Top 20 Most popular Brisbane Wedding Ceremony Venues
Below are my Recommendations for the best wedding Ceremony venues Brisbane has to offer.
Sometimes, popping the question and getting engaged is the easy part. What then follows is months of deciding on the perfect wedding date, meeting with and chatting with your favourite wedding suppliers and hoping that they are available for your big day too. But perhaps one of the biggest decisions that influences and has the big impact on everything else, is choosing your wedding ceremony location
Luckily Brisbane is blessed with a range of wedding ceremony locations to cater for almost any taste and budget. I have compiled a list below of ceremony locations that I love and hope to give you a better understanding of what options are out there and give you a wedding photographer perspective.
What are the Best Outdoor Brisbane Wedding Venues?
Brisbane tends to have awesome weather throughout much of the year, so outdoor ceremony locations are a popular choice.
Riverlife – Kangaroo Point
Riverlife is one of my favourite places for a relaxed and casual outdoor wedding. Situated at the base of Kangaroo point, and right on the river, Riverlife manages to create a lovely ‘ away from the city’ feel even though it is literally a 1 minute ferry ride from the city centre.
Ceremonies are held in one of two lawns which have sweeping views of the river and the Brisbane skyline.
And nothing says relaxed than post ceremony drinks for your guests right on the river watching the afternoon go by.
Website: riverlife.com.au
Old Government House
If you are after a stately / old world feel to your outdoor wedding, I can highly recommend having your ceremony on the grounds of Old Government House. Options for ceremonies include indoors by the staircase and also their walled inner courtyard. But perhaps the most popular ceremony option is the Kidney lawn just outside. This sunlit lawn has the magnificent old building as the backdrop to your wedding.
Post ceremony, the colonial architecture and sandstone columns can provide that classic touch to your wedding photography. And the city botanic gardens are also right next door!
The nearby Room Three Sixty is also a highly recommended venue to host your reception.
Website: Old Government House
VICTORIA PARK FUNCTION CENTRE
Victoria Park Function Centre is an inner city wedding ceremony and reception venue. Most known for their elegant function and reception rooms. But they also have a number of outdoor ceremony options. The most popular being on the deck of the Grand Marque. Overlooking the Brisbane skyline, the deck is the perfect backdrop for a relaxed wedding ceremony.
The rolling green tree-lined course also makes the perfect bridal party photo location following the ceremony.
Website: victoriapark.com.au
TOOWONG ROWING CLUB
Toowong Rowing Club is a lovely garden wedding option on the west side of Brisbane. Ceremonies are held under a beautiful shady poinciana tree with the Brisbane river behind.
Being on a quiet bend in the river in the suburb of St Lucia provides a great relaxed feel to weddings held there.
Toowong rowing club is close by the St Lucia campus of University of Queensland, which makes for a fantastic location for bridal party photos
The club also has reception hosting options for those who want to keep everything nice and local.
HILLSTONE – ST LUCIA
Hillstone St Lucia has made a name for itself over the years as a great wedding reception venue. But some people may not realise that it is also a great ceremony location as well.
Hillstone has two excellent outdoor ceremony locations. The Fountain area for smaller intimate ceremonies and the Courtyard Garden with its manicured hedges and shaded gazebo. Regardless of which you chose, you know you are in good hands with the experienced and friendly staff. They really know how to look after your guests while you are out enjoying some photos on the picturesque course or at the nearby University of Qld St Lucia Campus.
Website: https://www.hillstonestlucia.com.au/
SIRROMET – MT COTTON
If you are willing to travel a little bit out of Brisbane city for your ceremony, Sirromet Winery at Mt Cotton should be on your short list of ceremony and reception venues. Set in the country backdrop of Mt Cotton, Sirromet offers that much sort after country / natural feel that many people love. For ceremony options at Sirromet, couples can choose between the Laguna and the Arbour. The Laguna overlooks a natural lagoon and is surrounded by bushland while the Arbour is right amongst the vineyard iself. Both offer compelling benefits and views.
The vineyards and surrounding country lanes offer the perfect backdrop for post wedding ceremony bridal portraits and Sirromet also features two main reception spaces (Lurleen’s and the barrel room)
Website: https://www.sirromet.com
RAINFOREST GARDENS – MT COTTON
Again, not too far out of Brisbane, in the Mt Cotton area is Rainforest Gardens. The best word to describe Rainforest Gardens is, tranquil. The tropical garden setting and the natural surrounds just encourages you to relax and enjoy things. Weddings are held on the deck overlooking a lovely pond, surrounded by the rainforest.
There are many amazing spots throughout the venue for photos and the owners can also whisk you up the top of the mountain to take in the spectacular views.
POWERHOUSE & NEWFARM PARK
Located right on the river in the leafy suburb of New Farm, New Farm Park and the Brisbane Powerhouse has become one of the most loved wedding spot in the city. Many couples are drawn to the funky industrial exterior of the former power station. Others love the views out onto the river from the riverside decks which are perfect for small intimate ceremonies with close friends and family.
New Farm Park, just next door, is also an option for a more outdoor garden wedding style of ceremony.
Location photos after the wedding is a breeze here, with the combination of the industrial style architecture and manicured gardens and massive fig trees a great combination.
The Powerhouse also incorporates two restaurants for those who want to have their wedding reception also within the funky industrial area.
Website: https://brisbanepowerhouse.org
STAMFORD PLAZA RIVERSIDE GARDEN
For a smaller, intimate outdoor ceremony option that is right in the heart of the city, the Stamford Plaza’s Riverside Garden is worth considering.
