Everyone loves a wedding under the stars. Lit with fairy lights and festoons, balmy air and a drink in hand it makes for the most magical of wedding receptions. Today I’m diving into the city of Sydney and rounding up ten Sydney outdoor reception venues you’ll love.
From big beautiful decks. urban city rooftops, gorgeous gardens and just about everything in between, these spaces welcome outdoor receptions. Let me know which spaces I’ve missed so I can add them to the list!
Why not hire your own private island for your wedding? Rodd Island has beautiful flat lawns for wedding ceremonies and receptions. Located in Iron Cove off Birkenhead Point, the island has a dance hall and two Summer houses and can hold a maximum of 100 guests.
Photo by Weeligoh Photography via Lucy & Pat’s French Picnic Style Wedding
The NSW Writers Centre is a beautiful restored Georgian mansion with incredible gardens. With that combination it makes for a beautiful wedding venue. Various rooms can be hired, but my favourite, the gardens and verandah are available for hire too- a beautiful outdoor wedding space.
Intercontinental Hotel Double Bay Courtyard
Brand new on the wedding scene, Intercontinental Hotel Double Bay can hold cocktail receptions in its French Provincial styled courtyard (also available for ceremonies and pre-dinner drinks). The space can hold 60 guests for a cocktail style reception. I love the thought of this space for an elegant evening under the stars.
Photo by Carlos Walters Styling by Little Lane Events
Located right on the water Beachside Dojo’s Sunrise Dojo is a Japanese inspired space with views right over Manly Beach . Sunrise Dojo seats 150 with an open split level balcony that is private to the space. Get the best of the beach-side vibe with starlit receptions complete with sea breezes.
Banjo Patterson Cottage Restaurant
Photo by Kellee Walsh from Candice and Trent’s Relaxed Summer Wedding
Banjo Patterson Cottage Restaurant has such a charm to it and makes a beautiful outdoor garden wedding venue. Garden ceremonies and cocktail receptions can be held in the beautiful lawns of this historic cottage against beautiful water views.
Photo by Uber Photography via Nicky and Van’s Sydney Botanic Gardens Wedding
Lion Gate Lodge is usually used for ceremonies, but it can make a great reception space too with its secret garden vibe. The venue can seat 60 guests banquet style outside or 150 guests in the garden, building and covered courtyard.
Photo by Luisa Brimble via Avalon Sailing Club
Long tables by the water your style of wedding? Avalon Sailing Club might just be the venue for you. The deck is 220 square metres large, made of beautiful weathered timber and as versatile as you want it to be. The adjoining clubhouse can accommodate 90 guests and makes a great wet weather back up.
The Residences, Centennial Park
Located right in the city, The Residences, Centennial Park are a set of beautiful heritage listed homes with beautiful gardens fit a ceremony and reception. The venue prides itself on being flexible- not bound to one supplier or one style of wedding. So not only do you get the houses for hire with plenty of room for getting ready, but also the flexibility to explore an incredible outdoor wedding reception.
The Boathouse Palm Beach gives weddings the freedom of the wharf and deck situated right on Pittwater. The perfect place to be as the sun sets, the space can hold 150 guests for a canape cocktail style event allowing guests to enjoy the waterside breeze and views.
Museum of Contemporary Art Scultpure Terrace
For something completely modern with undoubtedly some of the best views in Sydney, the Museum of Contemporary Art Sculpture Terrace ticks all the boxes. The space can seat 160 or hold 200 guests for a cocktail occasion and has views over both the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.
Photo by Stuart Miller
Vaucluse House in all it’s stunning 19th century glory is a beautiful space for a wedding on the harbour. The venue has a capacity of 120 guests.
Another island for weddings is the beautiful Shark Island. Holding up to 500 people (though any event over 100 guests requires the island be hired exclusively) the island is located 1km from Rose Bay and has beautiful harbour views (including of the Sydney Harbour bridge!)
Lindesay House, a stunning 1830s mansion is protected by the National Trust. it stands to reason than that the historic feel is not only beautiful, but momentous. The venue as a whole has a capacity of 100 with beautiful manicured gardens and Sydney harbour views.
Could there be a more beautiful spot to dine than between the sandstone walls of The Mint? This historic building houses many spaces for a wedding, but the raised lawn might be my favourite for ceremonies and receptions.
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