If you are wondering what is the best Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Wedding Ceremony Location, you’ve come to the right place! The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney has one of the best wedding ceremony locations around. Located in one of Australia’s busiest tourist attractions, it’s well know to many and a reason why it’s so popular for those getting married.
It holds a special place in my heart as I spent a year months of my life working here, working with the corporate sponsorship team trying to get large businesses to spend more time outdoors and enjoy the garden that’s right on their doorstep.
Every day I would use my lunch break to walk around the gardens and explore the little known nooks and crannies that make it so special. I would look at it in a photographer’s eye and find out little secret places to take bridal portraits and how I can make use of the stunning backdrop. Every time I would explore an area which I haven’t been before, so I think I can confidently say that I know it better than most photographers who would typically go to the same spots everytime.
I thought I share my knowledge to future couples to be so that if you are considering getting married here then I can certainly help you pick the best spot for your wedding ceremony at the Royal Botanic Garden. If I can offer you one piece of advice, make sure you book early, especially during spring and summer as it is very very busy on any given day. I’ve seen weddings happen here quite frequently on a Monday since people desperately want to get married here and it is the only day available for them.
One day I decided to bring my camera and notepad to work and document each of the nicest places for a ceremony and some great bridal portrait locations, and since then I’ve photographed over 30 weddings here so I do know the garden extremely well!
There are so many places to take photos all year round, each has its own charm and appeal. Each ceremony location requires a booking fee between $400 and $1350 depending on how many people you have, how many hours you need and which location you choose.
Think of it as a donation to the Gardens for making it look so beautiful for you and not an expense and it will be perfectly OK!
If you have booked your wedding ceremony at any location in the Royal Botanic Garden, then your wedding photography permit is waived so you don’t have to pay extra 🙂
Here’s a list of each of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Wedding Ceremony Location you can have your wedding.
If you need a map to know where each location is, click it HERE
Rose Garden Pavilion and Lawn
Booking Fee:
$1350 for two hours, $390 for additional hours up to 4 Hours maximum
Capacity
Up to 200 guests. The Pavilion fits approximately 80 people.
Access Info Public transport recommended. Limited parking available around Macquarie Street
Closest gates: Palace Garden and Conservatorium.
The Rose Garden is fast becoming one of the most popular wedding ceremony venues in Sydney. You will fall in love with this romantic outdoor garden and you can see why. Really popular for city workers at lunchtime, and it was for me as well. My advice is to pick the months of September, December, and March as they are the times when the roses start to bloom. I was told this by the head horticulturalist so I guess he would know better than anyone.
Having said that, during the winter months there are perennials which are always in bloom so its also good as well. Would suit a larger wedding party really well and has a wet weather option built in just in case it rains.
I absolutely adore the Governor Phillip fountain which is right next to the Rose Pavillion which looks like it was taken from an old English garden in the 1800s. Nearby, you’ve got plenty of lovely wedding photo spots within 5 mins walk so it’s really convenient.
In terms of parking and accessibility, the nearest gate is from Macquarie Street next to the Conservatorium of Music and there are parking stations nearby so your guests can access the location easily.
Lion Gate Lodge
Booking Fee
$860 for two hours, $290 for additional hours up to 4 Hours maximum.
Capacity
The Pavilion fits approximately 80 people.
Access Info Public transport recommended. Parking at nearby Domain Carpark
Closest gates: Wooloomooloo Gate/Henry Lawson Gate off Art Gallery Road
A beautiful place to have a ceremony, it has its own private garden perfect for a small intimate wedding. Nestled inside a nice quiet part of the Garden, you will be ensured of privacy here without anyone peeking in to stickybeak!
You pretty much have the whole place to yourself, allowing you to arrange private catering, have a drinks stand and have a place to have lawn games to keep everyone entertained and happy for hours.
It is a wonderful wedding ceremony and reception place all in one very handy location in such a beautiful location within the gardens. A personal favourite of mine and I’m sure you’ll love it too.
Nearby you have plenty of great places for photography, including one of my favourite best kept secrets, the Succulent Garden.
Palm House and Lawn
Booking Fee
$1350 for two hours, $390 for additional hours up to 4 Hours maximum
Capacity
The Palm House fits approximately 120 people.
Access Info Public transport recommended. Parking station nearby at Domain Car Park
Closest gates: Wooloomooloo Gates
One of my favourite fully enclosed ceremony locations in all of the gardens, the Palm House was Australia’s first glasshouse back in the convict days and built in 1876. It’s rustic, charming and has beautiful natural lighting and guaranteed to keep you warm and cozy in winter from those cold draughty winds!
Nestled in a beautiful garden setting, natural light floods this stunning glasshouse, providing a unique venue for wedding ceremonies and celebration drinks. I love the lovely natural timber windows and brick paved flooring that makes for lovely Sydney wedding photography Just outside you have a really nice garden (actually you have gardens everywhere!) to explore for the bridal party photos and it’s also conveniently located to an amazing wedding reception venue Botanic House.
The Palm House is a blank canvas that can be styled to suit exactly what your needs are, but it doesn’t need much to look great by itself!
Book early to avoid disappointment!
Herb Garden & Pavillion
Booking Fee:
$860 for two hours, $290 for additional hours up to 4 Hours maximum
Capacity
The Pavilion fits approximately 80 people.
