Weddings come in all different shapes and sizes but today we’re talking about plus-size weddings. The big, 200+ people celebrations – you know, the kind that would excite some and terrify others.
Whether it’s for cultural reasons or simply because you’ve got a shed-load of friends and family, we’ve gathered up some of our favourite venues that aren’t afraid to tackle the task of hosting large-scale weddings.
Forget Me Not Weddings
Byron Bay Region, NSW, Australia
If your guest list is looking like it might reach the 300 mark, this 100 acre working farm doubles as an ideal, jumbo-sized wedding space. There is a large level grassed area where you’re welcome to pitch your own tipi or marquee and plenty of accommodation in the nearby boutique town of Bangalow. Consider your logistics sorted.
Photo credit: Ivy Road Wedding Photography.
Wharncliffe Mill Bush Retreat
Margaret River Region, WA, Australia
This exclusive, unique wedding space certainly packs a punch. Sitting pretty inside Bramley National Park in the heart of Margaret River, its rustic and giant old mill shed and variety of accommodation options has won plenty of hearts. With the option to BYO too for up to 250 guests, it makes staying within budget a little more realistic.
Photo credit: Through The Woods We Ran.
Weddings In The Wilde
Southern Highlands, NSW, Australia
Here, you’re offered the best of both worlds – a private, rustic space with modern facilities (including beds, bathrooms, lights, undercover areas and a commercial kitchen). Catering for up to 200 guests, it’s the ultimate solution for people with too many friends and family.
Photo credit: Luke Fletcher Photography.
Kauri Bay Boomrock
Auckland, North Island, New Zealand
One of Auckland’s newest wedding venues, Kauri Bay Boomrock has a lot going for it – on-site ceremony locations, tailored menus, BYO alcohol, panoramic views, fire pits and, most importantly, the capacity to seat 200 guests (or 250 cocktail style).
Photo credit: Photography by Lauretta.
The Joinery
Brisbane, QLD, Australia
A sexy blank space with an industrial edge, The Joinery’s focus is on good food and flexibility. Suitable for all styles of celebrations, you and your 200+ guests will have access to a quality sound-system, a tenured event coordinator and wait staff who’ll serve whatever you decide to bring.
Photo credit: Gabriel Veit Photography.
The Woolshed @ Jondaryan
Toowoomba Region, QLD, Australia
Big news folks – this place isn’t afraid of big weddings. In fact, they’ll happily welcome up to 500 guests (which we’ll admit is beyond even our Facebook friend count). Perfect for country-style weddings, the heritage-listed Woolshed is one-of-a-kind and the range of offerings (fire pits, parking, wifi, camping etc.) is next level.
Photo credit: Edwina Robertson
The Stables Co
Gippsland, VIC, Australia
Regardless of how far or wide you roam, it’s hard to find a venue to compare to The Stables Co. Dating back over 150 years, it features original red brick floors, raw solid timber beams and a large dome iron room – all of which create a space that oozes character, charm and style. All you really need to worry about is your guest list (max. 500) and booze.
Photo credit: The Stables Co.
Poronui
Lake Taupo, North Island, New Zealand
Surrounded by 16,000 acres of wilderness, Poronui is known as one of the region’s most impressive wedding venues. With four different spaces to choose from (three of which can host up to 300 guests) the options here are wide-ranging. A true back-country property set in the foothills of the Kaimanawa Mountain Ranges, Poronui is a nature lover’s wet dream.
Photo credit: Bayly & Moore.
Earlando
The Whitsundays, QLD, Australia
No neighbours, no noise restrictions, no guest restrictions – here, you’re handed paradise on a silver spoon. With over 6,500 acres of private coastal and native bushland this unique wedding venue is one of The Whitsundays’ best kept secrets. You can arrive by sea, air, or land and marry on the beach, under an ocean front pavilion, in the outback fields and traditional cattle yards or on a mountain range overlooking seven of the breathtaking Whitsunday Islands.
Photo credit: Earlando.
The Substation
Melbourne, VIC, Australia
The Substation is a not-for-profit contemporary arts space (read: no noise restrictions) that in recent years, has been lovingly restored to create one of Melbourne’s most spectacular wedding venues. A fun spot for the creatively inclined, it can hold up to 350 guests and includes things like furniture, a stage, wifi, parking and clean-up.
Photo credit: Jonathan Ong
Streamblock
Lake Taupo, North Island, New Zealand
Streamblock is a boutique vineyard, olive grove, day spa and wedding venue for up to 300 located on the shores of Great Lake Taupo. Essentially a blank DIY space with a tonne of potential, we highly recommend scouting out some talented local vendors to turn your giant wedding into a reality.
Photo credit: Will Shirer
Uraidla & Summertown Show Society Hall
Adelaide Hills, SA, Australia
Say g’day to one of Adelaide’s finest heritage community halls. Located just 20 minutes from the CBD, this volunteer-run space features blank white walls, exposed rafters, a commercial sized kitchen with fridges, a dishwasher and (in their words) literally room for a pony. More like a herd – we’re talking 220 guests seated, 350 cocktail-style.
Photo credit: Uraidla & Summertown Show Society Hall.
Audley Dancehall
Sydney, NSW, Australia
Finding a wedding venue that’s rustic, central and that can accommodate 200 guests isn’t an easy feat which is why this place has become such a hotspot. Audley Dancehall is a refurbished heritage-listed dancehall nestled in the picture perfect Royal National Park (only 45 minutes from Sydney CBD). It’s an open space with picture perfect views and plenty of great photo locations.
Photo credit: Mark & Kara
