Aussie Wedding Venues So Cool You Barely Need To Decorate

Finding a ‘unique’ wedding venue is harder than finding someone to marry, tbqh: between your friends, friends’ friends and the Pinterest community, it can feel like everywhere that’s not your average ballroom has already been discovered.
But if you’re willing to think outside the box a little bit, and know where to look, there are plenty of off-beat gems that’ll help you pull off a day no one will forget in a hurry. 
We give you our top picks.

Yarrangobilly Caves, Kosciuszko National Park, NSW
Love the great outdoors but don’t fancy sand in your crack on a day that’s about celebrating wedded bliss? Why not get married in a cave. This very cool cave, more specifically, set in the limestone valley of Kosciuszko National Park. Set up some folding chairs, lay down some Moroccan throws and et voilà – you’ve got yourself the perfect (low-budget) outdoorsy venue. There’s an award-winning heritage guesthouse nearby, for reception purposes. 
The Church Of Bang Bang Boogaloo, Melbourne, VIC
Tucked down a cobbled laneway in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, out the back of coffee institution 1000 £ Bend, this little gem is the perfect way to inject a little more rock ‘n’ roll into your wedding. With crumbling walls, exposed rafters and polished concrete floors, alls you really need to spruce up this cute city chapel is some blooms, confetti and a neon sign or two. The best bit? Its on-site general store, where guests can buy last-minute gifts or customised bridal merch.
Sidenote: what a bloody name to write on the invite.

Brickendon Estate, Longford, TAS

Who doesn’t love a good barn wedding? This timber beauty dates all the way back to the 1830s, and can be transformed into the rustic venue of your dreams with nothing more than a string of fairy lights and some trestle tables. The barn backs onto the v. beautiful grounds of the family-owned estate, where your guests can also play spot-the-chicken (we mean that literally, sickos) while enjoying pre-drinks and canapés before the reception officially kicks off.
Photos: Harvard Wang.

The Flour Factory, Perth, WA 

Tucked away on Queen Street, this whitewashed venue dates back to the early 19th century when it operated as a – are you sitting down? – flourmill. These days, it’s a two-level urban wedding wonderland that can be dressed up as much or as little as you like. If you’re not already sold on the polished floorboards and exposed timber beams, the teeny rooftop garden it leads out onto will 100% capture your heart.


The Grounds Of Alexandria, Sydney, NSW

If you live in Sydney, you know the Grounds: you can’t move there on weekends, save for all the coffee aficionados hustling to get their fix. Aside from being a magnet for the inner-city’s coolest kids, it makes for a 10/10 wedding venue. It’s all timber and twinkling lights and perfectly-rusted machinery and lush greenery and ooft. RSVP yes.

Glasshaus Nursery, Richmond, VIC

If your heart pines for a garden wedding but you cbf paying for a florist to drape your favourite blooms over wooden arches staked into the ground on some random’s estate, this nursery-cum-event space is perfection personified. Showered in natural light and impeccably styled with an abundance of plants and foliage, it’s low-fuss and max-impact: music to the lazy bride’s ears. 

Photos: DUÜET

Lightspace, Brisbane, QLD

This Fortitude Valley space has the urban-chic vibe in spades. It’s dark and moody and more romantic than you’d expect of a venue with exposed piping, with massive windows you can throw open and plenty of blank walls for that cute slideshow presentation you’ve spent way too much time on.
Photos: Van Middleton
Butterland, Newstead, VIC

It sounds like a wondrous theme park dedicated to everyone’s favourite dairy product which, as a converted butter factory in Newstead, it kind of is. Owned and rented out by florist Katie Marx and furniture maker Greg Hatton (FYI Marx doesn’t insist on doing the flowers, but she’s amazing at what she does), it’s both full of character and conducive to a good time. For example: there’s a ping pong table on the top floor of the split-level brick building. Get yourself wed in the pretty garden outside, then head inside to get the party started.
Photos: Jonathan Ong.
Cell Block Theatre, Sydney, NSW 

Sure, there are rumours of ghosts haunting the place, being that the Cell Block Theatre – on the grounds of what’s now the National Art School – was once the site of Sydney’s first permanent gaol. But poltergeists are a small price to pay for the uniqueness of a venue where you can still make out the impression of old cells in the 10-metre high sandstone walls. Outside, the Darlinghurst joint’s surrounding courtyards make for a great photo backdrop.

Now go forth and enjoy wedded bliss, on us.
Image: Gold And Grit Photography.

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