My top 8 inspiring Gold Coast Wedding Venues abound between an ocean and a mountain range, country and beachside villages in the South to a bustling city in the North. And in the middle of it all, is the stunning Gold Coast, beautiful one day, perfect the next. An old cliché perhaps but so apt for a city that glows for at least 300 days of the year. It offers never-ending choices, beauty and some truly amazing and talented wedding creators – all available in this coastal corner of the vast continent of Australia.
I love that ocean, garden, country, city and mountain venues are literally within 30kms of everywhere here on the Gold Coast! It’s super convenient because nothing is too far away. And that’s one of the aspects of @destinationgoldcoast that makes it so special and adds the plus factor.
It’s big enough to provide many amazing wedding spaces and vendors but small enough that it doesn’t take hours in traffic on your big day for florists, the cake artist, the wedding planners and stylists, photographers and videographers to be on point and ………. Your guests of course – not having to fight their way through hectic traffic at peak times.
Your big day can be adventurous (think hot air balloon), serene and elegant (amazing five-star Hotels and Resorts) or outdoors anywhere between the majestic Pacific Ocean and the glorious mountains of the scenic rim. You are totally spoilt for choice, to the point of overwhelm!
My opinion of these venues has nothing to do with any link with them – financial or otherwise. No money has or will change hands! They are purely my top 8 Gold Coast Venues in terms of their natural or man-made beauty, photographic appeal, aesthetics and romantic or fun vibe, because they inspire me as a Celebrant. It’s so hard to limit the list – but giving you a list of 20 or 30 amazing Gold Coast venues kind of defeats the object!
1.Coolibah Downs Private Estate
I love the high-ceilinged chapel with it’s antique wooden pews and signing table. The old-world charm gets me every time. It’s perfect for an elegant, classic marriage ceremony and the fountains in the front of it add beautifully to the atmosphere. I also love that couples can so easily convert to the other sites for a more rustic or boho styled wedding. It’s spaces are varied and flexible, and Coolibah Downs is only 15 minutes from the centre of the Gold Coast. Location, location, location!
2.Braeside at Gin House Creek Estate
This stunning garden wedding venue has the sweetest chapel onsite, a purpose-built, air-conditioned marquee for elegant affairs, and multiple other sites to choose from for your ceremony and reception. It’s on a 2-acre estate in the most beautiful, cool, green gardens. The lawn is literally manicured and can be used for the ceremony and your reception and there is also the Shed – a rustic undercover area with a bar. The atmosphere here is like a vast country Estate but everything’s close and intimate.
3.Shambala Estate Wedding and Function Resort
On every occasion that I conduct a wedding at this stunning venue, I am surprised again by another sensational location tucked away somewhere. Every ceremony option is breathtaking and beautiful. The stunning chapel, so exquisitely crafted, the magical outdoor garden gazebo where the sound of a trickling stream filters through, the Fountain Atrium, a gorgeous Pavilion and the Waterfall Grotto – an ahhhhh space – leave you with a sense of romance, tranquillity and intimacy. It’s truly magical and in terms of ambience, picture perfection, nature and features, it really is unbeatable. One of my faves on the Mountain.
4.The Acre Boomerang Farm
The Acre has a very special place in my heart. It was my niece’s preferred venue and although a little surprised at her choice initially, I was totally blown away by the space, the styling options, the food, the country rustic vibes and the authentic, very old barn!
The Acre Boomerang Farm has since been revamped and now boasts an internal bar, a covered decking area and a brand new Whiskey Bar. It is private and secluded – and surrounded by extensive lawns that lead to a unique ceremony space – a beautiful deck with majestic, towering trees and a creek. Fortunately, it has never rained when I have officiated a ceremony here. I wonder if some canopy, other than the thick foliage, could be set up over the deck?
5.Austinvilla Estate
Located in the Gold Coast Hinterland, this picturesque private estate is your all-in-one destination wedding venue with two ceremony locations (I think the open chapel is my first choice, or no maybe the deck with never-ending views, no, it’s definitely the chapel – I just don’t know!). The vintage homestead is oh so homely and it’s relaxed atmosphere feels like a wonderful space for family and friends to come together to celebrate with you. Something truly special about Austinvilla Estate is that it’s a photographers dream in terms of backdrops and the staff are lovely – so experienced and organised.
6. O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards
Choose to be surrounded by 8000 vines on the one side of the Homestead, or next to the gurgling creek under the majestic oaks on the other side, the choice is yours. There’s just something about a vineyard wedding. I have to say, I am known to enjoy the delectable wines from this Vineyard, which makes tying the knot for each beautiful couple even more special! The white silk-lined wedding marquee, a rustic wine cellar and the historic 163-year-old homestead make this venue a totally delightful spot for those ‘just married feels’.
7.Cedar Creek Estate
When I enter the tree-lined driveway of this glorious Estate, I breathe. You can’t but help relax instantly and any tension you may have had building up in your shoulders, or any stresses about the busyness of the day, just seem to disappear. Here at the top of Mt Tamborine you are just that much closer to heaven! It’s cool, it’s green or golden – depending on the season – and it’s oh so romantic. There are beautiful locations for your wedding ceremony. A charming non-denominational sandstone chapel, or outdoors at the gorgeous garden arbour that overlooks the lake or in a naturally beautiful spot with the magnificent vineyard as your backdrop. The beauty of the surrounds in your wedding photographs will resound in your memory forever.
8.Sol Gardens
Sol Gardens is a truly magical location. As you go over the bridge at the creek and through the gates, you are mesmerised. It’s so natural and pretty. If you choose the lawn alongside the flowing Creek for your ceremony, it is literally 50 steps to lily pad rock pools, grassy fields, the gorgeous bridge, or the lawn in front of the covered reception area – perfect for post-ceremony games. Oh, and if you judge the efficiency and effectiveness of a venue by it’s guest loos, this one will pass with flying colours!