Two celebrants are looking to marry 30 couples in the Highlands and raise more than $10,000 for the RFS.
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Elope To The Country is a new start up business created by celebrity celebrants Belinda Minns and Glenn Millanta who have appeared on hit reality TV show, Married at First Sight.
The business is designed to give couples the chance to marry in a mid-week, small intimate or elopement style ceremony in the Southern Highlands region or in Camden.
"We all know weddings can be difficult to plan and often cost an arm and a leg so we decided to create these services as an alternative, to allow couples an opportunity to marry in beautiful locations without the price tag," Belinda said.
"Prior to launching our business, we witnessed the devastation of Australia's recent bushfires, and more importantly the tireless efforts of the RFS.
"We have devised a plan to marry approximately 30 people in a stunning location in the Highlands free of charge but take donations which we would pass to the local RFS.
"We also hope that by doing this we will bring in people from other areas to visit the Highlands and support many of the local businesses and community."
The decision to donate to the RFS is close to Belinda's heart as the Green Wattle Creek fire came close to her property and led to her joining the local RFS brigade.
"They just need more people," she said.
"The more people who volunteer, the more the other volunteers can get a break."
Marriage celebrant Glen said that the aim of the mass wedding event was to support businesses in the Highlands.
"It was Belinda's idea," he said.
"We wanted to approach the event in a way to support and give back to the community."
The mass wedding will take place on April 5, 2020 at Bong Bong Racecourse in Bowral between 8 am - 6 pm.
Couples will receive a beautiful small and intimate ceremony or an elopement style wedding ceremony performed by a qualified civil marriage celebrant which will include Belinda Minns, Glenn Millanta and Delia Daghel.
Flowers and styling will be provided by Floralistic and a photographer Sawroop Batajoo will be on hand to capture candid shots to remember the special day.
Entertaining the newlyweds will be Zoe Vrachnas who will sing for each wedding.
All legal paperwork will be completed and the marriage will be registered.
Glen said that the wedding package would normally be $5000 but were waiving the costs in lieu of a donation to the RFS.
"We will have RFS in attendance and we will also have buckets in place for people to donate."
Also in attendance on the day will be TV personality and former Married at First Sight bride, Gabrielle Bartlett. Gabrielle was paired with Nasser Sultan in season 5 of the show.
Gabrielle who is studying to be a marriage celebrant said she was excited to be a part of the day.
"It will be love story after love story," she said.
"I will be there to support Glenn and Belinda and help out on the day.
"I can't wait to be there, I'm honoured to be a part of the couples' day."
As for any advice for couples walking down the aisle, Gabrielle said it's important for them to take a moment and breath.
"It will go so fast, it's such a whirlwind of a day," she said.
"Couples should take a breath and have a moment to take it all in."
Couples who would like to get involved can email Belinda and Glenn on elopetothecountry@gmail.com or contact Glenn on 0426 821 978 or Belinda on 0410518212 as soon as possible.
Couples will need to submit a notice of marriage form a month in advance with the deadline for the day March 5.
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