The Best Hunter Valley, Newcastle & Central Coast Wedding Venues

The Hunter Valley & Central Coast have some of the countries most amazing wedding venues. If you’ve ever attended a wedding up here (let’s face it, you probably have), you would surely agree. But now is your time and you are heavy on the search for the perfect venue. In this article I will keep it pretty short, and just run through my favourite venues that I have shot at, as well as some of the venues I absolutely froth on, despite not having shot there yet! At any point you can follow links under each venue to full posts about that venue only for a better feel of it. Let’s do this!

The Savoy, Long Jetty

If you are looking for something a bit different, this place has it in spades. A renovated 1950’s cinema, everything about the venue screams retro. One of my favourite Central Coast wedding venues in fact for this reason alone. The staff are amazing, super friendly and go well above and beyond to ensure you have the absolute best day. You might be wondering where you do portraits at such an urban venue? Well, there are a few amazing options! They have this awesome 1950’s style corner set up with vintage couches and decor. This makes for absolutely amazing portraits. If you wanted to go outside, which you will, there is the coolest graffiti wall ever across the street, and just a short 1 minute walk down the road is the Lake, super long jetty (see what I did there?) and watershed! Want to see what an actual wedding looks like at the Savoy in Long Jetty, one of the Central Coasts best venues? Click here and let’s have a look at Maddie & Todd’s Wedding. Want to chat to the friendly team at the Savoy, click here to contact them!

Kantara House, Green Point

Feel like getting married in Bali or Byron Bay but not sure if you want to actually do that? Well Kantara House is certainly as close as you will get on the coast. Once you pull in down their driveway, it is hard to imagine that you are barely 60 minutes North of Sydney. Covered by gorgeous tropical palms, lush, dense greenery and the most stunning vintage chapel you will ever see, this venue has it all! One of the Central Coast wedding venues that you absolutely need to have on your itinerary, they have a sun drenched room to get ready, as well as a reception setup for small to large weddings. As for portraits, I mean, you really don’t even need to go off site, what with that epic chapel. Behind the venue is a huge field with some amazing portrait spots, but if you are feeling up for a bit of a drive there are so many beaches and clifftops within 20 mins of the venue. Want to see what a real wedding looks like at Kantara House, check out Jamie & Waynes wedding here. Want to get in touch with the venue and chat with them? Click here and get amongst it friends!

Watagans Forest, Olney State Forest

Yes, a Pine Forest! No this is not technically a venue, but it has hosted many, many weddings and elopements. I have done so many shoots in this forest I should be paying rent. So why would you choose this place? If you are a nature lover, after something really lowkey, maybe along the lines of an elopement or microwedding (less than 40 people) this would be ideal. Contact people like Crab Apple and hire 1 long wooden table, set it up and have the entire thing catered by the Wilderness Chef. String some fairy lights, put up an arbour and do the entire thing there. No massive venue fee, super chilled out, everything you are after. This is a Central Coast wedding venues must see if you are looking for something like this. I get it may not be for everyones liking, but for those who are into this sort of thing, it is such an epic spot. If you want to see what a wedding shoot looks like, check out Ellana & Blake’s Styled Elopement, or Jasmine & P.F Elopement all the way from Singapore. If you want to contact someone to speak about it, simply contact the Parks Department here and get chatting.

Adams Peak, Broke NSW

Nestled in amongst the mountains in the gorgeous Hunter Valley, Adams Peak is a sight to behold. If you have never been there, wow, you are in for a real splendid surprise. The venue itself, is an all in one. They will host your preperation with a couple of cute little cottage styled rooms (which you can also stay in after the wedding), your ceremony at about 4 or 5 different locations (good luck choosing the prettiest), and the reception at 1 of 2 different spots on site. I mean, really. Come on, spoilt for choice much? But, enough of the gorgeous venue, how about the gorgeous staff. Family owned, you will be in amazing hands with Karyn at the helm. The moment you meet her, you will get that motherly vibe, you know the one. There is a reason why Adams Peak is a Hunter Valley wedding venue favourite. Not sure why? Check out Britt & Ben’s styled wedding, or go ahead and contact them directly to have a chat by clicking here.

