A Planners Guide to Destination Weddings in Tasmania

The Ultimate Guide to Getting Married in Tasmania

For an insider’s perspective on the ins and outs of planning a wedding in Tasmania, we sat down and chatted with destination expert Lisa of Artaud & Co about tying the knot in the Tasmania.

Lisa got her start in the wedding business working as a planner in Victoria, but fell in love with a Tasmanian native she met whilst on a whirlwind holiday in Singapore. Although her mother and grandmother were both born in Tasmania, she never visited the state until she moved there with her love only one short year later. Now, she and her husband spend their days helping others bring their dream weddings to life on the beautiful island they call home, offering full-service destination planning, styling, and lighting for events of every size.

The couples that Lisa attracts are as in love with the wild beauty of Tasmania as she is, taking advantage of the amazing venues and gastronomy on offer across the state. Weddings take place on beaches, in forests, or on mountaintops, and the local food and spirits to be enjoyed at these celebrations is the fare that foodies dream of. Below, discover insider tips and local knowledge from Tasmanian local Lisa Artaud of Artaud & Co.

Photo: Lu and Lo

THE BEST KEPT SECRETS OF TASMANIA VENUE SEARCHING

Finding a venue that comes dry hire can be a great idea, for you to be able to design your wedding your way. This would include the ability to bring along your own curated beverages list with delicious local craft beers, cool climate wines, famous Tassie ciders, gin and whiskey. These venues can also allow outside catering- take your pick from casual food vans for the laid back festival wedding, or a higher end caterer that offers canapés and a more formal dining experience (of course using our famous Tasmanian produce).

Designing the timeline that you want for your day is also a great benefit of choosing a dry hire venue, be married in the early afternoon, enjoy your long portrait session and be back in time for the garden party, and reception to follow until late in the night.

Onsite accommodation is important to couples seeking the wilderness wedding or that very special location on the coast. Find a location that offers a lot of onsite accommodation and wake up with your guests the next day, extend the celebrations!

Avoid venues that run a lunch service, and only allow styling and setup after 4pm.

Select a venue that offers a number of options for your beverages, don’t be locked into a package that may not be value for money for the group attending.

Choosing a venue that allows the ceremony to be held onsite, is a trend that is here to stay. Bubbles on arrival pre-ceremony, a big tick! Beverages on offer immediately after the group photo, perfect. Moving guests around on a coach is a buzz killer, especially in the heat of the summer.

Photo: By The Wilde

THE BEST PHOTO LOCATIONS AROUND TASMANIA

Cradle Mountain — Epic Mountainous Views

Freycinet — Picturesque backgrounds with easy access

Mt Wellington — 360 degree panoramic views and close to Hobart city

Bruny Island — Rugged coastline and peaceful seclusion

Bay of Fires — Private beaches with unique rock formations

Best time for your wedding photos to be taken varies greatly season to season:

Summer — 6pm-8pm

Winter and mid to late Autumn — 3pm-5pm

Early Autumn — 5pm-7pm

Early Spring — 3pm-5pm

Late Spring — 4pm-6pm or 5pm-7pm

Photo: Heart and Colour Photography

Wedding Venue Questions You Should Be Asking

Couples can sometimes get caught out when working with venues as there are many different ways venues work for weddings. Below, we share our insight about choosing a venue & questions couples should be asking themselves or the venue ahead of signing them on for the wedding.

1. What is included in the venue hire fee?

2. What is the earliest time we can be married?

3. What is the finish time?

4. Do you offer BYO catering? If so, do you have a corkage fee for beverages?

5. What time is access for styling, and pack down?

6. Do you allow pets onsite?

7. Do you allow camping or glamping?

8. What coordination service do you offer for our wedding?

9. Are your menus flexible and do you cater for allergies?

10. What is the best time of year to be married at your venue?

11. Do you offer a winter discount? Or a midweek discount?

12. Do you have accommodation onsite, or close by for my guests?

13. Do you setup our ceremony and what is included in the ceremony rate?

14. Is there a backup plan implement should it rain? Is there a further charge for this?

15. Do you have disabled access?

16. Do you allow same sex weddings?

Photo: Lu and Lo

Ceremony Tips:
Civil or Symbolic?

Getting married in Australia is a relatively straightforward process, and currently about 80% of couples choose to get married in a civil ceremony, rather than a religious one. Central to that is engaging the services of a professional, personable and creative celebrant. A great celebrant will walk the couple through the legal process and requirements, while working closely with them to create and deliver a personal, authentic and unique ceremony that will be the highlight of the day, not just a legal box to tick!

Anyone can get married in Australia, not just Australian residents and citizens, as long as they: are over the age of 18, although special permission can be given by court order in exceptional circumstances are not already married to someone else, and able to provide evidence of the end of any previous marriages can show proof of identity, usually by providing a passport OR a drivers license and an original birth certificate can give at least one full month, and not more than 18 months notice of the marriage by completing and lodging a form called the "Notice of intended marriage" with an authorised celebrant say certain words during the ceremony, and have 2 witnesses present to hear them have the ceremony conducted by an authorised celebrant (civil or religious).

The ceremony itself should be considered the heart of the celebration. Whether it is an intimate elopement with just the couple and their witnesses, or if there are hundreds of guests and a huge party planned, the way the experience and skill of the chosen celebrant is integral to creating beautiful memories for the couple and their family and friends.

