marriage celebrant officiant sydney - elaine searle - wedding ceremony

Where to have your ceremony? Think about the time of the year & the weather, about the needs of your guests, and most importantly, what places are special to you both and suit the style of your wedding!

Once you have decided to get married, after you have booked your celebrant, the most important decision you have to make is where you want to have your ceremony and your reception.

For a small wedding, some people like a home wedding, or a local park or beach. Parks and reserves are booked through your local council Local Council Directory and are suitable for small or large weddings. It is possible to book a room in a restaurant or function centre. Many larger weddings are best held at a function centre as they are set up to help to ensure that your reception goes smoothly. Some function centres have gardens that make a lovely setting for your wedding and it means that you and your guests don't have to travel from the ceremony to the reception. It also means that your guests can have a chat and a drink while the couple are having photographs taken after the ceremony. It's all individual and remember that it's your wedding! Some couples choose to marry at a place that has special meaning in their relationship. There are a number of non-denominational chapels in Sydney which may be used for civil weddings. Whatever your choice, give it some thought, have a look at a few places, consider the time of the year with relationship to the weather. Good luck in your search!

Here are some ceremony and reception venues that I have experience of and found to be well worth considering.
CITY & SYDNEY HARBOUR
Observatory Hill, the highest place in the city of Sydney - Observatory Hill
Botanic Gardens, Sydney city - Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
This link will take you to maps of the various venues in the Royal Botanic Gardens Maps of Botanic Gardens
Hickson Road Reserve, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority ph. 02 9240 8500
Mitchell Wing, State Library of NSW - State Library
Customs House, Circular Quay Customs House

The Observatory Hotel in the historic Rocks The Observatory Hotel
Museum of Contemporary Art - Circular Quay M.C.A.
Royal Automobile Club, Circular Quay R.A.C.A.
Hyde Park Barracks, elegant Georgian building Hyde Park Barracks
Tearooms, Queen Victoria Building (QVB) The Tearoom
Chinese Gardens of Friendship, Darling Harbour Chinese Gardens
Cruising Vessel, "Sydney Glass Island" - Sydney Glass Island
Bradfield Park, Kirribilli foreshore - wonderful Harbour views North Sydney Council
Waterfront Restaurant, The Rocks - The Water Front
WatersEdge Restaurant, Pier One, The Rocks - WatersEdge
Quay Restaurant top end restaurant at The Rocks Overseas Passenger Terminal building - Quay
Luxury Sydney Harbour Cruises - wedding specialists Luxury Sydney Harbour Cruises
Luxury Yachts Luxury Yacht
Captain Cook Cruises - Captain Cook Cruises MV Sydney Crystal
Morpheus Cruises offer unique Sydney Harbour cruises -Morpheus Cruises
Clark Island - Sydney Harbour National Park Clark Island
Shark Island - Sydney Harbour National Park Shark Island
Sydney Harbour National Park - all suitable venues Sydney Harbour National Park
NORTHERN BEACHES
Q STATIONQ Station (the old quarantine station) at Manly -
There are many lovely little beaches and reserves in theManly areaManly Council Weddings
Shelly Beach, Manly or Little Manly Reserve- Manly Council

Manly Golf Club - an elegant venue Manly Golf Club

North Head, Manly - spectacular Harbour views National Parks
Manly Skiff Club - on the harbour Manly Skiff Club
Manly Yacht Club - a waterfront venue Manly Yacht Club MYC
Delwood Beach, Manly, Fairlight Beach or Clontarf Reserve - Manly Council
Manly Wine ceremony and reception options at Manly Beach Manly Wine
Beaches & Reserves Collaroy, Freshwater, Narrabeen, etc. - Warringah Council
Miramare Gardens at Terrey Hills garden weddings and elegant reception venue Miramare Gardens

The Falls, Oxford Falls - beautiful garden setting The Falls Retreat
The Peace Park, Oxford Falls for a small wedding - Warringah Council

Long Reef Golf Club - a beautiful beachside setting Long Reef Golf Club
Mona Vale Golf Club - views of Mona Vale headland and beach Mona Vale Golf Club
Cromer Golf Club - beautiful venue for your ceremony & reception Cromer Golf Club
Terrey Hills Golf Club - an elegant club in a bushland setting Terrey Hills Golf

Bayview Golf Club - near Pittwater Bayview Golf Club

Bilgola North Headland (A.J. Small Lookout) or Turimetta Headland Pittwater Council

Avalon Beach Surf Club - Avalon Beach SLSC
Jonah's Restaurant, Whale Beach elegant with stunning views- Jonah's at Whale Beach
Moby Dicks overlooking Whale Beach Moby Dicks
The Bible Garden on Palm Beach headland - Bible Garden

Lucinda Park on Pittwater at Palm Beach - Pittwater Council
Governor Philip Park, Palm Beach - Pittwater Council
McCarrs Creek Reserve, Church Point - Pittwater Council
Royal Motor Yacht Club - Newport Royal Motor Yacht Club Newport
Newport Mirage waterfront venue for your ceremony & reception Newport Mirage
NORTH SHORE
Bathers Pavilion, Balmoral Bathers Pavilion
Bradley's Head - natural amphitheatre - contact Sydney Harbour National Park
Rocky Point Island, Balmoral Beach - Mosman Council
Gunners' Barracks - Mosman - spectacular harbour views Gunners' Barracks
Sergeants' Mess, Chowder Bay (Mosman) Sergeants' Mess
The Taronga Centre - at the Zoo Taronga Centre
Mosman Art Gallery & Community Centre Mo sman Art Gallery
Mosman Rowing Club - a Harbour venue for a small wedding Mosman Rowing Club
North Sydney Council for parks in the area 02 9936 8100 North Sydney Council
Other venues in North Sydney area are Copes Lookout at Kirribilli, Blues Point Reserve, North Sydney Berry Island Reserve for a small, casual wedding Berry Island North Sydney Council