Estate Tuscany, Pokolbin Hunter Valley

One of, if not my favourite venue in the entire country, or world. Why? Well, for starters, I got married here myself in 2017, so I obviously love the place. But opn top of this, the all in one nature of the venue. We had 70 guests, of which nearly every single one stayed on site. The ceremony, and reception, all within walking distance, our families absolutely loved it, and still, to this day talk about how amazing and well done it was. As for the actual grounds, well, just check it out, you will fall in love. Vineyards on one side, gorgeous Australian bush the other. A Tuscan building to shoot against, or striking country roads with the mountains behind you. Take your pick! And that’s not even what makes Estate Tuscany a Hunter Valley wedding venue favourite! Ask for Kate when you get there and thank me later. Kate is just something else. If you need it on your day, she will get it. She is so easy to deal with and made sure everything was as smooth as it could ever be. Honestly, do yourself a favour and check out Pete & Sammy’s styled wedding shoot by clicking here. Want to chat with Kate right now? Click here and get onto it friends!

High Swan Dive, Merewether, Newcastle

If you know the area, or are a Newcastle local, you would know that I just recommended to you…a plant store. No, that wasn’t a typo, I recommended a store that sells plants for your wedding. So why the fuck, would you do that? Well, because they are epic! I will caveat this by saying it isn’t for everyone, this would suit someone looking for a more intimate, micro-wedding kind of vibe (I don’t think it would hold more than 40 guests). But, in saying that, it is super chilled, laid back, and just the most beautiful natural place to get married, surrounded by greenery. They also have this super cool little greenhouse and cactus shed outside, which again, might not sound too appealing, but check the photos out below. So if you are looking for something a bit weird, a bit unique, and a bit more fun, check them out by clicking here.

Lynwood Estate, Torryburn Hunter Valley

Another amazing hidden away Hunter Valley wedding venue favourite! Ken and Terese will host your wedding all weekend if you want it. Want to camp instead of everyone driving home at the end of the night? No worries! Want to have your own food trucks and bars in to cater your own way? Of course! Want over 455 acres to play with for portraits, including mountains, hills, lakes, fields…yeah you do. I’ve been saying it for a while now, jump on this property before it realises it’s value and ups its prices. With a variety of options for your ceremony and reception, you can set the wedding up as you want. This would be an ideal venue fopr someone who wants that rustic, lowkey, chilled out farm style wedding with none of the hassle. Want to see what Bridie and Alanna’s day looked like? Click here, or go on and chat with terese about organising your big day by clicking here.

Mystwood Retreat, Wollombi Hunter Valley

Tucked away down in Wollombi among the gorgeous Australian bush is Mystwood Retreat. With 6 rustic wooden cabins to stay in or get ready in for your big day, you are in for a real surprise here. Another all in one, ceremonies and receptions in the one place making this an easy place to have a wedding. You can rest assured you will be in good hands with the staff here having done over 1,000 weddings, so they know what they are doing. If you are after a place with a cute little quiet, laid back vibe, this is it. Just check out some of the stunning photos below of Lana & Luke’s wedding to see why we love it so much. If you want to get in touch and chat with Mystwood, click here, enjoy.

Stonehurst, Wollombi Hunter Valley

Just down the road (or up the road, depending where you come from) is this little beauty! Again, yes, I am harping on about these ‘all in one’ venues. Why? Because they just reduce any and all stress from your day for you, and your guests. Stonehurst is no exception. With a few cabins you can stay as well as get ready for the big day, they have you covered. Ceremony sites are numerous as well, you can get married on a mountain, in the vineyards or down by the lake…take your pick. As for the reception, you have 2 choices, the barn which is super rustic and cool, or outdoors, among the rows of tress with fairy lights dangling above you. I mean, you kind of can’t go wrong! Want to see what Kayla & Dan looked like at Stonehurst? Click here for that gallery, or if you want to chat to the venue click here.

