Beach ceremonies
Vows on the sand, with a reception across the road.
Zenith BeachWhitesands, Shoal Bay Country ClubPacific Palms Surf Life Saving ClubSaltwater Restaurant at Fingal BayThe Retreat Port Stephens
Area guide · Port Stephens & the Barrington Coast
Port Stephens weddings, the complete guide
Venues · Seasons · Light · Getting there · Real weddings
Check your wedding date200+ five-star reviews12+ years' experience
Port Stephens is all about the water: calm bays, white beaches, dolphins and dunes, an hour from Newcastle. We shoot weddings from Shoal Bay and Nelson Bay up the coast to Pacific Palms and Forster. Here is where the venues are, which suit which kind of day and when the light is best.
20Port Stephens venues we know
1 hrfrom Newcastle by car
2.5 hrsfrom Sydney
5pm–8pmsunset, June to December
4 areas, one coastline
Calm bays, white sand and Tomaree Head
Nelson Bay, Shoal Bay and Fingal Bay
The Tomaree Peninsula is the heart of Port Stephens: Nelson Bay's marina, Shoal Bay's calm water under Tomaree Head, the surf at Zenith and the spit at Fingal Bay. Venues here sit right on the water, and portraits are a short walk away.
Whitesands, Shoal Bay Country ClubZenith BeachSaltwater Restaurant at Fingal BayNelson Bay Golf ClubLittle Beach BoathouseBroughtons at the BayThe Anchorage, Port StephensSalamander ShoresHeaven Gardens
Dunes, vineyards and heritage estates
Anna Bay, the Tilligerry and the north shore
Around Anna Bay and Bobs Farm you find bush retreats, a hilltop vineyard and the huge Stockton dunes. On the Tilligerry Peninsula, Tanilba House dates from 1831, and Stanley Park at Fullerton Cove is a grand waterfront estate close to Newcastle. Across the water, Hawks Nest has beaches on both sides.
The Retreat Port StephensSunset & Vine at Wonganella EstateValhalla Restaurant BarTanilba HouseStanley ParkHawks Nest Golf Club
Palms, lakes and the Green Cathedral
Pacific Palms and Wallis Lake
About 90 minutes north, Pacific Palms sits between Wallis Lake and the ocean. The Green Cathedral is an open-air chapel under the palms by the lake, with receptions a short walk away, and Elizabeth Beach is one of the prettiest beaches on the coast.
The Green Cathedral, Pacific PalmsPalms PavilionPacific Palms Surf Life Saving ClubThe Moorings Lakehouse
River towns and a glass chapel
Forster, Tuncurry and Harrington
Further north, Forster and Tuncurry face each other across the lake entrance, Hallidays Point has the award-winning Chapel of Light at Tallwoods, and Harrington sits on the Manning River. A destination wedding for most guests, with plenty of holiday accommodation.
Chapel of Light, TallwoodsTuncurry Golf ClubClub ForsterHarrigan’s & Harrington River Lodge
Choose by style
Waterfront dining
Bays, marinas and lakes outside every window.
Little Beach BoathouseBroughtons at the BaySaltwater Restaurant at Fingal BayThe Anchorage, Port StephensSalamander ShoresValhalla Restaurant BarSunset & Vine at Wonganella Estate
Gardens & heritage
Old fig trees, stone arbours and historic homesteads.
Tanilba HouseHeaven GardensStanley ParkThe Moorings Lakehouse
Chapels
An open-air chapel under the palms and a glass chapel on the fairways.
The Green Cathedral, Pacific PalmsChapel of Light, Tallwoods
Relaxed clubs
Easy, good-value receptions with views.
Nelson Bay Golf ClubHawks Nest Golf ClubTuncurry Golf ClubClub ForsterPalms Pavilion
Stay the weekend
Accommodation on site for you and your guests.
The Retreat Port StephensThe Anchorage, Port StephensThe Moorings LakehouseStanley Park
When to marry
March to May
Autumn
Warm water, calm bays and quieter beaches after the summer crowds. Our favourite time for a Port Stephens wedding. Daylight saving ends in early April.
Sunset about 7.15pm in early March, 5pm by late May
June to August
Winter
Crisp, clear days and whales passing the headlands on their migration. Venues and accommodation are easier to book. Plan an earlier ceremony for portrait light.
