Find, compare and book the best wedding venues Canberra has to offer with VenueNow, Australia's #1 venue hire experts.
Hotel ●
Campbell
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Hotel ●
Campbell
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Hotel ●
City
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Conference Centre ●
City
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Gallery ●
City
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City
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Function Venue ●
Ngunnawal
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Hotel ●
Campbell
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Hotel ●
Campbell
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You’ve said yes, let the celebrations begin. And somewhere between happy tears and excited messages, you’ll hit the big question, “where do we actually hold our wedding?”
Canberra surprises most people. It’s more than parliament buildings and lake selfies because there are places tucked away that feel like secret gardens, spots with skyline views, and thoughtfully designed venues that don’t need half your budget spent on styling.
It might not be exciting, but starting with a few practical things means you’re not chasing your tail later. First to think about: guest numbers. You don’t need exact figures, just a general range will save you visiting venues that don’t fit the vibe.
Next on the list: when are you thinking? Canberra’s spring and autumn are lovely, the city is warm enough for sheer clothes, cool enough for jackets at night, and the sky is reliably blue (that lake glow? Totally doable). Weekends in those seasons are gold, so if you’re set on a date, maybe don’t wait on comparing quotes.
And think about how the story of the day unfolds. Everything in one gorgeous room? Ceremony by the lake, reception inside? Buffet-style mingling, full sit-down dinner, or food stations? Even a loose idea helps streamline venue choices dramatically.
Canberra’s small enough that transport isn’t a headache, but varied enough you can find the backdrop that feels right.
The City. This is where a lot of receptions happen. You’ll find hotels and function spaces that can host a ceremony, dinner, or after-party without moving people around. Perfect if you picture your group mixing in and out all afternoon, or if you’ve got guests flying in, you’re central, accessible, and everything you need is there.
Spaces range from bright, minimal rooms to venues with a really nice view. You can even go simple or layered (with florals or cocktail bars), depending on what you’d rather spend on.
In Campbell. Just up the hill from the centre, Campbell has a village feel. White picket-fence streets, leafy reserves, and a few spots that open into courtyards or offer large windows framing Mount Ainslie. These venues often feel quieter, more personal. You might get a garden gazebo and a polished dining area. It’s chill, but still feels like a wedding when you walk in.
Some venues are designed to let you bring in your dream team of stylists, caterers, bands, you name it. These are the kind of places where you’re not limited to what’s “in-house.” Load them up with your playlist (maybe a nod to a cheeky family moment), get lanterns strung up or even fairy lights, it’s a blank canvas and you can make it yours.
Others are ready-to-go, with dining rooms, AV systems, decorative pieces, and bar packages all included. Great if you want to walk in and let the venue take care of it.
Most local venues offer meal-and-drinks bundles. They’ll include a few rounds of canapés, shared-plate mains or alternate drop, dessert, and a drinks package covering beer, wine, soda, and maybe some basic spirits. You can often layer in extras like a signature mocktail bar for the kids, or late-night bar bites.
If you have a favourite dessert or a family plate you want to include in your menu, check the venue’s flexibility early. A few spots allow BYO with corkage fees so be sure to ask promptly.
Dietary options like gluten-free, vegan, halal are all standard. Just make sure you circle back two months out to confirm final counts for any special meals. It’s the difference between a stress-free reception and panicking when one of the bridesmaids turns up gluten-sensitive.
Canberra venues generally fall into the $120 per person zone. That usually includes venue hire, food, drinks, and staff for three to four hours. If your package skirts the simpler end (welcome drinks and buffet, for example), you can find deals around $95. If you want upgraded booze, long playlists, or later bump-out times, things can edge up to $145 or so.
Some venues price by minimum spend rather than per person. That lets you decide how the budget gets sliced. For example, fewer seats but a bigger band, or more styling and fewer extras. Your decision, but make sure it must be definite as the day nears.
If you want to be within your budget, weekday weddings are becoming more popular nowadays, still classy, often more available, and vendors relax a bit on pricing. Winter weddings have their perks too: venues are quieter, weather is crisp (great for dark suits and dramatic photos), and you might get more package inclusions for less.
One huge win for Canberra is that transport’s easy. You won’t spend your day stuck in traffic.
For venus in the City venues, usually near hotels, parking, and taxis. People can walk from their rooms or grab rideshare easily. Key entrance ways are visible, but adding a QR map link never hurts especially for those whose GPS might take them to the back alley instead.
