Looking for ideas on the best wedding venues in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire?

 

Best Sutherland Shire Wedding Venues // In my role as a full-time Marriage Celebrant it’d be fair to say that I get to visit lots of wedding venues both in Sydney and beyond. Over the next few months I’ll be featuring some of my favourites and what better place to start than in my very own backyard, in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire.

 

There are so many things that can take a wedding venue from being good to being amazing – a really unique venue, helpful and genuinely caring staff, beautiful views and wonderful food. The Shire is always a popular wedding choice for couples as it offers many of these options and so much more.

 

Based on my experiences as a local wedding vendor regularly visiting these wedding venues here are my Top 5 Wedding Venues of Sydney’s Sutherland Shire.

 

Audley Dance Hall
Royal National Park, NSW

Audley Dance Hall Royal National Park Wedding Ceremony Kristie Carrick Photography Top 5 Sutherland Shire Wedding Venues Nicky Surnicky Marry Me Nicky Sydney Marriage Celebrant

Wedding ceremony outside Audley Dance Hall captured by Kristie Carrick Photography

 

It’s hard not to fall in love with Audley Dance Hall as it truly is a venue that must be seen to be believed. Regularly featured in wedding publications like Hello May and Nouba (and for very good reason), Audley Dance Hall and the wonderful team behind it (George I’m looking at you!) really are unlike anything else Sydney has to offer.

 

Getting married in the heart of the Royal National Park surrounded by the sounds of wildlife, the picturesque bush and Port Hacking River… check.

 

Guests moving seamlessly from the ceremony into pre-dinner drinks and canapes (such delicious food and served at your bush ceremony location) before making their way to the wonderful heritage listed Dance Hall for your reception… check.

 

Infinite onsite photography options so no need to travel anywhere outside of the park… check.

 

No phone or wifi reception – no need to bang on to your guests about having an unplugged ceremony or being present throughout your reception, they have no choice… check.

 

Feeling a million miles away from the hustle and bustle yet just a short 45 minute drive south from the CBD… check.

 

Offering flexibility for small gatherings to large seated events for up to 200 guests, in my book Audley Dance Hall really is the ultimate Sydney wedding venue. And even better, I’m only about 15 minutes up the road from it. It sets the benchmark in offering a unique and beautiful space set amongst the most gorgeous of settings for you to celebrate your big day with your loved ones.

 

 

Hazelhurst Café
Gymea, NSW

Hazelhurst Cafe Gymea Wedding Ceremony Nikki Harris Photography Top 5 Sutherland Shire Wedding Venues Nicky Surnicky Marry Me Nicky Sydney Marriage Celebrant

Hazelhurst Gardens wedding ceremony captured by Nikki Harris Photography

 

Hazelhurst Cafe has long been a hidden gem of the shire offering such a beautiful, relaxed and laid-back wedding day vibe. By day it is a cafe attached to the Hazelhurst Art Centre in Gymea however once the afternoon arrives it effortlessly moves into an all-in-one ceremony and reception space.

 

Set amongst manicured gardens and with so many beautiful spaces for you and your guests to explore and enjoy, Hazelhurst Cafe also offers a premium food and drinks selection that is hard to beat (think prawn and oyster starters right through signature cocktails curated for each couple!) Hazelhurst Cafe are experts in mini weddings right through to larger events (80 guests seated, 160 cocktail). If you’re looking for a more relaxed wedding vibe at a venue that is full of character Hazelhurst Cafe must be on your take a look at list.

 

 

The Founders Room
Wanda Surf Life Saving Club
Cronulla, NSW

The Founders Room Wanda Surf Life Saving Club Wedding Ceremony With Love Weddings Top 5 Sutherland Shire Wedding Venues Nicky Surnicky Marry Me Nicky Sydney Marriage Celebrant

Wedding ceremony image at Wanda Surf Life Saving Club capture by With Love Weddings

 

When most people think of the shire they think of our beautiful coastline and The Founders Room at Wanda Surf Life Saving Club could not be in a more perfect location. Right on the beachfront and enjoying uninterrupted ocean views, The Founders Room is one of the most popular wedding venues in the Sutherland Shire and for very good reason. Offering a large reception space that caters for seated functions up to 180 guests or cocktail up to 450, along with a beautiful ceremony space onsite (their wonderful outdoor deck), if it’s a beachside wedding you’re after you must take a look at The Founders Room.

 

Next Door
Cronulla, NSW

Next Door Cronulla Top 5 Sutherland Shire Wedding Venues Nicky Surnicky Marry Me Nicky Sydney Marriage Celebrant

Next Door Cronulla image captured by Jack Davis

 

The Allouche family have a long history of running amazing restaurants in the Sutherland Shire and their latest endeavor, Next Door at Cronulla, is no different. Offering sweeping beachside views from North Cronulla and with so much flexibility around how you host your big day (think amazing shared platters, or more of a cocktail style function, or a sit-down menu if preferred) they have created a beautiful space suited to more intimate gatherings (their cocktail menu can accommodate up to 80 people, seated up to 65). With so many beautiful beachside ceremony locations within a stones throw Next Door are onto a winner!

 

 

Tumbling Waters Retreat (almost the shire!)
Stanwell Tops, NSW

Tumbling Waters Retreat Stanwell Tops Wedding Ceremony Top 5 Sutherland Shire Wedding Venues Nicky Surnicky Marry Me Nicky Sydney Marriage Celebrant

Image captured from Tumbling Waters Retreat website

 

Technically Tumbling Waters Retreat falls just outside of the Sutherland Shire however given it’s only a little bit further down the Princes Highway I felt it deserved a mention. Offering beautiful ocean views from their clifftop aspect, Tumbling Waters Retreat is a unique, boutique property offering ceremony, reception, photography and accommodation options all onsite.

 

They have put together a number of packages for couples to choose from including elopement style weddings right through to sit-down (up to 120 guests) and cocktail (up to 140 guests) events. Tumbling Waters Retreat is a family run business that prides itself on giving their couples a stress-free and relaxing wedding day.

 

Being familiar with all of these venues please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions or if you’re looking for a Marriage Celebrant for your big day. I’d love any excuse to visit them again!

 

Happy Planning,
Nicky xx

 

Information captured for this page is accurate as of June 2020. This is not a sponsored post, just an opportunity to share my experiences at these venues from a wedding vendor perspective.

Top cover image of Cronulla captured by Anchor & The Sea