Every couple has their own unique picture of what a dream wedding looks like. Regardless of what you’re looking for, one thing we can agree on is that you can find the right location on the Sunshine Coast. From the beautiful Sunshine Coast hinterland to our world‑class beaches, there’s a stunning venue for everyone.
The one issue you might have is narrowing down the sheer number of choices. How do you decide when you’re finding one gem after another? This is what we hope to help you with in this guide.
Key takeaways
Types of Sunshine Coast wedding venues
What types of venues can you find on the Coast? With so much on offer, it’s hard to know where to begin.
Hinterland wedding
Nature-filled weddings in the rolling green hills of the Sunshine Coast countryside are a popular option. You can find the rustic elegance of a historic private estate or a winery. Capture stunning photos in front of the splendour of the Glass House Mountains or Mount Coolum.
You’ll enjoy open space and often luxury onsite accommodation suites for the wedding party. Suburbs in this area include:
Yandina.
Montville.
Flaxton.
Mapleton.
Maleny.
Book your private Yandina Station venue tour now and explore our homestead, barn and gardens in person.
Some of the iconic wedding venues you can find in the area are the following.
Yandina Station
This is the oldest continuously lived-in country estate on the Sunshine Coast. With multiple wedding ceremony locations and reception spaces, you can tailor your wedding day to your specific needs. Onsite luxury cottages provide the ideal place for the groom and bridal party to prepare.
Flaxton Gardens
This venue offers views that stretch all the way to the ocean. Their wedding and event professionals can accommodate events of all sizes in their lush gardens.
The Chapel Montville
The Chapel Montville is nestled in the natural beauty of Montville’s landscape. The chapel provides for an intimate ceremony, while The Gallery, located nearby, is an idyllic reception venue.
The Lakehouse Folk
The Lakehouse Folk borders lush rainforest near Lake Baroon. The property delivers boutique wedding experiences and elopement packages.
Beachfront wedding
The Sunshine Coast is admired globally for having some of the most stunning beaches you’ll find anywhere in the world. With pristine white sand and glorious weather, couples can easily imagine their wedding dreams coming true.
You can organise a beachside ceremony in various coastal suburbs, such as:
Mooloolaba.
Twin Waters.
Pacific Paradise.
Noosa.
Popular coastal venues include the following.
Caloundra Power Boat Club
Overlooking Pumicestone Passage, the Caloundra Power Boat Club has four venue locations. Their team can assist with organising the appropriate wedding package. They can liaise with your chosen entertainment and photographers to ensure the day goes smoothly.
Kawana Surf Club
The Kawana Surf Club offers a variety of styling options and wedding packages for different budgets. Their experienced catering staff can organise delicious menus that account for any dietary needs. Enjoy the fresh sea air as you celebrate your big day.
Noosa Boathouse
Noosa Boathouse is perched over the Noosa River, just down the road from the scenic Noosa National Park. It has three waterfront wedding spaces across three levels to cater to any wedding party. They can accommodate guest lists of over 100 people for a cocktail reception or sit-down dinner.
Luxury resorts and hotels
Resorts and hotels may offer all-in-one convenience with lots of amenities and accommodation options. Large event spaces can be utilised to hold larger weddings with dedicated teams coordinating with the happy couple. The Sunshine Coast has quickly developed a reputation as a popular tourist spot, and there are plenty of wonderful resorts to choose from, such as the following.
Twin Waters Golf Club
This championship golf course has plenty of experience hosting weddings and major corporate events. One thing a golf club doesn’t lack is an extensive outdoor setting. The clubroom is also available to hold celebrations of all sizes.
Lakehouse Sunshine Coast
Sitting on the lakefront in Mountain Creek’s Brightwater estate, the Lakehouse Sunshine Coast offers generous reception areas with an intimate feel. Their quality service makes any event stress-free.
What to look for in Sunshine Coast wedding venues
Everyone has their own unique set of needs when it comes to a wedding venue. However, we have a basic checklist that can make assessing venues easier. Here are some major considerations.
Styling options
Look for places that can offer various styling options. You don’t want to get locked into a particular look that may not match your vision. At Yandina Station, we pride ourselves on having a versatile space that can suit any aesthetic. Some of the many options that we offer include:
Rustic vibe. This is a natural fit for locations like Yandina Station. Our Dairy Barn brings the country charm indoors.
