From Ballroom to Bushland: How Nature Became Australia’s New Favourite Wedding Backdrop
Across Australia, more couples are trading traditional venues like hotel ballrooms or country halls for venues tucked into nature…from forests and lakesides to bushland clearings and coastal headlands. This shift reflects a growing desire for weddings that feel authentic and connected to the landscape itself (and let’s be honest, the epic photos don’t hurt either).
Why outdoor weddings are gaining in popularity
Wedding trend reports show that venues set in natural environments (bushland, vineyards, gardens, and beachfronts) are among the fastest-growing categories for couples planning their ceremonies in 2026. Nature‑centred settings allow for unique experiences, organic themes, and immersive moments that simply can’t be replicated in traditional indoor spaces. Check out this 2026 trends piece from Real Weddings for more information.
Many couples are drawn to outdoor venues because they offer:
Scenic backdrops that enhance photography and emotional resonance
Flexible styling that works with natural elements native to the site
A sense of calm and presence rooted in fresh air and open space
Whether it’s bushland, forest clearings, or open paddocks, outdoor locations invite couples to design wedding celebrations that feel like extensions of their personalities and values rather than cookie‑cutter events.
Nature as a celebration of togetherness
In an era when couples are placing greater emphasis on experience over formality, outdoor weddings deliver in a way that ballrooms traditionally can’t. In nature‑focused ceremonies, the landscape itself becomes part of the storytelling. And guests are naturally more engaged when surrounded by beauty rather than walls and chandeliers. Read about more unique venues.
Wedding professionals also note that outdoor settings often lend themselves to a more relaxed atmosphere. Vendors and couples alike can often prefer less rigid timelines, more freedom with styling and décor, and opportunities to incorporate elements like:
Ceremonies framed by natural features like trees, cliffs, water (or in our case, a dormant volcano!)
Landscape-inspired floral installations and décor
Ceremonies at unique and unforgettable times of day - such as dawn as the local mob of kangaroos awakes, or the stroke of midnight underneath the stars
From backyards to bushland, prioritising experience over tradition
Across Australia, diverse landscapes are becoming sought after as wedding settings. These venues offer an experience that feels simultaneously timeless and deliberately personal. With a landscape‑first approach, couples aren’t just choosing a location; they’re curating an environment that reflects who they are and what matters most to them.
Another reason nature‑based weddings are trending is the growing desire for experience‑driven celebrations. As covered by Evka Weddings, couples are increasingly choosing venues where guests can interact with the environment, enjoy outdoor activities, and extend their celebration into a weekend getaway, whether that’s hiking trails, picnics by the water, or tucked-away glamping stays.
This approach merges the ceremony with the destination itself, transforming weddings into multi-day shared experiences rather than single-day events.
Outdoor weddings at Mountain Path Meadows
At Mountain Path Meadows, our serene bushland setting offers couples the opportunity to centre their wedding around nature and meaningful moments. With sweeping views, abundant native flora, and flexible spaces that can be styled to suit your vision, our venue invites you to design a ceremony that feels uniquely yours.
Whether you’re planning an intimate elopement or a small celebration with close family and friends, nature provides a breathtaking canvas for your love story.
Enquire now to start designing your celebration at Mountain Path Meadows.