Finding an amazing wedding venue that ticks all the boxes is no easy feat! As wedding photographers, we’ve seen hundreds of different wedding venues around Sydney. The good news is, if you’re planning a wedding in Sydney, there are so many amazing places to choose from! We’ve made a list of some of our favourite wedding venues in Sydney to help narrow down the choices for you, and to get you started on one of your first major decisions when planning your wedding (p.s the next choice should be your photographer ;). We’ve broken down the list by type of reception venue; Beach/Waterfront, Garden, and Urban/City.
Beach and Waterfront Wedding Venues:
Aqua Dining
This classy venue offers beautiful iconic harbour views and is centrally located in North Sydney, just over the harbour bridge from the city. The cuisine is equally lovely, with a modern italian flair. For a seated dinner, the restaurant can hold up to 120 people, with up to 150 for a cocktail reception. Options for photography around Aqua Dining are fantastic; with the harbour bridge, Luna park, Wendy Whitely’s Secret Garden and the Rocks all nearby, you can choose the perfect spot to capture beautiful images.
Athol Hall
We love this quaint venue on Sydney’s lower North Shore. It has a cottage-like, away from it all feel. Located in Ashton Park, Mosman, you can pretend you’re in the countryside, but from the Athol Hall Lawn ceremony space and the wrap around porch, you can see the harbour bridge across the water! The rustic interior is very charming, and the open space allows you to adapt the decor to your taste. With seating for 130 guests, the space can allow for the perfect number of guests for a medium sized wedding. The park-like setting, as well as the tiny harbourside beach along the edge of the property, provides the perfect backdrop for wedding photos without having to drive anywhere, leaving you more time to spend with your guests.
Banjo Paterson Cottage Restaurant
This charming sandstone restaurant is a lovely choice for a wedding venue. Dating back to the 1830s, it has plenty of old-world charm, with pretty views of landscaped gardens and the Parramatta River. Though not a traditional wedding venue, since the dining rooms are split up instead of being one big open space, the interior is quaint and allows to you use minimal decorations. If you’re having a small and cozy winter wedding, this would be a perfect venue.
Bathers’ Pavilion
Set directly on the stunning Balmoral Beach on Sydney’s lower north shore, Bathers’ Pavilion is a classy, yet relaxed venue for a beachside wedding. The balcony overlooking the beach is the perfect spot for canapés, while the modern indoor space allows a blank canvas for your wedding theme. We love photographing at Balmoral beach for the lovely views, pretty white sand and the nearby Lawry Plunkett Reserve which offers a bush setting to add variety to your wedding images.
Bayview Yacht Racing Association/BYRA Weddings
The perfect venue for DIY fans, this cost effective, open plan space allows you to add your own personal touch. Attached to the main hall is a large deck overlooking Bayview, on Sydney's Northern Beaches. The entire venue is BYO, meaning you supply your own catering, drinks and decor. Nearby photography options include a plethora of beaches, such as Mona Vale and Turimetta beaches.
Beachside Dojo
Another beachside beauty, located on Manly Beach, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. This venue offers a relaxed yet elegant Hamptons-style setting, with large alfresco areas overlooking the beach. Manly is also a great spot for carrying the party on into the wee hours with lots of pubs and late night bars nearby. Manly, Shelly and Little Manly beaches also offer beautiful options for wedding photographs.
Deckhouse
Located in Woolwich on the lower north shore, Deckhouse is a larger waterfront venue with seating capacity for up to 240 guests. Surrounded by floor to ceiling glass, this wedding venue offers panoramic views overlooking Sydney Harbour. It is also situated in Clarkes Point Reserve, a large waterfront park, and nearby to historic buildings and docks, which make for really interesting photography locations.
Doltone House - Jones Bay Wharf
If you’re looking for a stylish, heritage, waterfront wedding venue for a large wedding (up to 680 people!), then Doltone House in Pyrmont is definitely worth a look. With a huge timber deck overlooking the harbour, as well as several different function rooms to suit your needs, this venue is a unique choice for your wedding day.
Dunbar House
Ideally situated in Watsons’ Bay, directly on Sydney harbour, Dunbar house offers a beautiful heritage house for your wedding.
