SOUTH COAST WEDDING Venue GUIDE
YOUR GUIDE TO COASTAL VENUES SOUTH OF SYDNEY
Why get married on NSW’s South Coast?
You can spend the weekend in a spa, surfing, hiking, at a waterpark, going for eco whale cruises – there’s just so much to do. And being such a renowned holiday destination, there’s no shortage of accommodation for your guests and yourself. Everything is easily accessed from both Sydney and Canberra and there’s plenty that are an easy day trip for your guests who aren’t making a weekend of it.
I count the South Coast as essentially anything south of Sydney all the way down to the Far South Coast and this entire coastline is littered with such an incredible range of venues to get married in. While there are some quintessential ‘coastal’ venues amongst these, there’s also the odd winery, beautiful stately homes, riverside gardens and woodland locations on the list. The best thing about getting married on the South Coast, other than how damn beautiful it is, is just how much there is to do and the spectrum of styles weddings available.
Merribee
COST – ON REQUEST | CAPACITY – 110=144 | ACCOMMODATION – 12
Merribee features a historic farmhouse, converted silo accommodation for up to 12 guests and enormous gardens. The venue is perfect for long-table outdoor dining and the styled barn makes for a great wet weather option and party hub. The grounds are beautiful kept and make for AMAZING photographs.
Greyleigh
COST – $15,000 | CAPACITY – 150-250 | ACCOMMODATION – 18
This former dairy farm (from the 1800’s!) has been restored with a luxury fit out that sits perfectly alongside the original stone fencing, orchard and vintage silos. There are stunning outdoor locations for the ceremony with views for miles across the Kiama hinterland.
Bawley Vale Estate
COST – ON REQUEST | CAPACITY – 120 | ACCOMMODATION – 2
This little bushland winery along the far south coast features an industrial-style centre that contrasts against the rugged coastline. It’s great for weddings of up to 120 people and you get the entire venue for the weekend. It nails the modern vibe while embracing it’s country roots.
Terrara House
COST – $20,000 | CAPACITY – 150 | ACCOMMODATION – 28
Terrara House feels like an entirely different world with it’s heritage home in the middle of the manicured Italian-style gardens. The whole site, from the tree-lined driveway to the gorgeous surrounds, makes an amazing backdrop for elegant, classic weddings.
Jaspers Berry
COST – $15,000 | CAPACITY – 200 | ACCOMMODATION – 16
Jaspers has one of my favourite ever ceremony locations set in the courtyard of the property and it gets the most beautiful afternoon light. There are so many great locations for portraits on-site including an ethereal woodland patch just outside the elegant home.
Bewong River Retreat
COST – $2,000+ | CAPACITY – 100 | ACCOMMODATION – 45
This place is a little slice of rainforest along the Bewong River and is a world away from the South Coast that surrounds it. There’s accommodation on site for some of the guests and the venue can seat around 100 guests for your party.
Willow Farm
COST – $12,000+ | CAPACITY – 135 | ACCOMMODATION – 10
This is one of those venues that you can just do so much with. It’s surrounded by fields of wild grass and has plenty of space for a luxury marquee as well as a converted shed that is great for bands and dance floors. Getting ready onsite in their heritage country house makes for incredible photographs, too.
Mona Farm
COST – ON REQUEST | CAPACITY – 150 | ACCOMMODATION – 53
Set a few minutes outside the stunning little town of Braidwood in-land from the Far South Coast, Mona Farm ticks all the boxes; modern, stylish, beautiful and with absolutely mind blowing landscape views.
Jackson Ranch
COST – ON REQUEST | CAPACITY – 150-200 | ACCOMMODATION – 40
Done by the highly lauded Bannisters and set on an enormous property with lake views, private woodlands and modern but earthy reception space, Jackson Ranch is already establishing itself as a go-to spot on the South Coast.
Audley Dance Hall
COST – $8,000+ | CAPACITY – 200-250 | ACCOMMODATION – 5
So whether this technically counts for South Coast is debatable but it’s a pretty must-see location. You’d expect it, being in the Royal National Park, to be very bush and rustic, and it partly is, but it’s also lush and really connected to the wild without feeling like you’re in the middle of nowhere.
Worrowing
COST – $8,000+ | CAPACITY – 140 | ACCOMMODATION – 40
This little part of Australia, as you turn off the main roads south towards Jervis Bay, feels like another world entirely separate from its surroundings. Worrowing is a little perfect slice and you can expect beautiful sunsets, amazing food, beautiful gardens and so, so many kangaroos in the afternoon as you have canapes and drinks overlooking the bush.
