In our last couple of Top 10 posts, we shared our favourite rustic and modern wedding venues. We focused on wedding reception venues, although some of them do offer ceremony options. Today we want to talk more about our Top 20 wedding ceremony venues. Most of these places won’t offer reception options, but they are still worth checking out for your special day.
Bradleys Head Amphitheatre, Mosman
Bradleys Head Amphitheatre is a lookout point in the Sydney Harbour National Park. From here, you can see the entire Sydney skyline as well as the Opera House and Harbour Bridge as the backdrop to this beautiful wedding ceremony venue. The space is meant for more intimate ceremonies, and there are stairs for the bride to make her grand entrance into the wedding ceremony.
Things we like:
- The landscape of the place - the steps make a great entrance for your bride.
- One of few enclosed wedding ceremony venues that offer you more privacy and yet oversees the harbour.
- The concrete pier is one of the most photographed places in Mosman. We can start our location shoot right after the wedding ceremony!
- Located in Mosman - easily access various great photoshoot locations like Gunners, Balmoral Beach, Clifton Gardens, etc.
Nearby wedding reception options: Athol Hall, Gunners Barracks Tea Room, Sergeants Mess, Ripples Chowder Bay, and Bather's Pavilion.
St Thomas Anglican Church, North Sydney
For people wanting a more traditional, religious wedding ceremony, then the St. Thomas Anglican Church may be for you. Stained glass windows and tall pillared arches line the church from the entrance to the altar. It gives your wedding ceremony a grand feeling while still honouring your beliefs.
Things we like:
- The architecture and the sandstone colour of the church. Some churches cast a yellowish “reflection” due to their yellowish bricks or sandstones (which make photo editing quite tricky), whilst St. Thomas' sandstone colour is relatively white, making it great for wedding photography.
- Access to the upper level for aerial photography - you definitely should consider getting 2 photographers for this very reason. This would allow for multiple perspectives of your wedding ceremony and make for some great photos.
- Richard and Judy are simply one of the best teams you can find. They will ensure your wedding day run smoothly (and also make our job as the photographers a lot easier.)
Nearby wedding reception options: (in Mosman) - Athol Hall, Gunners Barracks Tea Room, Sergeants Mess, Ripples Chowder Bay, and Bather's Pavilion, (or in the City) - Pier One, View by Sydney, Park Hyatt in the city; Dockside in Darling Harbour.
Beach Wedding (Featured: Maroubra Beach)
When it comes to non-traditional wedding ceremonies, people tend to think of beach weddings. They’re romantic, the sun is out, and people see them all the time on tv and in movies, so it’s become a bit of a dream for many people. If you want a beautiful backdrop for your wedding ceremony and want a more free flowing and less formal wedding, then the beach may be perfect for you.
Things we like:
- Who doesn’t like a beach wedding? (except when it's raining - so Plan B is important)
- Relaxing and summery vibes. Wedding guests tend to be more chilled out.
- We love Maroubra Beach in particular as a wedding ceremony venue because it's a relatively more quiet beach in Sydney - less crowds in the background.
- Maroubra Beach also offers you options for bridal portraits photography at the nearby park and Malabar Headlands.
Nearby wedding reception options: Horizons Function Room in Maroubra, wedding receptions venues in the city eg The Grounds, Pier One, View by Sydney, Park Hyatt in the city, Dockside in Darling Harbour.
Observatory Hill
With its panoramic Sydney Harbour views, Observatory hill is a magnificent venue for an outdoor wedding ceremony in the heart of Sydney. The beautifully kept garden has an enormous tree that provides the perfect setting for a garden wedding.
Things we like
- It has one of the most beautiful views on Sydney Harbour.
- A Gazebo that stands about two metres off the ground is a perfect venue for a wedding.
- A magnificent tree on the hill under which wedding ceremonies are held.
Royal Botanic Gardens
The Rose Garden and Herb Gardens at the Royal Botanic Gardens are beautiful wedding ceremony venues for people who want to have a lot of greenery and colourful blooms for their wedding. The Herbs Garden has an aisle leading down to a gazebo while the Rose Garden has walkways lined with roses and grand lion statues all around. There is definitely a space to fit your taste.
