The Best Wedding Venues in Sydney that You Didn't Know Existed
What makes a wedding venue a great wedding space?
For different people, the answer to this question is going to vary. Factors such as location (proximity or the the opposite for those wishing to getaway from their usual surroundings), venue capacity, style (outdoor garden vs indoor industrial chic), venue hire cost, noise restrictions, accessibility for guests, and access times for vendors all contribute to whether a wedding venue is right for you.
If you’re planning to have your wedding in Sydney, you are truly spoiled for choice. From grand ballrooms to industry spaces - Sydney has it all.
As wedding stylists, we have planned a fair number of beautiful wedding celebrations across Sydney and we have insights about wedding venues that the casual eye will not pick up on. So to give you a helping hand as you begin your wedding planning journey, we have put together this list of the best wedding venues just for you.
Not many know this but tucked away in Sydney’s version of Central Park is The Residences - a property you can hire not just for a small to medium size garden wedding but also, to stay in!
Where you’ll find The Residences: Centennial Parklands, Woollahra
Style: Garden
Why we love The Residences for weddings:
- Plenty of (free) parking for your guests (and us!)
- Generous bump in times
- Unlimited locations for your wedding photos that your wedding photographer will love within Centennial Park
- Allows for a marquee reception
We recommend:
- Think of using cane, rattan and macrame - natural styling elements - to compliment the relaxed feel of the venue.
- Perhaps consider having a picnic style receptions especially if the bulk of your guests are younger and open to a less formal setting. Not only does it convey a carefree vibe but it lead to significant cost effectiveness (so that you can invest more into fresh flowers).
- Hold your wedding ceremony on the front lawn and reception in the back garden. This saves you time, money and reduces your carbon footprint due to reduced transport-related emissions. That’s a win-win in our books!
The bar is pretty damn awesome in our humble opinion - there is a separate area for lounges, drinks and canapes. Within the main space, the styling possibilities are endless. And this is why we count Beta Bar as one of our favourite wedding venues in Sydney.
Where you’ll find Beta Bar: Castlereagh Street, Sydney
Style: Contemporary, industrial-modern
Why we love Beta Bar for weddings:
- It is a blank canvas meaning that we can transform it to suit your needs without needing to hide existing structures and/or elements.
- It comes with a very sexy looking bar (we may or may not be big fans of alcohol okay?).
- No natural light which allows us to shape the light as we see fit to highlight areas and elements that brings your vision together.
We recommend:
- Definitely find a way to incorporate the bar into your ceremony venue. For example, its existing archway forms a natural ceremony backdrop *hint hint*.
- Draw inspiration from the beautiful aged timber, exposed chipped bricks and stone walls.
- Consider using the existing white curtains as a way to split the space into designated areas with a whimsical touch.
3. Ovolo Woolloomooloo
Does the thought of having your wedding at a boutique hotel set on a heritage building upon a 100-year old wharf with Sydney Harbour views excite you? You’re not alone because we feel the same way about this Sydney hotel and wedding venue.
Where you will find Ovolo Woolloomooloo: 6 Cowper Wharf Rd, Woolloomooloo
Style: industrial chic
Why we rate Ovolo Woolloomooloo as a top wedding venue:
- With high ceilings, original wooden beams and flooring with metallic light pendants - what is not to love?
- Probably the most funky (in a good way!) and cool boutique hotel in the Sydney metro area.
- You can have the option to choose to have an outdoor wedding ceremony on the wharf thus
having the beautiful Sydney Harbour skyline as your backdrop.
Our styling recommendations:
- Utilise their signature ambient light wall as a backdrop for your bridal table.
- Since it is a moody space by design, take advantage of this by using lots of candles to further
enhance the romantic and elegant vibe.
- Consider using projectors to light up the room in a creative and funky way.
4. The Sheds
Where to find The Sheds: 30 Carrington Rd, Marrickville
Style: industrial warehouse
What we love about this wedding venue:
- As a DIY venue, it is a blank canvas with unlimited possibilities that is functional for small wedding celebrations.
- It has a cool outdoor courtyard and an indoor gallery.
