Love on the run: Cost of living crisis sees a rise in elopements and micro-weddings

Couples are increasingly turning to elopements and micro-weddings instead of throwing a classic big white wedding. Poodle Bar & Bistro in Fitzroy want to make it even easier.

Couples are increasingly choosing to elope or throw ‘micro-weddings’ rather than host big events, with cost of living pressures draining many nuptial budgets.

As many as 79 per cent of couples have had to adjust their wedding budgets as a result of the cost of living crisis, according to the Easy Weddings 2024 Australian Wedding Industry Report – but more than one in five will still overspend.

With the average wedding in Victoria costing an eye-watering $35,657 – up from an average of $32,940 in 2019 – eloping is rapidly gaining popularity for its lower-budget appeal.

Owners of Poodle Bar and Bistro Emilio Scalzo and Zoe Rubino – also a married couple – noticed the exorbitant costs associated with weddings and wanted to provide a cheaper alternative.

The pair noticed more and more couples were trying to find easy, cheap alternatives to throwing a stereotypical big white wedding. Picture: Mark Stewart

Together they conceptualised Love On The Run, a two-hour block for a private ceremony and party with ten guests.

“With the cost of living crisis at the moment, couples have had to push back their engagement from 18 months to 24 months to be able to afford a wedding,” Ms Rubino said.

“We noticed a lot of couples were interested in small weddings and also elopements at Poodle, so we came up with the idea for Love On The Run.”

The elopement package includes everything, she said, from food to florists to celebrants.

“Everything’s included, you don’t need to worry about anything, it’s just you and your loved ones.

“It’s perfect for anyone wanting to get married who is struggling in this cost of living crisis.

“We’ve taken the work and stress out of it. It’s great for any couple who wants to celebrate their love who don’t necessarily have the means or the time to organise a larger wedding.”

Mr Scalzo said the package had been put together with “some of Australia’s best wedding suppliers”.

Love On The Run will cost less than a third of the average Australian wedding. Picture: Mark Stewart

“It really comes down to making something that costs less than a third of the average wedding in Australia,” he said.

“We’re not compromising on anything.”

Elopement slots are filling fast and interested couples will need to formally register their intent to marry by Friday, September 20.

Originally published as Love on the run: Cost of living crisis sees a rise in elopements and micro-weddings