Sydney has an endless range of wedding venue styles, from relaxed beach ceremonies and urban restaurant receptions to vibrant rooftop cocktail parties overlooking the Sydney Harbour skyline. With hotels, wineries and gardens galore, Sydney makes an unbeatable wedding destination.
Looking for a unique experience before or after your Sydney wedding? Here are our favourite ideas:
Tucked away in Mosman, this sandstone structure offers a piece of history and a slice of waterfront paradise for your wedding day on the harbour. Gunners’ Barracks has three distinct ceremony options, including a grassy lawn with harbour views, a sandstone courtyard, and a covered terrace overlooking the waterfront. Inside, your wedding reception will take place in an elegant and timeless wedding venue with gorgeous chandeliers and big windows looking out to the water.
Sydney’s famous Taronga Zoo offers an incredible safari wedding experience for couples looking for something equally unique and beautiful. Catering here is by the award-winning Epicure team, promising an extravagant culinary experience for you and all your guests. Icing on the cake? Guests will have the option to go luxury glamping on the grounds throughout your wedding weekend!
Sergeants’ Mess is a gorgeous, modern waterfront wedding venue in Mosman with its own private wharf that doubles as a memorable wedding entrance spot. A couple of spacious balconies overlook Rose Bay and Watsons Bay, while inside the modern setting with huge windows overlooking the water give the whole place an alfresco feel with a sparkling harbour backdrop.
Part of Ivy Precinct on George Street in Sydney CBD, Ivy Ballroom by Merivale is a glamorous event space filled with natural light and classic black-and-white decor. The in-house events team includes award-winning catering and talented event producers and florists who will make your dreams a reality.
Under the looming arch of the soaring Sydney Harbour Bridge, Pier One Sydney Harbour is a luxury 5-star hotel poised on the glistening waters of Walsh Bay. Extending out across the pontoon, there are two indoor wedding venues with unrivalled waterfront views through huge glass windows, and an outdoor marquee venue for alfresco ceremonies and receptions bathed in natural light.
Set in the heart of the city, Establishment Ballroom is a glamorous event space with cosy interiors and a cool NYC-style terrace tucked between heritage buildings. Prestige, architecture and style collide at this stunning spot.
Set in the heart of the city, Establishment Bar is part of the stylish Establishment precinct on George Street. It’s a gorgeous all-weather space with an enclosed terrace surrounded by exposed brick walls. The award-winning catering team Merivale is behind this stunner of a venue.
Set right along the waterfront of Watsons Bay, this historic 1830s Georgian mansion makes a gorgeous setting for an elegant Sydney beach wedding. Just across the road is a lovely beach ceremony area with a towering fig tree, while inside Dunbar House is a glamorous setting of crystal chandeliers and timeless furnishings.
At Ivy Sunroom, no detail is overlooked. This modern space is stylishly decorated in deep blue hues, marble accents and white wicker chairs. It’s a meandering venue with plenty of setup options and cosy nooks for your guests to enjoy.
Amora Jamison Sydney is a luxury 5-star hotel experience with two spacious ballrooms awaiting your personal touch. The experienced events team are well versed in conducting some of the finest weddings in the city, so with their assistance, you can transform the spaces into heavenly ceremony and reception rooms. Another advantage of hiring this beautiful hotel for your wedding day is that it’s located near to Sydney’s greatest landmarks for unbeatable photo opportunities.
Located in Sydney’s beautiful Double Bay neighbourhood, InterContinental Double Bay hotel offers an elegant and timeless wedding venue for those looking to celebrate in a grand ballroom, romantic courtyard garden, or a combination of the two. If you’re looking for a wedding venue where you can marry outside and then host your reception in an Art Deco space indoors, this stunner has you covered.
The Zest Waterfront venue Boathouse at The Spit in Mosman is a gorgeous Sydney Harbour wedding venue with floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The catering team here are known for their incredible attention to service and extravagant menu offerings, even going so far as to offer a dumpling bar or whiskey bar for those couples so inclined.
An exclusive farm wedding venue on the outskirts of Sydney is awaiting your discovery. Located in the quaint suburbs of Camden South, Belgenny Farm is a rural retreat with ample outdoor space and a barn wedding venue to throw the ultimate celebration. The Granary is perfect for rustic dinner receptions, and the surrounding lawns make beautiful backdrops to alfresco ceremonies.
