It’s easy to love a place where you can explore long stretches of quiet beaches, visit beautiful vineyards, and wander through green forests — all in a single day! It’s this natural diversity, coupled with some world-class wines and fine-dining options, that make a wedding in South West WA such a popular idea for couples looking to tie the knot.
Let’s delve a little further into that natural diversity for a moment. To start with, more than 23,000 kilometres make up the southwestern corner of Western Australia, with 1,000 of those consisting of raw coastline just waiting to be explored!
With 24 national parks, there’s plenty of nature and wildlife on offer too. The South West is one of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots, known for its high level of plant diversity, with 6,500 of the 8,000 plant species here found nowhere else on Earth. It’s also home to some of the tallest trees in the world, including jarrah and karri trees that can reach heights of over 60 metres. It’s also a popular destination for whale watching, with southern right whales and humpbacks often spotted here during their annual migration!
It’s also home to some of the tallest trees in the world, including jarrah and karri trees that can reach heights of over 200 feet (60 metres). It’s also a popular destination for whale watching, with southern right whales and humpback whales often spotted during their annual migration!
When you throw in the Margaret River region – one of Australia’s premier wine regions known for producing high-quality drops, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay – it’s easy to see why this area is so beloved.
Just like its nature, South West WA weddings are also incredibly diverse. They can be raw, boho, lush, and luxurious all at once. And when you factor in the almost endless sunshine, you can understand why it’s one of Western Australia’s most popular options for a destination wedding!
Weddings in the South West can vary widely depending on individual preferences and personal styles. With that in mind, I’ve put together this South West WA wedding guide to help make things a little bit easier for you.
What Goes Into Planning A Wedding In South West WA?
Firstly, let’s look at the best time of year to get married in South West WA. The primary wedding season has traditionally been September through to April. The two biggest wedding months are March and November, when the temperatures aren’t quite as high as peak summer and evenings are a bit cooler.
Secondly, what are the marriage laws in Western Australia? Of course, to be deemed partners in the eyes of the law, some technicalities need to be ticked off, wherever you are in AUS. The details on how to get married in Western Australia are the same as anywhere else in the country. The person who marries you will be able to guide you through this process and, because the South West is such a popular spot for weddings, there are plenty of lovely celebrants in South West WA who can assist you.
The person who marries you will be able to guide you through this process and, because the South West is such a popular spot for weddings, there are plenty of lovely celebrants in South West WA who can assist you.
These are the legal requirements:
- You need to lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage form with an authorised marriage celebrant or minister of religion at least one month before the intended date of marriage.
- You need to have proof of your birth date and place of birth (in the form of your birth certificate or passport).
- You also need a form of photo identification (Driver’s Licence, Passport, Australian Citizenship Certificate).
- If either party has been married previously, a divorce paper or death certificate is required.
- You must be at least eighteen years old, unless a court has approved a marriage where one party is aged between 16 and 18 years old.
- Before the ceremony you will also need to sign the Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage form, to declare that there is no legal reason why you should not be married.
- During your ceremony, the Monitum must be read and you must be wed in the presence of two witnesses over the age of 18.
- Once the marriage ceremony has taken place, the authorised marriage celebrant has 14 days to submit the required marriage documents to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages to enable registration of the marriage. Once the marriage has been registered, couples can apply to the registry for their legal marriage certificate.
These days, getting married in WA is easier than ever before! The industry has grown to accommodate the demand for quality services. Couples can easily find experienced wedding planners, photographers, caterers, and other professionals to help bring their vision to life.
Wedding Venues South West Australia
If you want something fancy that will impress the rellies, you can opt for a luxe winery, but then there are also modern breweries perfect for throwing your celebration. There are boho beach weddings, farm-to-plate, and gastronomy-focused weddings (for the real foodies) as well!
Relaxation and Romance
All wedding venues in South West WA have the same thread running through them: they’re all wildly romantic and almost always in beautiful, secluded settings. And, because they’re nicely isolated, most of the weddings are whisper-quiet and completely private.
This spaciousness allows a lot of venues to be all-inclusive — meaning the ceremony, reception and accommodation are all in one place. This does wonders for the flow of the day and the communal feel of a wedding.
Many venues have multiple ceremony locations to choose from and an abundance of photo opportunities on-site — meaning you never have to worry about hiring a car.
Seclusion and Privacy
The freedom that comes with the space and privacy at these wedding venues allows you to really express yourself as a couple and escape the cookie-cutter function-room style of wedding.
That’s often the most endearing and best part of a wedding for guests: being able to connect with the personal style and interests of the couple – so that’s an important factor to keep in mind when choosing a venue!
Make A Weekend Out Of It!