Gunners Barracks
This classic (and classy) venue is one of our favourites on the lower north shore. We’ve photographed countless weddings here and always find each event to be unique and beautiful. Ceremonies can take place in various areas, such as the lawn overlooking the harbour and city, in the outdoor courtyard or even on the stunning balcony. The timeless feel and intimate location of Gunners Barracks Tea Rooms makes you feel far away from it all. The national park setting, harbour views and historical buildings make it the perfect backdrop for wedding photographs.
Jonah’s Restaurant and Boutique Hotel
One of the ultimate luxuries on the Northern Beaches is a fine dinner at Jonah’s, so imagine having your wedding there! This amazing venue overlooks the pristine Whale Beach, giving you the feel of a tropical getaway with all the class and delicious food Sydney has to offer. You can opt for an intimate reception of up to 48 people on the terrace, or hire out the whole restaurant, which seats up to 122 guests. Nearby bushland offers lush backdrops for photographs, not to mention the plentiful beaches and scenic piers within a short drive. If you’re particularly adventurous, you could even climb up to the Palm Beach lighthouse for some unforgettable wedding images!
Long Reef Golf Club
A classic Northern beaches wedding venue, Long Reef Golf Club is a relaxed and pretty place for a wedding. With views of the beach and up to the headland, DIY options and a fun, beachy atmosphere, this venue offers a great and affordable option to chilled out brides and grooms.
Moby Dicks Whale Beach
Set high on a hill overlooking Whale Beach, this Northern Beaches venue is simply stunning. As part of the Boathouse group, you can expect beachy decor, with amazing floral arrangements and a laid back vibe. Catering for up to 200 people, Moby Dicks is a great spot for a medium to large sized wedding.
Narrabeen Beach SLSC
This new surf life saving club offers a modern space, with high ceilings and a wall of glass overlooking Narrabeen Beach. Perfect for DIY weddings and low key receptions, this venue is central to the northern beaches, allowing for many amazing options for ceremony locations and bridal party photographs.
Orso
Located on the Spit in Mosman, with panoramic water views, Orso Waterside is a very pretty and classy location for a wedding. Catering for groups from 50-240 people, Orso offers a lovely atmosphere and delicious food. A lunchtime reception would work especially well here, allowing guests to take advantage of the lovely view.
Pilu at Freshwater
Set up high, overlooking Freshwater beach, Pilu is a fine dining restaurant with buckets of character. A more quaint venue is harder to find! They can cater for groups of up to 110, however are ideally suited for smaller, more intimate weddings. This again is another venue that is wonderful for a daytime reception, allowing for full appreciation of the amazing view.
Q Station
With endless scenic backdrops for wedding ceremonies and multiple historic rooms for receptions, Q Station in Manly is a unique and beautiful location for a wedding. You can opt to arrive by ferry or car, and although the location seems secluded, its location on the harbour is very easily accessible. The history of the site, along with very pretty natural surrounds makes it an excellent option for both small and large weddings.
Ripples Chowder Bay
This pretty restaurant is housed in a heritage listed military building overlooking Clifton Gardens Beach and the harbour. We’ve dined here several times and the food is fantastic, and the atmosphere is fantastic. The large, covered terrace offers a lovely open air venue for a semi-formal wedding. With the beach and gardens within walking distance, there are endless options for bridal photographs.
Royal Motor Yacht Club of NSW
A classic waterfront wedding venue, The Royal Motor Yacht Club and the Beachouse Restaurant in Point Piper offers lovely views over the marina, a pretty, hamptons beach style theme and a large function space. The location is excellent as well, with proximity to Sydney CBD and all the pretty sights of the Eastern Suburbs.
Sails on Lavender Bay
Another harbour-front stunner, this modern restaurant offers amazing food, panoramic harbour views and fun options for photography, such as Luna Park and Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden. A very classy option to showcase Sydney’s beauty and iconic landmarks and impress overseas guests!
Sergeant’s Mess
Classy, modern and elegant, Sergeant’s Mess is a fantastic waterfront wedding venue. It is surrounded by military history and natural bushland on Sydney’s Lower North Shore. We love the options for wedding ceremonies nearby, such as Clifton Gardens, Bradley’s Head or right on the terrace beside the restaurant.
