‘Unheard of demand’: What Gold Coast wedding venues still have availability in 2022
With dates disappearing at unprecedented rates, event experts say Gold Coast couples need to act now if they have their hearts set on getting hitched this year. See what venues are still available.
Lifestyle
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WITH dates disappearing at unprecedented rates, event experts say Gold Coast couples need to act now if they have their hearts set on getting hitched in 2022.
A perfect storm of pent-up demand, open borders and relaxed restrictions look set to deliver the beleaguered wedding industry a record year in what’s shaping up as the ultimate Covid comeback.
PLB Group general manager Mark Wilson said dates at his three venues – The Acre, Osteria and Ancora – were filling fast.
“The fact that we had to move a lot of weddings into 2022 meant that there was limited dates available compared to a normal trading year anyway,” he said.
“We were so lucky as we had just renovated a new venue in Queensland 12 weeks before the pandemic,” Mr Wilson said.
“The Acre at Mudgeeraba was able to take a lot of the cross border weddings from Ancora and Osteria when border restrictions were imposed.
“Now there is a real sense of excitement, people have plans ready and we are seeing record short lead dates.
“Some are booking with less than 30 days from the actual wedding – that’s unheard of.”
One of the Gold Coast’s most in-demand wedding photographers, Feather & Finch Photography, is already booked out for 2022.
It’s a similar story in the idyllic Numinbah Valley, where dates are dwindling at The Bower.
“There are still dates left for 2022, mostly midweek and Sundays, but only a handful,” The Bower Estate general manager Amanda Appel said.
“This is better than expected for us, firstly due to postponements due to Covid from previous years, but also due to a rise in popularity in our venue as opposed to Northern NSW destinations.
“Many Gold Coast and Brisbane couples flock to the likes of Byron, but with border closures in the past year, we have seen increased demand.
“We have also seen shorter lead times in booking weddings, largely due to uncertainty around government mandates … couples want to ‘get it done’.”
While stemming the Byron bleed may have benefited Gold Coast venues, the Tweed region, which copped the brunt of domestic border uncertainty, is back in the game.
“There is still a little bit of apprehension in the marketplace about booking across the border, but we expect confidence to really grow in coming months which will result in stronger bookings activity in our Northern NSW venues Osteria and Ancora,” Mr Wilson said.
“We expect that this will see 2022 comprehensively booked, perhaps a record year for all three venues.”
But rebounding confidence means more competition for the handful of dates still remaining, compounded by a southern surge in interest from lockdown-weary capitals.
Founder of Tweed Coast Weddings Kristy Mason said signs were strong ahead of The Tweed Wedding Trail, which traditionally translates into a truckload of bookings.
The free event on January 16 is an open house for eight venues and more than 90 suppliers.
“Naturally there has been a lift in Sydney and Melbourne couples looking to tie the knot in Northern NSW,” Ms Mason said.
“There has been some nervousness with borders, however, once Queensland hits 90 per cent in vaccinations we feel that full confidence will return when the border requirements are no longer in place.”
With weekends booked years in advance at many Gold Coast venues, weekday ceremonies are sometimes the only option for lovebirds with a deadline, corresponding with growth in elopements and “micro weddings” with fewer than 20 guests.
No density limits currently apply in Queensland to indoor and outdoor weddings if all guests are vaccinated.
If anyone is unvaccinated, including officials, only up to 20 people can attend.
“I think the biggest thing that we have seen is that couples are now happy to get married any day of the week, rather than the traditional Saturday,” Ms Mason said.
“It has become more about making it a week-long celebration with friends and family.”
While industry insiders agree flexibility is key to pulling of a post-pandemic party, they caution not to let pressure to score a date get in the way of checking cancellation policies and preparing a plan B.
“Given that there has been a lot of unprecedented issues unfold over the past 20 months, you can really get a feel for how a team (handle challenges) by asking how they managed shut downs, moving dates, border issues and reduced guest numbers,” Mr Wilson said.
