The I Do Drive Thru does it again,with the most original idea to hit the wedding market during ‘Year Of The Elopement – 2020.’
Elopements have reigned supreme throughout Victoria during the age of COVID. Tiny weddings are no longer taboo. In fact they’re encouraged by some as a way to bring back the love, the commitment in a shaky COVID affected world. It’s true, the industry will continue to be affected for some time due to restrictions on guest numbers, social distancing requirements and with international guests being unable to travel to their loved ones celebrations.
The I Do Drive Thru crew (a small team of Melbourne-based Marriage Celebrants) have launched a new addition to their service. A tiny company which launched in April after the introduction of COVID, whose popularity spread as fast as the virus, then quickly expanded to all states in Australia and even to the US, offers car-based elopements. The business has happily hitched over 200 couples, catering specifically to the small wedding market.
The I Do Drive Thru weddings have a definite old school feel with a modern twist, allowing couples to be married at any location in a Drive Thru scenario. Their brand new Mobile Registry Office, aptly named ‘The Lovemobile’, pulls up to the couples chosen location – a favourite Melbourne beach, hilly lookout, city lane or even the couples’ home where the Celebrant meets them and gives them a wedding experience like no other in Australia.
The short but sweet ceremonies are conducted while the couple remain in their car, and the paperwork is passed in and out the windows. Rings are exchanged in the front or back seat and kisses are exchanged in the same way.
Now, ‘The Lovemobile’ – a mobile registry office can be used as a backdrop for the couples ceremony as they can walk up to the window and ‘order up’ a ceremony much the same way you would order a Mr Whippy Soft Serve. Paperwork is handed to them through the window (all legalities are pre-arranged). Or, if Melbourne weather throws a wobbly, as a Plan B, the couple can squeeze inside ‘The Lovemobile’, which inside, resembles a disco ball’s womb!
A totally new concept in Australia, (with no other registry office or chapel) in any way resembling the tiny, glittery space, the I Do Drive Thru crew believe that, like the ‘tiny house movement,’ it has value for eco warriors and fun seekers! The cubby was built on a 6X4 trailer with salvaged materials, in a residential backyard during lockdown 2.0.
Mel said, ‘Some people learnt to bake bread during lockdown, some went a little bit crazy, but I decided to build a tiny Lovemobile so that couples could get married during restrictions and beyond. Everything was sourced within walking distance from my house and my neighbours wondered if I really had lost my mind.’
“Since our world took a really strange turn, the wedding industry and all its clients have suffered a massive shake up to their plans. We have already met the need to offer legal weddings with personality, whilst maintaining a high level of fabulousness and now we have taken it one step further with the I do Drive Thru Lovemobile.” said Klara.
“Even in a time of uncertainty love still exists, people can still celebrate, there is still every reason to commit to marriage. Imagine looking back on COVID times with the fond memory of getting married, in a beautiful location, then looking forward to holding big celebrations with your friends and family when the air has cleared, when we can cuddle and kiss, and not have to worry about social distancing and COVID measures.” said Kate.
‘The longer you wait to be married, the further away your 50th wedding anniversary will be!’ said Zena.
In a recent study published in Marie Claire, the average Australian wedding costs $53,158. I Do Drive Thru’s packages start from only $900 for a Celebrant, a Photographer and the Lovemobile, in any location within Melbourne and surrounding suburbs and they always ask-
‘Would you like vows with that?’.
To find out more, head to www.idodrivethru.com.au
