Guide · Drone footage
Can you have a drone at your wedding in Queensland?
Published October 2026 · Sean Harman
Yes, usually. In Australia a drone weighing 2 kg or less can be flown for work, including filming a wedding, without a pilot licence, as long as the operator holds the right accreditation, the drone is registered and the flight follows CASA's standard operating conditions. You also need permission from your venue and decent weather.
What CASA requires for a drone under 2 kg
I hold a CASA Remote Pilot Licence (RePL), and my drone is registered. For drones of 2 kg or less a pilot licence is not required, but I hold one, and I fly within CASA's rules. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority calls this the "sub-2 kg excluded category". Photographers and film makers are listed as examples of businesses that use it. The operator must:
- hold an aviation reference number (ARN)
- hold a drone operator accreditation
- register the drone
- fly within the standard operating conditions
The standard operating conditions in plain English
- Fly no higher than 120 metres (400 feet).
- Keep the drone at least 30 metres from other people, unless they are helping to control or navigate it.
- Fly only one drone at a time.
These are the rules most relevant to a wedding. Check CASA's drone safety rules for the full list, including keeping the drone in sight and staying clear of airports and emergencies.
What that means at a wedding
The 30-metre rule means a drone does not hover over your ceremony or guests. It is best used for the arrival, the venue and the landscape, and for portraits with just the two of you. Drone footage can add a sense of place that ground cameras cannot, as in the Prideaux Estate film.
Ask your venue first
Many venues set their own drone rules, and some do not allow drones. Ask early, and ask whether there are restricted areas, quiet times or neighbouring properties to consider.
Weather and cost
Drones cannot fly in strong wind, heavy rain or low cloud. Drone footage is weather and location dependent, which is why it is $800 plus GST and non-refundable if it cannot fly. It is included in my Your Legacy package, where it is flown only where permitted. See the 2026 price list.
Questions to ask any drone operator
- Are you a licensed drone pilot? (I hold a CASA RePL.)
- Do you hold an ARN and drone operator accreditation, and is your drone registered?
- Do you carry public liability insurance?
- What happens to the fee if the weather stops the flight?
- Where will you fly relative to the ceremony and guests?
This is general information, not legal advice. Always check the current rules on CASA's website before you fly. Planning aerial footage? Let's check your date.
