Tanilba House (1831)

Do you dream of a wedding that is different to everyone else’s? Somewhere soulful, and beautiful and completely special?

Do you seek an incredible place, steeped in history and supremely romantic, boasting a long list of amazing and unique features?

Tanilba House (1831) is all this and more!

A truly stunning wedding venue, Tanilba House combines old school colonial romance, three acres of stunning whimsical gardens and water vistas across the bay in Port Stephens. What could be better?

Meaning “A place of White Flowers” Tanilba exudes romance, informal elegance and rustic character. The property offers a variety of beautiful settings for your wedding ceremony and reception plus an amazing range of photography locations. You really are spoilt for choice! Locations include a 35m long arbour covered in flowers and vines, a glorious fig tree cathedral surrounded by rainforest, an all weather historic conservatory seating up to 80 and variety of whimsical garden areas.

The property exudes rustic charm and elegance, and boasts a broad variety of unmatched and unique features including: broad colonial surround verandahs, a magnificent 1920’s flower shaped stone driveway, the original convict gaol, the 1920’s “Temple of the Stork”, a wishing chair, a selection of heritage gates, stone chairs, stunning flowering trees etc. Quiet waterfront parks are a short walk from the house – with Sunset Park renowned for dramatic evening sunset shots over the water only 300 meters away.

At night the estate takes on a ethereal, magical feeling with 1,000’s of fairy lights flickering throughout the garden and conservatory and extensive lighting bringing the garden to life.

Wedding facilities include a rustic dancefloor/ stage, a vintage bar with refrigeration and claw foot bath esky, plus a historic shop front photo booth area.

Tanilba house caters for a variety of wedding formats depending on your guest numbers. We do full packages that include catering and celebrant, small wedding intimate dinners plus elopement style garden weddings. Or you can hire the venue for your own bespoke wedding hire.

All our package choices have a broad list of inclusions as follows:
Venue hire
Tables and chairs configured to your wedding vision (set up and packed down)
Ceremony seating
Wedding Arbour
Signs
Rustic bar
Dance floor
Choice of ceremony and reception locations
Present/cake/signing tables
Choice of drinks options
Rustic styling choices (does not include fresh florals)
Bridal room and on site accommodation (optional)
Chandelier hire (optional)

Tanilba House is fully licenced and all our weddings have the option of a purchased drinks package, a bar tab or BYO.

Tanilba House is located in Tanilba Bay surrounded by water and several quiet waterfront parks. It is a little known paradise known for its magnificent water views, teeming birdlife and local koalas located between Newcastle and Nelson Bay. With a wealth of waterfront and national parks to explore and the bay on your doorstep, it is the perfect option for a destination wedding. Accommodation options are plentiful either walking distance from the property or within a few minutes drive. The local resort offers guests the option of staying all together in one place with facilities to have breakfast all together the next day.

As environmental conservation is a priority for us, at Tanilba House waste is kept to a minimum and we aim for almost all disposable materials used in our weddings to be minimised. We also reuse and recycle where we possible. Water used is from a water tank where appropriate.

We will always be proud supporters of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Dee and Glenn have lovingly and painstakingly restored Tanilba House and its grounds and are thoroughly enjoying being in the love business! They consider it an honour to provide an incredible and unforgettable wedding day for couples.

Purchasing the house was a dream come true for the couple – who are passionate about its long and intriguing history and are mindful of its important significance to the community. They are both thrilled to hold weddings at Tanilba and pride themselves on providing individual, flexible weddings with personal service. They love getting to know each couple personally.

As the property is state heritage listed, the number of weddings held at the property is limited to ensure its ongoing protection. So all weddings at Tanilba are exclusive and special!