Canberra & Region Wedding Venues

I think the photographer is a fairly important consideration for the day (although I agree the thought of posing for 500 photos is a bit much) for the simple reason that apart from you actually being married, it’s one tangible thing that you’ve got from the “big day”. The food gets eaten, the flowers chucked, the dances danced, but the photos are something that can be passed around and down.
Personally I think a good photographer is one that takes good quality photos, ie well framed, lighting etc (no chopped off heads), doesn’t get too creative with the angles, doesn’t rely on photoshop for more than a little colour balancing. Also, while the focus may be on the bride and groom, they have enough of an eye to capture special moments with your family and friends. Looking around for my wedding, I got so frustrated with how many of them tried so hard for the “arty” shot that basic things like focus and framing weren’t spot on. Anyone can do weird angles and arty, I’m also paying for technical competence in the use of a camera!

JD114 – I kind of agree. There is definitely a focus from a lot of brides I’ve spoken to who will spend a motza on photographers – want to capture themselves at their best I guess. Though you end up not looking anything like yourself anyway – having 5 hours of professional hair, make up, etc.

On the other hand – why not take a million pictures now that we can easily delete the crap ones? Shouldn’t we be glad for the miracle of technology and no longer getting back that role of prints with thumbs and shadows and glare – and tears???

Good point Nemo. I’ve been to a wedding where they both had strong religious views, but from vastly different religions. A joint service was attempted but impossible, so they went for the civil service.

Holden. its a nice indoor option for people who dont want a religious ceremony.
It could also be a compromise for couples who have different religious beliefs and cant agree where to marry.

Aside from the reception woes, does anyone else agree with me that the photography (and video) has intruded too far into today’s weddings. it’s as though the weddings are often for the benefit of the photographer rather than being the bride and groom’s special day. With the advent of digital it’s not uncommon nowadays for the bride to have to pose for 500 photos on the day.

IMHO if a wedding photographer can’t get the day covered in about 75 photos (not counting incessant mother in law’s insistence on 500 family photos) then the photographer is replacing talent with finger pressing ability. And if a videographer can’t make a decent video without directing the couple to give their day for his benefit then he’s not considering what the day is all about.

(Note, there are couples out there who enjoy being models for the day at the expense of other aspects of their special day, but they are still in the minority I believe.)

VicePope – good points.

@Nemo: Maybe it’s just me, and sure, the building does look lovely, but if one does not have a religious background, isn’t it a bit odd to want to be married in a fake church? Still, I spose we celebrate Christmas like there’s no tomorrow…

Be smart. Keep it low key. It’s just changing the lanes of your lives, so there’s no need to buy the whole road and decorate it in pink. More glitz creates more drama and tension and blinds people to the need to consider really important stuff like whether they should be doing this at all and whether a prenup is a good idea. The commitment is directed at the hoopla rather than at the other person.

The point about weddings being female fests is, in my experience, well made. It’s probably not universal, but it would have to be the norm that the bloke is simply another accessory with less say in the proceedings than Paris Hilton’s dog has about what it wears and where it goes. It’s not a competition and I’m pretty confident there’s no correlation between happiness, durability and the existence or not of a hyperbolic wedding. I’d shoot for a morning wedding and a good yum cha.

The Chapel at Gold Creek is beautiful.
http://www.functionsatfederation.com.au/chapel.htm

We had our reception at Regatta Point in ’94…very nice food, views – sunset over the lake.

I never gave weddings a single thought until I became engaged, and now it’s something awful hanging over our heads and we want to make it as simple as possible with as few people as possible! I don’t think a wedding is *every* Canberra girl’s dream 🙂 It’s more the husband lol.

Skidbladnir: We had no issues at all with the Uni House service – very professional leading up to the night, and, from my perspective, completely unobtrusive and efficient on the night.

many thanks, will have to do a walk through for sure!!

Chaton It was about 15 months ago – why not go back and check it out again?

sorry, should read:

Perhaps with the unfeasibly intoxicated tradesman from the Irish Club as best man.

Perhaps with the unfeasibly intoxicated tradesman from th eirish Club as best man.

…followed by a reception at the G Spot in Gungahlin.

I now have this wonderful mental image of the Woden CSCC’s mascot “Shuffling Alcoholic Pokies Lady” getting married to the Hellenic’s “Dirty Old Man By the Pokies” in front of one of the Cleopatra machines.

Hellenic club in the pokie room. The music really sets it off.

The Lobby and The Boathouse are pricey but always very nicely decorated, with good food.

Hotel Kurrajong is also quite nice, but the area they used for the band was not the most practical for getting everyone dancing. Good for keeping the tables quieter for those who prefer to catch up with family & friends over a post-dinner chat though.

The Members Dining Room at Old Parliament House is my hands-down favourite. A great venue for bands and dancing, food and service are good, and room for a ton of guests. A bit pricey, but well worth it if you want the party of the decade.

What’s the place at Hume – Hill Station? Anyway, it’s a very nice venue and would suit an average-sized wedding where you want to get married and have the reception all in one place (and going for a more country style).

Something that Canberra is lacking is an affordable but nice venue to suit large weddings. If you’ve got over 100 guests, and can’t afford OPH dining room, there’s really only clubs or DIY in a marquee or community hall.

