Fall into romance this autumn with a mighty mini wedding – Dope Elope is back | HerCanberra (2024)

An extraordinary love calls for an extraordinary event – but for those looking to shake up societal expectations of a traditional wedding, a mini-festival of love is here to make your heart race. The next instalment of Dope Elope is back for autumn and it’s time for local lovers to fall into romance.

Conceptualised by creative wedding celebrate Sarah Marie Tulley, who wanted to strip away the fluff (that really just pleases everyone else) and get down to the heart of weddings (the warm and fuzzy feelings), Dope Elope was launched in 2023 to help take wedding planning to the next level – an elopement experience that’s luxe without the fuss.

“There’s an undeniable charm in exchanging vows with just your nearest and dearest by your side and creating memories that feel like they’re plucked straight out of a fairytale,” says Sarah.

“For some reason emotions are amplified and people aren’t afraid to laugh and cry.”

Following the success of the inaugural Dope Elope (dubbed Springtime Splendour), which saw four couples from Canberra, New South Wales and South Australia tie the knot in an explosion of psychedelic colour last year, Sarah’s brought back her ‘mini weds with mighty vibes’ and is taking the romance up a level with a new concept: Fall Into Romance.

Offering bookings across Thursday 16 and Friday 17 May only, Fall into Romance will combine the beautiful seasonal tones of Canberra’s autumn with trendy ‘90s vibes – think: pearls, roses, candles, bows. And to add to the romance, this year couples will be saying their vows at the stunning Brindabella Hills Winery amongst the vines.

“The palette is moodier – think ‘be my valentine’ – to complement the natural modern and refined autumnal setting,” says Sarah.

“With its sweeping vineyards, breathtaking views, and wine flowing like poetry, it’s [Brindabella Hills] the epitome of romance! We have exclusive use of the whole venue for our couples, and we know the autumnal tones over the Brindabellas will turn it on! We can’t wait to dress the place in florals and the dreamiest furniture.”

Describing the bespoke experience of Fall into Romance as perfect for “those couples who resonate with a simpler, classic vibe”, to help bring the vision to life, Sarah has once again gathered a symphony of Canberra’s creatives – including Peony n Pearl, Sweet Little Sunday, Maeke, Tara Florence Artistry, Kate Lily Dressing Hair and Sugarplum Fairy Cakes plus many, many other talents – and using her learnings from the first Dope Elope, this year couples will have even more choice in how their elopement unfolds.

Now offering two packages, those interested in a Mini Wed can bring more guests (up to 20 of your nearest and dearest), while Elopements keeps the event intimate and private with strictly the couple and two witnesses. Both packages include exclusive use of Brindabella Hills Winery, florals and styling, hair and makeup services, content creation, live music, and a selection of canapés with drinks.

You can also level up the ceremony with some trimmings – including a luscious floral bouquet, a cake, a confetti cannon (for the money shot) and a sparkling tower…because why not?

“It will still be glorious and edgy, but more sleek, modern, and refined. We have a team of vendors who are in high demand, who you wouldn’t ordinarily have access to on this scale, or at the same time,” says Sarah.

“Again, we have a real mix of couples signed up, most of them have planned weddings that, for various reasons, never came to fruition. The whole experience is perfect for those who don’t want the stress of wedding planning but who want all the trimmings, or those who would rather put their savings towards a house or honeymoon!”

Taking care of everything (including a timeline of what to do, and when) literally all you need to do is book a date and time slot, find something to wear, and start the rest of your life with the person that you love.

Bookings for Dope Elope close on Monday 1 April so take the plunge – there’s no love story like yours so why not fall into romance and have a one-of-a-kind wedding to memorialise it?

Photography: Bel Combridge Photography.