Newcastle offers a beautiful and unique mix of wedding venues – from modern harbourfront hotels and restaurants to CBD chapels, industrial warehouses and heritage-listed buildings that are brimming with character. This iconic coastal city is also a stone’s throw from Pokolbin and other history-rich Hunter Valley locations, with easy access to wineries, gardens, boutique accommodation and rustic farmhouses. Whether you’re planning a big day or an intimate elopement, the region is a perfect place to tie the knot. It has something for every style and every budget!
Venue selection
Choosing a venue that ticks all your boxes as a couple is key to creating your dream wedding. Our advice is to consider the following when making this decision.
- Are you wanting to get married indoors or outdoors? Or maybe you’d like to have the option of both, with an outdoor space for your ceremony and a nearby indoor space for your reception? Even better if they’re on the same property!
- Does the venue have the right atmosphere?
- Is there enough space to comfortably accommodate all your guests? Is it accessible
Colour palette
Choosing a colour palette is central to your wedding styling vision, acting as the strong base that informs all other aesthetic decisions.
- Select colours that complement the season. For example, warm and earthy peach, terracotta and coffee tones are ideal for Autumn!
- Use swatches to visualise combinations.
- Incorporate personal favourites into your theme.
Dry hire options
There are many ways to enhance your wedding venue, whether it’s a blank canvas or styled space that just needs a little something extra.
- Rent tables, chairs and linens to elevate the overall look of your wedding. At JMFS, we love our brushed gold cutlery and muslin table runners for an elegant and timeless feel.
- Use napkins, vases, votives and other decorative elements to complement your chosen theme.
- Opt for fairy lights to create a whimsical glow.
- Include candles for mood and intimacy.
- Neon signage adds a dramatic and statement-making focal point.
- Considering matching your save the dates, menus and place cards for cohesion, incorporating embossing, calligraphy and other special finishes.
Bouquets and boutonnieres
Your personal flowers should harmonise with your colour palette.
- Choose seasonal flowers for cost-effectiveness.
- Include flowers with special meaning for a personal touch.
- Use one flower type en masse for a classic and refined look.
- Minimising foliage lets the colours of the flowers really pop.
Ceremony and reception florals
- Consider eco-friendly options like biogradable confetti to minimise waste.
- Use large arrangements to draw the eye.
- Incorporate fresh grapes, lemons, berries and other fruit into your table centrepieces for a light and summery feel.
Guest experience
- Consider providing welcome bags for out-of-town guests.
- Create a fun photo booth with funny props for a memorable wedding reception.
- Lawn games will keep your guests entertained post-ceremony while the wedding party is being photographed.
- Delegate an area as a dedicated kids’ zone, with colouring books, puzzles, and other boredom-busting activities.
There you have it – our top tips for creating an unforgettable wedding that looks and feels just like magic!
Photography: Nathan Lapham