Sunset about 5pm
September to November
Spring
Longer evenings once daylight saving starts in October, and whales heading south again. Spring winds can be strong on open beaches, so have a sheltered option.
Sunset about 5.45pm in September, 7.40pm by late November
December to February
Summer
Peak holiday season, with busy beaches, warm water and long evenings. Book accommodation early and choose shade for the ceremony.
Sunset about 8pm
Light and timing
Start your ceremony about three hours before sunset, so there is time for the ceremony, family photos and canapés, then 20 minutes with us for portraits in the best light.
Port Stephens' bays face many ways. On Shoal Bay and Nelson Bay the water is calm and catches the evening glow, while the surf beaches face east and the sun sets behind the land. We check your venue's view when we plan your timeline.
Getting there and getting around
By car: Nelson Bay is about an hour from Newcastle and about two and a half hours from Sydney. Pacific Palms and Forster are about 90 minutes north of Newcastle.
By plane: Newcastle Airport at Williamtown is about 30 minutes from Nelson Bay.
On the day: taxis are limited, especially at night, so book a shuttle for guests.
Beaches and national parks
Several of the best ceremony spots are public land. Zenith Beach is in Tomaree National Park (ask the NPWS Anna Bay office), and other beaches and reserves are managed by local councils. Check what you need before planning a beach ceremony, and book early for summer weekends.
Where your guests stay
Nelson Bay, Shoal Bay and Fingal Bay have resorts, hotels and hundreds of holiday rentals. Some venues, including The Retreat and The Anchorage, have rooms on site. Holiday weekends book out early, so send details with your save-the-dates.
If it rains
Coastal showers often pass quickly. Ask every venue where the wet-weather ceremony goes. Glass-fronted rooms, verandahs and marquees all photograph beautifully, and a stormy sky over the bay can make striking portraits.
Port Stephens wedding films
Real Port Stephens weddings
Lillian & JamesPort Stephens venues
23 venue guides, A–Z
Venues we know 20 we have photographed and filmed
The Anchorage, Port StephensCorlette · Port StephensChapel of Light, TallwoodsTallwoods Village, Hallidays Point · Mid North Coast1 love story
Club ForsterForster · Mid North CoastGuide coming soon
The Green Cathedral, Pacific PalmsTiona, Pacific Palms · Wallis Lake1 love storyHarrigan’s & Harrington River LodgeHarrington · Mid North CoastHawks Nest Golf ClubHawks Nest · Port StephensHeaven GardensPort StephensNelson Bay Golf ClubNelson Bay · Port StephensPacific Palms Surf Life Saving ClubElizabeth Beach, Pacific Palms · Mid North CoastPalms PavilionTiona, Pacific Palms · Wallis Lake1 love storyThe Retreat Port StephensAnna Bay · Port StephensSalamander ShoresSoldiers Point · Port StephensGuide coming soon
Saltwater Restaurant at Fingal BayFingal Bay · Port StephensStanley ParkFullerton Cove · Port Stephens1 love storySunset & Vine at Wonganella EstateBobs Farm · Port StephensTanilba HouseTanilba Bay · Port StephensTuncurry Golf ClubGuide coming soon
Valhalla Restaurant BarBobs Farm · Port StephensWhitesands, Shoal Bay Country ClubShoal Bay · Port Stephens1 love storyZenith BeachShoal Bay · Port StephensMore Port Stephens venues researched guides, not yet shot by us
Port Stephens wedding FAQs
Do you photograph weddings in Port Stephens?
Yes. We photograph and film weddings around Port Stephens and up the coast to Pacific Palms and Forster. See the venues we know above.
Can we get married on the beach?
Yes. Zenith Beach is booked through NSW National Parks, and council beaches and reserves through the local council. Pair it with a reception venue nearby.
What is the best month for a Port Stephens wedding?
March to May for warm water and quieter beaches, and October and November for spring. Winter is great for whale watching and easier bookings.
Which venues have accommodation?
The Retreat, The Anchorage, The Moorings Lakehouse and Stanley Park have rooms on site, and Nelson Bay has plenty of holiday rentals nearby.
How much does a Port Stephens wedding photographer cost?
Our wedding photography starts at $1,999, and photo + film collections start at $4,999. See our Port Stephens wedding photography page for packages.
What time should our ceremony start?
About three hours before sunset: around 2pm in winter and 4.30 to 5pm in summer.
Venue details checked October 2026. Always confirm with the venue.
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