When a six-hour ceremony won’t cut it, a multi-day destination-style wedding under one roof is a sure-fire way to create an experience no-one will forget. Photo: Blumenthal Photography.
With Australians investing nearly $40,000 on average for their weddings, and families becoming more geographically spread and time-poor, a new way to celebrate the ‘big day’ is on the rise.
The multi-day wedding is becoming a way for savvy couples to extend the celebration to a whole weekend of planned activities, carving out moments of connection and downtime with their nearest and dearest.
“Your wedding may be the only time you and your partner have all your nearest and dearest under one roof,” Hyatt Hotel Canberra director of sales and marketing Kim Ashton says.
“Couples are recognising the effort guests make to be there, driving a growing demand for destination-style celebrations that bring a variety of distinct experiences together under one roof.”
Few venues are better suited to this grander vision than the Hyatt Hotel Canberra — A Park Hyatt Hotel. Steeped in old-world charm, the iconic, heritage-listed five-star property has hosted more than its fair share of epic multi-day celebrations and feels distinctly like its own destination in the heart of the city.
Spanning five acres of manicured gardens and stunning historic architecture, its eclectic collection of spaces makes it feel almost purpose-built for an extended itinerary with a country-estate vibe.
Couples can choose from a range of flexible options, from an intimate ceremony in the Lavender Courtyard to all-inclusive experiences. For the ultimate preparation space, the Pamper Me Suite includes luxurious accommodation, high tea, and drinks so the bridal party can get ready in style. Every package can be tailored with custom add-ons.
That versatility is essential because, according to Kim, there’s no such thing as a typical multi-day wedding.
“It’s like curating a mini-vacation for your guests, giving everyone the time and space to truly relax and celebrate,” she says.
The secret lies in the venue’s ability to shift tones from one moment to the next, offering an entire weekend of distinct backdrops without ever requiring guests to leave the grounds.
Picture starting the festivities with an intimate rehearsal dinner in the Ambassadors Lounge, a pre-wedding bridal high tea, or Buck’s/Hen’s night amidst the thrum of the Speaker’s Corner Bar.
The next afternoon, say your vows in the bowery beauty of the Lavender Courtyard, before easing into a recovery brunch the following morning.
“For guests and the bridal party alike, the recovery brunch is often a highlight,” Kim says.
“The pressure is off. Everyone shows up relaxed and in casual clothes to debrief on the night before. We can set it up as an outdoor barbecue complete with Bloody Marys on arrival, lawn games and picnic rugs – whatever fits the couple’s vision.”
Between scheduled events, guests have the freedom to explore the nation’s capital at their own pace, or join in on group outings like local wine tours or a round of golf arranged by the couple.
Of course, staying on-site is just as inviting.
“That’s the true beauty of a venue like the Hyatt,” Kim says. “There are endless nooks for guests to gather naturally in between events or while the bridal party does its thing. And for peace of mind, there is always a seamless wet-weather contingency plan.”
With a dedicated in-house event specialist guiding the process from start to finish, even the most elaborate multi-day itinerary feels effortless to plan.
Ultimately, the true hallmark of a remarkable wedding isn’t just a grand itinerary – it’s how seamlessly it all unfolds behind the scenes.
“There are countless moving parts in a multi-day event but, to the couple and their guests, it should feel entirely effortless,” Kim notes.
For more information, visit Hyatt Hotel Canberra.
