Congratulations on securing the ring! I can sense your excitement as you scour bridal magazines, peruse countless wedding directories, and delve deep into the depths of Instagram to unearth some truly spectacular venues for your special day.
However, it's time to narrow down your list of 10 potentials to a mere 3 contenders, so that you and your Lover can embark on site visits and make the perfect choice.
Choosing your venue is usually the very first step in starting your wedding planning journey, and can often be the most important decision. There’s a lot of factors that come into play when choosing your ideal location so buckle up Lovers you’re in for an absolute treat! 
Our Head of Brand Partnerships and Wedding Stylist, Amelia shares her journey in planning her own wedding and provides her top tips on how she narrowed down her wedding venue list to secure the amazing Mona Farm.
Establish your Vibe
Choosing the right venue is absolutely critical in setting the tone and enhancing the style and vibe of your wedding. It lays the foundation for the rest of your planning journey, ensuring that every element is in perfect alignment of your style.
If your heart is set on a complete DIY-style wedding, then a blank canvas venue will provide you with the perfect opportunity to inject your unique vision and style. Conversely, if you're yearning for a wedding that transports your guests to the sun-kissed vineyards of Tuscany, you should focus your search on Wine Region locations with exquisite European design and architecture.
Australia boasts a plethora of breathtaking wedding venues, each one capable of bringing your vision to life. Remember, your venue is not merely a location but a canvas upon which you can paint your most cherished memories, so be sure to keep this in mind when choosing your venue.
From the outset, I knew that my wedding had to be a celebration of love and a true reflection of our unique style. Our ultimate goal was to create an ambiance that exuded both relaxation and sophistication, with a nod to the peaceful charm of the provincial countryside. This vision was born from a trip we took overseas, where we both fell in love with the enchanting lifestyle and laid-back vibe of the Southern France region.
Still trying to figure out your wedding style? We've created a quick and fun quiz for you to find out!
We knew that we wanted to infuse our wedding with the beauty of nature, while adding our own personal touch. Our search led us to the breathtaking Mona Farm in Braidwood NSW, where we discovered a perfect blend of contemporary and historical design. The setting exuded unparalleled romance and a touch of European charm. Not to mention, the golf putting range on the grounds immediately won over my partner's heart.
The convergence of historic houses, cobblestone bridge, award-winning gardens, insane sculptures and sweeping lawns, alongside a purpose-built reception venue, created the ideal backdrop for a dreamy wedding that exuded timeless elegance and sophistication.
We wanted to optimise the magic of Mona Farm and the garden charm. The grounds are so dainty and quirky that I wanted to play with the existing design and beauty of the buildings and gardens. Mona Farm is the “Disneyland” of wedding venues, and you feel this as soon as you arrive, for my partner and I this was most important to us that our guests felt the magic of Mona Farm just as we did when driving through the gates for the first time.
Leverage your venue and incorporate it into your styling components.
I personally love this tip the most, not only because it encouraged me to view my venue through a different lens, but also because it saved us a significant amount of money when it came to styling and staging our wedding.
During our site visit to Mona Farm, I scoured the grounds for areas that would complement and enhance our unique style, rather than detract from it. This involved searching for alternative ceremony locations that would capture the essence of our vision, identifying the perfect spots for intimate couple portraits, and considering unique backdrops for our 'getting ready' photos.
This meticulous planning not only brought our creative vision to life but also helped to establish a seamless run sheet for our photographer and videographer on the day - an invaluable benefit that ensured every moment of our special day was captured to perfection.
We opted for no floral arbour as we wanted the cobbled stone gate of the Crab Apple Tree Lawn to feature as the backdrop, accompanied with abundant aisle florals in white and toffee coloured flowers paired with scalloped garden umbrellas that framed the area and really suited the garden charm that we were aiming for.
Our goal was to create an intimate ceremony, where our guests could have a moment to take in the beautiful surroundings and feel they were transported to a fairytale garden. Not to mention the butterflies surrounding us as we said our vows and the birds chirping that were perfectly timed on cue.
Some of our top tips when incorporating your venue into your wedding styling:
- Choosing an alternative ceremony spot like an ascending staircase or a grand arched doorway.
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Leveraging the greenery that your venue already has to offer.
- Using clear plinths and ghost chairs so that the transparent nature allows the focus to remain on the venue.
- If you’re lucky enough to have a breathtaking view, then flaunt it! Whether it’s a majestic mountain range, a sparkling ocean vista, or a picturesque countryside you really can’t beat a spectacular view!
- The grandeur and elegance of utilising the architecture of a venue can provide a stunning backdrop that adds depth and character to your celebration.
On the day Assistance and Coordination
This one was a biggie for me. Being a wedding planner and stylist myself, you can imagine that my mind was buzzing with countless details on the day before and the day of my wedding. This is a component I encourage all couples to explore when choosing their wedding venue and can often be overlooked.
The events team at Mona Farm was simply incredible. They ensured that every specific detail was covered, giving me the much-needed peace of mind. When selecting a wedding venue, it's essential to enquire about items like AV and sound systems, a designated contact person for vendors, and an overall understanding of who's in charge of managing the day's proceedings.
Julien & the events team, Romy, and Sarah from Mona Farm went above and beyond to cater to our needs. They even managed to bring my suitcase to me on the morning of my wedding when I realised that I had forgotten my underwear an hour before walking down the aisle.
To ensure your wedding day runs as smoothly as possible, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of what services your Venue Coordinator will provide on the day. If there are any lingering questions or you're feeling uneasy, consider hiring an On the Day Coordinator to alleviate any concerns and provide peace of mind. Trust me you’ll thank me later!
Working as a Wedding Planner & Stylist, I am often asked about my favourite wedding venues and if I had the chance to choose again, where would I go? While I love discovering new and exciting locations that push the boundaries of traditional wedding venues, there is one venue that I would choose over and over again - Mona Farm.
The sheer beauty of Mona Farm is impossible to capture in pictures, and it is a place that must be experienced to be fully appreciated. If I had it my way, I’d relive the wedding in a weeklong festival each day, a celebration in a different location with a different vibe and styling aesthetic all on the grounds of Mona Farm… I can hear the cries of my husband already! So is a 1 year vowel renewal celebration a thing…?!
For more insightful tips and assistance in selecting your dream wedding venue be sure to get in touch with our Two Lovers Stylists who can provide you with a FREE 15 minute call to help you kick-start your wedding planning journey!