Arlie Beach
The Whitsundays are known as the 'wedding heart' of Australia and there is a wide choice of wedding venues catering for all kinds of weddings, from casual to opulent.
Choose from formal, through to barefoot on the beach - the options are limitless.
Best places for a mainland wedding
The Whitsundays are literally crammed with beautiful places to marry your special someone, from large and extravagant to small and intimate - you choose how you want your special day to look and feel.
Following is a rundown of venues to choose from on the mainland, all of which have easy access to Whitsunday Coast Airport, near Proserpine (just 38 kilometres from Airlie Beach).
Most have sea views, and catering is either offered in-house or organised through external local caterers. Local companies such as I Do Events and Total Weddings offer a wedding coordination service and decorations/themeing.
Villa Botanica
Enjoy a sumptuous wedding day at one of Australia's most exclusive wedding venues set amongst acres of tropical gardens with a Balinese feel.
Peppers Resort
Set on a hill overlooking Airlie Beach and Pioneer Bay, Peppers offers all the facilities and excellent dining expected of a reputable national hotel chain.
Coral Sea Resort
A privately-owned 77-room resort, this oceanfront property is a one-stop shop with five ceremony options, six reception choices and accommodation packages.
Deja Vu on Water's Edge
One of Airlie Beach's best-loved restaurants, Deja Vu offers exquisite catering options and Water's Edge Resort can provide the accommodation.
Whitsunday Sailing Club
Situated on the water's edge, the sailing club offers a romantic outdoor gazebo ceremony with a choice of reception packages in the clubhouse.
The Palm House (Big4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort)
The Whitsundays' newest reception venue, The Palm House caters for intimate to gala weddings (10 to 110 guests).
Whitsunday Arts & Cultural Centre (WACC)
The WACC has a dedicated event manager and in-house lighting and sound management and can accommodate up to 400 people cocktail-style and 250 people banquet-style. Wedding menus feature quality ingredients and fresh local produce, with a focus on aesthetic and taste, with a choice of cocktail, long table and plated service.
Volunteer Marine Rescue
Absolute waterfront location in the heart of Cannonvale with expansive, uninterrupted views over the Whitsunday Islands and Pioneer Bay. Fully licensed bar at community club prices with seating for 90 guests in air-conditioned comfort or up to 120 guests in a separate hired marquee.
Out of town
If you are looking for something a little more secluded, the following resorts, located a little way out of Airlie Beach, offer a beachside, tropical wedding experience.
Montes Reef Resort (Hydeaway Bay)
A forty-minute drive from Airlie Beach, Montes is secluded and isolated but accessible by all types of vehicles. It has an all-tide sandy beach and every spacious, self-contained bungalow is right on the waters edge, with 180 degree panoramic views. Facilities include a beachfront bar and restaurant, tennis court, hammocks, boat ramp and wood barbecue areas.
Cape Gloucester Beach Resort (Cape Gloucester)
Experience the most romantic day of your life in the unique surrounds of Cape Gloucester Beach Resort. Enjoy an elegant reception at "The Oar" with its magnificent ocean views from every table. Choose from cocktail-style finger food, a buffet or a formal three-course meal.
Church bells are ringing!
There are a number of churches in Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays that you might want to consider for your wedding ceremony.
- Anglican Church 07 4945 1239
- Baptist Church 07 4946 1769
- Catholic Church 07 4945 1025
- Church of Christ 07 4945 2334
- Christian Outreach Centre 07 4945 3474
- Uniting Church In Australia 07 4945 1078
- Whitsunday Christian Family 07 4945 4901
On the edge
Or why not get married skydiving from a plane courtesy of Skydive Airlie Beach? The ultimate adrenalin rush with the ultimate view - location is everything when it comes to skydiving and if you only ever do it once, you should do it overlooking the beautiful Whitsunday Islands...on your wedding day!
Or marry on board one of the many charter boats available - from romantic pearl luggers to elegant yachts and sleek powerboats - there are literally dozens of vessels departing from the mainland, for a truly memorable Whitsunday wedding on the water.
Sundowner Cruises is a purpose-built catamaran with a spacious open-plan entertaining area that can accommodate 48 passengers comfortably. It is certainly something unique for wedding guests to enjoy the Whitsundays ambience and is the perfect venue for receptions, pre-wedding get-togethers, post-wedding brunches or hens and bucks parties.
Wherever you choose to get married on the mainland, it is sure to be a wonderful Whitsundays experience.
Capturing the day forever
Let Sweet Studio turn your special moments into cherished memories with our bespoke photography and videography service.
We will work with you to capture your unique story and portray it in a way that will make you smile for years to come.
Call us now on 0410 038 025 for a quote.
To view more wedding photos please go to gallery page.
