Sydney weddings, the complete guide

Mosman, Vaucluse and Watsons Bay hold Sydney's most famous harbour venues: heritage houses in their own grounds, old military buildings above the water and hotels on the bay. Many sit inside Sydney Harbour National Park, with bush tracks and beaches right below.

The views come at a price: parking is tight and roads are narrow, so plan transport, and book early for spring and autumn Saturdays.

Vaucluse HouseWatsons Bay Boutique HotelStrickland EstateGunners’ BarracksSergeants’ MessAthol HallTaronga ZooCoogee Surf Club

From Manly Cove and North Head up to Palm Beach and Pittwater, the Northern Beaches feel like a coastal holiday half an hour from the city. Expect harbour beaches, ocean clifftops and quiet waterfront lawns on Pittwater.

The ferry to Manly makes a lovely arrival. Further north, allow for the drive up the peninsula, which can be slow on summer weekends.

Manly PavilionNorth Head Sanctuary & Q StationJonah’s Palm BeachPasadena Sydney

Head north-west to Windsor and North Richmond and Sydney turns into farmland and river country, about an hour from the city. Further south-west, Penrith and Mulgoa sit at the foot of the Blue Mountains, with lakes and open sky. Venues here have space, lawns and often lower prices than the harbour.

The Lakehouse, North RichmondCrowne Plaza Hawkesbury ValleyLakeside at the Sydney International Regatta CentreMulgoa Valley Receptions

About two hours west of the city, Leura, Katoomba and Hartley Vale give you escarpments, gardens and a weekend away. It is cooler than the coast, and winter can bring mist or even snow, which makes beautiful, moody photos.

Most guests will stay over, so think of it as a destination wedding.

Fairmont Resort Blue MountainsLeuralla AmphitheatreCollits Inn

Traffic: allow more time than you think, especially on Friday and Saturday afternoons, around the harbour bridges and up the Northern Beaches. Build buffers into your timeline between getting ready, the ceremony and the reception.

Ferries: Manly, Watsons Bay, Taronga and Walsh Bay are all on the ferry network, which makes a beautiful arrival for guests.

Parking: harbour venues often have little or none. A coach or shuttle for guests saves a lot of stress.

From Newcastle and the Hunter: the city is about two hours down the M1, and the Blue Mountains about two and a half.

For city and harbour weddings, guests can stay in CBD hotels and travel in by ferry or rideshare. Hotel venues such as Pier One, Watsons Bay and the Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley have rooms on site. For the Northern Beaches, Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains, most guests will want to stay locally, so send accommodation details with your save-the-dates.