This week I sat down to talk with Dea from Hell Yea Elopements.
Planning a wedding can be an overwhelming task, especially when you want it to be a unique and memorable experience. That’s where elopements can be the perfect solution!
Hell Yeah Elopements is an NSW-based elopement planning company that specializes in creating one-of-a-kind elopements for couples who want to celebrate their love in a way that’s authentic to them.
In this blog, I sit down with Dea, founder of Hell yea Elopments, who will share her story and some of the inspiration behind her company.
Join us as we dive into the world of elopements with Dea, the founder of Hell Yeah Elopements.
What do you like to be called?
Call me Dea
What’s your business name?
What do you do?
We specialize in elopements for who dream a little differently.
Where is Hell Yeah Elopements based?
We are based in Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
What is your business’s ethos?
Relaxed, fun elopements for those who want a good time, not a long time.
Were there moments in your formative years that might have indicated an interest in your line of work?
I am a wedding photographer (Little Black Bow Photography), and I have noticed the increase in people wanting to downsize their wedding since covid due to an increase in the general price of living or because their priorities have changed. I also noticed a gap in the market in Newcastle for people wanting something a bit more out of the box as far as location and styling goes.
Any stand-out moments since starting your business?
The interest from people before I even had a website. All of the bookings so far have just come from Instagram!
Worst moment?
Trying to work out package inclusions and pricing.
Have there been any mistakes you’ve made that you feel you have grown/learnt from?
Not being specific enough in the package booklet. This has led to many questions and people not understanding that it is just a quick experience that still packs a lot of punch. Some couples want the whole wedding day for the lower price tag, which I understand, but Hell Yeah is for those who want an intimate ceremony at lunch and head out to dinner somewhere else that evening or party with their friends later.
Where are you at with Hell Yeah Elopements currently and are there any plans on the horizon?
So far I have two quirky venues on board (one behind a cafe and one in a flower shop/cafe), but I would like to extend this to small bars, bowling alleys and beyond. I’d also like to have Hell Yeah available in other areas. Baby steps so far!
What trends are you seeing in the wedding industry?
Not sticking to the traditional order of the day, i.e. having a portrait shoot and hanging out with guests before the ceremony. I love when people decide to mix things up a little or a lot!
Other hobbies/interests
Op shopping, gym classes (aerobics, Zumba and reformer pilates!), and hanging out with my hubby, 2 human boys and fur boy.
Favourite vendors
I have so many! I feel mean choosing because I love them all for different reasons and usually recommend based on the right fit for the client. The celebrants we have available for Hell Yeah are Wed By Kez, Married by Meredith, That Altar Guy & Sarah Chippindale as they are all relaxed, fun humans to work with.
Favourite food
Always Mexican
Favourite song
I don’t really have one because I like lots of different genres
Your spirit animal and why?
A Dolphin (but maybe if they lived on the land because I don’t like swimming in the waves haha), because they are unusual looking, kind and always look like they are smiling
If you had one piece of advice to share with couples, what would it be?
Just do it your way. Don’t listen to your parents, friends, or Aunty Doris, just think about what is important to you as a couple. Plan your wedding around the fact that you want to be married for a long time, not that you just want to be featured on a blog or in a magazine. At the end of the day when the wedding is over, the life you build will include the two of you, so do what is meaningful to YOU!
