Port Stephens Wedding Venues, A Guide for Brides
Wedding Diaries Editor’s Choice, four years running
2023
2024
2025
2026
The short answer
My nine favourite Port Stephens wedding venues run from the waterfront resorts at Nelson Bay and Shoal Bay through to Wonganella Estate Winery inland. Bellus travels to all of them on the wedding morning, and a Port Stephens wedding is worth planning the hair around: salt air and humidity change what will hold through the day.
Intro
Port Stephens is one of my favourite places to work. The water, the light, the dolphins, there’s an energy here that makes every wedding feel special.
Port Stephens is one of my favourite places to work. The water, the light, the dolphins, there’s an energy here that makes every wedding feel special. I’ve been travelling to Port Stephens for weddings for years and I’ve worked at most of the major venues in the region. Here are my nine favourites, with thoughts from someone who’s actually spent time getting brides ready in these spaces.
My 9 Favourite Port Stephens Wedding Venues
1. The Retreat Port Stephens
Set in Anna Bay surrounded by natural bushland and backing onto sand dunes, The Retreat is one of those venues that feels completely unique. You can hold your ceremony and reception in the one location, and the package includes two nights’ accommodation with exclusive use of the property. The bush-meets-beach setting suits brides who want something genuinely different from the typical ballroom experience.
2. The Anchorage Port Stephens
One of the most beautiful venues in the region, a premier waterfront property with the kind of coastal luxury that feels effortless. The getting-ready spaces are generously lit and the marina views are extraordinary. I love working at The Anchorage because everything here is done beautifully, and that quality carries into the whole morning experience.
3. Stanley Park
Located in Fullerton Cove, is one of the most popular wedding venues in Port Stephens, and once you see it, you understand why. It’s a beautiful historic property with a range of packages to suit different budgets and party sizes. There’s a warmth and authenticity to this venue that I really appreciate.
4. Saltwater Restaurant, Fingal Bay
Situated at the Fingal Bay Surf Life Saving Club, Saltwater offers stunning ocean views and a relaxed, coastal atmosphere with a focus on fresh, locally sourced food. It’s perfect for couples who want a beautiful view, great food and a laid-back vibe that still feels elegant.
5. The Greenhouse Eatery, Medowie
For couples looking for something rustic, intimate and genuinely personal, The Greenhouse Eatery in Medowie is a wonderful choice. The atmosphere is relaxed and unique, the food is exceptional, and the whole experience feels completely unhurried. This is a venue for brides who know exactly what they want and it’s something a little different.
6. Nelson Bay Golf Club
Spectacular views over the golf course and out to the headlands, these are some of the best wedding photographs I’ve ever seen come out of a single location. The Golf Club accommodates ceremony, photoshoot and reception of up to 140 seated guests all in one place. The view alone makes it worth serious consideration.
7. Mumms on the Myall, Tea Gardens
A little further afield in Tea Gardens, Mumms on the Myall is known for its award-winning cuisine, fresh seafood and beautiful river views. Whether you’re planning something intimate or a larger celebration, the team here are experienced and the setting is genuinely lovely. A great option if you want to take your guests somewhere they haven’t been before.
8. Valhalla Restaurant and Bar, Bobs Farm
Unique, intimate and with a real sense of personality, Valhalla at Bobs Farm is a boutique venue with an experienced team that genuinely cares about making your day exactly right. For couples who want something that doesn’t feel like every other wedding venue, Valhalla is worth a look.
9. Wonganella Estate Winery
Vineyard views, a romantic atmosphere and that beautiful relaxed-but-special feeling that the best winery venues always create. Wonganella is perfect for couples who want the vineyard wedding experience within the Port Stephens region, intimate, beautiful and genuinely memorable.
I provide mobile bridal hair and makeup across Port Stephens, coming directly to your venue, accommodation or getting-ready location. If your wedding is at any of the venues above (or anywhere else in the region), I’d love to be part of your morning. Send me a message with your date and I’ll get back to you within 48 hours.
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Port Stephens Weddings, Questions Brides Ask
Will my hair hold at a Port Stephens beach wedding?
It will if it is built for the conditions. Salt air, humidity and wind are all working against a soft down style, so we either build in more structure or choose an updo. That decision is made at the trial once I know your venue, not on the morning.
Do you travel to Nelson Bay and Shoal Bay?
Yes, along with Anna Bay and Fingal Bay. Port Stephens sits outside the no-travel-fee zone, so there is a fee of between $150 and $200 depending on the distance, quoted before you book.
How early do Port Stephens venues book out?
Waterfront venues in peak season, October through April, are commonly booked twelve to eighteen months ahead, and my own calendar follows the same curve. Lock in the venue, then lock in the artist.

