Adelaide’s Inner-City Wedding Venues
There's just something about inner city Adelaide that screams romance. I know what some of you may be thinking… ”What about Adelaide’s gorgeous countryside?” I get it. Many people choose the outskirts for their weddings because of the natural beauty.; however, the human-made decadence of the urban jungle can have a unique charm that you simply can't get outside of the city.
Take the blank canvas of an urban venue. A lot of wedding venues in the urban setting are simple and chic, boasting a minimalism that gives you the opportunity o get creative and plan the décor and aesthetic exactly to your liking. As a wedding photographer who has spent an inordinate amount of time comparing and contrasting Adelaide wedding reception venues, I also know how well urban settings photograph - they can be the perfect backdrop for your love story. These settings pair romance with modernity, making each picture unique.
Inner-city weddings are for couples who prioritise freedom of choice, crave creative expression and love the idea of exploring on the big day. When you choose a full-service venue, you won't be getting that same experience. Your choice of venue comes down to who you are and what you want from your big day. Explore all that urban weddings have to offer at these four best Adelaide wedding venues.
Ayers House
The Ayers House provides the best of both worlds. It's in the city but has some seriously opulent country estate vibes. The house boasts a unique style that combines vintage decadence and modern touches. Together, the two aesthetics blend together seamlessly. Everything is grand at the Ayers House, from their sparkling chandeliers to their sweeping driveway. It's like a little touch of class in the middle of the urban jungle.
If you want to have a little help planning, the Ayers House also provides wedding packages. You can choose from the following:
Wedding Ceremony
Wedding Seated Reception
Wedding Cocktail Reception
The great thing about these packages is that they're entirely flexible. They don't bog you down with details. They give you the freedom to pick and choose what you want in a way that will make your day totally unique to you.
The Freemason Building
The Freemason Building is a true testament to the beauty that humankind can create. The building itself was built in the early 1900s and has stood the test of time - much like your love! (The ‘test of time’ part, not the 1900s…unless you’ve had a reeeeeeally long engagement). When it was originally built, the building was designed to house meeting rooms, offices, and a Great Hall.
A Latin phrase adorns the front of the building (spoiler: the translation isn't all that romantic, “Hear, see, be silent, if you would live in peace.” Low bar for happily ever after, amirite?!) But it does provide a little touch of history that is a great addition to any wedding in the urban setting.
The Grand Foyer is a perfect setting for your wedding ceremony, with traditional columns and a two-tiered staircase. There is something about this archaic building that just screams (or whispers - remember their Latin motto) true love. The step into history makes this venue one of the best function centres in Adelaide.
Botanical Gardens
OK, so a lot of the city wedding venues Adelaide has to offer do not boast much natural flora…but this isn’t the case at the Botanical Gardens (I know - shocker, given the name). When you step foot into the gardens, prepare to be transported to an entirely different planet. The plant diversity alone is enough to put a sparkle in your eye. The constantly-changing seasonal plant displays are one of the greatest things about the garden and visitors’ experiences will change from one month to the next.
While the gardens are the main draw, the architecture is also something to marvel at. You get the best of both worlds at this venue, with beautiful greenery and impressive human-made pieces of functional art. It truly is one of the best garden wedding venues Adelaide has to offer.
Thanks to its mix of Mother Nature and human-made objects, Botanical Gardens wedding photography is pretty much a guaranteed hit for guests and couples alike. Choose the area of the garden that speaks to you the loudest, and prepare to immortalise it in memory as you fall in love all over again.
National Wine Centre
A list of the best cocktail wedding venues Adelaide has to offer wouldn't be complete without the National Wine Centre. The inner-city events centre has literally won awards for being so…well, awesome! This spacious building could be one of the best small wedding venues Adelaide has, if you’re looking to host an intimate wedding. However, being able to cater to as many as 500 guests, it's also considered one of Adelaide’s best large wedding venues.
While the centre is beautiful in its own right, there is one thing that makes it particularly desirable - it has a ton of natural light. And, as photographs love natural light like wedding guests love hearing, “The bar is open and the band is ready to play,” Adelaide couples who want stunning pictures throughout their ceremony should seriously consider National Wine Centre wedding photography.
As an outdoor venue, the Adelaide NWC really shines - so it’s best to book for a month when the weather is likely to be equally sunny to match. It's also worth mentioning that they have an award-winning in-house caterer (what else do you expect from a wine specialist?!) and is there anything more urban chic than fine dining in the middle of a wine centre? (I’m getting hungry and thirsty just typing this…)
If you want a city wedding in Adelaide, you’re spoiled for choice, as these four urban chic wedding venues are sure to knock your socks off. If you’d like help picking which one, just get in touch and we can start planning where we’ll celebrate your wedding!