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Welcome to The Lakehouse Folk Elopements FAQs page, where we answer your most pressing questions about our intimate and exclusive elopement experience on the Sunshine Coast.
Our goal is to provide you with all the information you need to create the perfect, personalised elopement at our serene lakeside property.
If you can’t find the information you need, feel free to email us at hello@thelakehousefolk.com.
The Important Stuff
How many guests can we have?
Our largest elopement package is for the couple plus up to 18 guests.
We also offer smaller packages for up to 6 or 12 guests, so you can keep your day as intimate as you like.
Your celebrant, photographer and other approved wedding vendors are not included in your guest count.
View our Elopement Packages & Pricing
What time do elopements run?
Our elopements are designed as a relaxed afternoon celebration, with venue access from 12pm until 6pm.
There’s time to get ready in the cottages, say “I do”, take beautiful photos, enjoy drinks and grazing, play lawn games and spend the afternoon with your favourite people.
All non-staying guests depart by 6pm.
What happens after the ceremony?
Forget the run sheet, seating plan and formal reception.
After your ceremony, settle into a relaxed afternoon of drinks, grazing, lawn games, photos and easy mingling with your favourite people.
It’s everything you love about celebrating a wedding, without the stress and formality of a traditional reception.
Can we have a reception?
The Lakehouse Folk is designed for relaxed afternoon elopements rather than traditional formal receptions.
Think beautiful food, drinks, music, lawn games and plenty of time together, rather than assigned seating, speeches, a dance floor and a late-night reception.
At 6pm, the elopement finishes and all non-staying guests depart.
Can guests stay after 6pm?
Only guests included in your overnight accommodation booking can remain on the property after 6pm.
Once the elopement finishes, the property returns to accommodation use for those staying overnight.
So you can still pour a drink, get comfortable and enjoy the cottages together, just without the wedding event continuing into the evening.
What if we want more than 18 guests?
Our maximum elopement size is the couple plus 18 guests.
If you’re dreaming of something bigger, you could have your intimate ceremony and afternoon celebration with us before continuing the evening at one of the many restaurants or venues around Montville and the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Elopement Packages & Pricing
How much does it cost to get married at The Lakehouse Folk?
Our weekday elopement packages start from $1,600.
We offer packages for:
Up to 6 guests
Up to 12 guests
Up to 18 guests
We also offer weekend packages that combine your elopement with a two-night Hinterland stay.
View all Elopement Packages & Pricing
What is included?
We’ve taken care of the important things so you don’t have to start from scratch.
Your elopement includes:
- Exclusive use of The Lakehouse Folk for your elopement
- Pre-set ceremony arbour
- Ceremony chairs
- Signing table and chairs
- Two beautiful cottages for getting ready
- Lawn games
- Fridge facilities
- Potable water
- Bathroom amenities
- Shaded areas
- Access to our private photography locations
- Space for your own drinks, grazing and catering
You’re free to choose the celebrant, photographer, florist, food and other personal touches that suit you.
What does DIY elopement mean?
DIY doesn’t mean doing everything yourself.
It simply means you aren’t forced into an expensive all-inclusive wedding package filled with things you don’t necessarily want.
We provide the beautiful venue, ceremony setup, chairs, signing table, lawn games, facilities and accommodation options.
You choose your own celebrant, photographer, flowers, food and any other extras you’d like.
It gives you more freedom while keeping your wedding simple, relaxed and affordable.
When can we have a weekday elopement?
Our standard elopement packages are available Monday to Thursday.
Do you offer weekend elopements?
Yes.
Our Friday to Sunday weekend packages combine your wedding with a two-night stay, turning your elopement into a little Sunshine Coast Hinterland holiday.
You can arrive the day before, settle in, enjoy your wedding without rushing anywhere afterwards and wake up here the next morning.
Explore our Weekend Elopement Packages
Getting Ready & Staying
Can we get ready in the cottages?
Absolutely.
