sun ranch
Wedding Guide
Capacity: 150 guests | Curfew: 10:00pm | Catering: External catering required
Drinks: Licensed venue | Pet Friendly: By approval only | Location: Coopers Shoot, NSW
If you're searching for a relaxed yet luxurious Byron Bay wedding venue, Sun Ranch offers one of the most unique wedding experiences in the region.
Set across 55 acres of rolling hinterland in Coopers Shoot, just 10 minutes from Byron Bay, Sun Ranch combines Californian ranch architecture with barefoot luxury, creating a destination wedding experience that feels both intimate and exclusive.
Rather than simply hiring a venue for one day, couples have the opportunity to turn their wedding into an immersive weekend celebration. Guests can stay on-site, gather around the pool, enjoy long-table dinners beneath the stars and make the most of the incredible facilities throughout the property.
Every corner of Sun Ranch has been thoughtfully designed, from its warm timber interiors and expansive open spaces to its sweeping hinterland views, creating an incredible backdrop for weddings that feel relaxed, stylish and deeply personal. The venue hosts only a select number of weddings each year, making every celebration feel exclusive.
Whether you're envisioning a relaxed cocktail celebration by the pool, an elegant long-table dinner beneath the stars or a full weekend wedding with all of your favourite people staying together, Sun Ranch offers multiple ceremony and reception spaces to create a wedding that feels completely your own. It's one of the few venues in the Byron Bay region that truly encourages couples to slow down, settle in and celebrate across an entire weekend, making it just as memorable for your guests as it is for you.
Why Couples Love Sun Ranch
Sun Ranch is more than just a wedding venue, it's a destination where your wedding becomes an entire weekend experience. Instead of squeezing everything into a single day, you and your guests can settle in, slow down and enjoy quality time together, whether that's welcome drinks by the pool, a recovery brunch the next morning or simply making the most of the beautiful property and luxury accommodation.
With exclusive use of the venue, multiple ceremony and reception locations, and thoughtfully designed spaces to gather throughout the weekend, Sun Ranch offers a relaxed yet elevated experience that's just as memorable for your guests as it is for you. It's the perfect choice for couples wanting their wedding to feel less like an event and more like a weekend away with the people they love most.
Ceremony Locations
One of the things couples love most about Sun Ranch is the flexibility it offers. Rather than having just one ceremony location, you'll have a selection of beautiful spaces across the property, allowing you to choose the setting that best suits your wedding style, guest numbers and the overall vision for your day.
cocktail hour
Cocktail hour at Sun Ranch feels like a natural continuation of the celebration rather than a transition between events. While you're away having photos taken, your guests can settle in with a drink, enjoy canapés and take in the relaxed atmosphere, making the most of the property's beautifully designed outdoor spaces.
Whether you choose cocktails by the pool or another of the venue's outdoor entertaining areas, there's plenty of room for guests to mingle and explore. It creates an effortless flow into the reception while allowing everyone to experience more of what makes a weekend at Sun Ranch so special.
Reception Options
As the sun sets, Sun Ranch transforms into an incredible reception venue, with a range of spaces that can be tailored to suit your vision. Whether you're planning an elegant long-table dinner beneath the stars, a relaxed outdoor celebration or a reception that flows between indoor and outdoor spaces, the property offers plenty of flexibility to create a celebration that feels uniquely yours.
The variety of reception settings also means you can design a wedding that reflects your style rather than fitting into a standard venue format. From intimate celebrations to larger gatherings, each space embraces the relaxed luxury that Sun Ranch is known for while making the most of its stunning hinterland surrounds.
catering
Sun Ranch gives couples the flexibility to create a dining experience that reflects their style, whether that's a relaxed shared feast, an elegant plated dinner or something completely bespoke. The venue works with a selection of trusted catering partners who are familiar with the property and experienced in delivering seamless wedding celebrations.
Your chosen caterer will work alongside the Sun Ranch team to bring your vision to life, allowing you to tailor everything from the menu and service style to the overall guest experience. Whether you're planning a long-table dinner beneath the stars or a beautifully styled indoor reception, the food and service become an integral part of the weekend celebration.
drinks
Sun Ranch is a fully licensed venue, making it easy to organise your wedding drinks without the hassle of sourcing and supplying your own alcohol. The venue offers a range of drinks packages featuring premium wines, beers, spirits and non-alcoholic options, allowing you to choose a package that best suits your celebration and budget.
For couples wanting to elevate the guest experience even further, signature cocktails and additional beverage upgrades are also available, creating a seamless bar experience from cocktail hour through to the end of the reception.
Accommodation
One of Sun Ranch's biggest drawcards is its luxury on-site accommodation, allowing couples and their guests to enjoy the property across an entire wedding weekend.
The venue can accommodate up to 34 guests across nine beautifully appointed suites, including the Rambler Longhouse, Barn Suites and Ridge Suites. Each space has been thoughtfully designed with a blend of contemporary comfort and ranch-inspired interiors, creating a relaxed retreat for guests.
Staying on-site allows couples to host multiple events throughout the weekend, such as a welcome dinner, recovery brunch or post-wedding breakfast, while eliminating the need for travel between accommodation and the wedding venue.
Weather Contingency
Sun Ranch is well equipped for wet weather, with undercover options available for both your ceremony and reception. If the forecast takes an unexpected turn, you can move your ceremony to a covered location without needing to arrange marquees or an alternative venue, giving you peace of mind in the lead up to your wedding.
The reception space is also fully undercover and can be enclosed with wall coverings when needed, ensuring your celebration can continue comfortably regardless of the weather. It's a thoughtful backup plan that allows you to focus on enjoying your day, rain or shine.
A Planner's Perspective
From a planner's perspective, Sun Ranch is one of those venues that makes the day run smoothly because so much has already been considered. The seamless flow between each space, the flexibility of the ceremony and reception locations, the quality of the wet weather backup options and the ability to keep your guests on-site all help create a relaxed experience from beginning to end.
If you're planning a destination wedding, I always recommend encouraging as many of your guests as possible to stay on the property. It completely changes the atmosphere of the weekend, giving everyone more time to connect and allowing you to enjoy moments together that simply aren't possible with a traditional one-day wedding. The result is a celebration that feels less rushed, more intentional and incredibly memorable for everyone involved.
Is sun ranch Right For You?
Sun Ranch could be the perfect fit if you're looking for:
A destination wedding experience
Exclusive use of the property
Luxury on-site accommodation for up to 34 guests
Multiple ceremony and reception locations
A venue that accommodates up to 150 guests
A wedding weekend with welcome drinks, your wedding celebration and a recovery brunch
Flexible reception options for both intimate and larger celebrations
A modern hinterland venue just 10 minutes from Byron Bay
Excellent wet weather options for both your ceremony and reception
For couples wanting a Byron Bay hinterland wedding that combines luxury accommodation, exclusive venue hire and a true destination wedding experience, Sun Ranch is one of the most unique wedding venues in the region.
Still Weighing Up Your Venue Options?
Book a complimentary consultation below and I'll help you compare venues, navigate the pros and considerations of each, and find the venue that best aligns with your vision, guest experience and budget.
Kiera x