Things we like:
- Plenty of options for your wedding ceremony venue - Rose garden for larger weddings and Herbs Garden for more intimate weddings.
- The variety of landscapes and plants at the Royal Botanic Gardens - perfect for garden lovers and we can do the location shoot without leaving your ceremony venue.
- Plenty of options for location shoots in walking distance - rose garden, oriental garden and even the cactus garden for your exotic theme wedding.
- Get both Sydney icons - Harbour Bridge and Opera House - in your bridal portraits.
Nearby wedding reception options: all the famous wedding venues in the city like Cafe Sydney in the Circular Quay, Pier One, View by Sydney, Park Hyatt in the city, Dockside in Darling Harbour.
Vaucluse House
Lone Pine Lawn at Vaucluse House is another beautiful garden wedding ceremony venue for those who love nature and want to have some old world charm with the Vaucluse House as the backdrop with the gardens. The estate is away from the busy city so you and your guests can feel like you’re in a different world without being too far away from home.
Things we like:
- Similar to the Royal Botanic Gardens, this is another wedding ceremony venue that allows you to do the location shoot without leaving your wedding ceremony venue.
- Plenty of options for location shoots in walking distance - including our favourite 'bird nest' arch and the Vaucluse House.
- This wedding ceremony venue also close to other great location shoot spots like the Macquarie Lighthouse in Watsons Bay, Watsons Bay, and Camp Cove.
Nearby wedding reception options: Intercontinental Sydney Double Bay, Watsons Bay Hotel, Vaucluse Yacht Club, and Dunbar House.
St Peter Chanel Church, Hunters Hill
St Peter Chanel Church is another great wedding ceremony venue option for people who would like to have a more traditional and religious wedding. This gothic-style church is a more intimate venue, making for a cosy atmosphere. The stained glass windows and colour of the sandstone used for the church make for some beautiful wedding photos.
Things we like:
- The architecture and sandstone colour of the church. Similar to St. Thomas Church, St. Peter Chanel's sandstone colour is relatively white which is great for wedding photography.
- The side road of the church allows your stretch limo to drive right next to the church for your grand entrance. In fact, logistic like road and humps of the road are important factor to consider before booking in your bridal car.
Nearby wedding reception options: Deckhouse in Woolwich, Dedes in Abbotsford, and reception venues in the city aren't too far away.
Ryde Parramatta Golf Club
How about a venue located in the city, yet feels so far away from its hustle and bustle!! Ryde Parramatta Golf Club, located only 30 minutes from Sydney CBD, is the perfect venue to host a wedding with the perfect green backdrop.
Things we like:
- The wedding ceremony setting - on the grounds under the towering Eucalyptus trees and overlooking the panoramic views of the golf course.
- Photographers and videographers can roam around without obstructing the guests’ views on the open space.
- Plenty of options for location shoots, including a natural waterfall, bridges, lush fairways, lagoons, gardens, and manicured lawns.
- The bridal party can ride in on a buggy to the location and have fun too.
Eden Gardens
Eden Gardens in Macquarie Park provides a diverse range of flora, different types of gardens, and unique sculptures located throughout the gardens for wedding photography. Eden Gardens offer a choice of unique garden wedding settings to suit your wedding style, including wet weather backup options for your wedding ceremony.
Things we like:
- Seasonal Gardens that vary throughout the year, giving you a backdrop that matches the time of year of your wedding
- Variety of plants, flowers, and even brick structures around the garden can give a fairytale feel to your photos
- The 'sky bridges' provide perfect platform for photographers and videographers to capture some aerial views throughout your wedding ceremony and group photos.
Japanese Garden, Auburn Botanic Gardens
For those who love Japanese elements like koi fish, decorative bridges, and the ever-famous cherry blossoms, then the Japanese Garden at the Auburn Botanic Gardens would be the place for you. The garden provides nice contrasts of the red used in structures such as the bridges and archways against the greenery of the garden. During the cherry blossom festival in August and September, the pink colour of the cherry blossoms adds another dimension to the wedding ceremony venue.