The Blue Room Bondi
This dedicated wedding and function centre is a fantastic location for a medium sized wedding with an iconic beach view. Located in a renovated heritage building overlooking Bondi beach, The Blue Room offers a beautiful function space with a coastal vibe, rooftop ceremony location and proximity to amazing beaches and parks for photographs.
The Boathouse - Shelly Beach
The Boathouse on Shelly Beach is a beautiful wedding venue that seems to have it all - beachfront location, delicious food, beautiful decor and laidback vibe. We’ve photographed many weddings here and they’ve always been fun and relaxed. There are so many places to take amazing photographs as well, including Shelly Beach itself, the headland, Fairy Bower, Manly and Little Manly beaches.
The Island
You can’t get much more waterfront than this venue! The Island is a floating, beach club style venue in the middle of Sydney harbour, with views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. With DJ equipment on board, and room for up to 250 people, you can host an amazing party here! There’s even a little sea pool in the harbour so guests can take a dip after all the dancing they’ll be doing.
Watson’s Bay Hotel
A quintessentially cool beach venue, we love Watson’s Bay Hotel for weddings! There’s something so relaxed and easygoing about Watson’s Bay, with Camp Cove nearby for beach photographs and the wharf area for glimpses back to the city. The venue itself is lovely, with a hamptons beach feel and fantastic food.
Zest Boathouse at The Spit
Another fantastic waterfront venue on the spit, with a glamorous and classic vibe. We also love that this venue proudly supports same-sex marriage and the LGBTQ+ community.
1908 CRONULLA
A pretty venue in the Shire, 1908 Cronulla has a modern coastal vibe with the menu focusing on seafood. There are two main function rooms to choose from, or both can be used for a larger wedding.
Park and Garden View Wedding Venues:
Acre Eatery Camperdown Commons
Focusing on farm-to-table style dining, this rustic venue is a really cool option for an inner city wedding with a country feel. There are terraces, garden spaces and a large dining room to choose from for your wedding reception.
Allegro Function Centre
Located in the Hills district, this rustic venue has an amazing terrace with panoramic views of native bushland. With over 60 years of experience in hosting functions and events, the crew at Allegro really know how to create an immaculate wedding. The grounds offer plenty of locations for photographs amongst bushland, and the pretty Fagan park is only a 15 minute drive away.
Botanic House
Located right in the centre of the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens, there’s no venue more central, yet more surrounded by nature than the Botanic House. The restaurant itself is surrounded in glass with panoramic views of the garden. The harbour is only a short stroll away, so you can have a variety of backdrops for your wedding photographs.
Centennial Homestead
A beautiful venue located in Centennial Park, the restaurant has views of the gardens and ponds, and has a elegant and romantic feel. The Homestead team can also arrange marquee weddings within the park for something a little different. Ceremonies can be held in various locations within the park.
Cornwallis House
This little known wedding venue is a real gem. Set amongst orange groves and upon the Hawkesbury river, Cornwallis house is a grand Queenslander style home, where you can hold an country garden style or marquee wedding. The house itself sleeps up to 8, and it is a perfect place to set up a DIY style wedding, since you can choose your own catering and BYO alcohol.
Lindesay House
This is a classic and tasteful wedding venue, situated within an 1830s mansion on Darling Point. Larger functions are held in a marquee overlooking manicured gardens. The gardens and proximity to the harbour make it the perfect location for bridal portraits.
Manly Golf Club
The Manly Golf Club offers an elegant location for wedding receptions and ceremonies. The upper floor of the club includes a grand terrace overlooking the golf course, as well as a large dining room and dance area. Perfect for large groups, this venue has impeccable service and every detail is catered for. The grounds offer lovely greenery and bushland walkways for photographs.
Monash Country Club
A beautiful spot nestled in the hills in Narrabeen, The Monash Country Club offers views across rolling fields and bushland. The proximity to Narrabeen beach is fantastic for bridal portraits!