Access to our two beautiful cottages is included for getting ready on your wedding day.
You can arrive, settle in and get ready separately before walking out to your ceremony.
No rushing between hotels, cars and venues. Everything happens in one beautiful location.
Can we stay the night of our wedding?
Yes, and we highly recommend it.
For weekday elopements, you can add accommodation for the night of your wedding:
Up to 4 staying guests – $500
Up to 8 staying guests – $800
At 6pm, simply say goodbye to your day guests, change into something comfortable and enjoy the property with those staying with you.
Can we stay the night before?
Yes.
Staying the night before means your wedding begins as a little Hinterland getaway rather than a rushed single day.
Add the night before for:
Up to 4 staying guests – $700
Up to 8 staying guests – $1,000
Our weekend packages already include accommodation from Friday to Sunday.
Can we stay longer?
Yes.
If you’d like to make a proper little holiday of it, you can add up to two additional nights, subject to availability.
See our current package options for accommodation pricing.
How many people can stay as part of our elopement?
Our elopement accommodation packages cater for up to 8 staying guests across our two cottages.
It’s perfect if you’d like your closest family or friends to turn your wedding into a relaxed little getaway together.
What are the cottages like?
You’ll have access to two completely different but equally beautiful cottages, The Pool House and The Retro Ranch.
They provide plenty of space for getting ready separately before your ceremony and are also available as part of our overnight accommodation options.
Explore The Lakehouse Folk Accommodation
Food, Drinks & Your Afternoon
Can we bring our own food and drinks?
Yes.
You’re welcome to organise your own drinks, grazing platters or catering, giving you complete control over both the style and cost of your celebration.
You’ll also have access to fridge facilities, potable water, shade and bathroom amenities.
Do we have to use a particular caterer?
No.
You’re free to choose a caterer you love or organise something yourselves.
Relaxed options such as grazing tables, platters, picnic-style food and simple catering work beautifully with the style of our elopements.
We also have some fantastic local suppliers who already know the venue.
Can we have a sit-down meal?
Our venue is designed around relaxed afternoon celebrations rather than formal sit-down receptions.
Most couples choose grazing tables, platters or relaxed catering that allows everyone to move around, play lawn games, have a drink and enjoy the property.
If you have something particular in mind, get in touch and we can let you know whether it suits the venue.
Are lawn games included?
Yes!
Our lawn games are set up for you and are one of our favourite parts of the afternoon.
They’re a great way to get everyone laughing, mingling and having fun without needing a formal wedding schedule.
Celebrants, Photographers & Other Vendors
Do you provide a celebrant or photographer?
We don’t bundle vendors into our packages.
Instead, you get to choose the people you actually want and decide where you want to spend your wedding budget.
You can choose your own celebrant, photographer, videographer, florist, hair and makeup artist, caterer and other vendors.
Need some help?
Browse our Trusted Wedding Vendors
Can we choose our own vendors?
Absolutely.
Bring the celebrant, photographer, florist and other wedding suppliers you love.
We simply ask that vendors follow our venue requirements and parking arrangements while on the property.
Do vendors count towards our guest numbers?
No.
Your guest limit applies to the friends and family attending your wedding.
Your approved celebrant, photographer and other wedding vendors are separate from your guest count.
Can we have music?
Yes.
Relaxed background music through a small portable speaker is perfect for the atmosphere here.
Our elopements are all about a peaceful, intimate afternoon, so DJs, bands, dance floors and loud amplified entertainment aren’t part of our wedding format.
Wedding Photography
Can we take photos around the property?
Absolutely. It’s one of the best reasons to get married here.
Our private property has incredible Hinterland views, open lawns, gardens, paddocks and beautiful natural backdrops, giving you plenty of variety without having to leave the venue.
We’ll let you and your photographer know the best areas to explore and any property boundaries that need to be observed.
Do we need to leave for our wedding photos?
Not unless you want to.
There are beautiful photography locations throughout the property, which means you can spend more time enjoying your wedding and less time driving between locations.
