Recently we were invited to spend a weekend at Chateau Yaldara, a wedding venue situated just outside of Lyndoch in the Barossa Valley.
Chateau Yaldara was not a venue I’d ever heard of in my 10 years photographing weddings in the Barossa Valley. This little gem had slipped under the radar. How could that be ?
Largely untouched for decades until recently, when it was purchased by a few fellas who like their wine so much they thought they’d just buy a whole estate. They’ve investing millions to bring this charming old Chateau and it’s surrounds out of the 80’s and into the 21st Century has resulted in the reopening of its doors to the wedding industry.
On-site accommodation is a real plus for any wedding venue. For newlyweds to be able to crawl to bed after their massive day is such a plus in my eyes. For the Bride and Bridesmaids to have somewhere to chill out and get make-up and hair sorted on the morning of the wedding, without having to travel all over the countryside, it is such a bonus.
The accommodation is the original home of founder Hermann Thumm. It has been completely renovated to create a pretty spectacular 5 bedroom home, each with its own ensuite. We had the choice of the 5 bedrooms and settled on the master suite upstairs, which sits up amongst the canopy of the surrounding Redgums.
There are various options for wedding ceremonies and receptions, from small long table dinners in one of the barrel rooms for the smaller intimate weddings, to the Grand Ballroom which can seat up to about 300.
Photography-wise, backdrops and scenery variations are endless. Grassy hilltops at sunset. Dark moody cellars, manicured gardens and vineyards, rocky outcrops over the creek…the list goes on and on. Having numerous options for a wet weather wedding day is a real plus for any wedding photographer (and for the bride and groom!) and Chateau Yaldara Wedding doesn’t let you down on this front.
You may ask if I struck some kind of a deal with these guys to write nice things about their wedding venue in exchange for the weekend escape ? Nope. Nothing. They just wanted to put themselves out there, introduce me to the venue and get some feedback. Was is the perfect wedding venue. Not for everyone no. I don’t think there is any single wedding venue that fits this bill. There’s always room to grow and improve, and that goes for all of us I’m sure you’ll agree. Would I recommend Chateau Yaldara to wedding couples looking in the Barossa Valley for their wedding venue? Absolutely.
(08) 85240200 | [email protected] | Hermann Thumm Drive, Lyndoch SA. www.1847wines.com