Where to have your ceremony?

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
Hickson Road Reserve,  Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority  ph. 02 9240 8500
Chapel, Sydney Hospital- Sydney Hospital
Mitchell Wing, State Library of NSW -  State Library
Customs House, Circular Quay Customs House

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, Darling Harbour Chinese Gardens
South Steyne Waterfront Restaurant, Darling Harbour - South Steyne
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 at The Rocks - Quay

Captain Cook Cruises - Captain Cook Cruises MV Sydney Crystal
Flagship Cruises - Flagship 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

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
Delwood Beach, Manly, or Clontarf Reserve  - Manly Council
Beaches & Reserves Collaroy, Freshwater, Narrabeen, etc. - Warringah Council

Lucinda Park on Pittwater at Palm Beach - Pittwater Council
Governor Philip Park, Palm Beach - Pittwater Council
McCarrs Creek Reserve, Church Point - Pittwater Council

Newport Mirage 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
Sergents' Mess, Chowder Bay (Mosman) Sergeants' Mess
Mosman Rowing Club - a Harbour venue for a small wedding Mosman Rowing
The Taronga Centre - at the Zoo Taronga Centre

Wahroonga Park- a lovely garden setting  Ku-Ring-Gai Council
Lilian Fraser Garden, Pennant Hills  contact Hornsby Council or 0434 658 261

EASTERN SUBURBS
McKell Park, Darling Point -  Woollahra Council McKell Park 
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 
INNER WEST
Cabarita Park, Federation Pavilion 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 Patterson Cottage, Gladesville Banjo Patterson Park
Curzon Hall for a castle wedding  -  Marsfield  Curzon Hall
WESTERN SUBURBS
Old Government House Parramatta Park Lachlan's Restaurant in Old Government House
Elizabeth Farm 1830's house & gardens in Parramatta Elizabeth Farm
Barnaby's Restaurant on Parramatta River  Barnabys Restaurant
Oatlands House, Oatlands, near DundasOatlands House
Nurragingy Reserve, Doonside, contact Blacktown Council -Nurragingy 
Newbury Park, Stanhope Gardens, contact Blacktown City Council
Japanese Gardens, Auburn Botanical Gardens Auburn Council
HAWKESBURY NEPEAN
A list of venues for ceremony and reception Hawkesbury Wedding Venues
McQuade Park is a popular site for weddings - contact Hawkesbury Council 02 5660 4528
Weir Reserve, beautiful garden setting on the banks of the Nepean RiverPenrith Council
BLUE MOUNTAINS
Chapel Hill, Berambing near Bilpin, chapel & reception room Chapel Hill Retreat
Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens, Bilpin- cool climate gardens  Mount Tomah
Yester Grange - Wentworth Falls - spectacular mountain setting Yester Grange
Everglades Gardens, Leura - beautiful Sorensen gardens  Everglades Gardens
Mountain Heritage Receptions - Katoomba  - Mountain Heritage
Rainforest Room, Katoomba Scenic World, Katoomba - Rainforest Room
Hydro Majestic Hotel, Medlow Bath, Blue Mountains Hydro Majestic Hotel - currently closed for renovations
Allview Escape - Blackheath, breathtaking escarpment views - Allview Escape
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  Have your ceremony in the Lucas, Orient or  Temple of Baal cave or at Carlotta's Arch & your reception & accommodation at Caves House-Weddings at Jenolan Caves