Things we like:
- This is one of few wedding ceremony venues that tell your story especially if you are from Asian background or for multi-cultural wedding.
- Just like the Royal Botanic Gardens, this is another wedding venue that allows you to do the location shoot without leaving your wedding ceremony venue.
- Plenty of options for location shoots in walking distance - in the Japanese Garden itself. The door arch, bridge and ponds offer great backdrop for photos. You may also stroll down to the Auburn Botanic Garden which is just an adjacent to the Japanese Garden.
Nearby wedding reception options: WaterView in Bicentennial Park, Curzon Hall and Oatlands House.
Everglades Gardens Leura
Inspired by a European landscape design, Everglades Gardens Leura is an exquisite wedding ceremony venue located in the Blue Mountains region in New South Wales. Set amid 5.2 hectares of terrace gardens, shady glens, winding paths, towering trees, stepped walkways, bushland and natural pools, Everglades Gardens Leura is the perfect wedding venue for every season.
Things we like:
- The amphitheatre that overlooks the sweeping views over Jamison Valley is the perfect wedding venue for an intimate wedding.
- The gardens with beautiful flowers are a great backdrop for photos of the bride and groom.
- The architecture and sandstone colour of the arches look great in wedding photos.
Holroyd Gardens Merrylands
If you want to take advantage of a stunning location that is steeped with history, Holroyd Gardens Merrylands offers the perfect location for a wedding ceremony in Western Sydney. Spread over 8 hectares, this old brick pit has now been redeveloped and provides a picturesque backdrop of manicured gardens, a rotunda shelter, a water feature and a paved area used for ceremonies.
Things we like:
- The pretty rotunda and the water feature ahead.
- The venue has multiple locations to choose from for your ceremony
- The picturesque pond with old brickworks behind provides numerous photographic opportunities.
St Martin’s Anglican Church, Killara
St Martin’s Anglican Church is a great wedding ceremony venue option if you are opting for a more traditional and religious wedding. The church has stunning features including large stained glass windows and a high wooden ceiling that makes it a spectacular Sydney wedding location.
Things we like:
- The architecture and sandstone colour of the church look great in wedding photos.
- The light interior colour of the wall is ‘photography friendly’ - doesn’t cause yellow cast on the skin tone.
- The arch architecture outside the church creates a nice path for the bridal entrance.
- The church is just right for fewer than 150 guests. Don’t look too empty for small wedding and yet offers enough room for the photographers and videographers to roam around for different angles.
Taronga Zoo
We couldn’t forget about couples who absolutely love animals! Yes, it is definitely possible to get married at the Taronga Zoo by going to the Taronga Centre right next to it. There, you will find the Harborview Court Garden, which features an indoor space that overlooks the harbour. Being at the zoo allows you to interact with some of the animals for your wedding photos, allowing you the opportunity to have some unique shots on your special day.
Things we like:
- The wedding ceremony venue overlooks the harbour.
- No weather worries as the ceremony venue comes with a roof.
- The bride and groom can feed the giraffes!
- The grand looking zoological building.
- Located in Mosman. There are plenty of scenic backdrops for your bridal portraits such as: Bradleys Head Amphitheatre, Balmoral Beach and Clifton Gardens.
- Taronga Function Centre also offers reception areas.
Nearby wedding reception options: Bather's Pavilion, the Boatshed, Private Dining Room in Balmoral beach, Athol Hall, Gunners Barracks Tea Room, Sergeants Mess and Ripples Chowder Bay in Mosman.
Bicentennial Park
With 40 hectares of lush green parklands, meadows overlooking water bodies, tall and enchanting arc of pine trees and small mounds of manicured lawns, Bicentennial Park is home to a number of unique and beautiful outdoor wedding settings. Located just a few kilometres away from the CBD in Sydney, both guests and photographers will be treated to a gorgeous natural setting.
Things we like:
- The Arc of Pine wedding venue that overlooks Lake Belvedere is ideal for couples looking for a more private outdoor ceremony.