Personally, I think eloping is the only way to go if you want to retain your sanity.

please….. anyone who has been to a wedding at the press club – elaborate!!!!!

I recall that Blundell’s cottage was one of the buildings associated with the Duntroon property – I think that the Blundell family may have been one of the later occupants. The property at Mugga is another one – basically they were where the people who worked for Campbell lived.

Thinking of weddings, Campbell paid for the construction of the church in Lyneham because he was sick and tired of the Presbyterians using his church at Reid (St Johns).

I reckon one of the best locations for a small reception would have to be Axis at the Museuem, debate about Hyatt’s catering aside, for location only it’s pretty hard to beat in Canberra.

The Gallery’s outdoor restaurant, by the fog sculpture, used to be quite good as well, although I’ve not been for a few years.

I went to a reception at the Lobby last year and it was quite disappointing really, the wedding was great, haha, but the service and food did not fit my expectations of the venue.

Aubergine at Griffith could be a nice restaurant for a samllish reception as well. Okay, the location itself is not great, but if you could manage the costs, the food should be damn nice. Likewise with Anise in the city.

Blundell’s cottage should be handed to the ACT government, and put under the aegis of ACT Museums and Galleries (they’re the ones who do a bang-up job managing Lanyon, Calthorpe’s House and Mugga Mugga).

There are limits about the tail wagging the dog, though.

>> Indeed, Blundell’s schoolhouse will also feel the wrath of Kevin07 and only open on Saturday mornings.

Matter of opinion…the NCA was quite bloated (in my opinion) & it’s not Kevins decision what they cut…it’s the NCAs.

I was at the carillion on saturday night, seemed fine then.

The Carillion is fenced off at the moment – not sure why.

My sister had her wedding a last week at the Gold Creek Chapel with the reception held across the road at the function centre above the Federation Square inn/bar (NOT the George Harcourt one). Both venues are fantastic! The bar downstairs had live music that evening – very loud, but could barely hear it from inside the upstairs room. Had 9 tables set up, 8 guests per table at capacity.

Swaggie – when was the wedding you went to at the Press Club? We just decided to use them for our reception!!!! Hopefully things have improved since then.

That new chapel in Gold Creek is beautiful.

Rydges Capital Hill/Manuka have a ceremony room (or whatever you call it) that is made to look outdoors if you are worried about rain, and nice function rooms and guest rooms too.

> Well, at least they’ve stopped the bells donging.

Huh? It’s certainly open…& as late as a few days ago the bells were ringing loud & clear.

We did the whole thing (ceremony and reception) at the Bookplate restaurant at the National Library and it was the best wedding I’ve ever been to (no bias of course). The owner is a bride and groom’s dream, the staff were incredibly good and the food had people close to heaven. The room is totally unique- none of the bland white tablecloth, bare wall boredom you get at nearly every other venue in Canberra. Leonard French’s windows are amazing.

While on the subject of weddings- you will need a person so marry you and I loved our celebrant Judy Auchlich- FANTASTIC!

I havent been to a University House reception, but will in the latter half of the year.
Was the service worthwhile, or will I have to wear steelcapped arse-kicking boots to get anything done properly?

We recently got married at the Eucalyptus Lawn at the back of the Botanic Gardens – lovely venue, though of course you take your chances with the weather.
The reception was at the Great Hall at University house – absolutely gorgeous location, not at all like your standard “function room” (though not quite as spacious if you’re planning for a large number of guests). The food was buffet-style – nothing special, but at least people could pick what they wanted.

Ceremony Venues:

Aspen Island (The island with the Carillion on it) just as you cross the bridge there’s a flat bit under trees.
Nice when the weather is good, but terrible on a rainy day, and not really suitable if your wedding is in front of a cast of thousands.
National Library lawns: Windy as all hell, terrible and soggy if it rains, but nice views to impress.

Royal Canberra Golf Club: pricey but worth the effort if you have money to burn.
Combines ceremony and reception venues into one, so less chance for people to get lost on roundabouts. Quite popular with Scottish families trying to impress people they’re flying from the far side of the world.

Reception:
The Brassey: Good service, and the beer garden is neat.

The Forrest Bowls Club: Slightly more budget-friendly, needs to be self-catered, but central and close to accomodation for interstate\drunk family, the bar staff they put on are fine, drinks are cheap, and you can play drunken lawn bowls.

Wedding reception venues I’ve enjoyed have included The Commonwealth Club (note that you have to be a member to host the function), a marquee adjacent to, and catered by, the Oaks at Yarralumla, The Ginger Room at OPH and a spit roast in the backyard in Wanniassa (note that the happy couple have since moved on so you’d have to negotiate with teh current owner…)

My own was up at Gold Creek, very low key and not ‘tizzy’ despite the best efforts of the Mother In Law, I enjoyed the whole day but God the girls went overboard – trivial (to me) details were debated for hours on end! The worst reception I’ve been too was one at The National Press Club – apalling service, blown light globes around the room and a microphone that didn’t work for the speeches, I was less than impressed but we also recently went to one at The Brassey which by contrast was thoroughly enjoyable – nice ‘beer garden’ with great service and a stylish venue.

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