Byron Bay is fast becoming one of Australia's most sought after wedding destinations. I totally get it, I mean, that's why I moved here right? Amazing surf, beautiful beaches, lush green rainforest and the rolling hills of the hinterland, plus some of the most hip wedding vendors goin' round. There's just one downside...
Yep, it's PRETTY PRICEY. All this beauty comes with a cost, and for Byron that cost often involves spending all your hard earned savings on booking a stunning venue for your dream wedding, leaving not much left for your dream honeymoon.
Soooo that's why I created this little handy guide, for those of you who want a Byron Bay wedding thats a little different, a little quirky, a little cute, a little bit set aside from the more exxy (but also more commonly used) venues, all whilst still leaving some decent funds for your most epic honeymoon.
1: COORABELL HALL
Built in 1920 and overlooking Byron Bay, with hire fees ranging from $50 - $350, this sweet little hall is a shoe-in! Featuring a commercial kitchen you can BYO catering and beverages.
Have your ceremony there, or find a beautiful beach nearby to tie the knot.
images courtesy of www.coorabellhall.net and Sara-Jayne Prince Photography
2: THE BANGALOW BOWLO
The Bangalow Bowlo has been renovated in recent years and is now a hip venue for live music, local events, dance classes and Sunday sesh's. Their bar is stocked to the brim with appropriately priced craft beer and local wines and speaking from experience, the staff are legends! The Bowlo features an indoor function space with polished wooden floors, a stage and a ceiling of pretty party lights (which saves you a decorating job). Basic room hire is $300 and from there you can add a bar tab and organise catering through their new kitchen 'One Green Acre' or cater via an outside source. DIY your decorations, invite your guests to kick off their heels for some barefoot bowls and hire a local muso to serenade you throughout the night.
images courtesy of Australian Traveler, John Joseph Possemato & Jennifer See Studios
3: CRAM'S FARM
Ah, a breath of fresh mountain air! Cram's Farm is the park area located on the banks of the beautiful Clarrie Hall Dam. Take in the surrounding mountain ranges, lush greenery and birdsong. This venue is perfect for a daytime wedding (read picnic) and is hireable through the Tweed Council. Hire costs start at $113 depending on which area of the park you are booking. DIY or get a local wedding vendor to help you with the catering and decor. You can either cap your wedding after the picnic and escape to one of the romantic accommodation options nearby, or hire the local Doon Doon Hall to party the night away.
Insider tip; bring a few kayaks/paddleboards for guests to explore the beautiful dam.
images courtesy of himisspuff .com, Bliss and Willow and Amanda Tzannes
4: BILLINUDGEL HOTEL
The Billinudgel is a favourite for locals due to its live music scene and epic parties that are thrown there monthly. The pub has survived several floods and boasts a no frills bar with a troop of salt of the earth regulars that create a strange charm to the place. Book your wedding here when it's guaranteed warm weather as the best part is the beer garden... a huge outdoor space with incredible sunset views, a rustic stage and 'The Shed'...a shelter perfect for either a dance floor or a row of wedding tables.
Bonus: its a dog friendly venue! So bring your furry friends along for the evening. Its also very well connected to local townships so it wont be hard to organise transport to and from your accommodation (the pub can also provide a courtesy bus). String up some party lights and you're good to go.
enquiries: billinudgelhotel@gmail.com or phone (02) 6680 1148
images courtesy of Cunning Stunts and Aleksander Jason Photography
5: KOHINUR HALL
If you pictured a rainforest wedding, with a striking mountainous backdrop and the sound of a creek gurgling nearby, this is your dream spot. Not only is Kohinur a beautifully structured hall equipped with a kitchen, stage, dressing room and space for 200 standing guests, its backyard is a whole other ball game. Lush green grass, shady trees and the pastel blue water of the Brunswick River. Which means its perfect for an outdoor or an indoor wedding. If its going to be a chilly evening, hire some fire drums for the outside, or set up your tables indoors. As an added bonus, the guests can camp there! If they aren't the camping type you can also organise a bus from nearby Mullumbimby to shuttle your loved ones home. It's my fave type of location because you can have your ceremony, bridal party photos and reception all in the one location, with so many stunning natural backdrops to choose from.
The hall is privately owned and does not have a website.
Contact Paul McRae on (02) 6684 5191
images by Sara-Jayne Prince Photography
TRANSPORT
OK so you might be wondering about how you are going to ferry all your guests to and from these beautiful (but slightly far out) venues. That's where THE MAGIC BUS comes in. Local company Byron Bay Double Deckers have three amazing buses available to hire for your wedding...the magic bus (a psychadelic 60's era double decker complete with red leather seats and a pumping soundsystem) and two classic red double deckers. Its a family owned business and speaking from personal experience, The Magic Bus is a LOT of fun.
Hire rates vary per number of guests and time frame.
image courtesy of http://byronbaydoubledeckerbus.com.au
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