Port Douglas Travel Forum

Hi Everybody! I am new here, from Italy, I found this site while looking for information about Port Douglas on the Internet.
I am planning to go to Australia in April and getting married there. More specifically, in Port Douglas. Can you tell me what it is like there in April? What's the weather like, are there still a lot of tourists, do we have to book a room or can we just roam around...
Can you tell me eventually whom I can turn to for help in organising our wedding? Just something very simple, need witnesses, too :)
I never been to Australia but it was my dream to go there since I was a little child and so -even if we'll have only 3 weeks to stay there- I would like to see as much as possible..
Thanks in advance for anybody that can help me.

You will have little difficulty in finding a civil celebrant to marry you (easy to find with some websearching) but may have some difficulty with Australian law which requires an interview with the celebrant and application to marry at least 31 days prior to the ceremony.

Google 'wedding celebrants Australia' and you might be able to get in touch with someone who can help and I suggest you visit your nearest Australian diplomatic mission for advice.

Hope it all goes well and congratulations.

Jack

Hi,
April is when the wet season is supposed to be coming to an end. It will be warm, but you may encounter a few days of rain.
There are 2 main places that overseas and Aussie people like to get married. One is a beautiful little church that is in Anzac park in Port Douglas. It's very popular and would have to be booked quickly. The 4 mile beach is another popular place, this is if it's a nice day.There a number of Marriage Celebrants in Port.
There a a number of Resorts that would do packages, one that I can think of is the Thala http://www.thalabeach.com.au/
You could have a look at their site. For an example you could stay there and have the wedding and then go and stay in Port Douglas after.Thala is about 10 minutes from Port Douglas, At this time of year I wouldn't bother with booking all the accommodation, there are heaps and heaps of places to stay and at that time of year it isn't busy as it is around now.
There are many restaurants in Port, you could get married at the church and go to one of those after. There is the Salsa Bar and Grill, which is one of my favourites. There is one named On the Inlet which very nice. All depends what budget you are looking at.
Here is a site that might help you.http://www.pacificislandtravel.com/australia/weddings/weddings_intro.html

I wouldn't use a company to organise your wedding, this would cost a lot and you will be able to do it with a little effort.

I have a friend that got married there a year ago, I will ask her for more information and get back to you.
Cheers
Anne

Thank you very much for your help. Yes, I did a little research on the Internet and found some celebrants, I will get in contact with some and find out more... What I know is, that I don't have to be in Australia, I just have to get in contact with a celebrant and send him/her the "Notice of intended marriage" 1 month and 1 day before...
And yes, I would like to organise it myself, I don't want to spend a fortune on it, since we would like something really simple... it is just a bit scary to do it from here.... it is so far away :) But I guess after getting in contact with people, getting to know the place a bit more (even if only on the net) everything's gonna come a bit "nearer"
Anyway thank you for your advises.

My sister got married up that way about 2 years ago. They eloped and had a ceremony with just the two of them. They got onto some company that organises these types of weddings.
The company supplied flowers, champagne, celebrant and photos etc.
Would you like me to find out more?
It sounds like a great idea and my sister and her husband had a wonderful experience...

Lou, thank you for your answer. Yes, please, I am really thankful for any advise and info you can give me... :)

Sorry I just found your reply. I will phone my sister tomorrow...

thank you in advance!!!