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perfect partners.

Here comes the trends
FOR YOUR WEDDING...

THE CENTRAL HOTEL
WHAT’S HOT FOR THE 2026 WEDDING SEASON
COME CELEBRATE AT THE CENTRAL!
Behind our magnificent heritage Queenslander façade is
Port Douglas’ best kept secret... our tropical Garden Bar. Words by Lisa Keller
Enjoy casual, pre or post wedding get togethers, amongst
the palms in our all-weather beer garden. As one of Australia’s most popular wedding destinations, we see a lot of MICRO
Suitable for all ages and budgets, we can accommodate WEDDING,
intimate gatherings right up to groups of 250. trends come and go here in Port Douglas. And with many couples now
planning their 2026 weddings, let’s take a look at what’s trending for MULTI DAY
next season.
[email protected] Wedding events are getting smaller and
07 4099 5271 | 0404 024 866 more intimate but that doesn’t mean low
key, rather quite the opposite. Instead
NEXT LEVEL LOCATIONS of just the main event, we’re now seeing
the celebration stretched across multiple
While we can never go past a church days. Think arrival drinks, pre-wedding

THE COURT HOUSE HOTEL wedding (hello, St Mary’s By The Sea) dinners and recovery sunset sails, usually
2026 is the year of switching it up.
across different locations. Because if

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ENGAGEMENT! Smaller wedding numbers open up you’re having a destination
doors to unique wedding locations.
Let the Courty look after your pre & post wedding festivities. Don’t be surprised if you see people wedding, why not
Lunch, dinner or casual drinks, we’ve got you covered! exchanging vows on a private sand make the most
Only a few steps from St Mary’s by the Sea & overlooking Anzac cay on the Great Barrier Reef or of it?!
Park, the Courty is the perfect spot for a celebratory bubbly and
a must do while on your destination wedding! deep in the rainforest surrounded
by fairy lights. Sailaway Port Douglas
have also seen a number of couples
[email protected] tie the knot aboard their luxury sailing
07 4099 5181 | 0404 024 866 catamaran which is about as next level
as it gets.

WEEKDAY WEDDINGS
Going with the rule-breaking theme, weddings
are no longer weekend-exclusive. Opting for a THE
midweek celebration not only saves you money RISE OF
but also boosts your chances of locking in THE CONTENT
your dream venue and vendors, especially in a CREATOR
wedding hotspot like Port Douglas. Plus, let’s be
real: when your guests are already on holiday for In an age of storytelling, no
the wedding, the day of the week hardly matters. modern wedding is complete
Midweek weddings are the savvy couple’s secret to without a content creator. Forget

more flexibility, better availability, and a celebration the influencer stereotype - these

that feels all the more exclusive. are professional creatives,

redefining how you’ll remember
your day. Working alongside
your traditional photographer
and videographer, they capture
the raw, candid moments, using
INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES just an iPhone, to deliver you
social-media ready content to
You heard it here first: sit down dinners are out, share almost immediately. This

immersive experiences are in. This goes for means you or your friends can
everything from the food to the entertainment. be fully in the moment and can
Think live food stations and cocktail bars, leave the phone where it belongs

roving magicians and video guest books (cue - in your bag. Looking for a local
your content creator!). Nowadays, weddings are creator? Event Diaries specialises
designed to entertain. It’s no longer just about the in elegant, and story-driven
couple, it’s about giving guests a night to remember coverage.

PORT DOUGLAS MAGAZINE 45