Two gold wedding rings resting on black fabric.

REGISTRY STYLED ELOPEMENTS

AT HISTORIC

LLANFYLLIN HOUSE, BALLARAT

Historic Llanfyllin House, in collaboration with Ballarat Marriage Registry, are proud to offer a range of elopement services, perfect for couples wanting a fuss-free, affordable marriage option, without sacrificing the ambience of the location.

Ballarat Marriage Registry was established in 2020 by Kate Ritchie, a Registered Celebrant with 17 years’ experience. Kate is an energetic, fun and engaging marriage celebrant who draws on her experience as a vocalist, performer, and public speaker to ensure that each of her couples has a ceremony that reflects them. As a result. Kate has been awarded an ABIA Finalist for 14 consecutive years, as voted by past couples, for her ability to make their ceremonies fun, stress-free and heartfelt.  

Llanfyllin House has a long and happy association with marriage. Constructed in the late 1800s by the Mayor of Ballarat East, Cr. Isaiah Pearce, as a gift to his daughter and her new husband on the occasion of their marriage, the couple happily made it their home, raising their 3 daughters and living their entire life here together.

In 1939, Llanfyllin House was purchased by local businessman Morris Ellis, who was soon to be married. Again, the couple lived a long and happy life together here, raising their two children. Mrs Ellis, a seamstress, worked from home and was well-renowned for her creation of beautiful wedding, debutante, bridesmaid and ball gowns popular with women from Ballarat and the surrounding areas. Clients would attend the home for their dress fittings, which were undertaken in the maid’s room, where Mrs Ellis made her creations on a treadle Singer Sewing machine, using equipment much like that on display in the same room today.

In 2022, the opportunity arose for this gorgeous home to be shared more broadly and was painstakingly curated by national award-winning stylist, Jo Powell, to reflect the lifestyle afforded during the goldrush. Offered as short-term accommodation initially, the popularity of this experience quickly grew. In 2023, in partnership with Ballarat Marriage Registry, the strong connection between Llanfyllin House and marriage was once again re-established as Registry Style Elopements and ‘Mini-Moon’ stays were introduced, offering couples a unique local marriage alternative.

Ballarat Marriage Registry and Llanfyllin House would love to welcome you to join our ever-growing list of couples who have contributed to the romantic history of this home.

Two men are inside a house, seen through an open window, making heart shapes with their arms. They are smiling and leaning toward each other.
A woman and a man dressed in a tuxedo standing close together against a red brick wall. The woman leans her head on the man's shoulder, and they both look at the camera with gentle expressions.
Black and white photo of four people sitting on chairs in a living room. Three women and one man, all smiling. A framed painting of birds hangs above a fireplace behind them. Carpet with floral pattern covers the floor.
A couple dressed in formal attire, standing close and kissing in a hallway of a home, with a mirror reflecting their kiss.
Two young men sitting on a vintage bench in a home library, holding hands, smiling, with bookshelves behind them, black and white photo.
A smiling woman and a smiling man standing close together indoors, with the woman’s arm around the man’s waist. Behind them is a decorative white mantelpiece, a large framed painting of peacocks and other birds, and two wall-mounted lights.
A black and white photo of a man and woman standing indoors, with the woman wearing a bright red coat. They are smiling and standing close together in front of a painted fireplace with decorative swan figurines on the mantle and a framed painting of birds above. The woman is wearing a checkered dress and black shoes, while the man is in a suit and dress shoes.
A couple leaning through a window, smiling and looking at each other, in black and white.
A black and white dog with a red bow tie lying on a patterned red and beige rug inside a room.
A bride and groom smiling at each other during their wedding day in a black-and-white photo, with the bride holding a small bouquet of flowers and wearing a strapless dress.
A group of four people, two men and two women, at a marriage celebration, with one man and woman kissing while the others look on, smiling and reacting with surprise.

Registry Styled ‘Legals Only’ Marriages

  • 15 - 20 Minutes

  • The marrying couple, two witnesses and the Marriage Celebrant are in attendance.

  • A ‘Legals Only’ marriage ceremony includes the legally required words, spoken by all parties & legally required paperwork finalised. There is minimal ceremonial wording content.

  • $595

    (*2025 Fee)

A black and white photo of a family gathering with six adults and a child posed in a living room. The group includes two people sitting on a sofa holding hands, and four people standing behind them, one of whom is holding a child. A painting of peacocks hangs on the wall behind them, and a patterned rug is on the floor.

Registry Styled ‘Ceremonial’ Marriages

  • 30 Minutes

  • The marrying couple & up to 8 guests may attend the ceremony (Infants 2 years and under are NOT counted as a guest).

  • A ‘Ceremonial’ Elopement is a simple but meaningful marriage ceremony with the exchange of personally written vows and ceremonial wording content which includes the legally required words spoken by all parties & legally required paperwork finalised.

  • $760

    (* 2025 Fee)

A black-and-white photo of a couple in wedding attire kissing in a decorated room with large windows, curtains, and candles on the floor.

Registry Styled ‘Deluxe’ Marriages

  • Options include:

    1 Night Accommodation (Tuesday or Wednesday)

    2 Nights Accommodation (Friday and Saturday Nights)

  • 5 people in attendance, including the marrying couple, two witnesses & the Celebrant

  • Marriage Ceremony held at Llanfyllin House, Ballarat 

    1 Night Luxury Accommodation for the marrying couple (Tuesday or Wednesday night).

    OR

    2 Nights Luxury Accommodation for the Marrying Couple (Friday and Saturday nights).

    AT THEIR CHOICE OF EITHER: 

    Llanfyllin House, Ballarat

    OR

    Emerald Hill Cottage, South Melbourne

    (*Both accommodations are pet friendly)

  • $1585 - 1 Night Accommodation (Tuesday or Wednesday)

    $2080 - 2 Nights Accommodation (Friday and Saturday)

    (*2025 Fees)