Milestone Events
This pretty and quaint venue with an art deco feel is on North Head in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. The food is spectacular, and the room lends itself to DIY and creative couples. Ceremonies can be held outdoors, overlooking the ocean from North Head, or indoors within the main dining room. For more info on this venue, see our dedicated article on Milestone Events.
Oliveto Ristorante and Bar
A lovely venue in Rhodes, set in Brays Bay Reserve, Oliveto offers panoramic views of the river and amazing Italian cuisine. A perfect option for an elegant and classic wedding!
The Calyx
Have you seen this amazing place? It oozes modern coolness. The living floral display that takes up the entire back half of the interior space means you can be minimal with your own wedding decorations. Located in the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, there are plenty of beautiful locations for photographs.
St. Josephs Guest House
A little further afield, St. Josephs Guest House is located 90 minutes from Sydney, in MacDonald Valley. This quaint sandstone building offers country charm and elegance. It is a daytime only wedding venue, which is perfect for a more casual lunchtime reception. This venue also offers plenty of DIY options, so you can craft your perfect day.
Vaucluse House Tearooms
A beautiful 19th century cottage located close to Sydney harbour, this venue is the perfect place for a classic, country garden wedding.
Sydney CBD and Urban Wedding Venues:
Beta events (beta bar)
Situated in the CBD at 238 Castlereagh St, Beta Events offers gorgeous event spaces within a heritage building. The Gallery room, with its sandstone walls and high ceilings, seats up to 160 guests and provides an elegant space for a city wedding.
Daisy’s Milkbar
For something a little quirky, laidback and cute, Daisy’s Milkbar is a great choice! With retro styling, yummy snack food and, of course, milkshakes, this tiny venue can offer something unique for an inner city wedding. Located in Petersham, in Sydney’s Inner West, there are lots of options for urban wedding photographs.
Kittyhawk
An awesome retro cocktail bar in Sydney’s CBD, Kittyhawk specialises in French food and offers a variety of cool function spaces. You can even hire the entire bar and sprawl out for your wedding reception.
Olio Kensington St
A modern restaurant situated in an old rum store, Olio is a lovely option for a smaller wedding.
One Penny Red
The food is SO good here! For foodie couples hosting a smaller wedding, One Penny Red is an awesome choice. The restaurant is located in the old Summer Hill post office, so it has a vintage feel, with large windows and classic architectural detailing. The restaurant can host 20-50 guests for a (delicious) sit down dinner.
Ovolo Wooloomooloo
Nick and I love this place, and in fact always stay here when we need a mini-staycation away from the kiddies. It’s got a great mix of modern and vintage, being located on the 100 year old Wooloomooloo wharf, and has great photography options both inside and out. The Royal Botanic gardens are nearby, as well as the harbour for those water views. This amazingly cool hotel offers 4 different function spaces to cater to weddings large and small. And if you decide to stay overnight, they’ve got an awesome buffet breakfast in the morning! Score!
Royal Automobile Club
A touch of old world charm and vintage elegance can be found at the Royal Automobile club. The grand ballroom is a unique space for a vintage wedding. Around the corner from the Royal Botanic Gardens and Circular Quay, the photographic options are endless.
The Grounds of Alexandria
Probably one of the coolest and most versatile venues in Sydney, weddings at The Grounds offer some amazing reception spaces. Catering for group sizes from 12 to 550 people, in both indoor and outdoor settings, The Grounds is an awesome, centrally located wedding venue in Sydney. Not only is the food amazing, but the rustic and industrial feel of the buildings, as well as the flower markets and displays, offers some interesting backdrops for wedding photographs.
The Terrace - One Farrer
A truly unique outdoor event venue space, The Terrace is right in the centre of the CBD. Surrounded by heritage buildings and a view of the city, this large outdoor terrace offers a modern design and a stunning space to host a wedding of up to 120 guests.
Three Blue Ducks Rosebery
This rustic indoor/outdoor venue is a great find within an urban setting. Amazing food paired with a converted industrial warehouse makes for a very impressive choice of wedding venue.
We hope that you found some great ideas for your wedding venue from this list. We’d love to help you with the next big decision in your wedding planning journey - photography! Please get in touch and let’s have a chat about your exciting plans.
Nick and Lindsey :)
