A photographer’s guide
The ceremony is the part of the day you only get one go at. Where you stand, which way you face and what time you start all show in every photo.
These are 15 ceremony venues around Perth that our team has photographed. Some can be booked for the ceremony alone, and others hold the ceremony and the reception on the same property.
For each one we have listed the ceremony spots the venue offers. Facts come from each venue’s own website, so check times, numbers and availability with them before you book. For every venue we have published, see the full guide to Perth wedding venues.
Places couples book for the ceremony itself, with the reception here or somewhere else.
Perth
Best for: Skyline, river and bushland
The Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority hires ceremony sites across the park, from small and intimate to much grander. A venue booking includes your photography permit. Brittany & James married in Marlee Pavilion, in the Western Australian Botanic Garden.
Real weddings: Brittany & James, Hayley & Connor
Wanneroo
Best for: A ceremony-only booking
Ceremonies run Wednesday to Sunday at 10.30am, 1.30pm and 4.30pm, with an hour and a half of exclusive use of the Waterfall Garden (up to 150 guests) or the Wedding Deck (up to 70). The hire includes an arch, chairs, a signing table and the gardens for photos.
Real weddings: Mick & Marian, Caitlin & James
Perth
Best for: A small civil ceremony in the city
Run by the Perth Marriage Office for small weddings, micro weddings, elopements and registry-style civil ceremonies. The bay-window room has tall windows on three sides, so the light is soft and even at almost any time of day.
Real weddings: Sydney & Pat, Tara & Corey, Hue & Stephen
Claremont
Best for: A traditional church ceremony
A limestone church with its foundation stone laid in 1892: timber roof, stained glass, six bells and a pipe organ. An Anglican priest officiates and couples do some marriage preparation first, so start with the parish office.
Real weddings: Annette & Andre
Pinjarra
Best for: A small church with gardens around it
St John’s Church in Pinjarra holds up to eighty people, with leadlight windows that keep the light soft. The precinct has six bookable wedding spaces, including a rose garden, all on one walkable block.
Real weddings: Jessica & Ben
Yanchep
Best for: By the lake, an hour north
We have photographed ceremonies under the willows beside the lake and at the Yanchep Inn. Park entry fees apply per vehicle, and the reception can go underground in Cabaret Cave.
Real weddings: Caroline & Linden, Katie & Matthew
Cottesloe
Best for: At the foot of the grand staircase
The Town of Cottesloe lists the Main Lawn, Lower Lawn, Sunken Lawn, Secret Garden and Rotunda, plus the War Memorial Hall indoors. Josie & Alex married on the lawn with the staircase behind them. Confirm your date with the Town first.
Real weddings: Josie & Alex
No driving between the two, which means more time for photos and for your guests.
Caversham
Best for: Three spots and set start times
The Colonnade Gardens, the Hidden Gardens on the riverbank, or the indoor Garden House for up to 70. The venue lists ceremony starts at 9.30am, 1pm and 4pm, with chairs, carpet and a signing table included.
Real weddings: Ben & Immy
Herne Hill
Best for: Arbour, sunken lawn or vineyard lawn
Three ceremony spots: a natural arbour with two jasmine-covered archways, a sunken garden lawn overlooking the vineyard, and the large lawn with the vineyard as the backdrop.
Real weddings: Nat & Jordan, Natalie & Bailey
Mardella
Best for: Four spots and a chapel for rain
Lilac Lawns with a choice of eight arbours, the Secret Garden in front of the Barn, the Corner Log and The Hedges. The Chapel is the wet-weather option.
Real weddings: Barry & Loren, Ian & Juanita
Dwellingup
Best for: Under a centuries-old redgum
Three ceremony spots near Dwellingup: under the redgum, which gives deep shade on a summer afternoon, beside the dam with its timber jetty, or inside the cellar door, which is also the wet-weather option.
Real weddings: Zoe & Nathan
Burswood
Best for: On the lawn at the water’s edge
The ceremony lawn runs to the river. Face the arbour towards the water and the Swan River and the city skyline are in the frame for the whole ceremony.
Real weddings: Ashley & Djordje, Daniel & Tracee
Fremantle
Best for: On the sand or the boardwalk
Ceremonies are in front of the building on Bathers Beach in Fremantle, and the venue’s ceremony package includes an arbour, chairs and a signing table. The beach faces west, so late afternoon is the time to choose.
Real weddings: Sharrie & Steve
The Vines
Best for: A small vineyard ceremony
The Ceremony Gardens are set in a private vineyard with bench seating for up to 50. The Garden Pavilion is a semi-outdoor space overlooking the golf course, with seating for 50 to 60.
Real weddings: Kathleen & Haider, Amy & Andrew
Darlington
Best for: Bush ceremony, rain or shine
Ceremony areas for sunny and rainy days in the Perth Hills, with bushland all around. The venue hosts one wedding a day, so the ceremony time is yours to set with them.
Real weddings: Thyla & Rob
Light matters more than flowers. Outdoors, two to three hours before sunset is the easiest time for a ceremony in most seasons. Indoors, ask which windows the light comes through and when.
With the sun behind the two of you, nobody squints. With the sun to one side, one of you is lit and the other is in shadow. Most venues can turn the arbour if you ask early.
An aisle wide enough to walk beside, and a celebrant who steps aside for the first kiss, make a bigger difference to the photos than any backdrop.
A short note from the celebrant before the ceremony is enough. You get faces in the photos, not screens, and your guests are properly there with you.
Everyone is in one place and looking their best right after the ceremony. Give us a short list of the groups you want and it goes quickly.
Parks and heritage sites often need a booking or a permit, and some have rules about confetti, glassware or dogs. In Kings Park a venue booking includes the photography permit, and photos-only sessions need their own.
Questions