Set in historic Queen Victoria Building, this heritage-listed Sydney ballroom features soaring ceilings, elaborate chandeliers, and elegant neutral tones throughout. You’ll love the grand setting, which makes for a beautiful wedding ceremony backdrop or big-bash reception spot.
Sofitel Sydney Wentworth weddings have the option to marry outside in the courtyard or inside the glamorous ballroom. Receptions at this luxury hotel wedding venue usually take place in the Art Deco ballroom with its glamorous atmosphere. Some couples prefer to host their wedding reception in the Garden Court Restaurant overlooking the courtyard, as it has a more bright and light atmosphere.
The Langham, Sydney has a timeless appeal for traditional Sydney weddings. Positioned in the photogenic district of The Rocks near Observatory Hill, this luxury 5-star hotel wedding venue includes an indulgent spa, 96 chic hotel bedrooms, a quintessential Drawing Room and beautiful Ballroom for up to 150 seated guests with magnificent outlooks over the western Sydney waterfront.
Nestled in The Rocks, Sydney’s most historic area, Rydges Sydney Harbour is a 4-star hotel venue with endless wedding potential. 55 George Street is its unique rooftop wedding space, complete with sociable lounge seating, a white marquee and a relaxed atmosphere. Sip on cocktails by the pool and enjoy breathtaking views over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.
Located in beautiful Rose Bay, The Beachouse at Point Piper features sweeping Sydney Harbour venues. This waterfront wedding venue is known for its stunning catering options and is the proud recipient of the Best Reception Venue in NSW award at both the 2018 and 2019 ABIA Awards.
Positioned between the sparkling waters of Sydney’s Circular Quay and the natural beauty of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Hyde Hacienda at Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour has a superb location and plenty of outdoor wedding photograph opportunities nearby. The stylish cocktail lounge in the luxury 5-star hotel boasts remarkable views over the iconic Sydney city skyline.
Your wedding guests will love attending your wedding ceremony overlooking Bondi Beach followed by a fun cocktail party on the terrace and reception inside this relaxed, beachy space. The Blue Room Bondi weddings are always vibrant occasions with Bondi Beach on full display.
Conveniently located next to Central Station, Rydges Sydney Central is a 4-star hotel wedding venue surrounded by Sydney’s most sophisticated suburb, the Surry Hills. The hotel’s pillarless wedding spaces are equipped with contemporary design and state of the art technology, and there’s also the option to host unique receptions on the outdoor terrace or in its plush cinema room.
At the Sydney Harbour Marriott in Circular Quay, world-class cuisine, an experienced events team and a variety of indoor and outdoor wedding spaces combine to create an unforgettable nuptial setting. Located in the heart of Sydney Harbour, overlooking some of Australia’s most cherished landmarks, this 5-star hotel wedding venue is one not to be missed on your wedding venue search.
InterContinental Sydney weddings are grand, timeless and picture-perfect. With the all-inclusive ease of a ceremony, reception and accommodation in one glamorous destination, this luxury hotel has become one of the most coveted addresses for Sydney weddings. Across the 5-star hotel, there are a large variety of wedding spaces to choose from and each space enjoys direct views over Sydney Harbour and its legendary landmarks.
Fresh, vibrant and uplifting, Vibe Rushcutters is a modern wedding venue with an outdoorsy feel. Enjoy a relaxed drinks receptions on the verandah and create a glamorous feast for all your friends and family in the Glass House. Every event space features floor to ceiling windows to bring in an abundance of natural light and the classy interiors reflect the natural beauty of the venue’s coastal location in Rushcutters Bay.
Situated on the fringe of Hyde Park, Pullman Sydney Hyde Park is a picturesque wedding venue with a variety of flexible function spaces. Complete with floor to ceiling glass windows and outlooks over blooming gardens, it’s a scenic location where you can celebrate all aspects of your wedding day under one roof. From classical ballroom affairs to trendy rooftop receptions on the terrace, there are so many options to explore.
This laid-back Sydney restaurant by the Royal Botanic Gardens is great for couples looking for an atmospheric wedding venue with vintage flair. Kittyhawk’s split-level space includes a lounge bar and conservatory, and is available for exclusive or partial hire. Expect French gourmet menus, custom cocktails and chic industrial features that suit all kinds of contemporary setups.
Imagine dining in a wine cellar on your wedding day, surrounded by ageing barrels and atmospheric mood lighting. Urban Winery Sydney provides all of this and more; it’s a unique warehouse venue to make your own and fill with up to 180 seated guests. Tucked in the Entertainment Quarter in East Sydney, this winery venue has an ideal location, yet feels a world away from the city.
