Elopement FAQs

How do we book?

Once you’ve decided to tie the knot and elope with us, the easiest way to proceed is to forward us 2-3 ceremony date preferences. We can then cross-check availability with our venue as well as our team of vendors and get back to you as soon as possible. Once you’ve decided on a ceremony date, we will then forward you our Gumnut, Paper Daisy, Sweet Pea, Wild Rose or King Protea booking form to complete. It’s as simple as entering your details, checking a few preference boxes and selecting your preferred payment option.

How does payment work?

We require a 25% booking fee to lock in our dream team, secure your date and confirm your elopement package. We have a couple of payment options and plans available, including the flexibility of weekly or monthly instalments. Payment can be made via direct deposit or credit card (we accept all cards except Amex and Diners). Please note, there is a 2% surcharge for all card payments. Either way, we do require a credit card to be kept on file just for security purposes. The balance is due no later than 90 days prior to your special day. Our elopement packages are all-inclusive of services outlined. There are no hidden fees or costs.

What happens if I change my mind after booking?

As our packages involve contracts and collaborations between a number of local businesses, we have a strict cancellation policy in place, so kindly familiarise yourself with our booking conditions (these can be viewed on our Info Pack and Contract). Please keep in mind that our venue and vendors have turned away other potential business to secure your dates, so cancellations mean a loss of income for us and the other small businesses we collaborate with. Any significant amendments to your package made after your booking is confirmed, i.e. a postponement or change to your ceremony date (where possible) or original start time will also incur an amendment/administration fee.

How soon can we elope?

The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages requires your NOIM (Notice of Intended Marriage) form a minimum of 1 month prior to your ceremony date. Our celebrants handle all legal paperwork and lodge this form on your behalf, once completed. Please note, our celebrancy services are all-inclusive and cover your ceremony, as well as all legal paperwork and lodgment fees.

Can I mix and match our elopement package to suit our individual needs?

Absolutely. We offer 5 different packages; our basic Gumnut, easy Paper Daisy, standard Sweet Pea, deluxe Wild Rose and premium King Protea. Add-on options are also available and it’s as easy as ticking any relevant boxes on your booking form if you’d like us to design a package to suit your individual needs. Please note, while we’re more than happy to include add-ons, we are unable to remove, refund or swap out any standard inclusions in our packages. In this case, you may wish to opt for our basic Gumnut or easy Paper Daisy package and build it your way from the ground up. Subject to availability, add-ons can be included at a later stage if you prefer; up to just 2 weeks prior to your special day if this helps with planning and budgeting, or if you’re undecided on these at the time of booking.

Can I use my own vendors?

We work exclusively with our team of vendors. Our set packages are inclusive of our vendors’ services and couples cannot utilise or substitute their own vendors (unless under exceptional circumstances – and please note in this instance, the portion of your package dedicated to applicable vendor is non-refundable).

It will just be the two of us. Do you provide witnesses?

Yes. It is a legal requirement that you have 2 witnesses aged 18 years or over at your ceremony. In the instances where our couples marry without any family or friends present, we will provide both witnesses on the day, at no cost.

How many guests can we invite?

With the exception of our basic Gumnut package (designed for just the two of you or up to 5 ceremony guests maximum for a $300 surcharge), we have a limit of 20 ceremony guests for all our other packages and due to the peace and privacy of the property and in order to do what we do best, we are strict on this maximum. Please note, guests numbers do not include the happy couple, nor children aged 3 years and under. We kindly ask that all ceremony guests not residing in paid accommodation on the property please vacate the premises by the end of this 2 hour grounds hire period, or an additional fee will be charged.

Please note, Goosewing is located at high altitude in the mountains and much of the property is on a slope with some stairs to navigate. Consequently the property may not be suitable for visitors with severe mobility issues (please reach out to us directly to discuss any concerns and options). By prior arrangement, we can happily offer a chauffeur vehicle service for guests who are unable to walk down to the ceremony site (which is a 60m stretch down the sloping lawn). Please notify us ahead of time if this is required so we can organise extra staff, allow additional time and ensure your guests are comfortable on the day. Due to safety issues, this service may not be available in very wet or boggy conditions.

What time of the day should we marry?

We specialise in sunset elopements as it’s such a romantic time of day and the light is so soft and golden at this time. Photographers call the last hour of light just before sunset “The Golden Hour” and it’s perfect for photos. We generally recommend a start time of approximately 1.5 hours prior to sunset. Of course, you may opt for an earlier time, especially if you have little ones or plan on celebrating with guests afterwards. We’re more than happy to work with whatever timeframe you have in mind.

Can we hold our ceremony on the weekend?

No. Our packages are midweek only (Monday – Thursday, excluding public holidays and our peak Christmas/New Years period). Although midweek weddings are becoming increasingly popular, it is generally a quieter time for our team which enables us to ensure vendor availability and provide the packages we do with the highest quality vendors the Hunter Valley and Newcastle regions have to offer, at such heavily discounted rates.

Are children welcome at the ceremony?

