So you’ve taken that huge leap and decided to get married and have a wedding. Now comes the hard part, the actual planning of the wedding! Following the big decision to spend the rest of your lives together is the next big decision of WHERE and WHEN you will celebrate this union. More often than not the WHEN will be determined by the WHERE. And that is my focus for today’s blog – Some of SA’S great wedding venues.
A lot goes into deciding on a venue. You have to take into consideration the style of wedding you want to have, how many guests you intend to invite, how close you want to be to the CBD, whether you want to choose your own caterers or are happy to go with the in-house venue caterers, whether you want to supply your own alcohol or whether you are happy to go with what the venue offers.
Furthermore, is there a structure already in place at the venue or are you hiring an empty space where you may need to arrange a pavilion or marquee. These are just a few of the factors contributing to your ultimate decision. Stressful hey!
For those couples that are not set on a specific date due to sentimental and/or other reasons, then your dream venue availability will be a determining factor as to which date you choose. Friday and Sunday weddings are becoming increasingly popular due to the long wait time to get married at a popular venue on a Saturday.
When meeting with potential venue coordinators, make sure you ask the right questions. Some of these include: what equipment is included in the hire fee (e.g. tables, chairs, cutlery, crockery, linens, etc)? What time does the wedding have to finish? Are there liquor licensing restrictions with serving/supplying cocktails or spirits? What are the maximum or minimum requirements for guest numbers? What services does the venue manager provide on the wedding day with regards to setting up? Do you have to purchase alcohol as part of a package or can you pay on consumption and further to this is there a restriction on the number of hours alcohol can be served? This list is certainly not exhaustive, but it shows you that you need to think clearly about all of the things that are important to you for how your day will run.
Also keep in mind that different venues have differing levels of involvement in your wedding planning process. Some venues have coordinators who will provide quite a lot of assistance whereas others simply provide you with a space in which you can do as you please. This level of involvement will contribute to whether you feel you need the assistance of an independent wedding planner or stylist.
I’d like to share with you 3 fantastic Adelaide wedding venues that each have their own unique characteristics highlighting some of the factors I’ve mentioned above.
1. Mandalay House & Garden
:: 271 Black Callington Road, Mount Barker
Mandalay House & Garden is a beautiful oasis about 10 – 15 minutes out of Mt Barker in the Adelaide Hills. It is a privately owned property run by a lovely woman who decided to share her home with couples wishing for a unique and stunning outdoor venue. The venue is quite upmarket as the owner only allows about half a dozen weddings a year, which means that its charm and exclusivity are preserved.
This venue is great for those couples with an extended budget who wish to hire a blank canvas that they can ‘dress up’ as they wish. It is only suitable for couples wishing to get married either outside under the stars or in a pavilion as there is no structure already in place. There is also the complete freedom to do as you wish in terms of catering and beverages as there are no restrictions placed on these things by the venue.
Image credit: Mandalay House and Garden
Image credit: Mandalay House and Garden
Image credit: Mandalay House and Garden
2. Bird in Hand Winery
:: Corner of Bird-In-Hand Road & Pfeiffer Road, Woodside
This is an oldie but a goodie. Since wineries became so popular 5 to 10 years ago, Bird in Hand stepped up as being one of the primary winery venues for both weddings and events in the Adelaide Hills. Located only 40 minutes from the city it has the benefit of feeling away from the hustle and bustle of the CBD without people needing to travel too far. As such it is a great option for couples who want a winery wedding without their guests needing to arrange accommodation outside of Adelaide as they would if they were in the Barossa Valley or McLaren Vale regions.
Bird in Hand also has the added advantage of providing options both inside and out for the ceremony and reception set-ups. Couples may choose to hold the reception inside the Barrel Hall which is big enough to accommodate hundreds of guests, inside the Gallery which is suitable for a much smaller wedding party or alternatively they can host an outdoor wedding on the beautiful lawned areas. I have had numerous weddings at Bird in Hand winery and each has been unique due to the varied options that the venue offers.
In terms of catering and alcohol, you are required to use the in-house caterers and obviously Bird in Hand wines, which limits your freedom in this aspect.
Image credit: Bird in Hand Winery
Image credit: Bird in Hand lawns – Photography by Angelsmith Photography
3. The Published Arthouse
:: 11 Cannon Street, Adelaide
If you’re looking for a funky new venue with an industrial feel then you can’t go past The Published Arthouse. Located in the heart of the CBD it’s great for those couples who want a large empty space that they can do what they please with. World-class graffiti artists have illuminated every fixed surface of the venue with masterpiece artworks giving the space a uniqueness that is unrivalled in Adelaide. When hiring the venue, couples have the freedom to bring in their own caterers and provide their own beverages or alternatively they have the option of utilising the venue’s own food and beverage services. This freedom is a huge advantage as it means a lot more flexibility is provided in comparison to the majority of other wedding venues in the Adelaide CBD.
Image credit: The Published Arthouse
Image credit: The Published Arthouse
Image credit: publishedarthouse.com
image credit: publishedarthouse.com
Furthermore, the vast space accommodates a large number of people which means guest numbers are not too restricted when compared to other ‘industrial-style’ spaces around the area.
I hope you enjoy these three gorgeous SA wedding venues! Did I miss any of your favourites?
Alice Mary xx
These places are amazing. I heard about Mandalay House & Garden but I didn’t know it was such a beautiful place until we visited it. It’s really great to have this as your wedding venue here. Totally recommend these places.