Planning a small wedding at a restaurant in Perth can reduce the number of suppliers you need while creating a more personal celebration. There is no official definition, but small weddings generally have around 20 to 70 guests.
Celebrations with fewer than 20 guests are often called micro weddings. Before choosing a restaurant, compare its capacity, privacy, menu options, drinks policy, ceremony arrangements, accessibility and total cost.
A small or intimate wedding usually has 20 to 70 guests. This is a general planning range, not a legal or industry-wide rule.
The right number depends on the restaurant’s floor plan and the type of reception you want. A room that suits 50 guests for a seated meal may fit fewer people once space is added for speeches, music, decorations or a cake table.
Ask the restaurant to confirm:
Inspect the exact room where the reception will take place. Website photographs do not always show table spacing, entrances, lighting or background noise clearly.
When comparing a restaurant vs wedding venue, consider the total package rather than the room-hire price alone. A restaurant may already provide furniture, tableware, kitchen staff and service staff. A traditional venue may offer more space and styling freedom, but it can require additional suppliers.
Factor | Restaurant wedding | Traditional wedding venue |
Cost | Often based on menu price, minimum spend or exclusive use | May involve separate charges for hire, catering, furniture and staff |
Atmosphere | Existing décor can reduce the need for styling | More freedom to create a different look |
Food | Prepared by an established restaurant kitchen | Supplied by the venue or an external caterer |
Capacity | Limited by the existing floor plan | Often better suited to larger weddings |
Privacy | May require a private room or exclusive use | Exclusive access is more common |
Ceremony | Not every restaurant has a suitable ceremony area | Many venues have a dedicated ceremony space |
Planning | Fewer suppliers may be needed | More coordination may be required |
Timing | Trading hours can affect the schedule | Longer hire periods may be available |
Music and dancing | Space and noise restrictions may apply | More likely to have sound equipment and a dance floor |
A restaurant wedding is not automatically cheaper. Exclusive-use fees, minimum-spend conditions, premium menus and extended hours can increase the total.
Request a written quote covering:
WA Consumer Protection recommends researching wedding suppliers, avoiding full payment upfront where possible and paying a reasonable deposit. Its general recommendation is no more than 10 per cent where possible, although this is guidance rather than a fixed legal limit.
Its current guidance also recommends checking service contracts for notice periods and termination fees before cancelling.
Start with two guest numbers: the people you are certain you want to invite and the maximum number the budget can support.
Your total budget may need to cover:
Leave some money available for guest changes and unexpected expenses.
Before paying a deposit, confirm the date, hours, guest limits, menu prices, drinks, setup time, furniture, cancellation policy and final payment date in writing. Important promises should appear in the agreement rather than remaining part of a verbal conversation.
A legal wedding ceremony can take place at a restaurant if the business agrees and the space is suitable.
Australian marriage requirements still apply. Couples generally need to:
The full legal requirements are available from the Australian Attorney-General’s Department.
If you want the ceremony and reception at the restaurant, confirm where the ceremony will happen, how chairs will be arranged and how the room will be changed for dining. Ask where guests will wait during the change and whether microphones or speakers are available.
Another option is to hold the ceremony at a nearby park or beach before moving to the restaurant. Parks, reserves and beaches within the Town of Cambridge may be hired for weddings, subject to the relevant booking conditions. Check the current Town of Cambridge park and beach hire information before making arrangements.
Food is often a major reason for choosing a restaurant wedding. The best menu style depends on the number of guests, the budget and how long you want the meal to last.
Menu type | Benefits | Points to consider |
Set menu | Clearer pricing and coordinated service | Guests have fewer choices. |
À la carte | More individual choice for a very small group | Service may take longer, and costs can be less predictable. |
Degustation | Makes the meal a central part of the reception | More courses require more time and may cost more per person. |
Ask whether the restaurant can provide children’s meals, vegetarian or vegan choices and meals that suit religious or cultural requirements. These details should be confirmed rather than assumed.
Collect serious food allergies separately from general preferences and give the information to the restaurant well before the wedding. WA Health states that customers have a legal right to request written or verbal information about allergens when eating out.
Also ask how the courses will be timed, whether tables will be served together and how dietary meals will be identified.
BYO can allow couples to serve wine they already enjoy, but the restaurant decides whether it is available.
In Western Australia, a licensed venue can choose whether to permit BYO and whether to charge corkage. Responsible service requirements continue to apply. This is confirmed in the WA Government’s liquor licensing guidance.
