We've photographed weddings at some amazing locations over the years - at a castle in England and a traditional Fijian village to name a couple. But some of the most spectacular locations are found here in our own backyard. We are completely spoilt for choice here in Sydney and NSW. That can be a bit of a problem for the newly engaged though...where to start, right?
I remember when Nick and I were planning our wedding back in 2011, (we actually started to plan a wedding in Sydney, and then ended up getting married in my hometown of Winnipeg, Canada), I felt like there were too many choices and not enough time to visit all of them. I also wanted to see some real weddings shot at the location so I could have an idea of how the venue looked at different times of day and to get ideas on how to style the venue. That was kind of hard to find! So, to give you new brides and grooms a hand we have compiled a list of our favourite wedding venues around Sydney and New South Wales. All of the rural locations are within easy driving distance from Sydney, but give you the feel of a destination wedding in the country. Here we go, in no particular order:
redwood park and the woodhouse, Wollombi NSW
Redwood Park is a beautiful rural location in the lower Hunter Valley, set on 100 acres, with a pond and over 5000 trees. A newly purpose built wedding and event space, called the Woodhouse, is the crown jewel of the park. This stunning timber-clad building has a beautiful rustic feel, and can host up to 150 guests. There is also an outdoor dance floor under a beautifully lit permanent marquee. Onsite accommodation is available in the 140 year-old barn, The Barnstay, which accommodates up to 16 people. Onsite glamping is also available. If you want a truly rustic, yet elegant country wedding venue with the ability to make your day truly unique, then this is the place for you. To learn more about Redwood Park (formerly Wollombi Barnstay), check out their website https://thewoodhousewollombi.com.au and see more photos from weddings we have photographed there: Kasey and Mike's wedding, and Lulu and Rory's wedding.
The Boat House, Palm Beach NSW
We love this eclectic and rustic venue! With Pittwater and beach views, it has a lovely, casual atmosphere and a fantastic deck overlooking the water. An added bonus is the amazing array of flowers and produce they display at the front entrance, leaving more for your personal flower budget :) Wedding ceremonies can be held at the venue or on one of the nearby beaches or the Bible Garden (apply to Pittwater council), perfect for a relaxed Northern Beaches wedding! Contact The Boat House on www.theboathousepb.com.au and have a look at Kim & Scott's wedding photographed there.
Sergeants Mess, Mosman
Another waterfront stunner, this wedding venue is sleek, modern and glam! A larger venue by city standards, Sergeants Mess can hold up to 250 guests in a gorgeous dining room overlooking Chowder Bay. Mosman has some amazing places for wedding ceremonies too, including Bradley's Head, Clifton Gardens, and Little Sirius Cove. Contact Sergeants Mess at www.sergeantsmess.com.au and check out some of our recent weddings photographed there: Aimee & Daniel and Carlie & Paul
Peppers Manor House, Southern Highlands NSW
We had a great time photographing at this quaint country venue. The grounds were gorgeous, with lots of old buildings, flower gardens, ponds and country scenery, the perfect backdrop for bridal party portraits. Fifteen minutes from Bowral, this is a great country escape where guests can stay in one of the 43 pretty rooms in the manor house. The fine dining restaurant, Katers, can hold 120 guests or the venue can arrange for a marquee for outdoor receptions. Contact Peppers Manor House at www.peppers.com.au and check out Julia & Andrew's wedding for more images.
Kangaroo Valley Bush Retreat, Kangaroo Valley NSW
The Bush Retreat is such a cool and laid-back place for a wedding weekend. The venue can accommodate 68 of your nearest and dearest on site in the lodge or individual cabins, and boasts over 100 acres of riverside and bushland property. There are some amazing spots for your ceremony, including the 'Rock Cathedral' or a deck overlooking the valley and river below. We had such a great time there... actually maybe it's time to take a little visit for a family holiday! Contact Kangaroo Valley Bush Retreat at http://kangaroovalleybushretreat.com.au and see Jenny & Phil's Wedding for more photos.
Q Station, Manly
We love the Q Station for its history, charm and amazing location. It's hard to believe when you're there that busy Manly Beach is only a few minutes away. The grounds are vast, with views over the harbour and the function room can cater for up to 180 people. There's also a beach and a wharf on site, meaning that you can have all of your portraits done in one location, leaving more time to party! Contact Q Station at www.qstation.com.au and see more photos from Cassie & Ryan's Q Station wedding.
We'd love to hear about the venues on your list! Some venues in Sydney where we'd love to photograph a wedding are Cockatoo Island, The Grounds of Alexandria, and Fort Denison. Drop us a line if you'd like to chat about your wedding plans - we'd love to hear from you!