Firstly, excellent decision! Down South is home to amazing wineries, wondrous caves, enchanting forests and dreamy coastline with white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and whales passing for six months of the year. It’s a special place for a wedding.
Like any destination wedding location there are a few things you should consider when planning your Down South wedding…
Despite what many people think, the weather around Gnarabup Beach is very different to Perth (which it largely gets compared to since Perth is the nearest big city). The Margaret River region is 3.5 hour’ drive south of Perth and more exposed to coastal weather conditions because it is so close to Cape Leeuwin where the Indian and Great Southern Oceans meet.
If you are considering an outdoor ceremony or reception, the most reliable months for warmer weather with very little rain are November through to March.
If you’re after a wild winter wedding, the south-west coast delivers some of the most spectacular storms that create a unique vibe for
any winter weather lover – combine that with an open fire, local wine and cheese, and the next thing you know... well that’s probably
for another blog, if you know what we mean :)
Images courtesy of Margaret River Tourism Association - hover over the image for the photographer credit.
The south-west is a hugely popular tourist destination and offers many exciting regional events that draw large crowds of visitors at certain times of the year. Long weekends also see folk flocking south so it’s worth avoiding these times, unless you enjoy the chaotic fun of busy roads, packed restaurants and crowded beaches!
Given you and your family and friends will likely be travelling a considerable distance for this occasion, why not make the most of it by having your wedding on a Thursday or Friday and making a long weekend of your celebrations? This not only gives you extra time to create a ‘festival’ wedding weekend during which you can enjoy much more of the south-west together but many vendors and venues will offer a discount for days of the week that are outside their peak times.
Whilst the south-west is a unique and special place with a host of amazing locations and venues for your special day, it is also home to an
amazing selection of wedding professionals who can add to your experience. Our local vendors offer great packages and pricing (no need to
factor in additional costs such as travel and accommodation) and they also know the venues and the region well so you get the benefit of
their local knowledge for things like ‘secret’ photo spots. Local vendors often know each other and have previously worked
together, adding to the seamless planning and delivery of your special day.
February. There you have it. Shhhhh. That’s our pick for the very best time of year to have your beach wedding Down South. February is fairly reliable in terms of the weather with warmer temperatures and lighter winds in the evenings (especially in our tucked-away piece of paradise at Gnarabup). Beaches, roads and restaurants in February aren’t as busy as many tourists have returned home for school and work following the January holidays, and there are no significant regional events or public holidays to consider.
