Planning a Destination Elopement to the Sunshine Coast: Expert Tips from Elope to Sunshine Coast
If the idea of planning a wedding from afar makes you want to close your laptop and pour a wine… you’re not alone. And if the thought of a relaxed, beautiful elopement on the Sunshine Coast sounds more like your vibe, then this one’s for you.
For Episode 13 of Pop The Question, I sat down with my good friend Sheryl van Heerden from Elope to Sunshine Coast, a wedding planner and stylist who specialises in destination elopements for couples travelling from out of town. Sheryl and I have worked together for years on Sunshine Coast elopements. She plans and styles the day, I capture it all, and I get a front row seat to just how much care, calm and intention goes into every single celebration.
Most of Sheryl’s couples have never been to the Sunshine Coast before they arrive for their wedding. And honestly? That’s part of the magic.
If you’re dreaming of eloping somewhere stunning without the overwhelm, here’s what you need to know.
You Don’t Need to Know Everything, You Just Need the Right Team
One of my favourite things Sheryl said during this episode was this:
“You don’t really need to know anything. You just need to trust your local team.”
For couples planning a destination elopement to the Sunshine Coast, this is huge. You don’t need to spend months Googling locations, tide charts, wind directions or crowd patterns. That’s our job.
As a Sunshine Coast wedding photographer, I can tell you that the most relaxed couples are the ones who trust their local experts. When you have a planner who knows the area inside out, and vendors who work together regularly, everything flows better on the day. Nothing feels rushed, nothing is overlooked, and you’re free to actually enjoy the experience.
Your Elopement Should Feel Like a Holiday, Not a Project
Sheryl nailed this one. A destination elopement shouldn’t feel like another thing on your to-do list. It should feel like a holiday you just happen to get married on.
The Sunshine Coast is perfect for this style of wedding. You can wake up slowly, soak up the sunshine, enjoy a coffee by the beach or misty hinterland views, then ease into your ceremony without stress or strict timelines.
From behind the camera, I see the difference instantly. Couples who treat their elopement as a holiday are calmer, more present and genuinely happier. And those feelings translate into photos that feel real, emotional and full of connection.
Coast or Hinterland? You’re Spoilt for Choice
One of the reasons destination elopements work so beautifully here is the variety. Within 30 minutes, you can be standing barefoot on the sand or wrapped in rolling green hills.
Sheryl and I both agree. It’s a hard choice.
The coast gives you fresh air, open skies and that laid-back beach energy. The hinterland offers moody light, misty mornings and a cosy, romantic feel. Winter in the hinterland is stunning, and winter on the coast still feels like summer to most visitors.
As a photographer, both locations offer incredible light and scenery. And the best part? You don’t need to decide alone. A local planner will guide you toward the right spot based on the season, weather and overall feel you want for your day.
Trust Local Knowledge Over Google Searches
This is such an important tip for destination couples. Google will show you the popular spots. It won’t tell you where the wind funnels through at 3pm, which beaches are busiest at certain times, or where the tides will be sitting during your ceremony.
Sheryl has those “secret spot” locations that aren’t searchable online. Places that photograph beautifully, stay quiet during the day, and work perfectly with changing conditions.
From a photographer’s perspective, this makes a massive difference. Less people, better light, calmer energy and more intimate moments. Trusting local knowledge removes so much stress and leads to a far better experience.
Weekday Elopements Are the Secret Weapon
One of my biggest tips for destination elopements, and one Sheryl fully agrees with, is choosing a weekday during school term.
Most Elope to Sunshine Coast weddings run Monday to Thursday, and there’s a reason for that.
You’ll get:
Fewer crowds
More accommodation options
A more relaxed atmosphere
Greater availability with experienced vendors
If you’re travelling to the Sunshine Coast anyway, leaning into a weekday elopement just makes sense. As a photographer, it’s one of the easiest ways to elevate your experience and your images.
You Don’t Need Site Visits or Vendor Meetings
This one surprises a lot of couples. You don’t need to fly up for planning visits or vendor meetings. Everything can be done via Zoom, phone calls and emails.
Sheryl and her team have already curated trusted vendors who work together seamlessly. Everyone knows their role, the timing and the expectations. It runs like clockwork.
From my side, that means I walk into an elopement knowing the flow, the pace and the vibe. That consistency creates calm. And calm creates beautiful photos.
Remember Why You’re Eloping
At the heart of it all, Sheryl shared something really important. You’re choosing an elopement because you want something relaxed, intentional and meaningful.
