Image by Kara Rosenlund
This great southern land, Australia, is as famous for its spectacular (and most liveable) cities as it is for the bush, beach and the dusty outback. Each with their own unique charm and beauty. And each Australian couples backgrounds and personal tastes are equally as diverse. What one couple’s dream Aussie wedding looks like is completely different to the next.
So do you get married in style by the Sydney seaside? Or go for a rustic theme with a backdrop of gumtrees and wildlife in country Victoria? Or, do you dance the night away looking over the cosmopolitan Melbourne city skyline? Bottom line – we are spoilt for choice down under.
We asked three of our favourite and very different Aussie venues to share their thoughts on what makes a wedding uniquely Australian and how they celebrate just that.
Tell us about your venue
Image by Kara Rosenlund
Charlotte Post of Lancemore, Macedon Ranges VIC tell us:
Following a multi-million-dollar refurbishment, Lancemore, Macedon Ranges is seamlessly designed to complement the 274 acres of idyllic Australian countryside that it surrounds. From the moment you pull into the driveway flanked by gumtrees, you’ll be greeted by curious cows, a flock of sheep, and kangaroos skipping across a landscape that speaks for itself.
Inside features sky high-ceilings with exposed beams, open light-filled spaces and floor-to-ceiling windows with awe-inspiring views across our quintessential Australian bush landscape. Amidst impressive grounds, newlyweds will be spoilt for choice for ceremony locations and photo opportunities – high atop Ned Kelly’s look out against fairy floss skies, overlooking the vineyard or against lush green hedges, there are endless romantic backdrops. Capacity is truly impressive, with the ability to accommodate 180 sit down or 450 cocktail.
Showtime Events Centre, Melbourne – Image by Bek Smith Photography
Max McLennan of Showtime Events Centre, Melbourne tell us:
The venue is centrally located at 61 South Wharf Promenade, South Wharf, Melbourne. The converted warehouse space was originally a shipping shed that has been converted into a dedicated and purpose built event venue. Industrial-chic is the name of the game with wrought iron wall panels, laser cut with LED lights behind, wide plank floorboards, feature chandelier bar and a venue-length riverside marquee. Showtime Events Centre seats 230 guest with a dance floor.
Claudia of Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, Sydney:
This venue is located in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, boasting incredible waterfront views of the unmistakable Sydney skyline. A seaside wedding is quintessentially Australian, with celebration spaces available to soak in the sunset, making weddings at Watsons a once in a lifetime memory making experience. With 32 luxury rooms and suites catering for all sizes, stay the night and toast to the next chapter, the Watsons way.
What makes a wedding at your venue Australian? What do you do here that is different?
Charlotte Post of Lancemore, Macedon Ranges VIC:
Weddings in Australia represent our friendships, loyalty and mateship we have for each other. As a diverse country, Australian weddings bring family and friends closer, to share and celebrate the love of the special couple on their wedding day.
Lancemore, Macedon Ranges prides itself on bringing together family and friends to celebrate this mateship. Our beautiful venue offers the perfect backdrop for an Australian wedding, tall gumtrees with yellow wattle dotted around the gardens, kangaroo’s jumping in the background and kookaburras laughing almost on cue to hand written vows. Complimented by a glass of Australian Sparkling to toast the love for one another.
Image by Justin and Jim Photography
Max McLennan of Showtime Events Centre, Melbourne tells us:
- The location on the iconic Yarra River, overlooking the Melbourne city skyline.
- The music choice i.e ending the night with Horses by Daryl Braithwaite, or if you’re really going to go there, Khe San!
- A good MC (Often a best man) and locally sourced food from one of the many brilliant Australian suppliers.
- Wine from the Barossa Valley, craft beers from suburban breweries or artisanal gin from Margaret River.
Image by Gui Jorge Photography
Claudia Rosati of Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, Sydney tell us:
An Australian wedding is one that captures the perfect mix of celebrating a special bond and appreciating our stunning surrounds, with equal shares of tears of beauty, love and laughter. At Watsons Bay, we can offer your wedding a scene that highlights the great beauty our country has to offer, only surpassed by the beauty shared between two people on their special day.
How can your venue style a wedding to give it that uniquely Australian feeling?
Charlotte Post of Lancemore, Macedon Ranges VIC:
Our reception room offers the backdrop of a beautiful Australian landscape of gumtrees, yellow wattle and kangaroos wondering the grounds. Fresh gum leaves draped over candle filled tables, Australian proteas decorate the long reception tables and the Australian sun showcasing our vineyard for a spectacular sunset photo.
Image by Kara Rosenlund
A must have photo opportunity a top our Ned Kelly lookout, offering a 360 degree view of the outstanding Macedon Ranges. If you are fortunate, a kangaroo or two in the back ground always makes for a stunning photo.
Image by Caitlin May Photography
Max McLennan of Showtime Events Centre, Melbourne tell us:
By using eucalyptus in the floral/greenery setup, styled in a rustic way; natural wood chairs, wooden tables, dried leaves/florals, crates/pallets etc. However with the mix of cultures that come together to create our Australia, a combination of these raw elements works great with other styling from traditional wedding dressings to modern floral centrepieces.
How can your venue cater the food to give it that uniquely Australian feeling?
Charlotte Post of Lancemore, Macedon Ranges VIC:
Australians love our food. At Lancemore, Macedon Ranges our food is locally sourced from trusted Australian farmers, whether it be the fresh free range eggs for your recovery brunch, the local cheese on your grazing boards or the handmade sausages included in our Aussie BBQ feast for a laid back rehearsal dinner, we can guarantee you will enjoy and savour every mouthful.
Showtime Events Centre Pandan Leaf Wrapped Barramundi, Image by Andrew Themistokleous
Max McLennan of Showtime Events Centre, Melbourne tell us:
We aim to source local produce, use Australian wines/beer, feature Australian menu items such as our Pandan Leaf Wrapped Barramundi or our Gippsland Wagyu Beef dishes. There is a consistently evolving Australian market, which means every year new options are available that are both exciting and challenging for our chefs. We have the ability and options to craft international menus that suit those couples and guests looking for a unique flair or cultural aspect to their menus. What is more Australian than a celebration of cultures and food? This might be in the form of our new Asian-style wedding menus or building traditional European menus.
Image by Gui Jorge Photography
Claudia Rosati of Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, Sydney tell us:
Inspired by our surrounding ocean, Watsons’ modern Australian cuisine brings fresh, seasonal ingredients and a generous helping of heart and soul to your special day. From communal sit-down feasts to cocktail styled canapés and pop-up food & drink stations, we can adapt the menu to align with what ‘Australia’ means to each diverse couple.
Ms Zebra Says: It’s difficult not to love the diverse array of landscapes, streetscapes and ocean views that Australia has to offer. There is something for every one to make up a true Australian wedding!
Join the conversation