Tips on choosing your wedding venue

There are some stunning locations to hold your wedding in Tasmania. Launceston's Cataract Gorge is one of them. For others, it might be their family property in the Huon or Circular Head or the choice of an event venue for larger or more intimate occasions.

Tied into the decisions on location are the considerations about food.

On your wedding day, wherever you hold it, you want to enjoy the moment knowing that all aspects of your event are taken care of and that your guests will be delighted.

Companies such as Matson Catering have built a reputation for reliability and quality in Northern Tasmania over the past thirty years. Similarly, Weeding Hire, launched in 1987, is Tasmania's nationally award-winning event hire company. Both serve events right across Tasmania.

The Tramsheds Function Centre in Inveresk has delivered thousands of events over the years and is now operated by Matson Catering, with the culinary team also offering fine dining at The Gorge Restaurant.

Now, Matson Hospitality Group has brought together the knowledge and expertise of all these businesses to offer you a range of wedding choices with one common goal - "to bring your special day to life with experienced professionals, quality products and produce, and friendly Tasmanian hospitality."

When it comes to choices for planning your wedding, it can take time to figure out where to start. But choosing the location is a significant consideration…

Is there a particular location special to you?

At Home

A wedding at home can be as casual or extravagant as you wish. You will need to hire some items, and unless you're cooking your own sausage sizzle, you will likely choose a caterer. Be aware that things like setting up tables and chairs and setting the tables can be very time-consuming, so it's helpful to work out if your hire company, the caterers or your event stylist will be the ones bringing all those tasks together. Also, remember the pack-down plan and let your neighbours know you might be making noise a little later than usual!

Weeding Hire and Matson Catering are great places to start your planning, and they can let you know about other stylists or things to consider. Weeding Hire can supply your glassware or an extensive range of event items from chairs to linen to crockery, marquees and heaters for ten people up to thousands!

Event Venue

A function venue (or function centre) is a professional alternative where the venue coordinator you work with will have delivered many of these events in the venue that's familiar to them. In most cases, everything you need is already on-site. Of course, you may still hire a stylist to make the space unique for your individual taste.

The team at The Tramsheds can provide names of which stylists would best suit the vision you've described - if you choose to have an event stylist at all. 

It's also important to consider the wine list. If you choose to have an event at a vineyard, you need to like the wine, not just the location! And when it comes to food, venues may have limited menus, so it's vital to ensure that the food quality matches your tastes as much as the venue itself. At the Tramsheds they focus on Tasmanian wines and offer you the flexibility to choose your list. The Tramsheds have multiple spaces to choose from, seating up to 190 people at round tables.

Restaurant

Depending on the size of your guest list, you can book a restaurant if you prefer a warm, intimate reception that's free of complication and has that vibe of having a family gathering in your home, albeit with multiple dining tables. Most restaurants don't have private areas, so it's essential to consider if you will be making speeches; otherwise, it could be disruptive to other diners, who might not wish to shoosh up when the speeches are happening. Also, be aware that if you want to book out a popular restaurant that usually seats 100 people and you only have 50 guests, there will likely be a hefty premium on the event cost. 

The intimate and warm Gorge Restaurant is set amidst the greenery of the Cataract Gorge, not far from the Fairy Dell, where many wedding ceremonies occur. They welcome between 50 and 60 guests seated in the restaurant housed in the heritage building, originally opened in 1896 as a traditional tearoom.

It's always best to book a restaurant well in advance.

Marquee Weddings

With a marquee wedding, you can build your venue in a location unique to you - this is the ultimate option for choice.

With the beautiful state of Tasmania providing so many stunning locations and views, Weeding Hire can advise and supply a quality marquee structure in a clear or lined roof (or combination), as well as quality equipment, linen, crockery and event furniture in any corner of Tasmania that's special to you.

Another benefit is that you can run your wedding later than midnight if neighbours are a distance away, but it's usually best to have a 'less is more' approach and still wrap up at midnight. With a marquee wedding, you also have a wide choice of caterers and styling; if schedules allow, Weeding Hire can set the main structures up a day or two earlier.

Larger marquee structures should be tailored to the size of your guest list and what you would like to happen within that space. There's nothing worse than having an area that's either too crowded or feels empty and cold. Weeding Hire will visit on-site with you or your wedding planner to coordinate the functionality of your marquee and adjust the design for the specific site, ensuring access is safe and that your doorways match the access needed for your caterers and guests. A 3D drawing can help you visualise how everything flows and fits together.

Weeding Hire also offers the luxury of glass walls and doors on their German-made Hocker marquees and can provide a dance floor on grass or structured flooring for the entire structure. With so many things to plan, it pays to speak with event professionals who have done all this before, is certified and insured, and are genuinely interested in helping you create the wedding of your dreams.

The most important point is that the location sets the tone and style of your wedding and the boundaries of what you can or possibly can't do.

When you start thinking about your location or venue, whichever of the familiar faces you speak to in any of the Matson Hospitality Group businesses will help you make an informed choice so that your special day suits you just how you've dreamed of it.