As Sydney’s leading wedding celebrant, I’ve been a part of hundreds of wedding ceremonies, which means I’ve been to, and experienced my fair share of wedding venues in Sydney. And while I get to experience it from the outside and see all the magic and glory come together, I also inevitably get first-hand insights from the wedded couple on whether the venue has lived up to their expectations.
In Sydney, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to wedding venues. We have some of the best wedding backdrops in the world – and world-class hospitality venues who boast professional and exceptional wedding capabilities. Based on my industry knowledge, my experience, and (frankly) my opinion, these are my top picks as a wedding celebrant who wishes only to help more couples create their dream wedding:
Author: Meggan Brummer
If we haven’t met before - I am an award-winning Marriage Celebrant in Sydney, Australia.
I’ve married hundreds of couples over the last 13 years and have over 23 years experience as a professional writer.
1. Zest Waterfront Venues, The Beachhouse at Point Piper
Top of the list is Zest Waterfront Venues in Point Piper. Easily one of the best wedding venues in Sydney, the waterfront location is best known for its stunning setting both indoors and outdoors.
Location: The Beachhouse, Zest Waterfront, is Located at the Royal Motor Yacht Club, 21 Wunulla Road, Point Piper NSW 2027, Sydney, NSW.
Vibe: Classy, Prestigious, romantic, elegant, waterfront, with stunning views.
Size: Suitable for weddings up to 150 seated dinner dance or 250 cocktail style.
Features: The Beachhouse has incredible views looking out over spectacular Rosebay.
Getting there: just minutes from the city.
Parking: no parking on site. Parking is free and untimed on Wunulla Road and surrounding streets.
Wedding Photographs: there are many nearby stunning locations for your wedding photos, including Watsons Bay, Vaulcluse, Centennial Park, Rosebay, the Opera House and Sydney Botanical Gardens – giving you lots of options for various stunning wedding photograph locations.
2. Chiswick
Location: Chiswick is located at :65 Ocean Street, Woollahra, NSW 2025, Sydney, Australia
Vibe: Rustic, romantic, intimate, garden.
Size: Suitable for a wedding from up to 116.
Features: Can have your ceremony and reception on site. Excellent chef, on-site vegetable garden, freshly cooked food, fine dining.
Getting there: just minutes from the city.
Parking: due to this being a busy area, parking is limited and on-street.
Wedding Photographs: there are many nearby stunning locations for your wedding photos, including Watsons Bay, Vaucluse, Centennial Park, Rosebay, the Opera House and Sydney Botanical Gardens – giving you lots of options for various stunning wedding photograph locations. Or you can simply stay at the venue and have your photographs taken in the garden – one of the best wedding venues in Sydney that is not waterfront, and yet, still has some of the jaw dropping photo opportunities.
3. Gunners Barracks
Location: Gunners’ Barracks, Mosman, Sydney, NSW.
Vibe: Classy, prestigious, romantic, elegant, stunning Harbourside views.
Size: Suitable for a wedding from 10 to 180 guests.
Features: Balcony and lawn overlooking the Harbour, plus gorgeous sandstone courtyard.
Getting there: just 10-15 minutes from the city, 5 minutes’ drive from the wharf at Taronga Zoo.
Parking: Ample complimentary parking in the public car park, one minute walk from the venue.
Wedding Photographs: there are many nearby stunning locations for your wedding photos, including Balmoral Beach, Bradley’s Head Amphitheatre, Clifton Gardens and Kirribilli, with its views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge – giving you lots of options for various stunning nearby wedding photograph locations.
4. Sergeants’ Mess
Location: Sergeants’ Mess, Mosman, Sydney, NSW
Vibe: Classy, prestigious, romantic, elegant, with stunning Harbourside views.
Size: Suitable for a wedding from 10 to 250 guests.
Features: Sergeants’ Mess has spectacular panoramic Harbour views.
Getting there: Just 10-15 minutes from the city and accessible by water via privately tented, Chowder Bay Wharf.
Parking: Ample paid street parking is available directly opposite the venue. A complimentary car park is also to couples and their guests.
Wedding Photographs: there are many nearby stunning locations for your wedding photos, including Balmoral Beach, Bradley’s Head Amphitheatre, Clifton Gardens and Kirribilli, with its views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge – giving you lots of options for various stunning nearby wedding photograph locations.
5. Burnt Orange
Location: Burnt Orange Mosman, Sydney, NSW.