The Kirribilli Club - have your ceremony in Clark Park, Lavender Bay & your reception The Kirribilli Club

Wendy's Secret Garden, Lavender Bay contact North Sydney Council

Willoughby Council 02 9777 7799 Willoughby Council

Wahroonga Park- a lovely garden setting Ku-Ring-Gai Council
Lilian Fraser Garden, Pennant Hills contact Hornsby Council or 0434 658 261
The Epping Club - an elegant, professionally run venue for your ceremony and reception The Epping Club

Lisgar Gardens, Hornsby's hidden secret - Hornsby Council
Ku-ring-gai Council 02 9424 0700 Ku-Ring-Gai Council
Wahroonga Park has a rotunda among lovely gardens Ku-ring-gai Council
Avondale Golf Club, Pymble, set in Ku-ring-gai National Park Avondale Golf Club
Mandalay Function Centre at Lane Cove for a garden wedding & your reception Mandalay
Eryldene House at Gordon - beautiful old gardens Eryldene

EASTERN SUBURBS
McKell Park, Darling Point -  Woollahra Council McKell Park
Nielsen Park - Woollahra Council
Strickland House (grounds) Vaucluse - Woollahra Council
Elizabeth Bay House Elizabeth Bay House
Gap Bluff Centre, Watsons Bay - email Gap.Bluff@npws.nsw.gov.au
Nurses Chapel, Little Bay -   Chapel at Little Bay bookings
Vaucluse House Vaucluse House
A list of Sydney Function Centres - Function Centres
Centennial Park,  rose garden or column garden recommended Centennial Park
Stamford Plaza Hotel, Mascot near the airportStamford Plaza
INNER WEST
Cabarita Park, Federation Pavilion Canada Bay Council
Rodd Park, Drummoyne Canada Bay Council
Dobroyd Aquatic Club (in Rodd Park) Dobroyd Aquatic Club
Pioneer Memorial Park, Norton Street, Leichhardt -Leichhardt Council
Mort Bay Park, Birchgrove Leichhardt Council
Bicentennial Park, Homebush Bicentennial Park
The Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay, Glebe The Boathouse
Eden Gardens & Garden Centre, North Ryde - Eden Gardens
Banjo Paterson Cottage, Gladesville Banjo Patterson Cottage
Banjo Paterson Park Ryde Council
Curzon Hall for a castle wedding - Marsfield Curzon Hall
WESTERN SUBURBS(including Hills District & Penrith Region)
Nurragingy Reserve in Doonside, beautiful bushland setting with the award winning Coleby Centre for your reception.
Parramatta Park, Rumsey Rose Garden is a lovely setting but there are many spots Parramatta Park Trust Old Government House Parramatta Park Lachlan's Restaurant in Old Government House
Elizabeth Farm 1830's house & gardens in Parramatta Elizabeth Farm
Oatlands House, Oatlands, near DundasOatlands House
The Epping Club - elegant ceremony & reception venueThe Epping Club
Auburn Botanical Gardens - the main gardens or the Japanese Gardens Auburn Council
Weir Reserve, beautiful garden setting on the banks of the Nepean RiverPenrith Council
Twin Creeks Golf Club, Luddenham Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club
Loxley on Bell's Line of Road Loxley on Bell Bird Hill
Glenleigh Estate, Mulgoa Road, Penrith Glenleigh
Mulgoa Valley Receptions - a rural setting for your ceremony and receptions Mulgoa Valley Receptions
BLUE MOUNTAINS
Chapel Hill, Berambing near Bilpin, chapel & reception room Chapel Hill Retreat
The Turpentine Tree on Bell's Line of Road, Kurrajong Heights The Turpentine Tree
Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens, Bilpin- cool climate gardens Mount Tomah
Yester Grange - Wentworth Falls - spectacular mountain setting Yester Grange
Solitary restaurant Leura cliff top views Solitary
Everglades Gardens, Leura - beautiful Sorensen gardens Everglades Gardens
The Carrington Hotel, Katoomba - period charm & elegance Carrington Hotel
Mountain Heritage Receptions - Katoomba - Mountain Heritage
Scenic World at Katoomba offers a rainforest venue for your ceremony Scenic World Weddings
Wentworth Falls Lake - serene & beautiful setting Blue Mountains Council
Allview EscapeAllview Escape - Blackheath, breathtaking escarpment views -
Evans Lookout Blackheath - contact National ParksBlue Mountains National Park
Jemby-Rinjah Eco Lodge, Blackheath, near Evans Lookout Jemby-Rinjah
Jenolan Caves - An awe inspiring venue. -Weddings at Jenolan Caves
SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS
The Briars at Bowral - beautiful gardens & restaurant The Briars at Bowral Weddings
Stunning vineyard setting for your wedding in Bowral Centennial Vineyards
Peppers Manor House at Sutton Forest for an elegant venue Peppers Manor House, Sutton Forest
Peppers Craigieburn in Bowral "old world charm" Peppers Craigieburn at Bowral
Milton Park Country House Milton Park
Summerlees Estate in beautiful Sutton Forest Summerlees

OTHER WAYS TO FIND YOUR VENUE
This website also lists many attractive wedding venues in and around Sydney. WEDDING VENUES

vaucluse eastern suburbs sydney