The Cove Jervis Bay
COST – ON REQUEST | CAPACITY – 150 | ACCOMMODATION – 126
Hidden right down into the depths of Jervis Bay on the northern banks of Sussex Inlet is this glampsite wedding venue that makes for the perfect weekender. There’s multiple ceremony locations all onsite and a day spa to get in the zone for a party at the purpose built reception space with ocean views. It’s the ultimate wedstival (wedding festival?) venue.
Seacliff House
COST – $10,000 | CAPACITY – 120 | ACCOMMODATION – 20
Based just outside of Gerringong towards Sydney and boasting AMAZING ocean views (and views of Dovecote where they filmed The Invisible Man), Seacliff House has always been a popular venue. But in recent years they’ve transformed an already amazing location with the addition of an architectural reception space and onsite accommodation.
Terara Riverside Gardens
COST – ON REQUEST | CAPACITY – 120 | ACCOMMODATION – 8
Even though this is minutes from the city of Nowra, Terara Riverside Gardens feel so secluded that you could be in the middle of nowhere. There are views of the nearby mountain range, and the ceremony space on the lush green banks of the river is honestly incredible. The reception space is stunning and has so much greenery – it styles amazingly.
The Barn On The Ridge
COST – $10,000 | CAPACITY – 100-130 | ACCOMMODATION – 2
The South Coast is obviously known for its epic coastline but it also has amazing ranges most of the way down and few places showcase the beautiful landscapes like The Barn On The Ridge. There are plenty of ceremony spaces depending on what vibe you want including a jetty by the lake, the mountain view from the hilltop and the garden. Even though there isn’t a tonne of accommodation onsite, Milton is only 15 minutes away as well as Mollymook and Ulladulla.
Mimosa Wines
COST – ON REQUEST | CAPACITY – 130-180 | ACCOMMODATION – 13
You probably already know that the Far South Coast is an amazing place. And we all know wineries tend to be pretty amazing places. So it goes without saying that Mimosa Wines just south of Bermagui is absolutely mindblowing. It has all the natural elements you could ask for but the sophisticated reception space gives you the perfect place to celebrate into the evening.
The Imperial Clifton
COST – ON REQUEST | CAPACITY – 112 | ACCOMMODATION – 0
I remember when I first moved down to Wombarra maybe 8 years ago, and we used to drive past this decrepit old pub on the cliffs and always said “someone should do something with that place”. Well someone did and it is AMAZING. Dark wooden interiors with some of the best views you could possibly imagine. It is perfect. While they themselves don’t have a ceremony space, the Clifton School of Arts is across the way and is a lovely option. Or you can opt for a beach wedding anywhere nearby.
Driftwood Shed
COST – ON REQUEST | CAPACITY – 100 | ACCOMMODATION – 0
Another venue just outside Nowra but feeling like you could be miles from anywhere is Driftwood Shed. It features a tonne of character and nails the rustic vibe with the greenery and incredible grounds. I think the best way to describe it is that it just feels so comfortable like a home away from home.
Merribee
merribee.com.au
COST – ON REQUEST | CAPACITY – 110=144 | ACCOMMODATION – 12
Merribee features a historic farmhouse, converted silo accommodation for up to 12 guests and enormous gardens. The venue is perfect for long-table outdoor dining and the styled barn makes for a great wet weather option and party hub. The grounds are beautiful kept and make for AMAZING photographs.
Extra Accommodation on the South Coast
The South Coast stretches a long, long way. Here’s a list of beautiful accommodation all the way down outside of the standard hotel options for those who want to be a little extra.
Intimate Weddings on the South Coast
For something smaller and free from the restraints of larger weddings, consider a tiny wedding on the South Coast.
If a bigger wedding just isn’t feeling entirely you and you want something more personal, you should at least consider having a South Coast intimate wedding. In Australia we’re able to have a ceremony almost anywhere we want to so my approach would be to find a beautiful bit of accommodation, find a celebrant and host your own tiny wedding just as Nick and Lyle did – check it out here.
From here you can either DIY the styling, or even better, hire someone like Paloma Events (https://palomaevents.co/) to come in and make the space perfect for celebrating. Private caterers are able to come in and prepare food and drinks for you and your select guests and all that’s left is to do is dress yourselves and work with me to layout the day in a way that’s stress-free and feels exactly how you want. Below are some AirBNB’s I recommend starting the search with.