Private Events and Weddings

The City of Holdfast Bay, with its stunning sandy beaches and various parks and reserves, is a popular spot for anyone wishing to organise a private event or a wedding. Different rules apply to these events, and you must be aware of them before you start planning.

A private event meets the following requirements:

• Has an approximate attendance of 40 people or less.
• Has no/or minimal infrastructure.
• Examples of small private events may include a birthday party, wedding ceremony, or social club gathering.

If you are unsure whether your event qualifies as a private event, please contact the Events Team.

Please note that private events and weddings do not require formal event approval. All reserves are considered public spaces in the City of Holdfast Bay, and hire fees are not applicable. However, it is essential to note that you cannot be guaranteed the exclusive use of any space or public facility.

Wedding parties can also use the beaches, reserves, and foreshore area for photographs without formal approval. However, as with ceremonies, the area cannot be booked. Please note wedding vehicles are not permitted to drive onto beaches, reserves, or the foreshore area for photographs.

Additionally, we encourage you to check our What's On calendar (note that it can change on a daily basis). For any of the foreshore areas, it is recommended that you contact the relevant Surf Life Saving Clubs to check their schedule of activities and events.

Please let us know the details of your special day.
You are strongly advised to complete the form below when planning your event to ensure no other events or considerations at your chosen space.

Please note that the following locations are unavailable for wedding ceremonies: Jimmy Melrose Park, Brian Nadilo Reserve, Colley Reserve, and Wigley Reserve.

The City of Holdfast Bay does not provide hire equipment for wedding ceremonies or events (i.e. PA systems, chairs, red carpet, etc.).

If you are using the services of an external equipment supplier, we recommend that you ask them to provide a copy of their public liability insurance certificate of currency (minimum $20 million).

You are permitted to set up the following for a small private event or wedding ceremony:

• Portable trestle tables
• Battery-powered PA system
• Wedding arch
• Up to 40 chairs
• A shade tent may be erected and can be a maximum size of 3m x 3m. It must be weighed down with sandbags or water containers. Please remove the tent shade as soon as the ceremony or event has concluded. Ground pegging is NOT permitted in any park or reserve.
• Fresh petals may be scattered.

The following items are not permitted:

• Confetti
• Balloons
• Glitter
• Rice
• Marquees larger than 3m x 3m (including bell tents) - ground pegging is NOT permitted in any park or reserve
• Kettle BBQs (charcoal)
• Gas heaters
• Open fires
• Vehicles are not permitted on any of the parks or reserves

You are welcome to engage a food vendor for your private event or wedding. However, the vendor must not sell to the public, and there is no money to be exchanged on the day, with all services paid before arriving onsite. Food vendors must not drive on the grounds of the park or reserve. They are permitted to pull into a parking space or park at a suitable place on a side road.

Every food vendor operating at your event must comply with existing food safety practices and official standards. They also need to obtain a Mobile Vendors Food Permit. The Mobile Food Permit Application can be found here. The application will be processed in up to five (5) business days.

Acoustic instruments and battery-operated PA Systems are permitted at wedding ceremonies and private events.

However, please note that the City of Holdfast Bay cannot provide members of the public with access to electricity within its open spaces.

Please note that the use of inflatable devices is restricted within the City of Holdfast Bay. Please read the following information:

• Inflatables are not permitted on any of the foreshore reserves or beaches.
• It is a requirement that you request a copy of the service provider's public liability insurance to the value of $20,000,000 (twenty million dollars) and a current certificate of plant registration issued by SafeWork SA for the relevant device.
• You must also advise the company that pegging into the grounds is prohibited and that all structures must be secured using weights only.
• All amusement devices/rides—no matter what type—must have a trained supervisor/operator/attendant at all times when they are in use on Council land.
• It is the hirer's responsibility to be aware of and comply with any Legislation, Council By-Law, guideline or standard relating to Amusement Structures.
• It is the hirer's responsibility to be aware of and comply with the SafeWork SA guidelines. Visit the SafeWork website here to obtain general guidance information on inflatable amusement devices.

If you wish to hire the services of a petting zoo, you need to provide a copy of the public liability insurance certificate from the company that you are engaging. Hand-washing facilities must also be provided, and all faeces must be removed.

Please refer to the Animal Contact Guidelines - SA Health Website here.

• BBQs and permanent Gazebos located in our parks and reserves are free to use on a first-come-first-served basis and can not be booked.
  
• The Colley Reserve Rotunda is free to use on a first-come-first-served basis and can not be booked.
• Community Safety officers regularly patrol our parks and reserves. Vehicles illegally parked on the parks and reserves may be issued an infringement notice.
• All litter resulting from any event must be removed from council property, and the area must be left clean and tidy.
• Most of Council's beaches, reserves, and foreshore areas are dry zones; therefore, serving and consuming alcohol is prohibited. For dry zone information, please contact the Liquor Licensing Officer at (08) 8229 9871 or go to Dry Zones & Liquor Licence Applications.

• Partridge House is available for ceremonies and photographs. For further information and bookings, see below.
• Kingston House is available for ceremonies and photographs. For further information and bookings, see below.