Updated July 2023.
Here's a list of the best Brisbane wedding venues - in my opinion - to host your wedding ceremony and reception. You've started your wedding planning journey and you've chosen your "who", and now it's time to make the tough decision on the "where".
First off, I've only included venues where I've personally photographed. There might be a wedding venue out that there that's better than anything on this list, but if I haven't experienced myself, I can't give an opinion on it. I've also only included venues where I've seen both ceremonies and receptions hosted. There are a few standout venues that I've only been to for a wedding ceremony or a reception, but not both - so I haven't included those.
There are a few venues on this list that are technically not in Brisbane, but they're personal favourites of mine and are iconic amongst the wedding industry. It might be an extra hassle to host your wedding so far from home, but the payoff is worth the extra effort!
Lastly, not every wedding venue is perfect (or at least, I haven't been to the perfect wedding venue yet), so my one tip is to figure out what you prioritise: it could be food, styling, convenience or uniqueness. It'll make choosing the perfect venue for your a lot easier.
The Refinery is a chic, minimalist, renovated warehouse in Newstead. With a separate green backyard area for your ceremony, and a modern, refined look inside, it's a versatile space that can be easily transformed to suit most weddings. The Refinery seats around 110 for a sit-down reception, and up to 160 for a casual cocktail style.
They're the sister venue to Rogue Bistro, so you already know the food is going to be a highlight. I'd go so far as to say The Refinery has the best wedding food in Brisbane. Nobody likes alternate drop dinners where your guests can choose between overcooked steak or overcooked chicken, but you don't have to worry about that here.
Conveniently, the team also recently added a comfortable room out the back for your hair and makeup or outfit changes - so you don't need to book out a hotel or rent a room to get ready in the morning. All up, The Refinery is one of Brisbane's best wedding venues located in the heart of Brisbane - and I should know, it's where me and my wife chose to have our reception!
Located about 100km outside of Brisbane in the Scenic Rim region, Kooroomba Lavender Farm and Vineyard is without a doubt a one-of-a-kind wedding venue. In case you don't know, their chapel is a open-walled timber frame beautifully covered in vines and boasting a glorious view of the mountain ranges. It's definitely the standout reason people book their wedding at Kooroomba.
Apart from the chapel, their lavender farm is a nice spot for photos if you've booked in season. And something about the location always makes for amazing sunset shots around golden hour. There's plenty of spots that make for great photos.
Inside, the reception space is quite cosy and can host small to medium sized groups (I'm not sure of the exact number). Their food and drink is also quite good, which always a good thing to hear about a wedding venue!
If you're not against you and your guests travelling for your wedding, and you want a high quality, regional wedding venue, have a look at Kooroomba Lavender and Vineyard.
An inner-city wedding venue with modern luxe warehouse vibes and a green backyard area for ceremonies? You wouldn't be wrong to think that The Lussh and The Refinery remind you of each other, but they're both amazing venues in their own right with their own charm and personality. But yes, they are two of Brisbane's best wedding venues, and they have their similarities.
In a newly renovated heritage listed building in Wooloongabba, the team at the Lussh have created a perfect spot for weddings in Brisbane. Outside, you can host a beautiful ceremony under the lush(!) green cliffs - which conveniently faces west, which means afternoon sunlight won't be in your faces during your ceremony. Or, you can choose to get married upstairs in the loft; a fully air-conditioned, minimalist space (for summer months, maybe).
They also have a long list of beers, wines, cocktails and mocktails for you to choose from if you wanted, which always make your evening feel a bit more fancy.
Even though it's in a whole different city, that hasn't stopped plenty of Brisbane couples from getting married at Gabbinbar Homestead in Toowoomba. And for good reason, Gabbinbar is a private all-in-one wedding venue that is probably nicer than most Brisbane wedding venues. A historic homestead surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens and giant old trees, couples have several different locations to choose for their ceremony, and endless options for photos - including plenty of fairy lights for some sneaky evening photos.
In what seems to be a recurring theme, the food at Gabbinbar doesn't disappoint. And the service provided from the team is top-notch, too. Apart from the meals, they have an onsite bridal prep room (coupled with giant mirrors so you can check yourself out easily) and a beautiful glass ceiling in the reception hall.
Toowoomba is a two hour drive away, so most of your guests would probably be finding local accommodation in the city and making a weekend of it, which might be nice. Another added bonus is that Toowoomba is generally cooler than Brisbane, so Summer weddings are more bearable!
Okay, technically Summergrove Estate is only a 20 minute drive from the QLD/NSW border if you're staying at Coolangatta, so I still count it as a Brisbane and Gold Coast wedding venue. One of many wedding venues in the Gold Coast hinterland, Summergrove Estate is definitely one of the more refined venues.
Able to host up to 130 guests, Summergrove has indoor and outdoor options for your wedding ceremony, and a cute renovated barn to host your reception. One of the main draws is the view though - you're able to see all the way to the coast from where Summergrove sits high on a mountain. It makes for some absolutely amazing sunset and landscape photo opportunities - if it isn't a cloudy day.
There's quite a few villas on-site too for your guests to book accommodation, and you get a few included with your package when you book your wedding there. Makes it a whole lot easier for you to party all night and stay there, rather than figuring out late-night transportation.
A short drive past Ipswich, Spicers Hidden Vale is a rustic, intimate venue with a luxury country farm-stay vibe. With several outdoor ceremony spots and scenic views, it's a great option for a rural wedding where you don't have to actually travel that far. And with on-site accommodation, you and your guests can conveniently choose to stay the night.
I'm going to sound like a broken record, but again - the food at Spicers Hidden Vale has been pretty exceptional when I've been there. Most of the time, you'll smell your dinner cooking during the day, usually spinning on a rotisserie over the open fire next to the barn. And their portion sizes are pretty generous, so nobody's going to be leaving on an empty stomach.
Another all-in-one venue, you won't have to travel at all for a variety of beautiful photos. Unfortunately because it isn't a completely private venue, you might stumble into a handful of other guests staying onsite during your wedding. But that isn't too big a problem, it's not like you'll be fighting crowds.
We're back in Brisbane now. Lightspace is another stripped-back warehouse venue based on the edge of the valley. With two distinct spaces, Lightspace is flexible enough for any style of wedding and reception, seating up to 200 guests. You can go for a traditional catered sit-down dinner, or you can go for a casual cocktail style reception with your own food truck parked out the back.
If you're into more of a blank canvas space where you can do what you want with it, Lightspace is right up your alley. It's not the fanciest of venues, but if you were after fancy you probably wouldn't be looking at renovated warehouses. If you opt for a sit-down dinner, you can choose from one of Lightspace's two catering partners - the food truck option is only for cocktail style receptions.
The bar space has a more cosy and homely vibe to it, which you can use as a nice chill-out area, or host a more intimate, casual wedding. And if you somehow still have energy after your wedding - you can easily have an afterparty at any of your favourite places in the Valley.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Make the most of your day and your venue, regardless of where you choose to get married.
Just because your venue isn't on the list, doesn't make it bad! This list is just based off my opinion and my experience. So you might prefer another venue or dislike a venue I've listed here, and that's fine. Hopefully it's helped you in your wedding planning!
There's also a handful of wedding venues that I haven't been to but would love to photograph a wedding at: The Calile Hotel, QAGOMA, The Valley Estate, Weddings at Tiffany's, and more. If you're planning your wedding at once of these unique venues, I'd love to have a chat!
No matter where you're getting married, I'd love to be your photographer. Send me a message to get the ball rolling, and to find out more about my photography packages.