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.  It is possible to book a room in a restaurant or function centre.  Most 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.  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 a few ceremony and reception places that I have experience of and found to be well worth considering.

Northern Beaches
The Falls Function Centre - Oxford Falls - a beautiful garden setting   The Falls Function Centre
Royal Motor Yacht Club - Newport Royal Motor Yacht Club
Florence and Stanley Twight Reserve, Beach Road, Collaroy - Warringah Council
McCarrs Creek Reserve, Church Point - Pittwater Council
Cottage Point Retreat - for a small wedding - Cottage Point Retreat, Ku-Ring-Gai National Park
The Bible Garden on Palm Beach headland  -  The Bible Garden
Pasadena on Pittwater - a lovely setting  Pasadena 
Manly Golf Club - an elegant venue Manly Golf Club
Mona Vale Golf Club - views of Mona Vale headland Mona Vale Golf Club
Manly Yacht Club -  a waterfront venue  Manly Yacht Club
Governor Philip Park, Palm Beach - Pittwater Council
Jonah's Restaurant, Whale Beach - Jonah's at Whale Beach
The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Newport - Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club
Manly Skiff Club - Manly Skiff Club
Cromer Golf Club - a beautiful venue for your ceremony & reception Cromer Golf Club
Newport Mirage Mirage
North Shore
Bathers Pavilion, Balmoral Bathers Pavilion
Gunners' Barracks - Mosman - spectacular harbour views  Gunners' Barracks
Mosman Rowing Club - a Harbour venue for a small wedding Mosman Rowing
The Taronga Centre - Taronga Centre
Lisgar Gardens, Hornsby 's hidden secret - Hornsby Council
City and East
Observatory Hill, the highest place in the city of Sydney -  Observatory Hill
Botanic Gardens, Sydney city -  Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
Mort Bay Park, Birchgrove Leichhardt Council
Strickland House (grounds) Vaucluse - Woollahra Council
Gap Bluff Centre, Watsons Bay - email Gap.Bluff@npws.nsw.gov.au
Nurses Chapel, Little Bay -  Randwick Council
Chapel, Sydney Hospital- Sydney Hospital
Mitchell Wing, State Library of NSW -  State Library
Sydney Harbour
South Steyne Waterfront Restaurant, Darling Harbour - South Steyne
Cruising Vessel, "Sydney Glass Island" - Sydney Glass Island
Bradfield Park on Kirribilli foreshore -  wonderful Harbour views North Sydney Council
Waterfront Restaurant, The Rocks - The Water Front
Inner West
Pioneer Memorial Park, Norton Street, Leichhardt  -Leichhardt Council
Eden Gardens, Ryde - A beautiful garden setting for your wedding  - Eden Gardens
Banjo Patterson Cottage, Gladesville Banjo Patterson Park
Western Suburbs
Old Government House in Parramatta Park Lachlan's Restaurant in Old Government House
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, a beautiful garden setting on the banks of the Nepean RiverPenrith Council
Blue Mountains
Jenolan Caves - An awe inspiring venue for your ceremony -Weddings at Jenolan Caves
Yester Grange - Wentworth Falls - spectacular mountain setting Yester Grange
Grand Mercure Hydro Majestic Hotel, Medlow Bath, Blue Mountains Hydro Majestic Hotel
Mountain Heritage Receptions - Katoomba  - Mountain Heritage
Rainforest Room, Katoomba Scenic World, Katoomba - Rainforest Room
Everglades Gardens, Leura - beautiful Sorensen gardens  Everglades Gardens
Allview Escape - Blackheath, breathtaking escarpment views - Allview Escape