comes a few extra considerations such as ceremony and reception venues need to comfortably accommodate your guests, public ceremony locations often require permits, weekend dates become important to ensure loved ones can attend and timelines help keep the day flowing smoothly, especially if you have a bridal party.
As numbers increase, weddings naturally lean into more traditional elements too, an onsite rehearsal, a beautifully curated ceremony, formal or cocktail-style reception, heartfelt speeches, your first dance and entertainment such as a DJ or MC to carry your celebration into the night.
Venues are usually booked well in advance, your budget reflects the scale of your wedding day and family involvement often increases (with plenty of opinions offered lovingly, of course).
Smart couples hosting larger weddings choose to engage a wedding planner to manage logistics and keep everything running seamlessly, allowing them to stay present and enjoy every moment.
This style of wedding is perfect if you love hosting, value shared experiences and want to bring family, friends and all chapters of you lives together in one unforgettable celebration. It’s big love, big energy, and a whole lot of joyful togetherness loaded with champagne!
The most important thing to remember
Whether you’re planning an elopement, a micro wedding or a grand celebration, one thing matters most, your wedding should feel fun, light-hearted, relaxed and deeply personal.
The perfect wedding isn’t about guest numbers, a perfect bouquet or the ultimate cake. It’s about choosing a celebration that feels comfortable, meaningful and true to you.
Ready to chat about your ideal wedding ceremony?
If you’re planning a Sunshine Coast elopement, micro wedding or traditional wedding celebration and would love guidance on what style suits you best, I’d love to chat.
You can arrange a relaxed Zoom call with me, a Sunshine Coast celebrant with 18 years experience, to talk through your vision, your values and the kind of wedding day that feels just right for you by clicking on that big pink button below!