Smaller weddings allow you to focus on how the day feels, not how it looks to everyone else. You don’t need a huge guest list or a massive budget to have an unforgettable experience.
As someone who photographs weddings every week, I can honestly say the most powerful images come from connection, not scale. Elopements strip everything back to what matters most.
Timeless Styling for Destination Elopements
When I popped the surprise question in the episode, Sheryl’s answer was beautifully simple. A colour palette that never goes out of style is classic white.
With Pantone’s 2026 colour Cloud Dancer, soft whites and subtle greens are having a big moment. It’s fresh, timeless and works with both beach and hinterland settings.
From a photography point of view, white-on-white styling photographs beautifully in natural light and allows your surroundings, your florals and your emotions to shine.
How to Choose the Right Elopement Planner
Sheryl’s advice for couples looking for a destination wedding planner was spot on.
Do your research. Read Google reviews. Follow planners on social media. Get a feel for their style and energy. And most importantly, trust your gut during that first call.
That connection matters. When you feel heard and supported, everything else falls into place.
The Biggest Takeaway for Couples Planning a Sunshine Coast Elopement
If I had to sum this episode up in one sentence, it’s this. You don’t need to plan harder, you just need to plan smarter and locally. Eloping to the Sunshine Coast works so beautifully because everything you need is right here, and it’s designed to feel calm, not complicated.
Here’s a simple breakdown of the biggest takeaways from Sheryl’s advice:
You don’t need to know the area when you trust a local elopement team
Your elopement should feel like a holiday, not a wedding project
The Sunshine Coast offers beach and hinterland locations within minutes
Local knowledge beats Google every single time
Weekday elopements mean fewer crowds and a more relaxed experience
Planning can be done completely remotely with the right vendors
Smaller celebrations create deeper connection and more meaningful moments
Timeless, simple styling photographs beautifully in natural landscapes
Choosing the right planner comes down to trust, energy and experience.
My Personal Take as a Sunshine Coast Wedding Photographer
I photograph weddings and elopements here week in, week out, and I genuinely believe the Sunshine Coast is one of the best destination elopement locations in Australia. You get incredible natural beauty without long travel times, experienced vendors who truly care, and a laid-back energy that instantly puts couples at ease. I see it every time I pick up my camera. Couples arrive feeling excited instead of stressed, present instead of rushed, and connected instead of overwhelmed. That’s when the magic happens. If you want a wedding day that feels calm, intentional and completely yours, eloping to the Sunshine Coast just makes sense.
Listen to the Full Episode
You can listen to the full episode featuring Sheryl van Heerden right here👉Tips to Plan a Destination Elopement to the Sunshine Coast with Sheryl van Heerden from Elope to Sunshine Coast
You can listen to Episode 13 and all of Pop The Question podcasts now on Spotify and YouTube.
Planning a Destination Elopement to the Sunshine Coast?
If you’re dreaming of a Sunshine Coast elopement and want it to feel effortless, meaningful and beautifully planned, Elope to Sunshine Coast is an incredible place to start.
You can find Sheryl here:
Instagram, Facebook & TikTok: @elopetosunshinecoast
Local Photographer Who Knows The Coast
If you’re dreaming of a destination elopement to the Sunshine Coast and want it to feel relaxed, meaningful and completely stress-free, I’d love to be part of your day. Whether you’re planning from interstate or overseas, having a local photographer who knows the Coast, the light, the seasons and the hidden spots makes all the difference.
Eloping here isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence, connection and trusting a team who has your back, rain, shine or anything in between. If that sounds like your kind of wedding day, reach out anytime and let’s create something beautiful together.
Here’s to 2026 weddings. Let’s make them unforgettable!
📷You can view my packages here - Wedding Photography Packages
🎧 Want more wedding wisdom? See all Pop the Question episodes here
📘 Download my FREE Sunshine Coast Wedding Planning Guide - it’s full of local tips and insider advice to help you plan with confidence.
👍 Keep up with Pop The Question & me, Lou O’Brien – Sunshine Coast Wedding Photographer:
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Full show notes - https://www.imagesbylouobrien.com/pop-the-question
Episode Transcript
Lou (00:31)
This week pop the question. I'm chatting with my good friend Sheryl from Elope to Sunshine Coast. Now Sheryl and I have worked together for years now doing Sunshine Coast elopements. Her as the planner and stylist and me behind the camera. Now I'm very lucky to get a front row seat
to see how much care and attention Sheryl puts into every single elopement. Nothing is rushed, nothing is overlooked, and her couples are always well looked after. Most of Sheryl's couples are planning their elopement from out of town. So we have a lot of destination elopements here on the Sunshine Coast. And if you've never been to the Sunshine Coast, then this makes today's episode extra special for you.
