Cervantes Beach Wedding

Just two hours north of Perth, Cervantes offers great options for a destination wedding. Whether you are looking for a beach wedding location or a unique outdoor location, Cervantes has a number of attractive locations to choose from.

For a beach wedding, Cervantes offers easy beach access off Corunna Road. The area is suitable for vehicles at most times, although you should check tide times and have a quick chat with the locals to make sure that the area will be accessible on the date and time of your wedding, before committing to this location. The area is popular with fishers and for boat launching, so try not to choose the first day of the demersal fishing season as your wedding day!

There are picturesque beach shelters on the town beach which would provide a lovely setting for a sunset elopement or micro wedding.

Thirsty Point is another lovely location, with car parking close by, accessed via Seville Street. Both Kangaroo Point and Hangover Bay are in the Nambung National Park, a short drive south of Cervantes, with limited facilities but amazing views.

The Pinnacles are a local attraction, a 30-minute drive south of Cervantes, that offers a unique destination for a wedding. Photo opportunities abound, particularly for an evening or full moon wedding, when the amazing natural sculptures and stunning night sky add their special effects to this magical site.

There is plenty of accommodation available locally, including the luxurious Bungalow Beach House, deluxe styles at the Pinnacles Edge Resort and budget rooms at the Cervantes Pinnacles Motel.

If you are looking for a reception venue for a Cervantes wedding, you can’t go past the Cervantes Pinnacles Motel’s function room, which seats up to 120 people and can be closed off in size for more intimate weddings.

October to March are typically warm and windy months, making the region a popular windsurfing destination, however April to September have milder wind speeds and temperatures.

Things to think about when planning a destination beach wedding in Cervantes:

1 – Check the weather for the month of your wedding and choose accordingly. Once you have chosen your date, check with the locals to see if there are any other beach events on the same day, and choose your beach location accordingly.

2 – Choose your celebrant and photographer and confirm that they are available for your ceremony. Your celebrant will help you complete all the required paperwork to meet the legal requirements for your ceremony.

3 – You will need to apply for a permit from the relevant body if you plan to marry in public open space and if you are planning on serving alcoholic beverages, check with them to see if an additional permit is required.

4 – If your beach wedding will be held at a popular holiday destination, make sure you and your guests arrange their accommodation in plenty of time, and consider avoiding peak visitor times such as long weekends and school holidays.

5 – Make sure your guests know the dress code - having a beach wedding doesn’t necessarily mean that swimwear is appropriate. A reminder here that high heels at beach weddings are best avoided!

6 – Think carefully about the time for your ceremony. Avoid a midday ceremony on an open beach with no shade, but early morning and late afternoon weddings offer great lighting for your photos. Check sunset times for a late afternoon wedding and ask your photographer to help you take advantage of the ‘golden hour’ for your photos. The sun setting over the Indian Ocean is a magical sight.

7 – Plan your ceremony set-up carefully. If it’s just the two of you eloping, yourselves, a celebrant and witnesses and the natural beauty of your chosen location is as easy as it gets. Other things you might like to consider - will you have a decorated arbour? Seats for your guests? An aisle? Check with local suppliers and arrange these in plenty of time. If your chosen location is likely to be windy, take this into account and avoid light-weight items.

8 – Where will you go afterwards? Will you stay on the beach for celebratory drinks and finger food? Arrange for a picnic meal from local caterers or an eatery? Retire to a local restaurant or reception venue? Talk to local suppliers, they are best placed to help you with your plans.

9 – Don’t forget the cake! Whether it’s a cake for two for an elopement or a cake for many, your cake can be decorated with a beach theme in keeping with your beach vibe.

10 – As with any outdoor event, make sure you have a Plan B in case the weather doesn’t perform as expected!

Need to know:

For a Cervantes beach wedding you will need to apply for an event permit from either the Shire of Dandaragan and/or the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, depending on which beach location you choose.

For a Pinnacles wedding you will need to apply to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions for permission, prior to your event. Standard park entry fees apply for the Nambung National Park, for you and your guests.

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