The Haven Beach Cafe is one place that could easily be overlooked for a wedding reception venue but it may be perfectly suited if you’re planning a smaller intimate wedding. The venue is literally above the water with views back to the town centre of Terrigal which will be lit up during an evening reception.
Before the sun sets, you and your wedding guests will have panoramic views from the generous balcony that wraps round the interior. It’s this balcony and the amazing views that are the big draw card for the venue.
You’ll have a few options available for your seating plan in the cafe but this venue really is perfectly suited to a cocktail style wedding where you could comfortably host 60-70 guests.
The beauty of having the cafe as your venue is the proximity to all the fabulous photography locations around the Haven. Although, I do have a warning.
Many wedding photographers will suggest the area directly east of the cafe for photos but this isn’t one of my preferred wedding photography locations – the time to negotiate the rocks to get there and back can just be too long if you’re on any kind of a time limit.
The rocks in this area are also difficult to negotiate if the tide is high, let alone in heels and a long or large wedding gown. There’s no denying it is a great location for photos once out on the rock platform and if you are set on going there, make sure you have comfortable footwear; flats, thongs or sandals or are prepared to walk out in bare feet.
One final word of warning, I’ve seen two occasions with wedding photographers walking sheepishly back to their cars with soaking wet, literally drenched, bride and groom. Do not stand too close to the rock edges if there is any kind of swell.
My advice is to choose one or two of the other location around the haven for your photos and if you really want to use the area in question for your photos, have a trial run before your big day and see if you can comfortably negotiate the walk. You will also have to consider the rest of your bridal party but I usually find if the bride is up for it, so is everyone else.
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Terrigal Haven Weddings – The Haven Beach Cafe
Hey, it’s Andrew Hellmich here from Impact Images.
I’m standing on the boat ramp here at Terrigal Haven and right behind me is The Haven Beach Cafe. It’s not a really popular spot for weddings but if you’re looking at a small elopement or a small wedding, maybe even a cocktail style wedding, then it could be the perfect venue for you.
It’s a little bit cheaper than some of the bigger options like The Reef Restaurant or somewhere like the Trojans Hall or Crowne Plaza. It takes a lot less people; you’re probably looking at around sixty or seventy guests. You might get a few more in there if you’re having a stand-up cocktail style wedding. Definitely worth looking at.
I’ve photographed a couple of weddings there myself. They were small weddings that were intimate but they were lovely. Definitely an option worth looking at. From here, there are lots of options to go for photos.
You’ll see right behind me is a pretty popular spot for photographers to take their bridal party. It’s not a spot that I normally use myself for a couple of reasons. It’s a little bit awkward getting out there, particularly if the tide’s high. And it takes quite a while to get out there and back so if you are restricted with timing, you really don’t want to be heading too far out there.
It’s nice when you get out there but it’s just tricky getting out there particularly with heels. If that’s an option you’re looking at, whether it’s with me or with another photographer: well if it’s with me, I’m going to suggest somewhere else.
If it’s with another photographer, you want to make sure that you’ve got thongs or that you’re going to get your shoes off to get out there and you’d probably need a hand with your dress particularly if you’ve got a big gown because it is tricky getting out there.
Also, make sure you don’t get too close at the edge out there. I’ve seen a couple of brides come back absolutely soaked, with the photographer as well. It’s not something you want to happen on your wedding day. Just bear that in mind that if you’re looking at that as a location for photos.
But for the venue, a great little spot if you are looking for something intimate and small, they’ll do the catering for you up here as well. Well worth the look. That’s The Haven Beach Cafe.
Alright, talk to you soon.
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