Because if the idea of eloping somewhere beautiful without the overwhelm sounds like your vibe, you're going to love this chat with Sheryl. So hi, Sheryl. How are you?
Sheryl (01:31)
Hi Lou, I'm great thanks, how are you?
Lou (01:34)
Very good, thank you. It's great to have you back. Now, everyone, Sheryl was actually my first guest on my podcast back, I don't know how many episodes ago, dozen episodes ago. And she was talking all about wedding planning, ⁓ on the day wedding planners and part-time wedding coordinators. But today I've got her here under her hat of a elope to sunshine coast.
Sheryl (01:36)
Thanks for having me back.
Yes.
Lou (02:01)
And Sheryl, can you just tell all of our listeners out there a little bit about yourself?
Sheryl (02:05)
Yep, so hi, I'm Sheryl, obviously, you heard that already. ⁓ And so I head up Elope to Sunshine Coast, which is a beautiful team of wedding vendors. ⁓ So lovely to be doing it as a team rather than individual business. And yeah, we look after destination couples, couples out of town, people that are experiencing overwhelm with their weddings. And yeah, we just pull it all together and give them a beautiful seamless day.
Lou (02:08)
Hahaha
Beautiful, yay, and I'm so happy to be part of it too. ⁓ So Sheryl, I thought today would be perfect for us to talk about the out of towners, about planning a lovely destination, elope to the Sunshine Coast. So for people that have never been to the Sunshine Coast before, how do they know to choose here for their elopement and what do they need to know?
Sheryl (02:34)
Yeah, great.
So I think the first thing they need to know is they don't really need to know anything. Yeah, it seems a bit crazy, but basically trusting your local team of experts to provide a beautiful day for you is all that they really need to know.
Lou (03:03)
Yeah, I love that. That's so good because I know sometimes you may dream of a beautiful place, but if you've never been there before, it can be a little bit hard. being able to trust that team is very important. Yes. So what is your next tip for our listeners?
Sheryl (03:16)
Yes.
So I believe that coming to your destination wedding should feel like a holiday and not a project. So it's really important that it's not stressful and that you're coming excited to relax and enjoy every moment.
Lou (03:27)
⁓ yeah.
Yeah, mean, Sunshine Coast, we've got so much to offer, don't we? I I love the beach, number one, and then hinterland, number two, but you can't go wrong with either. What's your favourite?
Sheryl (03:37)
Good.
No.
⁓ gosh, we are very blessed because we have the coast and the hinterland, the hills, rolling hills within 30 minutes of each other. So it's hard. It's a big decision, know. They're so, such a contrast to each other. But yeah, hard to choose.
Lou (03:58)
Yeah, I think
different seasons I probably enjoy one more than the other.
Sheryl (04:04)
Yeah, wintertime in the hinterland, definitely. And then, know, shoulder season at the beach. Even winter on the beach is amazing.
Lou (04:09)
Yeah.
Oh yeah, lovely. Beautiful blue. No, no, mean, winter here on the Sunshine Coast is sometimes summer somewhere else. Like the...
Sheryl (04:13)
People don't realise that, do they?
So true. So I think
that's a real key thing for people to realize and that it's quite, it's not really that well known that we are a winter wedding destination.
Lou (04:29)
Yes, with beautiful warm weather. What's another tip you can give us?
Sheryl (04:31)
Yeah.
So pretty much trust the process and also the local knowledge of the area. You know, we know the locations really well. So I think, you know, don't concentrate on what Google's telling you. Trust your expert wedding planner to put you in the right place with spectacular backdrops.
Lou (04:54)
Yeah, well you have all the ⁓ secret spots that won't be on Google, so it's better to trust you.
Sheryl (05:01)
Absolutely.
Yeah, especially with like the wind, the crowds, you know, what are the tides doing, as you would know all about. So all of those little details that people don't really think about that we have thought about and experienced over and over.
Lou (05:15)
Yeah, I
think one of my big tips that I like to tell people is if it's a destination that they're coming here, so they're using it as a holiday, pick a school term on a weekday in school hours. You will have less people everywhere.
Sheryl (05:29)
Yes.
Such great advice, 100 % agree with that. And that's what we do, we're pretty much Monday to Thursday so that you are guaranteed a more relaxed, less crowds. Yeah, outside of all those holidays is really important.
