Best Wedding Venues Adelaide for Hire

So you’re engaged - congrats! The Champagne’s been popped, the family group chat is running hot, and now comes the real question: where are you going to say “I do”?

If you’re doing it in Adelaide, you’ve already made a smart call. Beyond beach selfies and wine tours, it has a mix of venues from contemporary hotel function rooms to outdoor spots in Northern Adelaide. So if you’re picturing an intimate gathering or a lively celebration, there’s a spot that’ll feel just right.

Before You Book Anything, Get Your Basics Down

Before you fall in love with a sandstone villa or rooftop bar, you’ll want to figure out the essentials. And that is the number of guests. Start with a rough guest count, not the final spreadsheet version, just enough to help you rule out anything too tight or wildly oversized. It’s surprising how quickly this narrows down your search.

Next comes timing. Autumn and spring are prime wedding seasons in Adelaide. The weather is mild, the light is golden, and outdoor venues actually work without the fear of 40-degree heat or a sudden downpour. These months book out fast, so if you’re dreaming of a weekend sunset in April, you’ll need to move early. Winter weddings are becoming more popular too. Partly for the budget factor, partly for the moody aesthetic that looks great in photos. Plus, fewer bookings often mean better flexibility.

Third, think about the format. Are you doing ceremony and reception in the same spot? Planning a quick afternoon affair or an evening that rolls into the night? Knowing the shape of your day helps you filter venues that match or at least won’t require a complicated transport plan between locations.

Venue Vibes: What’s on Offer Around Adelaide

This city doesn’t stick to one look, and neither do its venues. In the CBD, you’ll find historic buildings, art spaces, and rooftop bars that give you skyline views and city energy. Many have in-house event teams, so if you want to avoid juggling ten suppliers, this is a good place to start. The central location is also a win for guests who need nearby hotels or public transport.

Head out to Modbury North and you’ll get more space to work with. These venues tend to be more relaxed. Halls, gardens, or local clubs with room to breathe. They’re especially handy for bigger guest lists or if you’re planning to DIY some elements, like styling or dessert tables.

Glenelg North brings the coastal backdrop into play. Golden-hour ceremonies by the water, then drinks as the sun dips into the ocean, pretty aesthetic right? It’s a good area for a reason and not just the view, but the holiday feel too. Just know that beachside venues book fast in summer so be ahead of that if you can.

Food, Drinks and What’s Actually Included

Most Adelaide venues offer food and drink packages with enough variety to suit most weddings. A typical setup includes welcome drinks, canapés or grazing stations, main meals (shared platters or alternate drop), dessert, and a drink package running anywhere from four to six hours.

Some venues offer a few fun extras like wines, signature cocktails, late-night bites, even live stations like paella or coffee carts. If you’ve got specific preferences, chat with the venue about incorporating it early on. Some are flexible, some aren’t.

BYO is still a thing in certain spots, especially if you’re outside the CBD. You might be able to bring in your favourite wine or whisky, just be aware of corkage fees. So be sure to check that you won’t be charged extra for bringing it in.

If you have dietary requirements? Most venues are across it. Just confirm how they handle things like allergies, vegan meals, and gluten-free options. The good ones won’t make it feel like an afterthought.

What You’ll Probably Spend (and How to Stretch It)

On average, you’re looking at about $120 per head for a wedding. That includes food, drinks, basic styling, and venue hire. The more minimal options can start at $95 per person, and fancier packages with longer hours or add-ons can push closer to $145.

Some places work on minimum spend instead of per-head pricing and that gives you more freedom, you can go bigger on food or styling while keeping the guest list tight. Or open up the invite list and simplify the menu. It’s a choose-your-own setup, which is great if you know where you want to prioritise.

For couples trying to save, weekday dates can be a smart move. Venues usually charge less and are more flexible on timeframes. Winter weddings are cheaper too and surprisingly beautiful if you lean into moody aesthetic and warm tones.

Shorter events also save money. A two- or three-hour cocktail party still feels festive but cuts down on costs. You’re not locked into a five-hour dinner with speeches if that’s not your thing.

Making It Easy for Your Guests

The best venue isn’t just pretty, it’s practical. If guests can’t find parking or have to trek across the city after the ceremony, it adds stress. The CBD is obviously the easiest for public transport. Buses, trams, and trains all feed into the centre, and there are plenty of hotel options within walking distance.

