Forget the city of churches, South Australia should be renamed to the city of winemakers and lovers. Let’s face it, pretty much every South Aussie knows a winemaker, brewer or has a friend with contacts in the liquor industry?
The pleasure of choosing your favourite drop for your big day, or bringing along a case of special sparkling that was gifted to you for the wedding-day toasts, is surely not too much to ask.
Plus, weddings are expensive. We get it. Everything adds up, so if you can save a few dollars here and there why wouldn’t you? The BYO beverages options are often few and far between, but we have a number of venues that offer just that. Cheers!
So here we go a list of our favourite BYO venues in South Australia, best enjoyed with a bottle of SA’s finest:
1. Aldinga Secret Garden, Aldinga
Venue hire of Aldinga Secret Garden is extremely affordable and allows you complete flexibility over catering and beverage selections and with great rear property access lends itself well to little bar trucks or vans.
www.venyu.com.au/aldingasecretgarden
Photo credit – Travis and Benny Wedding Photography
As a VENYU exclusive this private property allows you full flexibility to make your own alcohol and catering arrangements. All spaces offer good vehicle access allowing food trucks, mobile bars and large equipment hire to all be great possibilities.
The well known and much loved Carrick Hill offers couples the choice to bring in all their own drinks, which will then be coupled with their award-winning in-house catering.
4. Chateau Apollo, Adelaide CBD
A cool, rustic warehouse space in the heart of Adelaide, Chateau Apollo has some major perks, including a gorg garden bar and late licence, but also the option to either have one of their beverage packages, or BYO drinks. Their BYO access allows you the option to bring in all your own beverages.
www.venyu.com.au/chateauapollo
Photo credit – Jack Fenby
5. Fleurieu Cherries, Pages Flat
Not only do these guys grow amazing cherries, but Fleurieu Cherries also have their own range of wines, Fleurieu Hills Wines. So while they can provide you with the vino, you are welcome to bring in your own beer, soft drinks and other accompaniments, as well as your choice of catering or food truck.
www.venyu.com.au/fleurieucherries
Photo credit – Bridget Quain Photography
6. Geoff Merrill Wines, Woodcroft
Along with an interesting history, Geoff Merrill Wines has a rustic Tuscan charm and even a family of friendly geese, but also you are welcome to bring your own beers to add to their beautiful selection of wines.
www.venyu.com.au/geoffmerrillwines
Image credit – Sean Cummins Photography
7. Glen Lea Homestead, Bugle Ranges
Glen Lea Homestead venue hire includes exclusive use of the property, and allows couples select their own caterer, suppliers and BYO beverages with full flexibility.
www.venyu.com.au/glenleahomestead
Photo credit – Johnst Photography
This rural Clare Valley beauty is an absolute dry hire delight. Historic Hughes Park combines a huge private estate and formal gardens, with a backdrop of picturesque native trees. This property allows you complete freedom to bring your own suppliers in, including beverages.
Image credit – Meaghan Coles Photography
Koonowla is a super flexible venue in all aspects, despite being a winery they will allow you to bring your own drinks simply with a minimum spend on their wine. What a great concept!
www.venyu.com.au/koonowlawines
Photo credit – Evan Bailey Photography
Offered as a dry-hire facility, Kuitpo Hall allows you the freedom to confirm your own beverages and caterer, or alternatively, they are also happy to make a recommendation from their fabulous network of suppliers. With a full kitchen and bathrooms on site, there really aren’t any hidden extras to worry about.
Photo credit – Tim Day Photography
11. Mt Beare Station, Mt Compass
Mt Beare Station is a huge private property that has just recently been opened to the public for limited bookings. Being totally dry hire, you can just imagine the drinks options and catering or food trucks.
www.venyu.com.au/mtbearestation
Image credit – Jason Porter
Ortus Wines combines the best of both worlds – industrial city warehouse meets Australian native backdrop. And so too do their supplier choices. They provide the wines, and you can supply your own beer/other beverages as well as your caterer.
Image credit – Harry Vick
Exclusive to VENYU, Quince Brook is another of our complete dry hire options, offering you total freedom with both your beverages and catering (along with everything else). With a beautiful location near Strathalbyn and loads of space, this is a DIY dream wedding venue.
