Are you thinking of marrying in a park, but are a little unsure as to whether you need a permit? Do you need to book a park if it’s only a small wedding? Are you able to play music? Read this guide to help you navigate this potential ceremony option in Brisbane and the surrounds.
Is a park wedding right for you?
- How do you feel about on-lookers stopping to watch your wedding? Do you mind background noise such as children playing? When doing your research, you may want to consider visiting any potential locations on the same day of the week and at the time you’re getting married to see how busy it will be.
- If you are thinking of a park ceremony, it’s worth considering what your wet weather option may be, or choose a park which has an covered area you can hire, such as New Farm Park Rotunda or Dreverson Park, Manly. If you’re going for something more open-air, check to see whether your reception venue can be your ‘Plan B’, or look for local community halls or see if any local hotels have a space you can book for peace of mind.
- How many guests are you having? Similar to indoor venues, some parks designated areas only work comfortably for a maximum number of people.
Do you need a permit?
Do you need a permit to get married in a park? The short answer; sometimes. The long answer is:
- Some parks have designated ceremony areas. With these, you will need to apply for a permit to be assured that your space will be specifically for you at your chosen time, and have the ability to have your area styled. Some areas come with other facilities, such as access to power.
- You can marry in parks without a permit, but this will depend on whether you’re looking to hold your ceremony in a designated area, whether you need access to power, whether you are planning on having any structures set up, and, with some Councils, the number of guests.
- If you were having a small wedding in a park, and were not using a designated area, then mostly you will not require a permit. However, it’s always worth checking with the Council of that park if you’re unsure.
- Permits vary in cost from Council to Council, eg: Brisbane City Council fees start at $325.15, and Gold Coast Council start at $100.
Below are some of the guidelines of Parks in South East Queensland :
- National Parks guidelines are here
- Brisbane City Council guidelines here
- City of Ipswich guidelines here
- Sunshine Coast guidelines here
- Moreton Bay guidelines here
- City of Gold Coast guidelines here
- Logan City guidelines here
- Redland City guidelines here
- Scenic Rim Regional Council here
- Somerset Council guidelines here
- Lockyer Valley guidelines here
Anything else I need to know?
Consider the time of year you are planning on marrying. Obviously it gets very hot in South East Queensland, and you may want to consider some of my advice on how to keep a hot weather wedding cool.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
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