Before purchasing drinks, ask:
Calculate the full cost of BYO, including corkage and service, before comparing it with the restaurant’s wine list.
A restaurant wedding reception works best when the room, food and service suit the size of the guest list.
A private dining room can allow guests to talk and listen to speeches without interruption. If there is no separate room, exclusive use of part or all of the restaurant may provide similar privacy.
Ask to see the proposed area with tables in place. Check the lighting, sightlines, entrances, toilets and distance between tables.
A smaller guest list can make it easier for the service team to understand individual requirements.
Give the restaurant a simple schedule covering:
Confirm one main contact for the event. This helps prevent different family members from giving conflicting instructions on the day.
Restaurants already have a working kitchen and dishes their team regularly prepares. This may reduce some of the uncertainty involved with temporary catering setups.
Ask whether the normal menu will be adjusted for the function, whether seasonal substitutions are possible and how long service will take for the full group.
A restaurant already has its own colours, furniture and lighting. Styling that works with the room usually looks more natural than trying to cover every surface.
Consider these intimate wedding ideas:
Ask about restrictions on candles, confetti, wall decorations, cakes and sound equipment before ordering anything.
Perth’s weather should also be considered. The Bureau of Meteorology describes the region as having warm to hot, dry summers and cool to mild, wetter winters. An indoor restaurant reception provides weather protection, but an outdoor ceremony still needs shade, water and a wet-weather alternative.
Floreat and the surrounding western suburbs provide an alternative to holding every wedding in the Perth CBD, beside the Swan River or in Fremantle.
For couples with family and friends in Floreat, Wembley, City Beach, Subiaco or nearby areas, a local restaurant may reduce travel between the ceremony and reception. The wider area also offers options for outdoor photographs or a separately booked ceremony.
The Town of Cambridge includes parks, reserves and coastal locations that may be hired for weddings. This can allow couples to hold a simple outdoor ceremony and then move to an indoor restaurant in the same broader area.
Before choosing a location, consider:
Visit the area at a similar time and on the same day of the week as the planned wedding. This provides a better understanding of traffic, parking and local activity.
Prego is located at 440 Cambridge Street, Floreat. Its current functions page lists a capacity of up to 80 guests and states that menus, wines and dietary requirements can be discussed for private events. Final capacity will depend on the chosen table layout and should be confirmed directly for your date.
Before making an enquiry, you can:
Prego’s published policy currently permits BYO wine from Tuesday to Saturday, subject to corkage. It also states that BYO cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions. The current à la carte menu says outside cakes are not permitted, so couples should confirm the latest cake policy before making arrangements.
If the restaurant suits your guest number and plans, use the Prego booking page or contact the team to discuss availability, layout, menus, drinks and event conditions.
There is no official guest-count definition. For planning purposes, a small wedding generally has around 20 to 70 guests. A celebration with fewer than 20 guests is often described as a micro wedding. The right number also depends on the venue’s layout and the style of reception.
It can be, especially when the restaurant already provides furniture, tableware, catering and service, and staff. However, exclusive-use fees, minimum-spend requirements, corkage and premium menus can increase the cost. Compare complete written quotes rather than looking only at venue hire.
Yes. A legal marriage ceremony can take place at a restaurant if the business agrees and the space is suitable. You still need an authorised marriage celebrant, a valid Notice of Intended Marriage and two witnesses over 18. Confirm the restaurant’s ceremony setup and timing before booking.
There is no standard capacity. Many small wedding plans involve 20 to 70 guests, but the actual number depends on the restaurant’s floor plan, table layout and space needed for speeches, music or decorations. Ask for the capacity of your preferred setup.
Only if the restaurant allows it. In Western Australia, a licensed venue can decide whether to permit BYO and whether to charge corkage. Ask about permitted drink types, available days, bottle limits, service, glassware and corkage before purchasing wine.
Prego Italian Restaurant has long been a destination choice for food lovers. Customers visit this special Italian Restaurant to taste some delectable Italian cuisine in the regions and leave the restaurant with great contentment. Our chef makes it a point to serve you the tastiest delicacies in the healthiest way. Count on us for a healthy & tasty treat and feel the indulgence!
For Lunch : TUE - FRI
For Dinner : TUE - SAT
440 Cambridge St, Floreat, Perth, WA 6014
We welcome BYO wine only on Tuesday to Saturday. (Corkage Fee) Not valid with any other Discounts or Promotions.
