Many couples do not realise that getting married on the beach isn’t simply a matter of rocking up and arranging the arbour and chairs – in fact, a permit is required to marry in public spaces. 

Don’t worry though… permits are easy to acquire from the Busselton and Margaret River Shires, and in comparison to other venue hire fees, are very very affordable. They’re also useful to have to ensure that your preferred ceremony spot won’t be encroached by another wedding party, soaked through by automatic sprinkler systems, or overrun with noisy little dudes at a Nippers Surf Carnival.

Here are the relevant people to call regarding booking a public space for your wedding.

Public Space Bookings – Busselton, Dunsborough, Eagle Bay

Beaches including • Busselton Beach & Foreshore • Meelup Beach • Whalers Cove • Bunker Bay Beach • Eagle Bay Beach • Castle Rock Beach

To book beaches in the Dunsborough region, contact the Busselton Shire on +61 8 9781 0383, or email tanya.downie (at) busselton.wa.gov.au … They ask that you make a tentative booking, then submit a completed facility hire form and pay a $65.00 booking fee. The forms can be downloaded from their website.

Public Space Bookings – Margaret River, Witchcliffe, Augusta

 Beaches including (but not limited to) • Boranup Forest • Redgate Beach • Hamelin Bay • Ellensbrook Homestead • Gracetown Beach foreshore north of the boat ramp • Pioneer Park, Cowaramup • Gnarabup Beach, Prevelly • Surfers Point, Prevelly • Gracetown beach foreshore south of the boat ramp

To book beaches in the Margaret River region, contact the Augusta Margaret River Shire on +61 8 9780 5255 or email them via their online contact form at their website.

Public Space Bookings – Shelley Cove

Shelley Cove is not part of the Busselton Shire, as it would be easy to assume. The governing body is Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, and the contact is Peter Vickridge – ph 08 9731 9213.

Book your wedding at Boranup Forest

Get in early to book your wedding at Boranup Forest — it’s an insanely popular place to marry! Apply via Dept. Parks and Wildlife Blackwood District – Kirup Workcentre on Phone 08 9731 6232. Fee is by donation (which changes).

Where did you get married, and what did you love most about it?