Australia Destination Wedding Guide 2024

In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about planning or attending a destination wedding in Australia.

Weddings in Australia: What You Need To Know

A destination wedding in Australia is the perfect way to celebrate your love for each other and your new life together.

Whether you’re looking for an intimate ceremony on the beach or a grand affair, Australia has the perfect setting for your special day.

Some popular choices include the tropical beaches of the Gold Coast, the stunning cliffs of the Great Ocean Road, and the iconic opera house in Sydney, so you are sure to find a location that you’ll both love.

Each location offers its own unique setting and atmosphere, making it easy to find the perfect match for any couple’s style and personality.

There are also a number of professional wedding planners who specialize in destination weddings Down Under, so couples can rest assured that everything will be taken care of from start to finish.

With so much to offer, it’s no wonder that more and more couples are opting for a destination wedding in Australia.

So if you’ve been dreaming of a destination wedding, consider Australia for your big day.

But first: you need to know where in the world Australia is…

Where is Australia?

Australia is the smallest continent and landwise 6th largest country on the planet, lying between the Pacific and Indian oceans in the Southern Hemisphere.

Area: 2,968,402 sq mi (7,688,126 sq km), Population: (2022 est.) 25,801,000. Capital: Canberra.

Australia Facts To Know:

Language: English
Currency: Australian dollar (AUD)
Airports: Sydney Airport (SYD), Melbourne Airport (MEL), Brisbane Airport (BNE)
Official Tourism Website: https://www.australia.com/en
Driving side: Left

Below you will find some more useful information about visiting Australia for your special day:

4 Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding in Australia

Planning a wedding can be stressful. Planning a destination wedding can be even more stressful!

But it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips and things you need to know for planning a destination wedding in Australia:

1. Choose a date that works for both you and your guests

Choosing a wedding date can be a daunting task, whether you are planning on getting married in Australia or closer to home.

You want to make sure that you pick a date that works for both you and your guests.

Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect wedding date:

2. Decide on a budget

When it comes to having an Australian wedding, there are a lot of different factors that come into play – from the guest list to the venue.

But one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how much you’re willing to spend.

Here are some tips on how to decide on a budget for your wedding:

3. Find a venue that fits your vision and budget

No one ever said wedding planning was easy. In fact, it can often feel downright daunting.

Here’s some useful resources for finding a wedding venue in Australia:

4. Hire a wedding planner to take care of the details

A wedding planner can take care of everything for you, from booking vendors to creating a timeline for the day.

Here are some tips on how to find and hire the right planner for your big day in Australia

Australia Weddings: Key Information

Getting married abroad is a big decision. There’s a lot of things you need to be aware of if you want your big day to run smoothly.

To help, we have put together some useful information about getting married in Australia:

What is the average cost of a wedding in Australia?
What are the marriage requirements for Australia?
What is the weather like in Australia?
What should you pack for a trip to Australia?
What things are there to do in Australia?
What are the best Australian wedding venues?

Read on to find out more:

How Much Does a Wedding in Australia Cost?

The marriage license fee in Australia is around €70.

Legal Requirements for Getting Married in Australia

When applying for a marriage license, you will need to provide the following documents:

Valid passport.
Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM).
If you have already been married, provide the relevant documentation to demonstrate that you are either divorced or widowed.
Name change document – generally all names on all documents need to match (including your parents’ names), otherwise proof of name change needs to be shown.
Signed declaration that there are no legal reasons preventing you from marrying.

Other legal requirements are:

To apply for a marriage license, one must be at least 18 years old.
The marriage license (NOIM) is valid for 18 months from when your celebrant receives your signed and witnessed NOIM.
2 witnesses are required, over 18 years old.
There is no restriction for foreign people marrying in Australia, provided that they are in the country legally and get the proper marriage license.
All international paperwork has to be translated into English by an official translator. It is mandatory that they be authenticated with an Apostille stamp from your home country first.

Before making any wedding or travel preparations, make sure you have all the paperwork needed for your marriage to be recognized in your home country by checking with the local county clerk or marriage official where you intend to marry.

What you need to have in your possession before leaving the country is a legal document that can confirm that your marriage is legitimate and has been registered – the marriage certificate.

What Is The Weather Like in Australia?

If you want to visit all of Australia, not just the south but also the vast arid Outback and the tropical north, you might want to go during the winter, which is from June to August. This will allow you to avoid the heat, which can be intense during the other seasons, especially in the north-central region, and during the summer in the south. You would also be able to escape the rains and the cyclones that may occur in the north during the summer. Of course, winter in the south is fairly chilly, and Perth and western Tasmania may be quite wet, but if you don’t like the heat, this is the best option.

If you want to visit primarily the southern areas, which are where the major cities are, you can choose spring and autumn, and in particular April-May or September-October.

You may go to the southern regions in the late spring and summer, notably in November and December in Sydney and from November to February in Melbourne, but keep in mind that there could sometimes be really hot days.

What should you pack for your trip?

During the winter months of June through August, visitors to the tropical north and Darwin should pack light clothing made of natural fibers. They should also bring a hat to protect them from the sun, a scarf to protect them from the breeze, and a light sweatshirt for the evening and places that are air-conditioned.

When going to the desert, you should include clothing appropriate for spring or fall (they should be light enough to wear throughout the day), as well as a sweater, a wind jacket, a warm jacket for the evening, and a scarf for the sand.

When traveling to the north-east (see Cairns and Innisfail), it is recommended that you bring light clothing for the day, a sweater for the evening, and potentially a raincoat for the rain showers. Bring snorkeling gear with you when you go to the reef, and this may include water shoes or shoes with rubber soles.