Our styling recommendations:
- Take advantage of the high ceilings and suspension beams. For example, implement hanging installations such as suspended florals and/or balloons.
- The Sheds has a marble wall in the gallery area. This is a standout on its own. We recommend highlighting it rather than to try to hide it. It is always easier to work with what you have than to work against.
- Compliment the muted tones of the space by using organic natural materials such as cotton, dried palm leaves and linen draping.
We think that a gin distillery is a super cool venue for a gin-loving couple who don’t want a big and loud wedding.
Where you’ll find Archie Rose Distilling Co.: 85 Dunning Ave, Rosebery
Style: industrial and funky
What we love about this wedding venue:
- The smell of gin is in the air (DELICIOUS!).
- It looks top-notch as-is (we can make it even better *wink wink*).
- Two levels with the first floor bar better suited for larger events and a private upstairs
mezzanine for a more intimate setting.
- Adjacent to their distillery - if you and your guests appreciate gin then this by itself is a winning factor.
Our styling recommendations:
- The bar looks like a scene straight out of ‘Mad Men’. Oh the possibilities!
- Located in The Cannery and literally next to Three Blue Ducks, the area makes for great photo
locations within just a few steps.
- As the mezzanine is quite close to the ceiling, avoid hanging things from the ceiling as this will
make the space seem cramped.
Where to find Beachside Dojo: 2/55 North Steyne, Manly
Style: beach x Hamptons
Why we recommend Beachside Dojo as a wedding venue:
- You can skip the sunburn but still have the perfect seaside wedding. Have your own private split-level balcony overlooking Manly beach.
- Choose from three beautifully styled rooms that can cater for either large weddings or small and cosy ones.
Our styling recommendations:
- Maintain the Hamptons beachside vibe by making full use of the existing selection of furniture.
- Avoid ceiling florals (to do low ceiling height) and focus on stunning table arrangements instead.
- The large open balcony is an ideal space for a wedding ceremony so your entire wedding day can be in the same area.
It’s not just a place where eastern suburb kids hang out at the rooftop pool to take Instagram selfies. The InterContinental Sydney Double Bay offers luxury hotel customer service, experience and convenience all packaged into one.
Location: 33 Cross St, Double Bay
Style: modern, elegant, chic
Why we think InterContinental Sydney Double bay is a good fit:
- The convenience of an all-inclusive, 5-star, full-service modern wedding venue where you can get married, party, and sleep all within the same building.
- Unlike many other event spaces for hire, the InterCon Double Bay will only book one wedding per night.
- And for selfish reasons, they have generous and flexible bump-in times for wedding vendors.
Our styling recommendations:
- There is a beautiful French-styled courtyard that makes for a great wedding ceremony location.
- Replace the standard ballroom chairs - definitely consider hiring a different stock for an elevated look.
- Rigging points in the ballroom(s) are limited so if you want suspended florals, opt for flowers stands on tables and other freestanding plinths instead.
Hotel weddings aren’t typically the first choice for the modern Australian couple looking for a contemporary and stylist wedding. This is because hotels for decades have offered stale ballrooms and not much else. Fortunately, hotels are coming around and Sydney’s Shangri-La offers an amazing view for wedding ceremonies at its Altitude Restaurant & Bar. The standard dining chairs in the ballroom are still admittedly dated but nothing that a professional stylist cannot work around.
Location: 176 Cumberland St, The Rocks
Style: Modern, luxurious
Why we recommend Shangri-La for weddings:
- Full-service, professional, and experienced hospitality.
Our styling recommendations:
- Bring in your own furniture as the tables and chairs are dated.
- For a wedding ceremony at Altitude Restaurant & Bar, use acrylic plinths so as not to block the
incredible panoramic views.
Location: 237 Spit Rd, Mosman
Style: Waterfront, rustic
Why we love Zest Waterfront Venues:
- Generously sized space that offers a great amount of versatility.
- It comes with a great collection of existing rustic furniture that you can use.
- The venue features a large waterfront deck that provides your guest with an unparalleled view.
Our styling recommendations:
- Make use of their ample selection of Hamptons-inspired furniture to accentuate a nautical or Cuban themed wedding.
- Festoon lights on the waterfront deck.