Sydney never falls short when it comes to exquisite waterfront weddings with unrivalled views of internationally recognised landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Here’s our expert advice on how to pick the perfect Sydney wedding venue.
What kinds of wedding venues are there in Sydney? We’ve curated some of the most sought-after styles.
Sydney is home to over 100 beaches along its Pacific Ocean coastline, and some of the most famous include Bondi Beach, Bronte Beach and Manly Beach. Many couples are drawn to the light and airy venues in these locations, with large outdoor terraces and direct access to the beach. Sydney’s beachfront wedding venues typically have a carefree, relaxed vibe and are illuminated by natural sunlight. Host your ceremony in the sand, and then head into a laid-back beach club for a waterfront reception overlooking the sea.
Sydney’s most luxurious hotel wedding venues are scattered throughout Sydney CBD, Sydney Harbour, The Rocks and the Surry Hills, near central transport links for seamless guest arrival. The best city attractions, like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and Royal Botanic Gardens, are usually within walking distance, and with plush accommodation on-site, your guests can spend time sightseeing after the wedding. Traditionally, Sydney hotels will feature a glamorous ballroom wedding venue with sophisticated neutral interiors to put your own stamp on. Whether you’re after a contemporary or timeless wedding style, there’s a Sydney hotel for every preference.
There are an abundance of casual and formal fine dining establishments across Sydney CBD and Sydney Harbour, each with their own individual identity. Some feature sweeping cocktail bars and trendy dance floor areas, and others might house Michelin-trained chefs, or secret outdoor courtyards. Restaurant wedding venues are as vibrant and versatile as they come, and there’s often no need to bring decorations as the venue is already decked out with a desirable aesthetic. So, if you’re looking for an atmospheric wedding with a primary focus on food and drink, then a restaurant wedding venue in Sydney would be your best bet.
For couples looking for something a little different, they might consider Sydney winery wedding venues, where their guests will be led into an ambient wine cellar setting, bathed in soft, mood lighting and lined by walls of ageing barrels containing exclusive labels from local and international vineyards. Sydney winery weddings present a unique twist on the traditional wedding vision. Transport your guests on a journey out to the rustic vineyards of New South Wales, and treat them to a one-of-a-kind wedding meal, expertly paired with wines to complement each flavour.
Central Sydney wedding venues are often more expensive than in the suburbs, but we’ve got a couple of tips to help you keep the prices down.
First, we’d suggest opting for a BBQ, food truck or buffet setup for your wedding meal, rather than a traditional sit-down menu. This is a more cost-effective way of catering at your wedding and it encourages a more relaxed and interactive atmosphere.
Another tactical approach is to look for Sydney wedding venues that work on a minimum spend basis. This allows you to channel all of your funds directly into food and beverages, rather than on venue hire. Alternatively, or seek out affordable dry hire spaces, or venues with all-inclusive wedding packages that keep within your budget.
A few of Sydney’s most popular waterfront wedding venues are Pier One Sydney Harbour, InterContinental Double Bay, Zest Waterfront Venues Boathouse at The Spit, and Rydges Sydney Harbour. Urban Winery Sydney, Gunners’ Barracks, and Kittyhawk are popular Sydney wedding venues with a more industrial aesthetic.
Prices for Sydney wedding venues range widely depending on your wedding date, venue, and style of service. Ceremony venues usually charge an outdoor permit fee or venue hire fee, typically ranging between $800-1,500.
The most affordable wedding reception venues usually offer pricing around $70 per guest for minimal catering service plus another $70 per guest for minimal bar service. Typically, a venue’s catering costs are the biggest part of a wedding budget.
Some Sydney wedding venues charge only for hire of the space, in which case, hire fees start as low as $500 and increase depending on the scope of the venue.
It really depends on what time of year you want to host your wedding and where you’d like to get married, but most Sydney couples book their wedding venue 9-15 months out. At a bare minimum, our wedding planners recommend 3 months of planning time, but they’ve also been known to make weddings happen quicker if required.
Sydney is filled with accommodation options that range from glamorous and luxurious to affordable and cosy. Our top picks for modern Sydney wedding venues with accommodation are Pier One Sydney Harbour, Amora Jamison, The Langham, Sydney, Sofitel Wentworth, Vibe Rushcutters Bay, and Rydges Sydney Harbour.