- The Treillage has a viewing platform and a large paved area that offers a beautiful outdoor wedding setting.
- A beautiful row of trees, right in front of the Treillage, is perfect for an intimate wedding photo shoot.
- The pier at Lake Belvedere.
- The long grass next to the lake.
McKell Park
With stunning views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, McKell Park offers the perfect location for an outdoor wedding ceremony. Its well-maintained lush green gardens provide a great vantage point of boats sailing by and other Sydney Harbour activities.
Things we like:
- Manicured gardens surrounded by glorious trees.
- With the Darling Point Ferry Wharf close by, you could reach the venue by a ferry or use other water transport between the ceremony and the reception.
- The heritage-listed sandstone Canonbury Cottage, located inside the park, provides a charming backdrop.
- Nearby beach offers another great photography location and harbour view.
St Mary's Cathedral Sydney
What makes St. Mary’s Cathedral a great wedding ceremony venue for religious ceremonies is that it is the seat of the archbishop of Sydney and is on the site of the first Catholic chapel in Australia. For those with a Catholic background, this gothic-style cathedral is both grand and filled with religious history. Mosaic floors, large oil paintings, and stained glass windows show off the grandeur and creativity within the Catholic faith.
Things we like:
- It's fair to say that no other church looks more grand than St Mary Cathedral for wedding ceremony. Because of that, it's the perfect Catholic ceremony church for luxury or modern themed wedding.
- The steps to the church are a bonus to showcase your long train.
- Located in the centre of CBD which offers you abundance of bridal portraits locations such as Hyde Park, Martin Place and The Rocks.
Nearby wedding reception options: all the famous wedding venues in the city like Cafe Sydney in the Circular Quay, Pier One, View by Sydney, Park Hyatt in the city, Dockside in Darling Harbour, and many more.
Springfield House Dural
Springfield House Dural, set amongst 5 acres of manicured gardens, is a great venue option if you are opting for a garden ceremony. This place has multiple spaces on the premises for both indoor and outdoor functions.
Things we like
- The lush bushland offers a stunning backdrop for wedding and photography.
- Photographers and videographers can roam around without obstructing the guests’ views on the open space.
- Beautiful fountains and historic architecture look great in wedding photos.
- Flexible capacity – ranging from 80 to 200 guests.
Balmoral Beach
The Rotunda at Balmoral Beach overlooks the bay and Rocky Point Island, and the beach itself has a rich history being a significant place in the life of Captain John Edwards. The Rotunda itself was built in the 1930’s as a concert venue through the 1930s and 1940s, making the place a great wedding ceremony venue for people who love both music and history.
Things we like:
- The architecture of the rotunda and the steps at this wedding ceremony venue allow the bride to walk up to meet “the one.” You can always expect the excitement from the bride.
- To some extent, Balmoral Beach Rotunda offers a wet weather backup plan for couples who love beach weddings but worry about bad weather.
- Located in Mosman - easy access to various great photoshoot locations like Gunners, Balmoral Beach, Clifton Gardens etc
Nearby wedding reception options: Bather's Pavilion, the Boatshed, Private Dining Room in Balmoral Beach, Athol Hall, Gunners Barracks Tea Room, Sergeants Mess and Ripples Chowder Bay in Mosman.
Historic Eschol Park House
Located in Southwestern Sydney, Historic Eschol Park House is one of the few wedding venues on this list that allows you to have both your ceremony and reception in the same place. It is a 200 year old restored colonial house located on a large estate, with flexibility for you to have your ceremony indoors or outdoors, and allows you to also customise your entire wedding how you would like it to be.
Things we like:
- The big door faces the aisle. As soon as the doors open, the groom sees his bride. That creates a magical moment by itself. The picture of the groom in tears says it all.
- This wedding ceremony venue also offers some good spots for bridal portraits. You can easily spend 2 hours shooting at the venue.
- Eschol Park House also provides a number of reception halls to choose from based on your taste and the size of your wedding.
Nearby wedding reception options: Eschol Park House, Gledswood Homestead & Winery.
For more wedding inspiration, visit our Wedding Photography gallery.
