I offered an elopement to my DF and he vetoed it ... now my Mums gotten hold of the wedding and there are people going I don't even know!

BUT! Having the wedding means a lot to my parents, my aunts etc.

Why not just hold an engagement party, bring the minister? That way not much planning at all, and as cheap as eloping, but your family & friends won't miss out. Maybe call your very close family in Sydney and ask them to come to your engagement party as their gift to you ...