Vibe: Rustic, romantic, Boutique, with stunning Harbourside views, located amidst Sydney Harbour National Park
Size: Suitable for weddings up to 160 people.
Features: Balcony and garden with sweeping views over Middle Head and Chowder Bay. Historic sandstone mansion.
Getting there: just 10-15 minutes from the city, 5 minutes drive from the wharf at Taronga zoo.
Parking: Ample paid parking in the 2 public car parks nearby, both one minute walk from the venue.
Wedding Photographs: there are many nearby stunning locations for your wedding photos, including Balmoral Beach, Taronga zoo, Bradley’s head and Kirribilli, with its views of the Opera house and Harbour Bridge – giving you lots of options for various stunning wedding photograph locations.
6. Beta Events
Location: 238 Castlereagh Street in Sydney CBD, NSW.
Vibe: Charming, sophisticated, rustic, luxury and grandeur.
Size: Suitable for a wedding from 5 to 700 people.
Features: 3 level unique event spaces – old-world charm with modern sophistication. Each venue offers couples a clean slate which they can customise according to their personal taste.
Getting there: Located in the centre of Sydney’s CBD. One minute walk from bus routes and train station.
Parking: Secure parking lots less than one minute walk from the venue. Goods rates available for those who pre-book online.
Wedding Photographs: there are many nearby stunning locations for your wedding photos, Including the Sydney botanical gardens, the Opera house and Harbour Bridge – lots of options for various stunning wedding photograph locations.
7. Lindesay
Location: Heritage building in 1 Carthona Avenue, Darling Sydney, 2027, New South Wales
Vibe: Charming, sophisticated, luxurious and grand.
Size: Suitable for a wedding for up to 100 people.
Features: Heritage building. Original rooms decorated with English and colonial furniture. Overlooks Sydney harbour. Atmospheric 19th century mansion with restored Georgian interiors and lush garden. Undercover outdoor courtyard adjoining manicured lawns.
Getting there: located just 10 minutes drive from Sydney’s CBD.
Parking: Limited on-site parking. Ample street parking in the surrounding suburb, but can be difficult to find a park on a busy weekend.
Wedding Photographs: This wedding venue in Sydney is stunning. Location indoors and out for beautiful wedding photographs. Additionally, there are many nearby stunning locations for your wedding photos, including the Sydney botanical gardens, the Opera house and Harbour Bridge.
8. Lion Gate Lodge
Location: Lion Gate Lodge, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney, New South Wales
Vibe: Charming, intimate garden setting.
Size: Suitable for a wedding for up to 160 people.
Features: Stunning Victorian sandstone building. Private beautifully manicured cottage garden and paved courtyard.
Lion Gate Lodge is hired as an empty venue so you need to hire all event services and infrastructure to run your event such as catering, furniture and décor.
Getting there: located just 5 minutes drive from Sydney’s CBD.
Parking: Ample on street paid parking on Macquarie Street.
Wedding Photographs: located in Sydney’s stunning botanical gardens, this venue and its immediate surroundings are the perfect spot for gorgeous wedding photographs. The venue is approximately 15 minutes walk to the Sydney Opera house and less than 5 minutes walk to Opera house and Sydney Harbour Bridge views.
9. Centennial Homestead
Location: 1 Grand Drive, Centennial Park, 2021 Sydney, New South Wales
Vibe: Lush, Elegant, Spacious.
Size: Suitable for 1000 cocktail and 670 seated.
Features: Parkland views. Set in the heart of Centennial Parklands. Rooftop bar. Floor to ceiling glass bi-fold doors. Lawn space for pop up activations and pre-drinks. Outdoor terraces.
Getting there: located just 5 minutes drive from Sydney’s CBD.
Parking: Ample free parking.
Wedding Photographs: located in Centennial Parklands, this Sydney wedding venue and its immediate surroundings are the perfect spot for wedding photographs.
10. Elizabeth Bay House
Location: 7 Onslow Ave, Elizabeth Bay, NSW 2011, Sydney, New South Wales
Vibe: Majestic, elegant, Historic, Sophisticated.
Size: Suitable for a wedding for up to 100 people.
Features: Colonial architecture with stunning views of Sydney Harbour.
Getting there: located just 5 minutes drive from Sydney’s CBD.
Parking: Ample street parking.
Wedding Photographs: Steeped in history and style, this venue is a gorgeous location for beautiful wedding photographs. It is also just 10 minutes drive from the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens – so you have lots of wonderful choices for your wedding photographs.