Lou (05:32)
Yeah.
Yeah. Have you got any more tips for us today?
Sheryl (05:46)
Well, really couples don't need to fly in because we're here. So, yeah, they don't need to do site visits. They don't need to meet vendors. We've got all of that sorted. All the vendors are professionals, experienced, amazing. We work like a team, like clockwork. So you don't need to have any stress. It's easy.
Lou (06:04)
So they
can basically, you're saying they can do a Zoom chat. They don't need to come here in person before their wedding day. They can plan everything over the phone, emails, Zoom and have everything sorted.
Sheryl (06:18)
Yes sirree! Super easy!
Lou (06:20)
Great and is there any other special tips that you want to share about the Sunshine Coast or elopement?
Sheryl (06:27)
I think you just got to realise why you're choosing an elopement. It's because you want something relaxed. know, the why is really important. And a lot of couples are choosing it. It's becoming quite popular now that small weddings are the key to a relaxing day. And you have to spend a fortune. You know, and you don't have that huge guest list. You don't need all of that. Like you just bring it down to the experience of a beautiful day and the feeling that you get, you and your guests will get.
Lou (06:43)
Yes.
Sheryl (06:54)
on the day is what matters the most.
Lou (06:56)
Yeah, I love that. That's wonderful. Okay, well thank you for that. Now we have come to our, well, Kiki's and my favorite part of the podcast, which is pop the question with my trusty little camera here. I'm going to pull out, you can see we've still got a few questions in there. Gonna pull out a special question. I always love this part because it's such a surprise for me and the guests. And just to,
Sheryl (07:10)
You clubbers.
Lou (07:25)
maybe like have you know no idea but something will pop into your mind. Okay so your question for today this is a good one. The wedding colour palette that never goes out of style. This is perfect for you.
Sheryl (07:30)
That's great.
well that's an easy one for
me, I've been a planner and a stylist for the past 12 years. look, timeless classic white, you can't go wrong. In fact 2026 I believe the white colour scheme is huge. ⁓ Again, yeah, wow dancer that's it, yeah dancer, my Kiwi accent. ⁓
Lou (07:52)
Yes, Pantone Color of the Year. think it's Cloud Dancer.
I'm like, dad,
sup?
Sheryl (08:03)
dance or dance. Yeah, I know, but you can't, you really can't go wrong with that fresh, just a little hint of green, just to really pop the white and white goes with everything. So you can bring along a colorful bouquet and it will still, you know, fit tie in beautifully. yeah, hopefully that answered the question.
Lou (08:20)
Yeah, love that. and beautiful.
No, I love it. It's classic and beautiful. It's perfect.
So Sheryl, before we finish up, I always like to ask my listeners for some top tips to give couples. So couples that are looking for a destination elopement to the Sunshine Coast, what can you tell them?
Sheryl (08:39)
So I think getting trusted vendors or a trusted team behind you is crucial. to know that is via Google reviews, check out social media, follow those companies for a while and get a feel. And then obviously when you're on the call, it's that immediate connection with the person, I think, is pretty much what will consolidate all of that and bring it all together for you.
Lou (09:03)
Okay, that's great. So research beforehand, so narrow down your ideas. make that discovery call with a wedding planner and go from there.
Sheryl (09:07)
Yep, princess, absolutely.
Yeah, I think and you know, listen to your gut as well. If you connect with that person, then you know that, you know, and with experience says it all, because you know you're in good hands.
Lou (09:24)
Yeah, fantastic. Okay, well, thank you. Now for anyone out there who would like to get in contact with you, can you just tell us where they can find you on the social?
Sheryl (09:33)
Yes, so I'm on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. At Elope to Sunshine Coast is my handle for all three.
Lou (09:42)
Beautiful. Well, everyone, you can find Sheryl's details, the show notes and everything on my website, which is imagesbylouobrien.com/pop_the_question You will be able to get lots of wonderful tips from Sheryl there and be able to reach out to her as well. Thank you so much, Sheryl, for coming again today. I'm so happy to have you back on the podcast and talking. Yes, you're welcome.
Sheryl (10:06)
Thanks a lot, Lou.
thank you so much. It's great to be
here. Thanks Kiki and Lou.
Lou (10:12)
Bye.
Pop The Question podcast is brought to you by Sunshine Coast Wedding Collective and hosted by Lou O’Brien, Sunshine Coast Wedding Photographer. Podcast link - Tips to Plan a Destination Elopement to the Sunshine Coast with Sheryl van Heerden from Elope to Sunshine Coast