WHEN it comes to choosing the perfect place to say “I do”, couples across Ipswich and the surrounding regions are spoilt for choice.
You don’t need to head for the beaches of the Gold Coast or the bright lights of Brisbane to find a spectacular backdrop for the big day.
Across Ipswich, the Scenic Rim, Lockyer Valley and Somerset are vineyards, historic homesteads, country chapels and secluded estates offering everything from intimate ceremonies to grand celebrations.
Whether your dream wedding involves lavender fields, rolling paddocks, mountain views or an elegant country escape, there is plenty to fall in love with close to home.
Spicers Hidden Vale – Grandchester
For couples dreaming of a luxury country wedding, Spicers Hidden Vale delivers country charm on a grand scale.
Set on a sprawling 4850 hectare property at Grandchester, the retreat combines rolling countryside and historic character with the comforts expected of a luxury destination.
The property offers several options for ceremonies and receptions, allowing couples to shape their celebration around the size and style of their wedding.
Its historic homestead can cater for larger celebrations, while the rustic barn and courtyard spaces provide alternatives for couples chasing a more relaxed country atmosphere.
With accommodation available on the property, it also lends itself to turning the wedding into a weekend escape rather than simply a single-day celebration.
Kooroomba Vineyards And Lavender Farm – Mount Alford
Few wedding photographs are likely to be forgotten when the backdrop involves rows of lavender, vineyards and the mountains of the Scenic Rim.
Kooroomba Vineyards and Lavender Farm at Mount Alford has become one of the region’s most recognisable wedding destinations.
Its six hectares of vineyards and lavender fields create a striking country setting, while its architecturally designed chapel provides couples with an indoor-outdoor ceremony space overlooking the surrounding landscape.
Add restaurant dining and those sweeping Scenic Rim views and it is easy to understand why couples travel from well outside the region to celebrate here.
And, of course, when the lavender is blooming, the wedding album almost takes care of itself.
White Chapel Kalbar & Black Hall – Kalbar
If old-fashioned romance is more your style, White Chapel Kalbar offers plenty of it.
The beautifully restored white country chapel in the heart of Kalbar provides an intimate and elegant setting for ceremonies, complemented by the adjoining Black Hall reception space and a festoon-lit lawn.
The combination gives couples the opportunity to move from a classic chapel ceremony into a relaxed country celebration without travelling between venues.
There is even a vintage 1948 Bentley available to add another touch of old-world glamour to the occasion.
It is boutique, character- filled and unmistakably country Queensland.
Branell Homestead – Laidley
Nestled on an 32 hectare property near Laidley, Branell Homestead offers the kind of setting made for couples who want to escape the bustle without travelling too far from home.
The property combines sweeping Lockyer Valley scenery with a Federation-style Queenslander, rural surrounds and hillside accommodation.
Outdoor ceremonies can take advantage of the panoramic landscape, while the property’s secluded setting gives celebrations a sense of privacy.
On-site accommodation is another bonus for couples wanting to extend their wedding celebrations or make things easier for family and friends travelling from further afield.
Rosewood Estate – Beechmont
High in the hills at Beechmont, Rosewood Estate puts the landscape front and centre.
Set across approximately 100 hectares, the property offers panoramic views and abundant natural backdrops for ceremonies and wedding photography.
Its marquee-style reception possibilities also allow couples to create a celebration that makes the most of the property’s open-air country atmosphere.
For those willing to venture a little further into the Scenic Rim and hinterland, it offers the sort of sweeping outlook that can make a wedding feel a world away from the city.
