By Florent Vidal Photography

The legalisation of same sex marriage has caused a great deal of celebration for people from all walks of life! It’s heart warming to know that we are now all equal in the name of love! And I am asking, “what took us so long?!

Over the past years, I have had the opportunity to work with fantastic venues all over Australia, and I’m often asked to recommend one. These days I’m now asked if I can recommend Gay-Friendly venues as well and, recently, there’s been specific demand for gay friendly wedding venues in the Hunter region. Here are some of my favourites.

Like many service providers in the wedding industry, including myself, the venues are very welcoming and excited to be part of same sex wedding celebrations. We all agree that we’d love to see more of Mr & Mr, and Mrs & Mrs.

Calvin Estate

Dreaming of owning an estate amongst the vineyards? For your wedding day, this is possible when you book with Calvin Estate.

Only 15 minutes away from Hunter Valley’s famous wineries, not many venues in this region, or any where else for that matter, that boasts 24 acres of grand property. But what really sets it apart is that couples and their guests have absolute privacy and can enjoy its entire grandeur all to themselves. This means the couples have the flexibility to design their wedding as they imagine it: from the intimate to the extravagant.

Couples can have the entire wedding all on the grounds from the ceremony through to the reception. The wedding reception usually takes place at the Calvin Barrel Hall. Aptly named, barrels line the walls of the hall that not so long ago were used to store wines. Couples who are after an outdoor reception can have their celebration at the garden courtyard with a retractable roof, which is an elegant alternative to a marquee.

Cypress Lakes Resort

This venue caters from small intimate weddings to the grand reception of up to 1,000 guests! The grounds of Cypress Lakes Resort is perfect for couple portrait shoot, as there are plenty of naturally beautiful locations from vineyards to bushland to create very interesting photographs. Kangaroos may even join you for your couple shoot!

You and your guests can feast on a bespoke menu designed by the Resort’s executive chef with matching wines from the region.

It’s also very convenient to have the accommodation at the same place as your wedding. The hotel rooms are spacious and bright allowing plenty of natural light, which is a huge plus for bridal and groom preparation photos.

Peterson House

If you love Sparkling then you can’t go past Peterson House!

Restaurant Cuvee’ is an elegant wedding venue in an architecturally designed sandstone building. This picturesque estate provides couples with a stylish backdrop for ceremony and reception.

Peterson House’s surroundings transform beautifully as the season’s change, so you can plan your wedding any time of the year. From the romantic garden setting in winter to the Cherry Blossoms in spring and through to the flourishing vineyards in summer; you can choose a location that suits your dream wedding. Guests also enjoy Peterson’s House famous bubbly, while the wedding party have their photographs taken on the vineyard’s grounds.

Little Beach Boathouse, Nelson Bay

The venue’s fabulous views (especially at sunset!), and a location right on the water are only the beginning to the Little Beach Boathouse experience. Locals and visitors to Port Stephens flock to this amazing restaurant for its fresh modern Australian cuisine using local produce. Its relaxed beachside atmosphere is made even more special by the staff’s professional service.

When you combine beautiful food, top service, great wine and craft beer it’s easy to see why Little Beach Boathouse has become the wedding venue of choice in Port Stephens. Couples are quickly discovering this hidden gem and many have already chosen it for their wedding venue. It’s the perfect venue for a Coastal Cocktail or a Beachside Elegance wedding themes. Along with having an experienced wedding coordinator at hand with years of experience up her sleeve gives couples comfort that they will be guided through the process with no stone left unturned.

Murray’s Brewery

Locals love Murray’s brewery for their beers and a selection of flavoursome food!

A wedding amongst the vines while being so close to the beautiful waters of Port Stephens is one of the perks that couples can enjoy when they exchange their vows at Murray’s. Couples and their guests will have a complete privacy in their lush 35 acre property while enjoying Murray’s well known craft beers and boutique selection of wines, as well as a menu utilising the region’s best produce.

Murray’s offers relaxed weddings amongst the grape and hop vines, and is perfect for couples who are after a beautiful outdoor ceremony in the vineyards. To ensure that your wedding day is just as you imagine it, you will have a complimentary wedding coordinator to guide you with the wedding planning and the little details.

Murray’s is happy to cater to all wedding budgets.