Whether you’re a loved-up local couple or an out of towner planning on hosting a hitching on the Coast, you’ll find everything you need to plan the wedding of your dreams right here. Check out local celebrant Bec Page’s top tips for getting married on the Central Coast.
Weddings Tips for the Central Coast
Winter on the Coast brings us chilly mornings with vivid multicoloured sunrises, frosty air kissing your cheeks and the splendour of whale watching along our pristine coastline. For those lucky in love, it also spells the perfect time of year for wedding planning, before the spring nuptials season hits us faster than you can say, ‘I do’.
As a Marriage Celebrant based on the Central Coast, I could not sing the praises of our local vendors, venues and swag of phenomenal wedding professionals enough. It’s no wonder the Central Coast is a hotspot wedding destination with our stunning landscapes, delightful venues and laid-back local industry pros. Here’s my top seven tips for couples getting hitched on the Coast who want to keep the love local:
1. Consider scaling it down
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Fellow local celebrant Tara Merillo has just launched City Hall Registry at Gosford, offering super fun (think Viva Gos Vegas vibes), stress-free and affordable weddings.
“Couples today are looking for ways to celebrate their love in their own way, without the pressure and costs of traditional wedding norms,” Tara said.
City Hall, which was once a purpose-built funeral parlour, provides the perfect instagram-worthy backdrop including a grand central arch, lead glazed windows and a trio of romantic balconettes. Party on down the road at Lyon’s Den at it’s new spunky location coming this summer of ’24/25 and you’ve got yourself a red hot party right there in the Gosford CBD.
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2. Ramp it up resort-style
Hit the seaside at Pullman Magenta Shores, admire Terrigal from the heights of the Crowne Plaza, hit a hole in one at Mercure Kooindah Waters, lavish in some lakeside lovin’ at the Beachcomber Hotel or cosy up at the Olive Grove at Forresters Beach. The best part of all of these local venues is that they’ve got everything you need onsite, from ceremony and reception spaces, full catering and bars, and staff to help you pull it together, plus accommodation for all of your guests, so no one’s got an excuse not to hit the d-floor all night long. PS: if you’re after a downsized version, check out the Olive Grove’s amazing new micro wedding package, with yours truly thrown in!
3. Hit the hinterland
Central Coast weddings don’t have to include sun, sand and surf. Did you know that at Glenworth Valley, you and your guests can experience the raw energy of the galloping of 200 horses as you declare your love? Or that there’s a repurposed rustic barn to say your ‘I do’s’ in at the Stables of Somersby? How about some boot ‘scootingly good rustic country wedding vibes at Yarramalong farmstay, or 50 acres of bush property to set the backdrop for your ceremony at Somersby Gardens Estate? The wild wilderness is calling!
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4. Look the part
Gone are the days of heading down the M1 to find quality, on-trend wedding gowns. Muse Bridal has just opened at Erina, where some seriously stylish, elegant, on-trend and surprisingly reasonably priced wedding dresses are available. We’ve got an incredible array of talented hair and make-up artists on the Coast too, like hair stylist Alecia Pace and make-up artist Candice Lord, who are both Australian Wedding Industry Award winning superstars.
5. Scoop up a sweet delight
It’s cute, it’s mouth wateringly delicious, it’s award-winning, it’s a winner for all guests and it’s local. Mr Goaty Gelato serves their premium, hand churned, all-natural gelato at weddings from either their vintage truck or classic gelato bikes (if you haven’t seen them on insta yet then you ain’t searching the right hashtags). I love them for a post-ceremony treat before the reception or as a late night treat or dessert.
6. Smash the cake
It’s no secret Coasties drool over the incredible cupcakes from Cakes by Kyla, but did you know she also nails a wedding cake, tiered to perfection? Or Berkeley Vale’s She Takes the Cake, whose fun celebration cakes and divine contemporary wedding designs will blow your guests, and their taste buds away.
7. Ask for advice!
The list of incredibly talented local vendors goes on, from florists and stylists to coordinators, photographers and videographers to gift providers and stationery wizards. My advice to you is to ask for advice. Start with a season in mind then lock in your venue, celebrant, and photographer, as they’re likely to book out at least 12-18 months in advance. They’ll also be happy to help point you in the direction of the next steps. Our thriving wedding industry is a lovely bunch of small businesses here on the Central Coast who will delight in going out of their way to recommend other local vendors to you, to keep the #shoplocal #supportlocal movement as strong and thriving as your wedding day romance!
About: Bec Page, AKA The Love Page, is an authorised marriage celebrant based on the Central Coast who delivers authentic, down-to-earth and fun ceremonies. To find out more, visit: www.thelovepage.com.au
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Congratulation!