Legally, the celebrant must recite what is called the "Monitum" which is a brief statement taken directly from The Marriage Act (1961) which is the federal government act that deals with marriages in Australia. The Monitum is a statement that must be recited word for word (as it is written in the act), and cannot be changed in any way. It's purpose is to: identify the couple as the two people who are about to get married remind them that marriage is a legally binding agreement remind them of the definition of marriage under Australian law, which since our legislation change on marriage equality is "the union of two people, to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life".

As well as the celebrants statement, the couple must recite what are known as the "legal vows". Again, they are taken directly from the Marriage Act and cannot be substituted in any way. They are :

"I call upon the persons here present, to witness that I (full name) take you (full name, to be my lawful wedded wife/husband/partner"

Finally, the couple, their witnesses, and the celebrant, must all sign the marriage certificates.

In Australia, it is possible for couples to have what is known as a "Legals only" ceremony which is very brief and only includes the minimum legal wording. The majority of couples however, want the ceremony to reflect their relationship, values and the unique and personal connection they share. This is where a great celebrant can take a ceremony from a basic short ceremony that ticks the legal boxes, to creating a space to celebrate the couple's uniqueness, and allow the emotions to flow in all their beauty.

Acknowledging traditional owners and custodians of the land, introducing or even "roasting" the bridal party if there is one, making a huge fuss of parents and other special people present, honouring lost loved ones, telling the couples "story", exchanging rings, and saying "I do" can all be part of a great ceremony. A good celebrant will walk the couple through the possibilities, while also suggesting ways to make the ceremony totally POP! Things like having a shot of the couples favorite drink, making a unity sandwich, ring warmings, personalised vows and guest led surprises can bring so much to a ceremony, and ensure that the couple and their guests are not just listening, but LOVING and totally appreciating the importance of the promises being made.

A great ceremony is not just about the couple getting legally married and ticking a few legal boxes, it is about reflecting their personalities authentically, while simultaneously setting the tone for the rest of the celebration... Whether that be a quiet dinner for two somewhere amazing, or a huge love party with all and sundry.

For more information regarding the legal requirements when getting married in Australia, visit https://www.ag.gov.au/families-and-marriage/marriage/get-married

Photo: Lu And Lo

Navigating around Tasmania Tips

Plan your trip with enough time, you will not get around the whole of Tasmania in a week. We recommend three or four weeks to completely immerse yourself on this beautiful Island.

Choose locations that are of interest to you and that are close together if you have less than 5 days.

For example:

The North West Coast and Cradle Mountain/Strachan.

Hobart, Bruny Island and the south of Tasmania.

The East- Binalong Bay, Frecycinet and Hobart.

Launceston and the North West Coast/Tamar Valley.

Must do’s:

- Visit Mona, it is a must see, do everything you can whilst inside! Spend a whole day there, even two, and catch their unique ferries from the Hobart Waterfront.

- Catch the ferry to Bruny Island, another must see- for the foodies and nature lovers.

- Stay at Piermont, Pumphouse Point, The Keep, The Ocean Retreat, Thalia Haven, Satellite Island or Cloudy Bay Beach House for your honeymoon.

- Stay at Freycinet for at least 3 days. Hike, Kayak, or enjoy the Wineglass Bay Cruise.

- Book the Gordon River Cruise and Wilderness railway on the West Coast.

- Hike the Three Capes walk, especially walk out to Cape Huay.

- Visit the Salamanca Market- the biggest market in the country.

- Visit Tablecape Tulip Farm when in bloom- late September until late October.

- Visit the top of Mount Wellington at sunrise or sunset.

- Hike to Dove Lake at Cradle Mountain.

- Visit Clover Hill cellar door in Lebrina. (Tasmanian sparkling wine on a French champagne level)

- Visit Mt Roland in Sheffield.

- Visit Pyengana dairy whilst you head to the Bay of Fires (and make your way down to Bicheno on the great eastern drive).

- Dine at Fico Restaurant.

- Peer down at the Gordon River Dam.

- Visit Pooley wines, award winning wines- especially their Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling

How to Get to Tasmania:

Flights are available from any major city. 1 hour from Melbourne into Hobart.

The Spirit of Tasmania from Geelong, 1 hour from Melbourne, this arrives into Devonport which is 1 hour from Launceston and 3 hours from Hobart.

Car hire is essential, there is no public railway on offer and buses are limited.

Photo: Heart and Colour Photography

The Highlights of every Season when planning your Tasmania Wedding

The best time of year to be married in Tasmania is November until March, but Winter weddings are becoming more popular. Tasmania’s winter is alive, due to our annual Dark Mofo festival.

- Avoid September and October, it can be windy and quite cold in the evenings, but is the great season for wedding flowers (as is November).

- July and August are great for the best chance of snow on your wedding day.

- June is great to take part in Dark Mofo activities for the non-traditional couple.

- Autumn (March, April and May) is the steadiest weather wise, and the gorgeous autumnal colours are in abundance.

- Summer (Dec, Jan, Feb) is our busy tourist season, but beautiful and bustling. The vineyards are lush and green. Temperatures can reach between 25-30 degrees in January which may not be pleasant when wearing suits, lace & makeup. Outdoor weddings in the sun in Tasmanian can be stifling, so think this through when choosing your venue, look for some shade if planning a summer wedding. Balmy nights are lovely, but the nights can still chill down in Tasmania after the sun goes down.

- December 27th-January 3rd Weddings, great for the holiday season for your guests but it is on the higher end for flights and accommodation and it is in high demand. The annual Taste Festival that begins on the 28th December is an event not to be missed, as well as the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, the Hobart waterfront is certainly the place to be over this time.

Photo: The White Tree