Top 12 Southern Highlands Wedding Venues
Planning a wedding can be one of the most exciting events you will ever undertake, and one of the most important aspects of your special day is where you plan to host your wedding. The venue should be a location that fits your overall vision for your day! We have photographed weddings all over the world, and have been in some of the most gorgeous venues. That’s why we wanted to create a list of our top 12 Southern Highlands wedding venues to help you with your venue search.
#1 – Bendooley Estate
Bendooley Estate is simply stunning! This space can accommodate large celebrations and even smaller, more intimate ones. You can custom design your menus with their very own Executive Chef, which makes planning your perfect day even easier. This venue is set amongst beautiful gardens and vineyards; it even has a lake on the property – this pick for our favorite Southern Highlands wedding venues is one of a kind. It has two separate venues you can choose from on the property, so take a look:
The Stables
This venue option on the Bendooley Estate, called The Stables, has been custom-built for couples who are seeking distinctive rural glamour for their special day. The Stables overlooks rolling hills which are beautifully displayed through the wall of glass on one end of the barn. Inside you can cozy up by the huge iron fireplace, while the room is lit up by modern rustic chandeliers hanging from exposed beams that line the cathedral ceilings. It truly is the ideal setting for a country-style wedding.
Book Barn
This location is truly a literature lover’s dream, and not to mention one of the most sought-after Southern Highlands wedding venues! The Book Barn is a space that surrounds you with stories while writing your own. The walls are filled with books that reach up into cathedral ceilings that are filled with king-size chandeliers and exposed beams, creating a truly unique space for your wedding.
#2 – Mali Brae Farm
This exquisite pick of our Southern Highlands wedding venues is truly picturesque. I still remember the phenomenal day spent here at Mali Brae for Courtney & Stewart’s wedding: we were spoilt for photo opportunities on this idyllic farm.
Mali Brae Farm is set on 90 acres, all set aside exclusively for you and your event. The venue is a gorgeously transformed hay shed that is simply covered in rustic elegance. The views are stunning, with acres of landscaped gardens to enjoy from inside the venue and out. This is not a venue to miss!
#3 – The Barn on Melross
If you are looking for a venue that will fit your bespoke wedding day vision, then The Barn on Melross Farm is one place you’ll want to see.
This luxury 5-star country event space is one of the Southern Highlands wedding venues where you and your guests have a choice of lovely country homes to enjoy: The Rye House & The Millet House. And, crucially, this location is even a “Pet-Friendly Venue” if you desire to bring your well-behaved furry friends!
#4 – Wildwood
If you have ever dreamt of getting married in the Australian rainforest, then look no further! Wildwood Kangaroo Valley wedding venue is set on 100 acres of pristine rainforest. And if that wasn’t enough natural beauty, the property nestles up against a fantastic sandstone escarpment.
This location has unique ceremony locations, a range of options for your reception, stunning photo opportunities, and even the freedom to choose your own theme, style, and food service to fulfill your vision for your special day. As they say at Wildwood, “Dare to be different and run away to get married!”
#5 – Briars Country Lodge & Historic Inn
The gorgeous Briars Country Lodge is an exclusive and modern country wedding venue located in the heart of the Southern Highlands. This fantastic choice amongst our list of Southern Highlands wedding venues is located on historic land, and lined with well-manicured trees that truly change the landscape with each season! The venue’s floor-to-ceiling windows perfectly frame the stunning landscape, while the venue itself features exposed beam ceilings, a glorious fireplace, and an open floor design.
With so many picturesque photo opportunities across this expansive property, you’ll want to capture them all! The lakeside gazebo and the big willow tree are two of their guests’ favorite spots. This location is viewable by appointment only, so make sure you call and schedule first.
#6 – Bundara Farm
If you are looking for something more quaint and out of the ordinary, then Bundara Farm is a fantastic choice amongst our top 12 Southern Highlands wedding venues.
This property has three amazing country cottages that can accommodate your intimate guest list for your special day. The Waverly Cottage, Bundara Homestead, and Bellevue Cottage are all within 50m of each other, making your stay cozy and intimate. This stylish country oasis is the perfect spot for a unique country wedding.
