19 July 2021

Small reception venue

| Monster of the Deep
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Hi everyone, my fiance and I are looking for a small venue for our wedding reception next year.

I’ve pored over previous wedding topics on The RiotACT and many of the recommendations are very large, swanky, expensive establishments that require a large party to book. We’re after a small, private place that could wine and dine 30 or so people, but preferably not a sports club. Something in the loose vicinity of Civic like a cosy traditional pub with good food, a restaurant or a small hotel would be great, but I don’t know if there are such places that would do a private wedding reception.

READ ALSO The best wedding venues in Canberra

Does anyone know of a suitable venue, or have you been to a wedding reception of similar size in Canberra?

(We’re also looking for a low key photographer for the day, if anyone can recommend one!)

Thanks in advance for any comments.

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Michele the Celebrant11:38 pm 26 Jul 11

Hi Monster of the Deep

Did you choose a place for your reception? (Looked quickly through the posts but couldn’t find the wedding date)

I’ve just found a superb new place that opened, as far as I know, in January this year. Friends married there a few weeks ago and I was celebrant as well as guest. Ambience great, food good, view spectacular, friendly staff. Would seat 30 in comfort. It’s such a great place I’ll be writing a blog about it on Sunday (July 31)

Michele the Celebrant
http://www.celebrantcanberra.blogspot.com/

Call Rob at the Canberra Business Event Centre. What better place to have a small but intimate wedding reception and it is overlooking Lake Burley Griffin. I have dealt with Rob in the past and you will get nothing but the best service and he will arrange the food to suit you. And the View!!!!!!!

eelbe said :

When we were planning our wedding earlier this year, we were about 30 people over having it here: http://www.auberginerestaurant.com.au/functions. But would have loved to if we could.

I saw it on a wedding blog a while ago and it looked pretty awesome and they set it up to look lovely (http://www.polkadotbride.com/index.php/2009/11/11/prendergast-the-celebration/)

We ended up going with the Marquee @ the Yacht Club in Yarra.

Can definitely tell you who to avoid in terms of photography…. I’d look into Dan O’Day & Kelly Tunney – they’re brilliant!

I meant to say that the two photographers I mentioned are recommendations – not people I would suggest avoiding!

When we were planning our wedding earlier this year, we were about 30 people over having it here: http://www.auberginerestaurant.com.au/functions. But would have loved to if we could.

I saw it on a wedding blog a while ago and it looked pretty awesome and they set it up to look lovely (http://www.polkadotbride.com/index.php/2009/11/11/prendergast-the-celebration/)

We ended up going with the Marquee @ the Yacht Club in Yarra.

Can definitely tell you who to avoid in terms of photography…. I’d look into Dan O’Day & Kelly Tunney – they’re brilliant!

i have a photography diploma but don’t shoot weddings now – i can though recommend both beth jennings (beth@bethjennings.com.au) and hilary wardhaugh (http://www.hwp.com.au) to do excellent work and help make the day yours, not theirs…

the boathouse springs to mind, an excellent venue. or a small restaurant in civic, such as iori, or mama’s trattoria – go for a walk round town and see if there is one that takes your fancy then walk in and ask… sage, at gorman house, mebbe?

good luck!

Check out University House, I got married there in March we had our reception in the Great Hall but the common room is beautiful with some fairy lights seats 30-60 and the doors open up into the Gardens and the food is reasonably priced and delicious – Contact Lynn North she was fantastic

bitzermaloney12:54 pm 23 Nov 10

Pitchka said :

McDonalds, you get hats and streamers too!!!

Leading wedding reception venue in Charnwood from what I hear and imagine you could get Ronald to lead the ceremony.

Hire The MV Southern Cross from the Yacht Club???

Yes, I’ve been to a reception about that size or perhaps a little smaller at The Boathouse.

McDonalds, you get hats and streamers too!!!

Holden Caulfield11:15 am 23 Nov 10

The restaurant at the National Gallery of Australia (the outdoor one) is quite nice. While it can probably seat 60-70 people, a group of 30 should work okay and not look out of place.

Same applies to Axis at the Museum.