And when the afternoon light hits the Hinterland, it can be pretty spectacular.
What If It Rains?
What happens if we have wet weather?
Hinterland weather can be unpredictable, but rain certainly doesn’t have to ruin your wedding.
We’ll work with you to determine the most suitable wet-weather option based on the forecast and your plans.
A large 13-metre marquee is also available as an optional addition, subject to availability and suitability for your elopement.
If the forecast starts looking questionable, we can discuss the options with you before your wedding day.
Children, Pets & Practical Details
Are children welcome?
Absolutely.
Children are included in your overall guest numbers.
If you’re bringing infants or have any questions about your particular group, just let us know when you enquire.
Can we bring our dog?
Possibly.
We know dogs are part of the family too, so pets may be approved by prior arrangement.
Just mention your furry family member when you enquire and we can discuss whether it will work for your elopement and accommodation.
Is there parking at the venue?
Yes.
Designated parking is provided on the property for guests and wedding vendors.
There is no need for your wedding guests to park on the road.
We’ll send you any relevant parking instructions before your wedding so everyone knows exactly where to go.
Booking Your Elopement
How do we book?
First, have a look through our Elopement Packages and decide which one feels right for you.
Then simply send us an enquiry.
We can answer any questions, check your preferred dates and arrange a venue viewing if you’d like to come and see the property.
A 25% deposit secures your date.
Can we visit before booking?
Absolutely.
Photos give you an idea of the property, but the view and atmosphere are difficult to properly appreciate until you’re standing here.
Get in touch to arrange a viewing
When is our final payment due?
Final payment is due two weeks before your elopement.
We’ll also confirm your final guest numbers and other important details around this time.
Can we change our wedding date?
Yes.
You can make one change of date free of charge up to four weeks before your original wedding date, subject to availability.
Full cancellation and rescheduling terms are provided in your booking agreement.
Can we change our guest numbers?
Yes.
You can update your guest count up until two weeks before your elopement, provided you remain within the maximum number for your chosen package.
If your numbers increase, let us know and we can see whether moving to a larger package is possible.
Are prices higher during peak periods?
A 10% peak surcharge applies during high-demand periods such as school holidays and long weekends.
We’ll confirm your exact package price before you book.
Getting Legally Married
Do you organise the legal marriage paperwork?
Your chosen authorised marriage celebrant will guide you through the legal requirements and marriage paperwork.
The Lakehouse Folk provides the venue, while your celebrant is responsible for legally solemnising your marriage.
How much notice do we need to get married?
In most circumstances, your authorised celebrant needs to receive your Notice of Intended Marriage at least one month before your wedding and no more than 18 months beforehand.
If you’re planning something last minute, speak with your celebrant about your options.
Elopements & Micro Weddings
Is an elopement still a real wedding?
Absolutely.
You still have the vows, beautiful outfit, flowers, celebrant, photographer, champagne and all the emotion of a wedding.
You’re simply skipping many of the expensive, stressful and overly formal parts of a traditional wedding.
What is the difference between an elopement and a micro wedding?
There’s no strict rule anymore.
An elopement generally describes a very intimate wedding focused on the couple, while “micro wedding” is often used to describe a small wedding with close family and friends.
At The Lakehouse Folk, we really don’t mind what you call it.
If you want a beautiful, relaxed wedding with the people who matter most, you’re in the right place.
Why choose an elopement?
Because your wedding doesn’t need to be complicated to be unforgettable.
A smaller wedding means less organising, fewer formalities, lower costs and more time actually enjoying the people you invited.
At The Lakehouse Folk, the idea is pretty simple:
Get ready somewhere beautiful. Say “I do”. Celebrate with your favourite people. And actually enjoy your wedding day.
Still Have a Question?
We’re always happy to help.
Send us an enquiry or come and experience The Lakehouse Folk for yourself.
Beautiful views. Your favourite people. No unnecessary fuss.