Styling by Form over Function

I recently spent the day walking around one of the most gorgeous parts of Sydney looking at reception venues for our lovely Polka Dot Bride readers.  On The Trippas White Open Day, I popped into The Mint on Macquarie Street, then I headed down to The Pavilion (which is opposite the Art Gallery of New South Wales) and the Botanic Gardens Restaurant, which is nestled amongst the treetops in the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens.

If you’re a city person at heart, you might want to consider having your reception at one of these stunning venues. Here’s a little taste of each…

The Mint – 10 Macquarie St, Sydney

You’ll love The Mint if:

  • You like options
  • You’re after loads of character
  • You want something just a little bit different

The best thing about The Mint is that they can accommodate for a large reception (100 sit-down or 250 cocktail) in their glass auditorium that looks out onto a sandstone courtyard. There’s also a raised grass area where you can have your service. A separate bar adjoins the glass auditorium and it can be turned into a dance floor if you wish.

They also accommodates for smaller receptions upstairs in the Mint Café. You have a few options up here. You can dine alfresco on the verandah with up to 60 guests, or hold an intimate dinner in the dining room with up to 30 guests. You can also combine those two options and have a cocktail style affair with up to 100 guests.

Our Tip
For the courtyard and glass auditorium reception – hold it on a Saturday night so everyone can have a boogie on the dance floor and sip wine under the stars.

For the intimate dining experience – a lunch or dinner works here (there are packages for both) and make sure you soak up some sun on the front or back verandah.

The Pavilion – 1 Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney

You’ll love The Pavilion if:

  • You’re a laidback couple
  • You like clean, bright spaces
  • You think simplicity is best

When you walk into the Pavilion, you’re hit with a fresh, light and airy vibe. It’s a circular room with a terrace attached that looks out onto the park. The great thing about this venue is that you can make it as formal or as casual as you want. Its style is modern and neutral, so you can really make the space your own with your wedding’s theme and/or colours.

There are sit-down and cocktail options and either will appeal to everyone’s inner foodie. They haven’t forgotten the kids either and there are some good meal options for them as well. For sit-down you can have up to 160 guests and for cocktail you can have up to 250.

Our Tip
You can have a breakfast reception here – the circular room would look amazing filled with the morning light. Also, if you’re after a relaxed feel, go with the canapés and cocktails because this place is perfect for it.

Botanic Gardens Restaurant – Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney

You’ll love the Botanic Gardens Restaurant if:

  • You’re after a fantastic view
  • Your style is contemporary
  • You want a private oasis for you and your guests

If you love tree houses, tropical holidays and beautiful gardens, then you must have a look at the Botanic Gardens Restaurant. It overlooks a tranquil pond and you really feel secluded standing up on the balcony amongst trees. Inside, it’s very contemporary and it’s a spectacular place if you want your reception to have that chilled out, city style that Sydney is famous for.

Like The Mint and The Pavilion, there are sit-down and cocktail options. For sit-down you can have up to 145 guests with a dance floor and with cocktail you can have up to 250. They offer some great deals too – there are special winter discounts and they also offer a complimentary lunch for the couple to celebrate their first wedding anniversary.

Our Tip
Embrace the tranquility of the area and hold your wedding on the nearby lawns or in one of the themed gardens. This will also make for a quick trip back to the venue to continue your celebrations.