To be prepared for the weather in the center-south and the major cities, bring clothing that are appropriate for spring and fall, as well as a sweater, a warm jacket for the evening and for windy days, and a raincoat or umbrella. Bring along some warm clothing if you plan on hiking in the mountains in the south, such as a fleece, a down jacket, and gloves. When traveling to Canberra and Tasmania, be sure to pack warm clothing like a sweater, a down jacket, and a hat.

During the summer (December to February), bring lightweight clothing made of natural fibers, a scarf for the breeze, a light sweatshirt for the evening and for air-conditioned places, and a light raincoat for thunderstorms in the tropical north and Darwin, as well as in the north-east down to Brisbane. Also, in the south-east, bring a light raincoat. Bring snorkeling gear with you when you go to the reef, and this may include water shoes or shoes with rubber soles.

A lightweight, loose-fitting clothing made of natural fabric (cotton or linen) is ideal for the desert. You should also include a desert turban, sunglasses, a light sweater for the evening, a sweatshirt for the night, a sleeping bag for overnight stays outside, and desert boots.

When traveling to the center-south region and the main cities, bring light clothes, a sweatshirt for the breeze and for chilly days, a scarf for the wind-borne sand and dust, potentially a light jacket and an umbrella, in particular for Canberra, Sydney, and Melbourne. Clothing appropriate for spring and fall, together with a sweater and a jacket, should be packed for Tasmania.

Australia Weather By Month

Below you will find some useful information and handy tables of weather information to help you pick the best month to visit Australia:

Average Temperatures in Australia

The table below shows the average temperatures in Australia each month:

Month	Min (°C)	Max (°C)	Mean (°C)	Min (°F)	Max (°F)	Mean (°F)
January	20	27.7	23.8	68	82	74.9
February	19.9	27.1	23.5	68	81	74.3
March	18.5	25.8	22.2	65	78	71.9
April	15.2	23.4	19.3	59	74	66.7
May	12.1	20.6	16.4	54	69	61.4
June	9.8	18.1	14	50	65	57.1
July	8.6	17.7	13.2	47	64	55.7
August	9.3	19.1	14.2	49	66	57.6
September	12	21.7	16.8	54	71	62.3
October	14.4	23.6	19	58	74	66.2
November	16.5	24.7	20.6	62	76	69.1
December	18.4	26.4	22.4	65	80	72.3
Year	14.5	23	18.7	58.1	73.3	65.5

Average Rainfall in Australia

The table below shows the average rainfall in Australia each month:

Month	Millimeters	Inches	Days
January	60	2.4	5
February	55	2.2	5
March	40	1.6	4
April	25	1.1	4
May	30	1.2	4
June	50	2	6
July	45	1.8	6
August	45	1.8	6
September	55	2.2	7
October	50	2	7
November	70	2.8	8
December	55	2.2	5
Year	580	22.8	67

Sunshine Hours in Australia

The table below shows the average sunshine hours in Australia each month:

Month	Average	Total
January	9.5	295
February	9	255
March	8	250
April	7.5	220
May	6	185
June	5	155
July	6	180
August	7	215
September	7.5	230
October	8.5	265
November	9	265
December	9.5	290
Year	7.7	2815

Sea Temperatures in Australia

The table below shows the average sea temperatures in Australia each month:

Month	Celsius (°C)	Fahrenheit (°F)
January	24	75
February	24	76
March	24	75
April	23	74
May	22	71
June	20	68
July	19	66
August	19	66
September	19	66
October	20	67
November	21	69
December	22	72
Year	21.3	70.4

What To Wear in Australia? (Packing Tips)

It can be difficult to know what to pack for your vacation. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when preparing for your trip.

We’ve put together some tips on what to wear in Australia so that you can make the most of your time there.

Beachwear: Don’t forget to pack your swimsuit! Australia has some of the best surfing beaches, but even if you’re not a surfer, you can enjoy taking a dip in the ocean.
Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Insect repellent: For those traveling to tropical areas, mosquito repellent is also a must.
Comfortable shoes: You should also pack comfortable walking shoes, as Portugal is a very walkable country with plenty of hills and cobblestone streets.
Camera: Don’t forget to pack your camera! Portugal is full of beautiful scenery, from the beaches to the mountains, and you’ll want to be able to capture it all.
Passport: Other essential items to pack include a valid passport and any necessary visas.
Travel insurance: Make sure you have travel insurance that will cover you in case of any medical emergencies or lost baggage.
Chargers: Also, be sure to bring along any chargers and travel power adapters you’ll need for your electronic devices.
First-aid kit: It is also a good idea to pack a first-aid kit, in case of any minor injuries, and also any essential medications.

Things to Do in Australia

There are many different things to do in Australia, no matter what time of year you visit.

Here is a list of some of the top activities to enjoy during your stay:

Best Australia Wedding Venues & Hotels

With so many stunning locations to choose from, how do you know which is the best wedding venue in Australia?

Here are our picks for the top spots to tie the knot, as well as hotels to stay in:

Wedding Venues in Australia

Longitude 131 near Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Goosewing Cottage in the hills of Mount View
Shene Estate & Distillery in in the Tasmania
Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge
Redleaf Wollombi
Eureka 89 in Melbourne
Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
Daydream Island Resort in Queensland
One&Only Hayman Island at Great Barrier Reef

Hotels in Australia

Zagame’s House – Melbourne
Oval Hotel at Adelaide Oval
Little National Hotel Sydney
Coolum Beach Getaway Resort
Jephson Hotel & Apartments – Brisbane
Anchorage Port Stephens – Nelson Bay
Treasury on Collins Apartment Hotel – Melbourne
Mulwala Resort
Mrs Banks Hotel – Sydney

Check out the full list here: 60+ Wedding Destination around the World