Oh, as for exclusivity, you’ll get it at a restaurant/cafe no problems, you just might have to pay for the privilege.

Could you fit 30 peoplei n the big room at the Boathouse?

The The Boat House by the Lake will give you a private room that seats 30ish.

Awesome and friendly photographer is Stu: http://www.stuartbrownphotography.com.au/

I read you don’t like the sports clubs for wedding venues, but the Orion room at Southern Cross Woden is nice, away from the club area, and they really take good care of you. Very friendly staff.

Monster of the Deep10:05 am 23 Nov 10

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! We’ll check out all of them.

thatsnotme said :

I think you might find it difficult to get exclusive use of a recognised reception venue for a small number of people – particularly if you’re thinking of getting married on a Saturday during the peak season. A pub may close off a section for you earlier in the evening, but you’ll be unlikely to get exclusive use of the place, and will certainly be sharing later in the evening.

I’d think your best bet may be looking for a restaurant with a separate room you could use.

Yeah, this was what I meant by private, a room or a section of a room, or something like that.

troll-sniffer said :

University House provides a classy environment, probably just what you need if you’re after something quiet and refined.

+1 from personal experience (we had the ceremony in the enclosed courtyard and the reception in the long room which looks out over the courtyard)

Vivaldi’s (restaurant on ANU campus, near the main shop area) has a nice atmosphere and do functions. The food is very nice.

+1 Functions at Federation it would be ideal for this size of event, I have liked it every time I have been there.

Brendan Bell from Stills Photography did our wedding photos a couple of years ago and we were really happy with the end result. He took great staged and informal shots, and made sure that everyone was relaxed and comfortable. I would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a wedding photographer without the fuss that usually comes with this sort of stuff.

troll-sniffer9:23 am 23 Nov 10

University House provides a classy environment, probably just what you need if you’re after something quiet and refined.

For your photography, try Leoni on 62313403.

Gold Creek even if it is not that close to Civic. Depending on the day of the week for your reception but try Functions at Federation.

http://www.functionsatfederation.com.au/functions.htm

Just had our reception for 60 odd there a few weeks ago in the abbey (bigger of the two rooms available) and it was perfect. It’s run by the same chef that owns Ellecure restaurant, which is brilliant as well.

http://www.ellacure.com.au/

I’ve also seen receptions at The George.

http://www.georgeharcourt.com/

Can also recommend Dan O’Day for a photographer.

http://danodayphotography.com.au/

Yarralumla Gallery & Cafe in Weston Park is lovely, will cater for most of your needs and not too large, although the owner there is kinda batshit crazy (but in sort of a good way – looking, acting and sounding like something between Basil Fawlty and HG Nelson)

kings thursday9:16 am 23 Nov 10

+1 for Gold Creek

Also, Grazing at Gungaroo is a great venue with extraordinary food and drink

Amanda Hugankis9:09 am 23 Nov 10

My first thought was The Green Herring.

The next thought was something like Poacher’s Pantry or one of the Canberra wineries about (friends recently got married out at Fedra Olive Grove on the hill, it was magical and the food was so yummy.

But given there is a drink/drive issue with out of town venues, one place I have seen a small wedding at, that was intimate and the food was beautiful and service second to none was La Scala in Civic. The bride looked thrilled and everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time.

I’d be happy to talk to you about your photography – you can see my work at http://www.stuartbrownphotography.com.au – just fill in the contact form through the site if you want to discuss what you need.

I think you might find it difficult to get exclusive use of a recognised reception venue for a small number of people – particularly if you’re thinking of getting married on a Saturday during the peak season. A pub may close off a section for you earlier in the evening, but you’ll be unlikely to get exclusive use of the place, and will certainly be sharing later in the evening.

I’d think your best bet may be looking for a restaurant with a separate room you could use (I’m not suggesting this restaurant for you, but something similar to what places like the Asian Cafe have, with their courtyard room that’s segregated from the rest of the restaurant).

Good luck!

Recommend Rebecca or Jack with ACT Capital Photographics.

How about Hellenic Club? I know the woden one is big on wedding receptions and the civic one is now taking function bookings. Might be worth a shot.

http://www.hellenicclub.com.au/city/functions.html

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