Of course. We have three small kids of our own so completely understand the joys (and challenges!) of family life. Children are more than welcome to stay on the property and participate in the ceremony. Please note, there is a small unfenced dam on the property so children need to be actively supervised at all times. We can also provide additional pageboy buttonholes and/or flower girl bouquets if required.

Can our fur-babies stay too?

Our accommodation is unfortunately not pet-friendly, however, if you’d like to involve your pet dog/s during your wedding ceremony, we are more than happy to organise this by prior arrangement – we just kindly ask that pets are adequately restrained at all times and any droppings are disposed of during their visit.

Is there a wet weather option?

Yes. In the rare event of heavy rain, your ceremony will be held on our stunning elevated undercover gazebo at the rear of the Homestead, with stunning 180-degree panoramic views over the Watagans, Brokenback Ranges and surrounding countryside. If you are having more than 5-10 ceremony guests we strongly recommend including the Homestead in your chosen package to ensure this option’s availability, as our smaller Cottage is limited in accommodating larger guest numbers. In the case of rain where the ceremony can proceed outdoors, the newlyweds will be undercover in our pondside pavilion and we provide clear umbrellas for all ceremony guests, if required.

When should we check-in?

We recommend arriving the day before you marry where possible, so you can chill out and enjoy the lead up to your special day. Check-in is from 2pm on the day of your arrival and earlier check-in time is not always possible, so please keep this in mind. We like to allow up to 2.5 hours for bridal hair and make-up, more for a number of clients (any bridesmaids, flower girls, mother of the bride/s or groom/s). Please note, as our packages are midweek (Monday-Thursday) only, accommodation must also fall within this period. Sunday check-ins for Monday ceremonies are at times possible, subject to availability and an extra accommodation surcharge.

Can I organise my own decorations?

You may opt to provide and install your own decorations, however no permanent or invasive fixtures (including nails, pins or thumb tacks etc.) are to be used anywhere on the property, including the timber gazebo and the trees. Any damage caused to surfaces on or around the venue will incur damage costs. The property must be left as you found it and all rubbish and decorations must be removed from the premises at the close of your 2 hour grounds hire or an additional clean up fee will be charged.

We’d love to celebrate with our guests afterwards. Any ideas?

Our packages are ceremony-based only and we do not allow parties or formal receptions of any kind at the property. That being said, you are welcome to enjoy a casual, intimate dinner, e.g. a relaxed BBQ or private catering at Goosewing just with friends or family who are also staying onsite in paid accommodation with us (strictly no additional visitors). 

We can arrange our Nibbles & Bubbles option as an add-on for an additional charge (grazing boards and drinks for all of your guests following the ceremony, including 1 hour’s service).

Should you prefer to stay in and enjoy a quiet night with each other’s company, we can organise a professional private chef to spoil you, or we can also provide a variety of gourmet food hampers such as BBQ packs, seafood platters and picnic hampers just to name a few (please see the Indulge tab on our website for more information).

Alternatively if you’d like to celebrate with family and friends after your ceremony, we forward a comprehensive list of local restaurant recommendations to suit all budgets and preferences to all our couples when they book with us, as part of our Welcome Pack. We can also arrange affordable transfers if needed for you and your guests. Please contact us for a quote.

Can we accommodate extra guests at the property?

Absolutely. We have 2 accommodation options on the property and can accommodate up to 12 guests in total. As a standard, your Cottage package includes 2 nights’ accommodation for 1 couple and your Homestead package includes 2 nights’ accommodation for up to 4 guests. Additional guests can be added for an extra cost. Our smaller Cottage and larger Homestead are located just 50 metres apart, however, shrubs and natural screening also means maximum privacy if you prefer some space between you and your guests. Our Cottage accommodates up to 4 guests in its 2 king-sized bedrooms. Our Homestead can accommodate up to 4 guests comfortably in its 2 spacious king-sized suites, or up to 8 guests if utilising the optional double pull-out leather sofa bed in each bedroom suite, which is perfect for families or groups who don’t mind room-sharing. The Homestead also has a private saltwater pool. Please see the Stay tab on our website for a breakdown of tariffs, or alternatively contact us for a quote. There are also a number of other accommodation options in the local area for any guest overflow and these are also included in our Welcome Pack which couples receive when they book with us.

How soon will we receive our professional photos?

Turnaround time for photography and videography varies and ultimately depends on how busy our photographer and videographer are, as well as the backlog of post-production work they have at the time. That being said, we’re pretty quick! The average turnover time for digital photos is around 2-4 weeks and depending on the backlog, we typically allow approximately 10-12 weeks for videography with Hunter Valley Video, however please note, these turnaround times can be longer during peak periods. For Amico Films, please allow a longer turnaround time. Due to the handmade nature of his films, they typically average 16-20 weeks.

What do we need to bring with us on the day?

Just yourselves, the dress/es, the suit/s and the rings – we literally organise every detail of your elopement so that all you need to do is relax, enjoy your day and time together at Goosewing!