“We have heard some really terrible stories about how couples were treated throughout the pandemic and it would have been devastating to be on the receiving end of that.
“It was undoubtedly tough for all parties on all sides of their process, and there will continue to be risks moving forward until we fully understand what life ‘with Covid’ looks like, but with so much at stake for couples, this could be the difference between the most memorable day of your life and a really tricky situation.”
THE BLAMEY/CLANCY WEDDING
LOST deposits, delays and slashed guests lists were the heartbreaking reality for many 2021 couples, but love found a way for these newlyweds from Varsity Lakes.
Navigating a rollercoaster of restrictions in the lead-up to their big day, Brodie Blamey and Graeme Clancy tied the knot on September 24 at Mudgeeraba’s The Acre Boomerang Farm.
“While it was stressful planning the wedding, I’m incredibly lucky to have a background in events, plus some wedding experience working with The Events Lounge, which certainly came in handy,” Ms Blamey said.
“The biggest challenge was the constant juggle of guests with changing capacity and border closures, but in the end we were still able to celebrate with 80 friends and family.”
They were among the lucky ones. Two in five recently married couples had to postpone their nuptials more than once in the past year, according to Choosi Insurance’s Cost of Love Report 2021.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported only 78,989 marriages were registered in Australia in 2020, a 30.6 per cent decrease from 2019.
While the key challenge for 2022 is shaping up to be finding a date, organisers say not to give up too easily – if you’re flexible, you may score a last-minute spot at your dream venue.
“Don’t assume all dates are gone, there will be options,” The Bower Estate general manager Amanda Appel said.
“If a venue has event co-ordination services and catering built in, then there is no stress with shorter lead times too. You may even snag a little discount.”
Ms Blamey’s advice to brides-to-be is to keep your suppliers close and your eye on the prize.
Try to support friends and family who have businesses – it’ll make the day even more special,” she said.
“Stick to your budget – everyone knows weddings are expensive but some things aren’t so important.
“For us that meant investing in a band rather than signage and elaborate stationery.
DREAM VENUES STILL AVAILABLE
Big or budget, waterfront or hinterland, here are eight Gold Coast and Tweed venues ready to help you pull off a dream wedding:
THE BOWER ESTATE - NATURAL BRIDGE
From elopements in a hidden grove to fairytales in a fairylit marquee, this 120-acre estate in the hinterland’s green heart does it all. The Bower uses southeast Queensland’s 2021 Wedding Caterer of the Year, Ridgeway Catering.
MOBILE BARBER SHOP DEPOT - BUNDALL
Barber by day, wedding venue by night. Serving up a smorgasbord of photo backdrops, this BYO space cuts costs by letting you choose your own caterer.
THE VALLEY ESTATE - CURRUMBIN VALLEY
The Gold Coast’s newest and most exclusive venue already has some big-day blockbusters under its belt.
A red-brick manor with dramatic chandeliers and arched windows is its centrepiece, a skip away from a charming white chapel with antique oak pews and hinterland views.
THE ISLAND GOLD COAST - SURFERS PARADISE
Go small or go big thanks to the choice of two penthouse rooms, a terrace and The Glasshouse.
THE ACRE BOOMERANG FARM - MUDGEERABA
Dance the night away in a 100-year-old barn after indulging in good food and wine from Michelin star chef Matt Kemp. An on-the-day co-ordinator will keep everything running smoothly.
ANCORA - TWEED HEADS
Overlooking Terranora Inlet, the waterfront Ancora’s Mediterranean-inspired interiors are a match with modern coastal weddings.
SUMMERGROVE ESTATE - CAROOL
Panoramic ocean and valley views, a vineyard, olive groves and a stone bridge spell endless photo ops. Packages can include villa accommodation, a private beauty room, garden or chapel ceremonies and creative catering in a beautiful barn.
ROSEWOOD ESTATE - BEECHMONT
Sitting pretty on the Lamington Plateau, the 100-year-old Rosewood Estate specialises in I dos with views that stretch from South Stradbroke Island to Coolangatta and over Numinbah Valley.
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