Formal vibe. Chic styling with a clean white look. If you have a less-is-more philosophy, tasteful floral arrangements and high-class tableware create an elegant and romantic atmosphere.
Garden party. If you have a taste for the botanical, you can bring vibrant greenery and wild flowers into the space with fairy lights for a magical experience.
This is just a taste of what’s possible in a well-appointed venue.
Location and accessibility
It’s wonderful to be able to celebrate your special day with your friends and loved ones. It’s important to consider the availability of accommodation to meet your needs and how easy it is to reach the venue.
Yandina Station is conveniently placed close to the Coast. Your guests can find plenty of places to stay that are within 15 minutes of our property. Do you have guests arriving from interstate? No problem. Yandina Station is a short ride from the Sunshine Coast airport. The wedding party can stay on location in our luxury cottages.
Packages and pricing
Pricing dictates many of the options available to a couple. Look for venues that have flexible packages at different price points. There are many potential costs involved in the wedding day, such as:
Venue hire.
Vendor fees.
Wedding coordinator fees.
Food and beverage costs.
Photographer or videographer hire.
Make sure you understand what is and is not included in the venue’s services. Some crucial facilities can get overlooked, for example:
Does the venue have a PA system for speeches?
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
Can you arrange areas for children to play?
The management team should also be prepared to give you a quote with a full cost breakdown. This will help you avoid any hidden fees.
Scenery
Your wedding might last a day, but the memories will last forever. Your wedding photographer will help you capture these most special moments for you to cherish for decades to come. Having an experienced photographer is important, but so is having the right surroundings.
Yandina Station has a stunning backdrop of the hinterland’s lush hills and the rugged beauty of Mount Coolum. Coastal locations offer sparkling views of the Pacific Ocean and the clean white sands of our famous beaches. Whatever you’re looking for, the Sunshine Coast will deliver.
Schedule a Sunshine Coast wedding venue tour today and see our hinterland estate, barn and cottages for yourself.
Wet weather plan
You can plan your wedding for months in advance. You’ve worked out every detail. Unfortunately, some things you can’t control. Even with the best-laid plans, the heavens might have other ideas. If you feel the pitter-patter of coming rain, is it game over for the celebration? Not with the right location. Venues should have backup plans in place to account for these circumstances.
Yandina Station is unmatched in our ability to alter wedding plans on demand. We have plenty of indoor space for larger celebrations. There are also paved walkways leading to all of our facilities. None of your guests will need to walk across sodden ground.
Affordable wedding venues Sunshine Coast: budget-friendly options
If you’re working on a tight budget, do you have to sacrifice the quality of your celebrations? Absolutely not. There are many ways to keep costs down while still enjoying the wedding of your dreams. Here are some tips to get the most bang for your buck.
Choose an off-peak wedding date
The market for weddings is seasonal. In Queensland, the cooler months tend to be quite popular. The milder temperatures and nice weather in spring and autumn keep venues quite busy. This drives up prices as booking times are limited.
You can benefit from significant discounts if you book in off-peak periods. Summer weddings on the Sunshine Coast are generally less expensive. That can have other potential advantages as well. The summer holidays can make it easier to coordinate with guests who have to plan around work and school terms.
Yandina Station offers very attractive rates in the off-season. Feel free to contact us for more information.
Keep the guest list small
It’s amazing to be able to all of your friends and family there to share in your happiness. However, a guest list that rivals a royal wedding can be expensive. Consider paring your list down to a core few attendees for a super intimate celebration. This type of wedding can have a joy all of its own.
Maybe you don’t want a guest list at all. Elopements are becoming a more and more popular way to exchange vows. The thought of running off with the love of your life to get married in the spur of the moment can be intensely romantic. Some venues even provide low-cost elopement packages so you can stretch your money a little bit further.
Be flexible with catering
You need to keep your guests fed and the champagne flowing. There are different ways to do this. Having a multiple course sit down dinner can be great for a grand affair. However, you have other options. A cocktail reception with a variety of finger foods can be an excellent way to maintain a casual vibe and reduce prices. Cocktail receptions can be a good option for small gatherings. It increases sociability as guests are free to mingle as they please while eating.
Many venues provide different payment plans for their drinks menu. There are two common ways to cover beverage costs:
Drinks package. Drinks packages can work differently between venues. However, they typically involve certain conditions, such as:
The couple prepays a flat fee for drinks based on a per-head calculation.