#7 – The Robertson Hotel
The Robertson Hotel located in Robertson, New South Wales is a gorgeous, sprawling estate built in 1924 sits upon the highest part of the grounds overlooking the entire area. This beautiful hotel remains true to the ambiance of the ’20s with a new take bringing a modern and stylish twist. This hotel is a family-friendly property, so if your celebration list includes kids this venue is an excellent choice. The decor is rich and whispers of a gentler time of an era long past. From the red carpet, oversized wood fireplaces, strikingly high ceilings and ornate chandeliers that will take your breath away, vast manicured gardens, and a Gatsby-style bar, you will truly feel like royalty saying “I do” here. This is truly a local treasure!
#8 – The Secret Garden
If you are dreaming of an outdoor wedding surrounded by lush gardens, then The Secret Garden might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
Five acres of pristine gardens are a labor of love for horticulturist Kathy Finigan. She has designed the gardens to be vastly different from one end of the property to the other, which means as you capture your special day, no two photos will look the same! This garden venue is truly one of a kind when it comes to Southern Highlands wedding venues.
#9 – Peppers Craigieburn
The estate of Peppers Craigieburn is a celebration of period grandeur. It is a beautiful and historic Southern Highlands wedding venue that captivates the senses with a grand staircase at the entrance, lacework iron verandahs, and even a secret rose garden. This wedding venue is a secluded and private location set on the outskirts of Bowral village. It has a number of charming wedding and reception venues to choose from: if you’re looking for a more rustic vision for your day, Peppers Craigieburn is perfection, – but if you’re dreaming of something more elegant, then Hickory’s Restaurant and Bar overlooking the gardens of the estate is the one for you.
#10 – Somerleys House
The gorgeous Victorian stately manor known as Somerleys House is an exclusive private country retreat, and one of our top picks for Southern Highlands wedding venues. Right from the very start, your experience here will be a memorable one – from the tree-lined winding drive into the property, to established gardens and lawns, the timeless charm and appeal are striking. The property offers multiple options for you to choose from regarding where you would like to have your ceremony. You can choose from The Woodlands, Circular Lawn, the Forest, or the Meadow.
Once your ceremony is complete, you and your guests can walk over to the Palm Court and enjoy drinks and canapes. The Somerleys House menus are inspired by their very own Kitchen Garden, which you will taste the delights of while you enjoy your reception inside the Garden Room. It’s quite a luxurious experience, and one venue worth looking into!
#11 – Centennial Vineyard
I had the incredible honor of shooting Bec & Dan’s wedding at this gorgeous location.
Centennial Vineyard, located in historic Bowral, is a stunningly beautiful property, with acres of land lined with gorgeous vines and gardens. This venue can accommodate up to 180 of your closest friends and family, and its high ceilings lend to the grandeur of the rolling hills of vines that surround you as you dance the night away in one of our top Southern Highlands wedding venues.
#12 – The Gibraltar Hotel
The Gibraltar Hotel may be the last one we are telling you about but that certainly doesn’t make it the least! Beautiful willows, lakes, woods, and century-old trees fill the hundred-acre grounds that this fabulous venue occupies. The hotel has resort-style facilities, and yet mixes in the country charm of the Bowral area.
The Gibraltar Hotel has a dedicated wedding team that will assist you with planning your special day, and they can accommodate you on whatever your vision may be, whether it’s a lavish and large celebration or something more intimate and simple. A romantic lakeside ceremony that seamlessly flows into a cocktail reception amidst the gardens is only the beginning. Then, as the evening sets, you’ll dance the night away at your reception party overlooking Mount Gibraltar to finish out the evening. This truly is a magical place for a wedding venue!
Final Thoughts
These 12 Southern Highlands Wedding Venues are all exquisite! I hope you found this list helpful regarding venue options when planning your own special day. We love to share our knowledge of the industry with you – all the little tips and favourites we have gained throughout our years of photographing weddings. If you are looking for a photographer for your engagement and/or wedding, we would love to connect with you here!
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