Of course, because the South West is a destination wedding region, the occasion can be turned into a holiday for your guests, which creates a lovely relaxed environment throughout the weekend! Plus, guests never have to worry about traffic or getting there late, because they’re just down the road from the venue, or even staying at it already.
Overall, weddings in the South West tend to have a relaxed, casual vibe. This aligns with the region’s lifestyle and encourages your guests (and you!) to unwind and enjoy the celebration in a super chill way.
Where To Get Married In South West WA
There really is something for every couple in the South West! That really hits home when you look at all the different South West wedding venues in WA that are available. Let’s get into it!
Vineyard Weddings
The South West is known for its vineyards and wineries, which make perfect wedding venues in South West WA. Couples often choose to take advantage of a vineyard’s picturesque surroundings, lush vine rows, and wine-country ambience.
This Tuscan-style venue is the oldest family-run winery in Margaret River, with your wedding party enjoying exclusive use of the estate. The rolling hills of Wildwood Valley make for an incredible backdrop, while Credaro can cater for either cocktails and canapes or a formal, sit-down dinner.
Sitting atop rolling hills 30 minutes north of Margaret River, Wills Domain Winery is a homestead, restaurant and cellar door that’s able to cater for a wide variety of wedding needs. With award-winning wines and fine dining available alongside the option for self-catering, Wills Domain brings a level of welcome flexibility to your event.
Brewery Weddings
If you’re a pair of beer enthusiasts (or even if you’re not, and just want a super cool space to host your wedding!), I’d suggest checking out some of the awesome brewery venues South West WA has on offer. Not only are delish drinks a guarantee, but you’ll have a gorgeous space that’s just that little bit more laidback than your average venue.
Surrounded by beautiful bushland landscapes and full of different spaces to host your festivities, Eagle Bay Brewing Co is another incredible choice for a South West brewery wedding. With a handcrafted beer or cider in hand, you and your guests can enjoy everything from a relaxed garden party to a more tradish sit-down event.
This space has got everything you could want from a WA brewery wedding venue: lake and vineyard backdrops for your ceremony, a beautifully designed restaurant space full of natural light for an indoor reception, incredible personalised menus full of regional produce, and of course all the craft beer and delicious wine you could want.
Garden Weddings
Many venues in the region offer beautiful gardens where couples can host their weddings. These gorgeous green settings provide a natural and elegant backdrop for ceremonies and receptions. Here are my favourite small wedding venues in South West WA:
Margaret River’s Secret Garden
This dreamy spot is perfect for smaller, more intimate weddings. Long tables can be set up in the courtyard and below decorative floral arches.
This stunning spot offers plenty of accommodation and has multiple indoor and outdoor spaces. There’s plenty of green space for photos and outdoor setups, and it’s all illuminated by the romance of twinkling fairy lights.
Bohemian Weddings
The laid-back and artistic vibe of the South West lends itself well to bohemian-style weddings. Couples can opt for unconventional decor, relaxed attire, and a free-spirited atmosphere. Decor elements like wooden furniture, fairy lights, wildflowers, and natural materials are frequently used to create a laid-back atmosphere.
Set on 700 acres near Balingup along the Blackwood River, Linga Longa is a dreamy venue with a magical Forest Cathedral and glamping tents available.
Just minutes from Meelup Beach, this is a working hobby farm full of charm and character, lush gardens and farmhouse vibes. Their food revolves around seasonal produce, and they also have amazing cocktails!
Luxury Weddings
For a more upscale and luxurious experience, some couples opt for a higher-end wedding. These kinds of venues usually offer a range of amenities and services for a lavish celebration. Plus, given the region’s reputation for amazing wine and local produce, many venues incorporate locally sourced food and wine into their catering. Couples often choose to feature regional wines and gourmet dishes showcasing the area’s culinary offerings.
If you want your dream wedding to be luxurious, look no further than Aravina Estate. Chandeliers fill the Grand Chardonnay room, the lake forms a beautiful backdrop, and the executive chef provides a choice of cocktail-style or sit down menus.
For foodie couples, Tiller Dining is really the cream of the crop when it comes to luxe wedding venues in the South West. Your Tiller wedding will be centred around an incredible dining experience, enjoyed from the comfort of the stylish dining room with its picturesque farm views.
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Choosing a wedding venue can be overwhelming at first, but if you have a vision in mind, you’ll find something that suits your needs. There are other exciting decisions to be made too, like who’s going to capture your special day (and help you enjoy every moment and feel super relaxed in the process!).
As an experienced South West WA wedding photographer, I’d love to document your wedding in a way that feels natural for you. Please check out my portfolio or send me a message so we can get stuck into telling your love story!