The number of drinks available is unlimited (within reason).
The bar will be open for a pre-set period.
Consumption pricing. The alternative is to pay afterwards for the drinks that are served.
Which one is cheaper? It’s usually cheaper to pay on a consumption basis, especially if you’re having a small gathering.
Sunshine Coast wedding venue booking timeline and availability
There’s no strict timeline that applies to every couple. Here’s a rough guide so you can ensure that everything is ready for the big day.
12-18 months out
Set a date and book your venue.
Create your guest list.
Choose your photographer or videographer.
Select a celebrant.
9-12 months out
Send your save-the-dates.
Settle on your wedding theme and style.
Book all necessary vendors (entertainment, catering, florists).
Shop for wedding attire.
6-9 months out
Send your wedding invitations.
Plan your honeymoon.
Finalise your wedding styling.
Make arrangements for guest accommodation.
3-6 months out
Confirm your food and drinks menu.
Purchase the wedding rings.
Confirm your arrangements with the celebrant.
1-2 months out
Get the wedding dress fitted.
Confirm all of your bookings.
Submit the final guest count to the venue.
Create a seating plan.
Write your vows.
1-2 weeks out
Pack for your honeymoon.
Wedding day
Relax and enjoy the beginning of a new chapter in life.
Questions to ask Sunshine Coast wedding venues during tours
Get as much information as you can from the venue to avoid surprises. Here’s a list of questions to ask.
Availability
Is the date we’ve chosen available?
Can we get a discount for off-peak or mid-week bookings?
What lead time do you prefer for bookings?
Capacity and layout
What is the venue’s maximum capacity?
What are our options if there’s bad weather?
Are there separate spaces for ceremonies and receptions?
Are pets allowed on the premises?
Is the venue accessible for the mobility-impaired?
Pricing and payment options
Can I get a complete cost breakdown?
Are there extra costs not included in a package price?
What payment options are available for the bar?
Can you account for dietary needs?
Facilities
What furniture and décor do you supply?
Do you have a PA system?
Is there a suite for bridal preparations?
Logistics
Does the wedding need to end by a certain time?
Are there regulations around noise?
When can vendors access the venue to prepare?
Transport and accommodation
Is there onsite accommodation?
What accommodation options are available nearby?
How much parking is there at the venue?
Are there transport options you’d recommend?
Photography
Are there photo locations on the property you would suggest?
Are any places off-limits to a photographer?
Do you permit drones on the property?
Staffing
How many staff will be available on the day?
Will we work with a dedicated coordinator?
How is set-up and pack-down handled?
From our clients
From the staff to the food, Yandina Station was an absolute cracker of a venue. The outlook and gardens were immaculate; & we are ecstatic about our choice of venue. The years of experience and knowledge from the staff at Yandina made our day one to remember. Not a thing went wrong; the staff was so accommodating. They took away all our worries. My partner and I are thinking about remarrying just for another dinner like that one!!
As someone who’s been in the wedding industry for over 10 years, I can honestly say Yandina Station is one of the best venues out there. Not only is it absolutely stunning to film, but the atmosphere is exactly what you want on a wedding day. Laid-back, charming, and everything in one spot. It’s perfect for couples who want a relaxed, seamless day without jumping between locations. The staff are a dream to work with and always make sure we (the vendors) are looked after too, which speaks volumes. Every time we get the chance to film at Yandina Station, we get genuinely stoked. So if you’re currently venue hunting, this is your sign. I highly, highly recommend it.
Choosing the right Sunshine Coast wedding venue
Finding the perfect venue for your wedding may seem like a huge task. On the Sunshine Coast, finding a location that isn’t perfect is more difficult. Yes, we’re that spoilt for choice. It’s no secret that our part of the world is full of beautiful landscapes and a relaxed coastal feeling. Venue selection really comes down to your unique style. Some venues may be better able to tailor their offerings to your tastes and provide the necessary capacity.
With all the Sunshine Coast has to offer, it may be surprising to know that you don’t need to pay an exorbitant amount to have the wedding you always wanted. There are plenty of ways to reduce your costs without making big concessions. It’s just a matter of sensible planning.
Feel free to give us a call to learn how Yandina Station can make your wedding dreams come true.
