Selecting the perfect wedding venues on the Gold Coast can be as enchanting as the event itself. With its mesmerizing beaches, lush hinterlands, and vibrant cityscapes, the Gold Coast offers a diverse array of stunning locations for every couple’s dream day. Whether you envision a luxurious resort wedding, an intimate beachfront ceremony, or a budget-friendly celebration surrounded by nature, this coastal gem provides an exquisite backdrop tailored to your unique style.
We’ll explore the best wedding venues the Gold Coast has to offer, from the height of opulence at grand resorts to the quaint charm of eco-friendly retreats, ensuring that your special day is nothing short of magical.
Best Outdoor Wedding Venues On The Gold Coast
The Island Gold Coast
Right in the heart of Surfers Paradise, The Island Gold Coast stands out as a top wedding spot, blending coastal vibes with city elegance. With its breathtaking ocean and hinterland views, you’ll find the essence of the Gold Coast’s beauty here. The Island offers a range of spots for both ceremonies and receptions, including the open-air Pool Deck, the versatile Glasshouse Deck, the Ocean View Terrace, and the more secluded Mountain View Room.
Each space is crafted to let in the light and create a spacious, open feel with floor-to-ceiling glass that merges the outdoors with the indoors. The venue’s dedication to crafting a unique experience shines through in its comprehensive menus, the convenience of an on-site boutique hotel, and the easy shift to beachside festivities. Whether you’re hosting 350 guests for a banquet or 700 for a cocktail party, The Island’s got you covered for any wedding size.
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Coolibah Downs
Coolibah Downs is your dreamy wedding venue, wrapped in 10 acres of lush private land. It’s skilled at pulling off weddings from rustic boho to classic elegance, with options to tie the knot in its charming Chapel or the picturesque Gardens. It’s a photographer’s paradise and also offers on-site accommodation, making everything smooth sailing for your wedding party and guests.
Just a 60-minute drive from Brisbane and 10 minutes from the Gold Coast center, Coolibah Downs is easy to reach and wonderfully private for your big day.
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Secret Garden Weddings
Hidden in Tamborine Mountain, Secret Garden Weddings (just under 50 minutes from the Gold Coast), offers a magical backdrop for your wedding ceremony and reception. Spanning 5 acres, the estate has several beautiful spots for saying “I do,” like the Romantic Steps, under the Maples, or next to the Agapanthus. With all-inclusive packages that handle catering, drinks, staff, accommodation, and even full styling and floral design, you can look forward to a hassle-free planning journey.
The estate also features ‘The Stable Bar’ for pre-dinner drinks and canapés and ‘The Garden Deck’ for dining under the stars. Understanding that every family member counts, the venue is pet-friendly and provides a personal wedding coordinator to ensure every detail mirrors your unique style.
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Best Beach Wedding Venues On The Gold Coast
Bilinga Beach Weddings
Nestled where the shoreline meets the ocean, Bilinga Beach Weddings accommodates up to 90 guests for various reception styles. The venue prides itself on its flexibility, offering an array of wedding packages to suit diverse preferences. Couples have the liberty to personalize their celebration with decorative choices.
While external caterers are welcome, the venue’s own Heavenly Package is a popular choice for its coastal-inspired culinary delights.
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Pacific Beach Function Centre
Secluded along a private coastal strip, Pacific Beach Function Centre is an idyllic choice for those desiring a beachfront wedding. The expansive lawn leading to the dunes sets a picturesque ceremony stage. At the same time, the adjacent function room and balcony provide panoramic views of the ocean for a memorable reception. The venue is celebrated for its tranquil setting, friendly staff, and proficient event coordination.
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Currumbin Deck, Currumbin Beach
Currumbin Deck at Currumbin Beach presents an elevated platform for exchanging vows against the stunning oceanic tableau. The nearby Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary expands the options with its diverse venues set across 27 hectares, including alfresco and rainforest settings. The Sanctuary’s events team is dedicated to guiding couples through the planning stages, ensuring the day aligns with their vision.
With picturesque photo opportunities and the option to incorporate unique features like a miniature railway for guest transport, the Sanctuary offers a versatile and memorable locale for weddings of any scale.
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Best Luxury and Resort Wedding Venues On The Gold Coast
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Gold Coast
The Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, a standout destination on the Gold Coast, has been named the top resort wedding venue in 2023 by the Wedding Industry Awards Australia. You’ll find a variety of settings for your big day here, from its lush outdoor gardens with views of tranquil lagoon pools and elegant palm trees to the grandeur of the Mirage Grand Ballroom, which can host up to 1,000 guests. Its unique beachfront location offers an exquisite backdrop for your wedding photos.
You can choose from a range of customizable wedding packages, with expert planners and caterers ready to ensure every detail is just right. The resort’s accommodation, including the luxurious Pacific Mirage Villas, provides a sumptuous retreat for wedding parties and guests, complete with oceanfront views and a poolside bar for unwinding.
The iconic Horizons venue, with its sweeping ocean vistas, is perfect for more intimate gatherings. And the Mirage Grand Terrace offers a sophisticated space for cocktail functions. The resort’s commitment to sustainability, including its plastic-free policy, adds to its charm for environmentally conscious couples.
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Skypoint Observation Deck, Broadbeach
If you’re looking for a wedding venue with a view, the Skypoint Observation Deck in Broadbeach offers an unparalleled 360-degree panorama of the coastline and hinterland from its private function room on Level 78. This lofty venue can accommodate up to 140 seated guests or 180 for a cocktail-style event.
Level 77 provides a spacious and light-filled ambiance for larger gatherings. Skypoint’s versatility also includes a dedicated conference level featuring an Executive Boardroom and a Grand Ballroom that can be divided for more intimate events. The outdoor terrace and pre-function lobby add to the array of choices for couples looking to make their special day unique.
