So you’re planning a wedding and trying to keep the costs down? Fair dinkum is the biggest expense in any Australian wedding is the venue itself. But here’s the thing, knowing what are the cheapest types of wedding venues can transform your budget and free up cash for other parts of your big day. This guide covers the most affordable wedding venues options that won’t leave your wallet completely empty. Some of these suggestions might surprise you with how brilliant they can be.
Why Venue Costs Matter So Much
Before discussing what are the cheapest types of wedding venues, let’s understand why this matters. Your venue consumes about 30-40% of your total wedding budget, making it your biggest financial decision. If you’re working with a modest budget of $20,000 to $30,000, choosing the right cheap wedding venues could mean the difference between an intimate celebration you love and a stressed-out situation where you’re constantly worried about money.
The beauty of the cheapest types of wedding venues is that it doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or creating a shabby celebration. It means being clever about where you spend your dollars and what are the cheapest types of wedding venues that deliver a fantastic experience for you and your guests.
Community Halls: The Underrated Bargain
Let’s start with the absolute cheapest types of wedding venues that most Aussies overlook is community halls. These local facilities are available in suburbs and towns across the country, and they’re brilliant value for money.
Community halls cost anywhere from $200 to $800 to hire for the entire day, which is absolutely peanuts compared to dedicated wedding venues. What’s even better? Most community halls come equipped with tables, chairs, and basic kitchen facilities. Some have dance floors and sound systems already built in.
The main catch with these cheapest types of wedding venues is that they’re basic, they won’t have fancy décor or ambience built in. But here’s where your creativity comes in. A community hall transformed with quality lighting, flowers, and decorations can look absolutely stunning. You’re paying for a blank canvas that you can make your own.
Many couples who’ve used community halls report that their guests loved the intimate, relaxed vibe. There’s no pretence but only genuine celebration. Plus, because you’re hiring the space cheaply, you’ve got budget left over to splash out on good food and drinks, which is what people remember anyway.
Local Parks and Council Reserves: Nature’s Wedding Venues
If you’re after what are the cheapest types of wedding venues, look no further than your local parks and council reserves. Most Australian councils manage beautiful outdoor spaces that are available for public hire at remarkably low rates.
These outdoor wedding venues might cost you anywhere from $100 to $500 for the day, depending on your location and the specific reserve. What you’re getting is genuine natural beauty, trees, gardens, water features that costs you nothing to include in your celebration.
The trade-off is that you’re hiring a public space, so you’ll need to bring in everything else: marquees, tables, chairs, catering facilities, toilets (if they’re not available on-site), and lighting. Even with these additions, you’ll likely spend less than hiring a dedicated wedding venue.
Timing matters with these outdoor wedding venues. Book in shoulder seasons in October or March or winter months for better availability and lower rates. Summer bookings are more competitive, but you’ll still find bargains compared to traditional wedding venues.
RSA Clubs and Bowling Clubs: The Secret Weapons
Here’s the best-kept secret about what are the cheapest types of wedding venues, your local RSA club or bowling club. These community organisations have fantastic spaces available for hire at absolute bargain prices, and they’re underutilised for weddings.
RSA clubs and similar venues charge $400 to $1,200 to hire their facilities, and get this, most include tables, chairs, a full bar, and kitchen access. Many have experienced staff who have hosted hundreds of events. You’re getting professional service at a fraction of what you’d pay at dedicated wedding venues.
The vibe in these clubs is relaxed and community-focused, which suits heaps of couples. Your guests will appreciate the no-fuss atmosphere, and the staff are brilliant at helping things run smoothly. There’s something lovely about supporting local community organisations.
If you’ve got mates or family members who are club members, you might get additional discounts on these already-cheap wedding venues.
Restaurants and Cafes During Off-Hours: Hidden Bargains
What are the cheapest types of wedding venues that come with professional service and great food? Restaurants and cafes, smaller independent ones, have private dining areas available for hire at surprisingly reasonable rates.
Many restaurants will waive venue hire fees entirely (or charge a minimal amount like $200-$500) if you commit to a minimum spend on food and drinks. This is a brilliant value because you were going to feed your guests anyway.
Smaller, neighbourhood restaurants are cheaper than upmarket establishments, and the experience is genuine. Your guests get quality food prepared by people who care about their craft, without paying for fancy ballroom infrastructure you don’t need.
Look for restaurants that have flexibility with timing. Some will do breakfast or lunch weddings at reduced rates compared to evening events. These cheapest types of wedding venues are ideal if you’re planning a morning ceremony followed by brunch, you’ll save a fortune compared to dinner events.
Pub Function Rooms: The Underdog Option
Pubs across Australia have function rooms that are the cheapest types of wedding venues available. Most waive venue hire fees and charge only for food and beverage, which means you’re getting free space.
Pub wedding venues are casual, unpretentious, and honestly, they’re perfect if that’s your vibe. Your guests can grab a pint, there’s a good atmosphere, and the staff are experienced at handling events. You get professional service without any of the stuffiness.
The key with these cheapest wedding venues is managing expectations. A pub function room won’t have elegant ambience, but it can be warm, welcoming, and fun. If you and your mates enjoy a good pub atmosphere, why not celebrate there?
Backyards and Private Gardens: The Free or Nearly-Free Option
Here’s the cheapest types of wedding venues, your own backyard, a family member’s garden, or a mate’s property. The venue cost? Essentially free, or only a modest thank-you payment.