Campbell venues might mean a short bus ride or drive for some guests. Many offer onsite parking or street parking nearby. Throw ticket info or access links in your wedding website and you’ll save family members a frantic text on the day.
The best weddings aren’t always the most styled, they’re the ones where the couple shows up as themselves. That might mean a playlist built over years of shared road trips, handwritten notes on each place setting, or a toast with your favourite wine halfway through the night.
Guestbooks are becoming more creative, too. Some couples set up video booths or voicemail stations for messages. Others stick with a simple notebook on a table, which works just as well.
Your wedding site or digital invite is also a good place to add extra touches like a dress code guide, a few FAQs, a story about how you met, or a shared Spotify playlist to set the mood.
When it comes to gifts, experience-based options are gaining popularity. Instead of a traditional registry, couples are asking for dinner vouchers, weekend getaways, or contributions to a honeymoon or house project. It feels more useful and often more personal.
Found a venue you like? Good. Now it’s time to ask the practical ones: What’s included? Tables, chairs, staff, AV setup? Do you need to bring in a bar company or can they do it in-house? Can you set up the day before? Do you need to vacate at a certain time or can you linger until midnight (or later)?
For outdoor places, what’s the backup plan when it rains and how quick can they transition?
In terms of suppliers, can you bring your own DJ or florist or is it their preferred list?
What happens when you cancel? Venue bookings aren’t always refundable, so know where things stand if plans spiral.
Most importantly, visit the place. You’ll pick up on things screens don’t give you like how the light hits, where guests might linger, how the room feels. Bonus if there’s a prep room for the wedding party, it’s a lifesaver on the morning of, trust us.
A wedding doesn’t have to be a puzzle all at once. Figure out who’s coming, when you want to get married, and how you want the energy to feel. Once you land a space that suits that vision, everything else falls into place.
Canberra gives you the perfect backdrop from lakeside views to rooftop celebrations without stretching your budget or your logistical patience. There’s a place here that fits your idea of celebration, wherever that sits on the spectrum. Just let the vibe be yours, and the rest will follow.
You’ve said yes, let the celebrations begin. And somewhere between happy tears and excited messages, you’ll hit the big question, “where do we actually hold our wedding?”
Canberra surprises most people. It’s more than parliament buildings and lake selfies because there are places tucked away that feel like secret gardens, spots with skyline views, and thoughtfully designed venues that don’t need half your budget spent on styling.
It might not be exciting, but starting with a few practical things means you’re not chasing your tail later. First to think about: guest numbers. You don’t need exact figures, just a general range will save you visiting venues that don’t fit the vibe.
Next on the list: when are you thinking? Canberra’s spring and autumn are lovely, the city is warm enough for sheer clothes, cool enough for jackets at night, and the sky is reliably blue (that lake glow? Totally doable). Weekends in those seasons are gold, so if you’re set on a date, maybe don’t wait on comparing quotes.
And think about how the story of the day unfolds. Everything in one gorgeous room? Ceremony by the lake, reception inside? Buffet-style mingling, full sit-down dinner, or food stations? Even a loose idea helps streamline venue choices dramatically.
Canberra’s small enough that transport isn’t a headache, but varied enough you can find the backdrop that feels right.
The City. This is where a lot of receptions happen. You’ll find hotels and function spaces that can host a ceremony, dinner, or after-party without moving people around. Perfect if you picture your group mixing in and out all afternoon, or if you’ve got guests flying in, you’re central, accessible, and everything you need is there.
Spaces range from bright, minimal rooms to venues with a really nice view. You can even go simple or layered (with florals or cocktail bars), depending on what you’d rather spend on.
In Campbell. Just up the hill from the centre, Campbell has a village feel. White picket-fence streets, leafy reserves, and a few spots that open into courtyards or offer large windows framing Mount Ainslie. These venues often feel quieter, more personal. You might get a garden gazebo and a polished dining area. It’s chill, but still feels like a wedding when you walk in.
Some venues are designed to let you bring in your dream team of stylists, caterers, bands, you name it. These are the kind of places where you’re not limited to what’s “in-house.” Load them up with your playlist (maybe a nod to a cheeky family moment), get lanterns strung up or even fairy lights, it’s a blank canvas and you can make it yours.