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JW Marriott Resort And Spa
At the JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, you’ll find a selection of wedding venues that radiate elegance and tropical charm. You can exchange vows poolside against a stunning waterfall backdrop or opt for the grandeur of the JW Grand Ballroom, a 715-square-meter space with high ceilings perfect for creating enchanting wedding installations.
The Tamborine Gallery offers a contemporary, light-filled setting that you can personalize to your taste. With over 2,000 square meters of event space, the resort’s conference level is a hub for significant events, including weddings. The resort’s knack for balancing business and leisure needs ensures your wedding will be meticulously planned and beautifully executed.
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Peppers Salt Resort And Spa
Peppers Salt Resort & Spa is a haven of romance and luxury, tucked away on the scenic coastline of Northern New South Wales (just a 40 minute drive from the Gold Coast). The resort offers a variety of settings for wedding ceremonies, from a serene garden to the iconic Salt Beach. The Ballroom provides a grand space for receptions, while the award-winning Season restaurant is ideal for more intimate gatherings.
With a range of accommodation options, including deluxe rooms and suites, the resort ensures that wedding parties and guests have a memorable stay. The contemplation garden and lagoon poolside offer additional picturesque venues for ceremonies and celebrations. Peppers Salt Resort & Spa takes pride in its bespoke wedding services, with a dedicated team to make sure every detail reflects the couple’s wishes.
The resort’s central location, close to the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Byron Bay, makes it an accessible and appealing choice for your wedding venue.
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Budget-Friendly Wedding Venues
The Cavill Hotel
The Cavill Hotel in Surfers Paradise provides a contemporary setting with views of the city and sea. It’s an ideal choice for those who prefer an urban location. The hotel can host a range of events, including weddings and receptions.
Offering full event services, The Cavill Hotel has a variety of layout options to customize the space to your needs. While events require a minimum spend, the hotel compensates with amenities such as decor, personalized signs, table service, and a dance floor. The venue also features ample natural light, parking, and restroom facilities, ensuring a convenient and stylish wedding day.
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Tips For Choosing Your Perfect Venue
Selecting the ideal venue is crucial as it influences the ambiance and functionality of your celebration. You must weigh various elements to ensure the location aligns with your expectations and effectively accommodates your attendees.
Capacity and Accommodation Factors
When estimating your guest count, consider factors such as travel requirements, the inclusion of plus-ones, and the presence of children, who typically require their own seating and meals from the age of three.
While precise attendance figures may be elusive, a reasonable approximation can guide you in selecting a venue of appropriate size. The nature of your reception, whether a cocktail soiree or a formal dinner, will dictate the spatial requirements. Venues may have different capacities depending on the event format.
Discuss your event concept with the venue to confirm they can cater to your preferences and the anticipated number of guests. Be mindful of potential additional charges that may arise with fluctuations in your guest list.
The ambiance is also crucial; a too small venue can feel overcrowded, while an excessively spacious one might seem desolate. Venue staff can often propose solutions to optimize the space for your event size.
For a seated dinner, a general rule is to allocate at least 1,000 square feet for 80 guests, with additional space for essential features such as the head table, dance area, and various stations.
Venue Visit Checklist
Evaluate the functional space during venue visits, focusing on the areas that will be actively used. Consider the room’s shape and how it might influence the event’s flow, particularly for seated arrangements.
Space allocation per guest varies with the event’s format. For standing receptions, six square feet per guest is a standard guideline. Aim for eight square feet per guest if your event includes seated and standing areas. Allocate nine square feet per guest if you plan to include a dance area.
For seated events, the layout will influence how many guests can comfortably accommodate. U-shaped arrangements require 30 to 40 square feet per guest, classroom-style seating needs 14 to 18 square feet per guest, and dinner seating at tables necessitates 9 to 10 square feet per guest for rectangular tables and 11 to 12 square feet for round tables.
Questions to Ask Your Venue Host
Arm yourself with a comprehensive list of inquiries when meeting with venue representatives. Clarify the availability of dates, the cost of rental and inclusions, payment terms, and the policy for cancellations. Inquire about the maximum capacity, the possibility of holding your ceremony on-site, and any associated fees.
Determine if there are suitable areas for changing, the availability for other related events, and the allotted time for rehearsals. Ascertain the contingency plans for outdoor areas, the specifics of the venue’s insurance, and the options for catering. If you plan to bring an external caterer, verify if there’s a kitchen available and any associated costs.
Understanding tax and service charge rates is also crucial for budget planning.
How to Customize a Venue to Your Style
Personalizing a venue involves more than just adornments; it’s about tailoring the environment to embody your vision. If a particular venue has captured your interest, they may offer inventive solutions to modify the space to suit your requirements. This could involve utilizing lighting, fabric, or furnishings to alter the venue’s atmosphere.
When planning customization, think about the progression of the event and the movement of your guests within the venue. Employ layout tools or drawings to visualize the arrangement. An in-person visit to the venue is indispensable for a thorough understanding of the potential configurations.
Remember, the maximum capacity of a venue is determined by safety regulations. However, for comfort and a pleasant experience, selecting a venue that offers a little extra room than your estimated needs is advisable.
Discover Your Dream Venue
Choosing the perfect wedding venue on the Gold Coast caters to a variety of tastes, dreams, and practicalities. Whether your heart is set on an outdoor romance among the hinterland’s charm, beachfront bliss with the sand between your toes, luxury within a resort’s lush embrace, or celebrating love without breaking the bank, this coastal paradise holds the key to your dream wedding.
With each venue offering a unique blend of beauty and functionality, the only challenge lies in deciding which slice of heaven to claim as your own. Delve into the realm of possibilities, envision your perfect day, and let the Gold Coast be the canvas for the beginning of your forever.