Backyard weddings have become increasingly popular, and for good reason. You eliminate venue hire costs entirely, giving you maximum budget flexibility for everything else. You’ve also got complete control over the space and timing.
The catch is that you’ll need to arrange everything else, marquees, catering, toilets, parking, lighting, and weather contingencies. But even factoring in these additions, you’re still ahead of what you’d spend at traditional wedding venues.
These cheapest types of wedding venues work brilliantly for intimate celebrations of 20 to 60 guests. As numbers grow, logistics become trickier. But if you’re planning something cosy, a backyard wedding could be perfect and genuinely the most cost-effective option.
Churches and Religious Buildings: Spiritual and Affordable
If you’ve got religious connections, many churches and religious buildings hire out their facilities at very reasonable rates, sometimes as little as $200 to $400. These beautiful spaces require minimal decoration and provide instant elegance.
What are the cheapest types of wedding venues that come with inherent gravitas and beauty? Religious buildings, absolutely. You get the ceremony space free or very cheap, and then you only need to hire somewhere for the reception.
Many couples use what are the cheapest types of wedding venues by booking a church ceremony ($300), then moving to a community hall or pub function room for the reception. This two-venue approach is cheaper than hiring one fancy wedding venue for the whole day.
University and School Facilities: Affordable and Professional
Universities and schools hire out their facilities during holidays or weekends for events. These are among the cheapest types of wedding venues in off-peak times.
What makes these wedding venues attractive is that they’re designed for hosting events. You get professional spaces with good facilities, catering kitchens, nice function rooms, grounds for photos, at a fraction of what dedicated wedding venues charge.
University clubs and alumni associations offer even better rates for members. If you’ve got a connection to any educational institution, it’s worth exploring what facilities they might offer.
Warehouses and Industrial Spaces: Budget-Friendly Raw Canvas
Industrial spaces, warehouses, and converted factories represent what are the cheapest types of wedding venues in the current trends. Raw warehouse spaces rent for $1,500 to $3,000 less than ballrooms or dedicated wedding venues.
What you’re getting is a blank canvas requiring substantial styling and decoration, but you’re getting it at bargain prices. If you’re handy with DIY décor or have creative mates willing to help, these cheapest types of wedding venues can look stunning for minimal outlay.
These spaces suit couples who’ve got a clear aesthetic vision and are willing to put in effort to achieve it. The savings are real, and you end up with a unique celebration that reflects your personality.
Farmstays and Rural Properties: Countryside Bargains
Rural farmstays and agricultural properties are the cheapest types of wedding venues, for day-use arrangements. Many charge $500 to $1,500 for all-day hire, and you get genuine natural beauty included.
What are the cheapest types of wedding venues for outdoor enthusiasts? farmstays and rural properties. You’ll need to bring marquees and facilities, but the scenery costs you nothing, and rural landowners are happy to let you use their property at reasonable rates.
These cheapest wedding venues work brilliantly for couples who love the outdoors and want that rustic, country celebration vibe. Your photos will be absolutely stunning with genuine rural backdrops.
Beaches and Coastal Areas: Free or Nearly-Free Celebrations
Many Australian beaches have pavilions and picnic areas available for hire at minimal cost – sometimes as little as $50 to $200. These are definitely what are the cheapest types of wedding venues you’ll find anywhere.
Coastal reserves and beach pavilions give you stunning ocean backdrops without any venue cost. You’ll need to arrange catering BBQ makes sense at beaches and weather contingencies, but the core venue is incredibly affordable.
Beach weddings appeal to heaps of Aussies, and there’s something brilliant about celebrating with the ocean as your backdrop. Check your local council for specific pavilions and booking requirements.
Comparing What Are the Cheapest Types of Wedding Venues
Let’s break down the approximate costs you’re looking at with what are the cheapest types of wedding venues:
Completely Free or Negligible Costs: Backyard/private garden, beaches (some), public parks (some)
Budget-Friendly ($200-$600): Community halls, council reserves, churches, some beaches
Moderate Budget ($600-$1,500): RSA clubs, pubs, restaurants, schools, farmstays
Still Affordable ($1,500-$3,000): Warehouses, boutique rural properties, off-peak hotel spaces
The cheapest types of wedding venues obviously come with the most DIY requirements, but that’s also part of their charm. You’re not paying for infrastructure you don’t want, you’re creating what you do want.
Making the Most of What Are the Cheapest Types of Wedding Venues
Choosing among what are the cheapest types of wedding venues isn’t about settling for less, it’s about being strategic. The money you save goes directly towards what matters most: quality catering, good music, beautiful photography, or whatever your priorities are.
When evaluating what are the cheapest types of wedding venues, consider the total cost-of-ownership. A slightly pricier venue that includes tables, chairs, and basic amenities might be cheaper overall than a free space requiring you to hire everything separately.
Conclusion
What are the cheapest types of wedding venues? They’re all around you, community halls, parks, RSA clubs, pubs, farmstays, beaches, and private properties. The cheapest types of wedding venues aren’t second-rate options; they’re different choices that allow you to allocate your budget where it matters most to you and your partner.
By choosing from what are the cheapest types of wedding venues, you’re not compromising your big day, you’re being savvy and strategic. You’re creating a celebration that’s authentic, personal, and genuinely memorable without the astronomical price tag that comes with fancy dedicated wedding venues.
Get out there, explore what are the cheapest types of wedding venues in your area, and find the option that feels right for your special day. Your guests will remember the celebration, the people, and the genuine joy, not how much you spent on the venue. Some of the best weddings happen in the simplest spaces with the biggest hearts behind them.