This Garden, is, as the name implies, right beside the Brisbane River, with great views of the city.
Inexpensive Brisbane Outdoor wedding options
Below are some inexpensive outdoor venue options to consider for your wedding ceremony
CITY BOTANIC GARDENS
The City Botanic Gardens in Brisbane’s CBD is it’s own little green oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of the city centre. The manicured lawns and majestic trees provide the perfect backdrop for a great outdoor garden wedding ceremony.
There are 10 outdoor designated areas that can be reserved for weddings. The choice of areas range from an intimate avenue of hundred year old Fig Trees, large open lawn areas and there is even an area beside a waterfall and sub tropical gardens.
Once the ceremony is complete and the family photos are done there are some amazing places throughout the park for location portraits with the bridal party. Gorgeous old trees, colourful gardens, in season blooming trees such as jacarandas, mangrove boardwalks and tons of other hidden, out of the way, secret locations that I love to take my couples to.
The nearby river also provides some amazing opportunities for photography with stunning views of the city and the iconic Story Bridge.
The Brisbane city Botanic gardens also has the unique advantage in that it is amazingly close to the best restaurants and wedding reception venues in the city too.
Website: park bookings
ORLEIGH PARK – WESTEND
Orleigh Park at Westend is another Brisbane city park to consider for your ceremony. This park is situated on the banks of the Brisbane river. The park has some enormous fig trees under which makes the perfect wedding ceremony location. The trees form a lovely canopy over the ceremony area, keeping you and your guests nice and shaded from the warm Brisbane sun.
The parkland nearby is also a lovely spot for some bridal party portraits prior to heading to any of the nearby West End wedding reception venues such as The Joinery and The Loft.
Website: park bookings
BRISBANE INDOOR WEDDING CEREMONY LOCATIONS
When you don’t want to take any chances with the weather, nothing beats an indoor wedding ceremony. Be it traditional churches or more modern under cover options, there is quite the choice. Below is a list of some of my favourite indoor ceremony venues in Brisbane and my thoughts on what makes each one special.
CATHEDRAL OF ST STEPHEN
Stunning architecture, perfect stained glassed windows and majestic vaulted arch ceilings are just some of the features of the always popular Cathedral of St Stephen for wedding ceremonies. The inner-city location also makes it ideal for those with city wedding reception plans, being a short walk to the Stamford Plaza, Moda, Customs House and many other city venues. We love photographing at the Cathedral of St Stephen not just because of its beauty but also the great access it has to the Heritage lanes, the river side and botanic gardens nearby.
Website: https://www.cathedralofststephen.org.au/marriage.html
ST JOHN’S CATHEDRAL
Probably one of the most splendid and imposing structures in Brisbane is the magnificent St John’s Cathedral. This heritage listed sandstone marvel is also right in the heart of the city. With its towering vaulted ceiling and pristine stained glassed windows, it really is a place you have to experience. The spacious front steps of the church make for the perfect spot for a guest group photo. I also like to duck back into the church following the ceremony as the beautiful columns and arches make for an amazing photo location with the newly married couple.
ALBERT ST UNITING CHURCH
This century old, heritage listed church is situated right in the city centre, just a stone’s throw from City Hall. It’s unique architecture contrast nicely against the modern steel and glass towers that surround it.
Being this close to the city has the advantage of being just a short stroll to some of the cities best wedding reception venues as well as being close to the picturesque Roma St Parklands which makes for a great photography location.
ALLHALLOWS’ CHAPEL
For those former alumni of this prestigious girls school, All Hallows’ Chapel is a lovely option. The light-filled Chapel provides a special setting for wedding ceremonies, with the capacity to hold up to 270 guests.
ST MARY’S KANGAROO POINT
Sitting right atop the Kangaroo point cliffs with a spectacular panoramic view of the city skyline and river below is the charming St Mary’s church. You would have to say that this little church with its amazing stonework must have arguably the best view of any church in Brisbane!
The Kangaroo Point cliffs and the river below offer a great backdrop for location photography following the ceremony. It is also just a short ferry ride to some great city restaurants and reception venues.
Non church Brisbane indoor wedding options
BROADWAY CHAPEL
The heritage listed, non denominational Broadway Chapel provides a great alternative to a traditional church wedding ceremony. Situated in the inner city suburb of Woolloongabba, the chapel is quite easy for guests to get to and is close to Brisbane’s inner city reception venues.
Website: https://broadwaychapel.com/
CLOUDLAND
Cloudland is a unique venue right in the heart of Fortitude Valley. Filled with opulent, luxury interiors and spectacular style.
Despite being indoors, the ceremony area is bathed in filtered sunlight coming from the massive glass window/waterfall!
The venue is also filled with unique spaces that are great for bridal party photos while your guests are entertained at the bar.
Website: https://www.cloudland.tv/weddings/
HIGH CHURCH
A quite unique option in the Fortitude Valley area is High Church. A ceremony and reception venue built in a former Church.
The bones of the old church still proudly shine through, but the white interior give the old Church a modern on trend appeal.
There is also a rooftop terrace overlooking Brunswick St that offers an excellent space to mingle with guests following the ceremony before heading off to the many photo locations that are nearby.
Website: https://www.highchurch.com.au/
OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE
Not only is Old Government House a great outdoor wedding option, it also boasts an excellent indoor ceremony option. Weddings can be held at the base of the grand staircase under a gorgeous hand-crafted chandelier featuring 52,000 topaz and champagne Swarovski crystals! The stately interiors of old Government House also make for an elegant post-ceremony photo option. Not to mention the interior courtyard and old wine cellar.
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