Modbury North and Glenelg North are more car-friendly, which is great if most guests are local. Just keep in mind peak times and let people know about any tricky intersections or limited signage. Including Google Maps links or even QR codes on your invite helps — especially if there are multiple entrances or drop-off spots.

If you’re organising a shuttle or carpool, include the schedule in your wedding site or invite. People appreciate the heads-up, and it stops you getting several texts on the day.

Ways to Make It Feel Like The Two of You

It’s easy to get caught up in trends, but what people remember is how the day felt. Make a playlist that includes the songs you actually love. Add photos from trips you’ve taken or milestones you’ve hit. Write notes to your guests instead of doing party favours. It doesn’t have to be grand, it just has to feel personal.

Guestbooks have evolved too. Now you’ll find audio guestbooks, polaroid walls, or even a vintage booth setup. These small touches turn into keepsakes you’ll actually look back on.

Your wedding site can do more than share the date and dress code. Add in some FAQs, local tips for guests coming from out of town, maybe even a Spotify link or a short note about why you picked your venue.

As for gifts, a lot of couples are going for experiences. Like dinner vouchers, spa days, or help with the honeymoon. It’s easier on guests and way more useful than five new toasters.

Ask These Before You Commit

Before you sign anything, get the full picture. What’s included in the hire? Does it cover furniture, audio equipment, set-up and pack-down? Or are you expected to source and manage those separately?

Timing matters too. Ask when you can bump in and when everything needs to be cleared out. Some venues let you style the day before. Others will need you out by midnight. It helps to know this upfront so you can plan accordingly. 

Always ask about the weather plan too. Even if it’s an indoor venue. What happens if the weather turns? Can things shift inside easily, or does it mean major changes?

And check on suppliers. Can you bring in your own florist or are you locked into a preferred vendor list? Same goes for food, music, even stylists.

Don’t forget to ask about cancellations or date changes. You hope you won’t need it, but stuff happens. Knowing the policy gives you peace of mind.

And if you can, go visit. Nothing beats walking the space and seeing how it feels in real life. Lighting, layout, sound, it all adds up.

No one expects you to have every detail locked in from day one. Just begin with your guest list, your rough date, and the kind of vibe you want. Once the venue’s sorted, everything else becomes easier to map out.

Adelaide gives you room to get creative. You just have to find the one that feels right.

How much do Adelaide wedding venues cost?

Based on VenueNow's historic data, on average, Adelaide wedding venues cost between 150 per person and 225 per person. For example, a 100 person wedding would cost approximately 15000-22500. Costs may differ based on your food and beverage requirements, AV requirements, event date and time and the type of venue you decide to book.

What are the top Adelaide wedding venues?

Here are some of our favourite Adelaide wedding venues:

1. Kaitpo Hall
2. Rydges Adelaide
3. National Wine Centre Adelaide
4. Pullman Adelaide
5. Manor Estate Kangarilla
6. The Terrace Hotel Adelaide
7. Intercontinental Adelaide
8. Adelaide Rockford
9. Sferas
10. Seafire On The Marina

How do I find and book Adelaide wedding venues?

Finding and booking a Adelaide wedding venue is easy with VenueNow, simply follow these steps:1. Enter Adelaide as your location and wedding as your event type into VenueNow's search engine.2. Narrow down your search results by entering more filters such as number of people, event date, room layout and budget.3. Send enquiries to venues to request pricing and availability (we recommend sending 3-5 enquiries to different venues to ensure you get the best price).4. Review your quotes and connect directly with your favourite venues to book a site visit and finalise your booking.5. Host your event!

How far in advance should I book a Adelaide wedding venue?

On average, VenueNow customers book a Adelaide venue 90 days in advance of the event. For larger events and event dates in December we recommend allowing additional time as there may be limited availability.

Can VenueNow help me find a Adelaide wedding venue?

We sure can! VenueNow's team of Venue Booking Experts can help you find the perfect venue, collect quotes from multiple venues on your behalf, negotiate the best price with venues and book venues, all for free. Simply send us your event brief and our team will be in contact with venue recommendations within 24-48 hours.