Stockton Sand Dunes, Port Stephens

I know, this isn’t technically Hunter Valley, or the Central Coast. And yes, it also is not technically a wedding venue. But, it is so amazing I kind of had to include it. Now I personally have not done a wedding here, I have only seen a small handful, but I have done loads of engagement sessions and it is just epic. This spot works best for elopements however, as I don’t think you would do too well trekking tables and chairs up the dunes (it’s hard enough walking up), but for just a couple, some mates/family and a celebrant, this place is beyond amazing. With views that make you feel like you surely could not still be in Australia, you will be simply blown away. Wondering where to get ready (you can get changed in the bush, most of my clients actually do this, but probably not ideal for a bride), check out some amazing Stayz nearby like Salt in Shoal Bay just around the corner. So if a small intimate elopement is up your alley, and you don’t want to do a Pine Forest, then this place just might be the go! Check out a session I did for Matt & Amie a few months back by clicking here, and see what I mean when I say it is breathtaking.

Mindaribba House, Maitland

I absolutely love this place, and have been following it since I got into weddings a few years ago. It is definitely on the list of places I absolutely must shoot, so let me tell you a little bit about why that is, and why you should consider this place for your wedding. Yet again, more all in one venues. Stay, ceremony and reception, all on site. Stay in the renovated 1872 homestead and get ready in a gorgeous vintage setting. Wondering about portraits? With fields surrounding, as well as the stunning homestead itself, you are well covered for portraits. I have attended as a guest to this venue (which is where my interest started), and I can say, the staff are amazing. They make you feel so comfortable, and I have heard from couples who have had their wedding here that the team are second to none when it comes to planning and hosting the biggest day of your life. They need to be on your list of places to check out as a Hunter Valley wedding venue fan favourite! Contact them by clicking here.

Tocal Homestead, Tocal Huinter Valley

I am so excited, the biggest date of the decade, 10.10.2020 and I am booked in to shoot at one of my favourite venues for the first time. This place was actually one of two I considered for my wedding, but they did not have the date available. This place is amazing. The barn where the reception is held is something off the charts, so rustic, and cool. As for the ceremony under the giant figtree, with the old homestead (where you can get ready) off to the right is just, wow. There are no words for it, just wow! There are so many epic spots to shoot, so many rustic buildings, scattered all over the property. Stables with animals (I believe it is a working farm, when I was there they had baby pigs which was so cute). Portraits, well, I don’t need to say any more, just re-read what I just wrote and you will quickly realise that it has so many options, it will just be hard to fit them all into 60 minutes. Get in touch with them about your big day by clicking here!

Wallalong House, Wallalong Hunter Valley

There are a number of amazing locations around Wallalong that would be absolutely amazing for your ceremony and portraits. Starting with the gorgeous 1830’s style stables with the cobble stones, if you are after that vintage feel to your big day, this is all you. With a bunch of giant figtrees (yep, they make for great shade, so for a summer wedding, think of this as an option) you are well and truly covered…see what I did there? And with stunning views over the Hunter countryside, there is no wondering why Wallalong is a Hunter Valley wedding venue fan favourite. I have never personally been there myself, but having spoken to many photographers who have shot there, they swear by the staff and the team, so you know you will be in good hands. Want to chat with them, click here and get into it.

And that is that…

Enough from me, if you can’t find something in here that you like, well then, I don’t think I can hep you! Or maybe you just don’t like my style, and that’s cool. But if this is right up your alley, you need to contact some of these places and organise to see the venue and meet the team, you won’t be disappointed. And if you want to discuss the wedding photography component of your day, I would absolutely love to be a part of the big day, and am always here to help, whether you book me or not so make sure you contact me for a chat. If you want to get some help planning the wedding, I have a FREE copy of my massive guide ’12 steps to planning a stress free wedding’ which you can get by clicking here. 100’s of brides and grooms swear by this guide, so I hope it helps you as much as it helped them.