Engaged? Congrats! You’ve now entered your next all consuming, overwhelming stage of life as your own wedding organiser. Choosing and locking in a venue is pretty much always the first step of the wedding planning process. As a wedding filmmaker, I find myself analysing what makes a good venue – location, lighting, ambience, sound acoustics, food, decor, service… The best venues tick all the boxes, and play one of the biggest roles in creating the best experience for you, your friends and fam. From my experience attending and shooting so many weddings across the city, these are the best venues in Perth. 

Lamonts Bishops House

A heritage building set amongst an inner city backdrop, Lamonts is a photographers wet dream. With beautiful light all year round bouncing off the surrounding skyscrapers, and diverse and elegant manicured spaces, you’ll barely need to leave the grounds when it comes time for your wedding portraits. The food is mouthwateringly divine, but arguably the best thing about Lamonts is the loveable manager Matthew – give that man a raise!

State Buildings

There are several stunning venues housed within this iconic building, such as the colourful Long Chim courtyard, Wildflower’s rooftop terrace overlooking the Swan river, Petition bar, and the super luxe Postal Hall – Perth’s most high end wedding venue. The State Buildings are also a photographer’s dream – so many textured backdrops and pockets of creamy, dynamic light to play with.

Friday’s Studio

Legendary owners Ian and Erick have thoughtfully renovated this inner city warehouse and converted it into a photography studio with polished concrete floors, textured walls and exposed brick. Friday’s is most famously known for its iconic New York style windows, providing perfect lighting for photos. It’s a blank canvas, and a little slice of Brunswick in our very own town.

Alex Hotel

Perfect for small, intimate weddings and elopements, the Alex Hotel is a rooftop terrace in the heart of Northbridge. It’s super trendy, design focused and totally Instagrammable – you can say your I dos overlooking the action of William Street, pop a bottle provided by Shadow Wine Bar, and then crash the night in one of their boutique rooms.

Guildhall

With its teal walls and dramatic Pinterest worthy decor, Guildhall is perfect for moody winter wedding vibes. Typically ceremonies are held in the intimate courtyard, and long table or standing cocktail receptions inside, with the most decadent, hearty, Eastern inspired catering provided by the fine folk at Propellor in North Freo.

Flour Factory

Set in an historic 100 year old flour mill right in the centre of Perth CBD. With wooden floors and exposed beams, a mouthwatering menu and tasteful selection of beverages, it’s industrial yet contemporary, and not at all pretentious.

COAST

One of the few awesome venues on our pristine world class coastline, and home to one of my favourite ever wedding films.

The Shorehouse

Get hitched on the deck under giant beach umbrellas sipping an Aperol Spritz overlooking the ocean – you’re in Swanbourne, but you may as well be in LA babes. The Shorehouse is a classy joint that turns up on the views, vibes and food. And the arancini! Take it from me (the self appointed queen of arancini), IT’S A TEN.

Old Customs House

Located in Freo’s historic, architecturally preserved west end, Old Customs House has recently opened its doors to weddings after being home to an art space for some time. It’s suitable for large weddings, which is awesome news as there’s been a gap in the market for cool spaces that can host up to 500 pax. One word: skylight. There’s a gigantic void in the ceiling, creating a glassed atrium that gives way to beautiful natural flowing light thus making everything look EPIC.

PSAS

Pakenham Street Art Space is an artspace on Pakenham Street (duh) in Freo’s West End. It’s a huge open sophisticated gallery, but with a raw Freo vibe – dramatic, super moody and great for winter weddings. Pro tip: it’s dark af, so have a stylist bring in some extra lighting if you want your photos & film to look shmicko.

Assembly Yard

The newest kid on the block. Another Freo gem, Assembly Yard is a brand spanking new creative event space housed in an industrial flavoured converted warehouse. The huge lawned area and festoons give off serious down south vibes and for a minute you’d think you were at a brewery in Yallingup. It’s a completely blank, concrete-floored canvas, so bring in your own styling, flowers, furniture bar and food trucks.