Others are ready-to-go, with dining rooms, AV systems, decorative pieces, and bar packages all included. Great if you want to walk in and let the venue take care of it.
Most local venues offer meal-and-drinks bundles. They’ll include a few rounds of canapés, shared-plate mains or alternate drop, dessert, and a drinks package covering beer, wine, soda, and maybe some basic spirits. You can often layer in extras like a signature mocktail bar for the kids, or late-night bar bites.
If you have a favourite dessert or a family plate you want to include in your menu, check the venue’s flexibility early. A few spots allow BYO with corkage fees so be sure to ask promptly.
Dietary options like gluten-free, vegan, halal are all standard. Just make sure you circle back two months out to confirm final counts for any special meals. It’s the difference between a stress-free reception and panicking when one of the bridesmaids turns up gluten-sensitive.
Canberra venues generally fall into the $120 per person zone. That usually includes venue hire, food, drinks, and staff for three to four hours. If your package skirts the simpler end (welcome drinks and buffet, for example), you can find deals around $95. If you want upgraded booze, long playlists, or later bump-out times, things can edge up to $145 or so.
Some venues price by minimum spend rather than per person. That lets you decide how the budget gets sliced. For example, fewer seats but a bigger band, or more styling and fewer extras. Your decision, but make sure it must be definite as the day nears.
If you want to be within your budget, weekday weddings are becoming more popular nowadays, still classy, often more available, and vendors relax a bit on pricing. Winter weddings have their perks too: venues are quieter, weather is crisp (great for dark suits and dramatic photos), and you might get more package inclusions for less.
One huge win for Canberra is that transport’s easy. You won’t spend your day stuck in traffic.
For venus in the City venues, usually near hotels, parking, and taxis. People can walk from their rooms or grab rideshare easily. Key entrance ways are visible, but adding a QR map link never hurts especially for those whose GPS might take them to the back alley instead.
Campbell venues might mean a short bus ride or drive for some guests. Many offer onsite parking or street parking nearby. Throw ticket info or access links in your wedding website and you’ll save family members a frantic text on the day.
The best weddings aren’t always the most styled, they’re the ones where the couple shows up as themselves. That might mean a playlist built over years of shared road trips, handwritten notes on each place setting, or a toast with your favourite wine halfway through the night.
Guestbooks are becoming more creative, too. Some couples set up video booths or voicemail stations for messages. Others stick with a simple notebook on a table, which works just as well.
Your wedding site or digital invite is also a good place to add extra touches like a dress code guide, a few FAQs, a story about how you met, or a shared Spotify playlist to set the mood.
When it comes to gifts, experience-based options are gaining popularity. Instead of a traditional registry, couples are asking for dinner vouchers, weekend getaways, or contributions to a honeymoon or house project. It feels more useful and often more personal.
Found a venue you like? Good. Now it’s time to ask the practical ones: What’s included? Tables, chairs, staff, AV setup? Do you need to bring in a bar company or can they do it in-house? Can you set up the day before? Do you need to vacate at a certain time or can you linger until midnight (or later)?
For outdoor places, what’s the backup plan when it rains and how quick can they transition?
In terms of suppliers, can you bring your own DJ or florist or is it their preferred list?
What happens when you cancel? Venue bookings aren’t always refundable, so know where things stand if plans spiral.
Most importantly, visit the place. You’ll pick up on things screens don’t give you like how the light hits, where guests might linger, how the room feels. Bonus if there’s a prep room for the wedding party, it’s a lifesaver on the morning of, trust us.
A wedding doesn’t have to be a puzzle all at once. Figure out who’s coming, when you want to get married, and how you want the energy to feel. Once you land a space that suits that vision, everything else falls into place.
Canberra gives you the perfect backdrop from lakeside views to rooftop celebrations without stretching your budget or your logistical patience. There’s a place here that fits your idea of celebration, wherever that sits on the spectrum. Just let the vibe be yours, and the rest will follow.
Here are some of our favourite Canberra wedding venues:
Here are some of our favourite Canberra wedding venues:
Rated 4.9/5 on Google
Midnight Hotel Canberra
Mercure Canberra
Ovolo Nishi
Shine Dome
National Film and Sound Archive
Redbrow Garden Guesthouse
Crowne Plaza Canberra
The Manor @ Pulp
Mantra Northbourne Canberra