Image credit – Mitcha Photography
Located on a working farm on the Yorke Peninsula, Redwing Farm is not only flexible with beverages (they are more than happy to make recommendations for suppliers), but they are also only a short drive from the popular seaside destination of Moonta Bay!
Image credit – Davish Photography
14. Templewood House, Inglewood
What more could you want in a Hills venue? If lush green surrounds and rolling hills are not enough, then how about the fact Templewood House offer total flexibility with beverages?
www.venyu.com.au/templewoodhouse
Image credit – Avie Photography
15. The Barns of Freeling, Freeling
A Barossa beauty in every sense of the word, the Barns of Freeling ticks all the boxes for flexibility, location, views and space. BYO to your hearts content!
www.venyu.com.au/thebarnsoffreeling
Image credit – Travis and Benny Weddings
Another of our latest exclusives is The Pines, which is a completely dry hire venue on the edge of the beautiful Kuitpo Forest. Allowing you to pick all of your own suppliers (or DIY if you’re that kind of couple), this place has got the space, views and all of the freedom you’re looking for.
Image credit – Time with Alex
17. The River Block, Bookpurnong
Venture a little further out from the usual regional selections, and you’ll find gems like this one in the Riverland. A total dry-hire space and fully flexible for both beverages and catering, The River Block is a festival lovers dream. Hold your wed-fest at this beautiful waterside location, which is also marquee-friendly and even offers beautifully updated onsite accommodation.
www.venyu.com.au/theriverblock
Image credit – Dani Bartlett Photography
Tipi Lane has to be the meaning of the saying ‘dry hire’. This amazing location in McLaren Vale is a total blank slate, you pick everything from the beverages, catering, furniture and styling hire, entertainment, you name it. And as the name says, they do the tipi hire too, all you need to do is choose one to suit your style…
Photo credit – Deb Saunders Photography
Velvet and Willow is another flexible option for those who want a winery wedding tucked away in a lush green garden space. You are welcome to bring additional beverages and your own caterer, alongside one of their wine packages.
www.venyu.com.au/velvetandwillow
Image credit – Nadinne Grace Photography
20. Villa Vineyards, Currency Creek
Villa Vineyards – a super cool space that oozes festival-vibes is the total BYO dream. You have total flexibility regarding all your suppliers – bring in your own beverages or alternatively use their family connection to add on a superb wine package.
www.venyu.com.au/villavineyards
Photo credit – Shot from the Heart Photography
21. Waverley Estate, Port Elliot
Set on 4 acres in the gorgeous coastal town of Port Elliot, Waverley Estate offers you space and flexibility to bring that next-level-party to your reception. They allow BYO beverages, and with plenty of spaces to play with, there’ll be room to put that cute drinks van.
www.venyu.com.au/waverley-estate
Image credit – Emma Faith Photography
22. Werner Vineyards, Willunga
A place to make your own. Werner Vineyards is not your typical winery, there is not a cellar door or hoards of people but instead there is calm, space and a few rows of Shiraz with a beautiful view.
www.venyu.com.au/wernervineyards
Image credit – Davish Photography
23. White Hill Estate, McLaren Vale
A dry hire facility, White Hill Estate leaves you complete control over your experience. Choose your own beverage supplier and White Hill Estate can recommend a variety of preferred caterers. Of course, you can also source own stylist and event planner too!
www.venyu.com.au/whitehillestate
Photo credit – Tammy Cooper Photography
24. Woodburn Homestead, Langhorne Creek
Woodburn Homestead is a great venue for those that want the customised handcrafted look and flexibility without the stress. Owner Cindy Westphalen is a highly awarded wedding caterer and brings years of experience to this property something you can see at every corner. Cindy offers a variety of catering packages and allows BYO alcohol ideal for those that want to serve french champagne but can’t bear the retail price points usually associated with it.
Photo credit – Chasing Eve Photography
25. Woodville Town Hall, Woodville
With the ability to cater for a large capacity wedding and completely flexible regarding BYO beverages, Woodville Town Hall is a vintage beauty that offers couples so much choice for a city wedding.
www.venyu.com.au/woodvilletownhall
Image credit – Jessica Clark Photography
Featured image supplied by Melissa Brown Photographer
*Article updated September 2021*