Access Info Public transport recommended. Limited parking available around Macquarie Street
Closest gates: Palace Garden and Conservatorium.
A nice little garden that’s nice and quiet, it has a sandstone pavilion and two beautiful grass walkways which you can seat your guests, or make an aisle out of. All around there are beautiful herbs which are presented nicely and make for a great place to get married. It’s a really popular spot for wedding ceremonies at the Royal Botanic Garden so make sure you book in early!
Would suit a smaller wedding, more intimate wedding party. Has a wet weather option built in as well.
I love that it has the courtyard where you can mingle with your friends and family after the ceremony, and I’m sure there’s opportunities for a catering company to serve food and drinks while you go out and take the bridal party photos.
Sydney Fernery
A not as well known place in the Gardens and not a place you can hire out, it is a great place to take bridal portraits as it is very green and lush all year round, plus it is has an element of privacy if you’re shy. Plus, it is under cover so it is a good wet weather option in the event of heavy downpours!
Eucalypt Lawn (a.k.a Lawn 29)
Booking Fee
$860 for two hours, $290 for additional hours up to 4 Hours maximum.
Capacity
A lot of people as it’s very open!
Access Info Public transport recommended. Parking at nearby Domain Carpark
Closest gates: Wooloomooloo Gate/Henry Lawson Gate off Art Gallery Road
Code named Lawn 29 by the Garden staff, it is nestled amongst the shady eucalypts. This gorgeous lawn is set back above a natural rock ledge with spectacular views overlooking the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. It is less busy around the area but definitely not lacking in views!
I love how it’s more private and lesser known than the other locations, which means you get less people “sticky beaking” on your wedding ceremony.
It is easily accessible along the main road going up towards Mrs Macquaries Chair.
Harbour View Lawn (a.k.a Lawn 33)
Booking Fee
$860 for two hours, $290 for additional hours up to 4 Hours maximum.
Capacity
A lot of people as it’s very open!
Access Info Public transport recommended. Parking at nearby Domain Carpark
Closest gates: Wooloomooloo Gate/Henry Lawson Gate off Art Gallery Road
Probably the most popular lawn to get married in the Gardens by overseas couples and I can understand why you would pick this location. It has the best views of the harbour, the water and many other good things. Make sure you book early for this one as it goes like free ice blocks on a hot summer day.
This lawn features water views framed by a large shady fig tree – it’s the most iconic wedding lawn in all of the gardens. Just around the corner there’s a small pop up bar so you can grab some refreshments right afterwards.
Absolutely gorgeous during the end of the day towards sunset, it makes for stunning photography!
Mare & Foal Statue Lawn – (A.k.a Lawn 34)
Booking Fee
$860 for two hours, $290 for additional hours up to 4 Hours maximum.
Capacity
A lot of people as it’s very open!
Access Info Public transport recommended. Parking at nearby Domain Carpark
Closest gates: Wooloomooloo Gate/Henry Lawson Gate off Art Gallery Road
A nice patch of green grass next to the water with great views of the harbour. There is a statue of a Mare and Foal on the bottom left corner, hence the name! Another popular spot so again book early.
It is close by to the middle of the gardens near the cafe and restaurant so it’s quite convenient if you have your ceremony there and proceed to reception at the Botanic House.
Tarpeian Lawn
One of the most popular grass lawns in all of Sydney (and for great reason too), it has a million dollar view of Sydney Harbour right behind it. It is surprisingly quiet despite having such a great view as it is a little hard to find and involves some walking, but trust me, it’s totally worth the trouble. Just be aware if you have older guests that they will need to enter via Macquarie Street
Booking Fee
$1350 for two hours, $390 for additional hours up to 4 Hours maximum
Capacity
The Pavilion fits approximately 80 people.
Access Info
Limited parking available around Macquarie Street, Opera House Carpark
Closest gates: Macquarie St and Opera House
A favourite among the many, the Tarpeian Lawn offers a level of privacy, shady figs and million dollar harbour views. Close by to the Opera House and Circular Quay, and a close by to a wharf for a quick getaway via water taxi.
Bennalong Lawn
Booking Fee
$1350 for two hours, $390 for additional hours up to 4 Hours maximum
Capacity
The Pavilion fits approximately 80 people.
Access Info Limited parking available around Macquarie Street, Opera House CarPark
Closest gates: Opera House Gate
With unsurpassed views of Sydney’s icons, Bennelong Lawn is the premier marquee location in all of the gardens and therefore can only be booked for ceremonies within 6 weeks of your wedding date. You cannot beat the view of this Royal Botanic Garden Sydney wedding ceremony location with its views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour bridge right in front of you as you say your vows to each other.
I’ve had the privilege of photographing a number of Sydney weddings here in the past and every time I pinch myself on how stunning this location really is.
Easily accessible from the Opera House so you could easily walk down the stairs to its famous courtyard and off to an awaiting limousine.
In Summary
Hopefully you found this guide on the best Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Wedding Ceremony Location useful. I’ve photographed over 30 weddings here over the past 8 years as a Sydney Wedding Photographer and explored all the corners of the gardens whilst I was an employee of the gardens.
To Book your wedding ceremony at the Royal Botanic Garden contact Holly at the Venue Management Office and mention Kevin from Images by Kevin sent you!
Ph: 02 9231 8111
Email: events@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au
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