Are you dreaming of a marriage venue with sparkling Sydney Harbour views without the city prices? Balmain Sailing Club, located in Birchgrove, is a fantastic choice for couples looking for a relaxed, unique, and picture-perfect setting for their ceremony and reception. As a registered marriage celebrant service, we love conducting ceremonies here, combining our expertise with this stunning backdrop.
The club offers an idyllic waterfront escape, perfect for a modern, laid-back wedding. It's an excellent alternative to a traditional marriage registry office, providing a more personalised and memorable experience.
Note. At this location you must also book the venue, in addition to the celebrant service we offer. See details below under Booking and Fees.
From the club's deck, you'll enjoy uninterrupted, north-facing views across Sydney Harbour, taking in iconic sights like Cockatoo Island. This breathtaking panorama provides a spectacular, ever-changing natural backdrop for your "I dos" and makes for truly incredible wedding photos. It's what makes this one of the most sought-after wedding venues.
Balmain Sailing Club offers a cost-effective venue suited for groups of up to about 100 people. It’s perfect for couples seeking an intimate yet spacious setting. The function room, often combined with the spacious outdoor terrace, is flexible, allowing you to tailor the space to your specific marriage celebration, whether it's a small ceremony or a lively reception.
Tucked away in the quiet, historic suburb of Birchgrove, the club offers a truly local, less-commercial feel than many other harbour-side wedding venues near me. The location at the foot of Water Street feels like a secret find, providing a unique charm and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere for your guests.
One of the biggest perks is the ability to host both your ceremony (perhaps in the adjacent public park or on the deck) and your reception in the same beautiful location. This seamless transition makes planning much simpler and allows your guests to relax and celebrate without the hassle of travel between locations.
The club is located at street level with no steps to the hall, and it features disabled toilet facilities and an inclinator for assistance, making it very accessible for all guests. The adjacent public park and publicly accessible marina offer additional beautiful spots for photos and a nice walk.
Yes, a separate booking is essential for this location, as you will be hiring the venue itself for your ceremony and/or reception. Fees apply for the venue hire and are paid directly to the club.
The Balmain Sailing Club manages all bookings for the venue. We recommend reaching out to them directly for the most current rates, availability, and their booking conditions, particularly for weddings and functions. Their pricing structure typically involves hourly rates for daytime and evening hire, with a security bond also required.
Venue hire fees vary based on the day of the week, time of day, and the duration of your booking. Current rates (as a guide, *always confirm with the venue*):
Contact the club for a formal quote based on your specific wedding date and requirements.
Standard: 20 People. Add Guests: Add up to 100+ in total +$75.
You can have up to 20 people (the 2 of you and 18 guests) at your ceremony. This excludes children under 6 years old. For an additional fee of $75, this number can be increased to 100+ people in total. To add guests after your initial booking, go to the Add-ons tab in your portal.
I understand that, it is my responsibility to make the required booking with the park authority and pay any associated site fees directly to them.
Please aim to arrive 15 minutes prior to your ceremony (along with your guests) to ensure you are in the right location and ready to go at your scheduled time.
The Balmain Sailing Club is located at the foot of Water Street, Birchgrove, NSW 2041.
The most convenient way for many. There is generally unrestricted parking available in Water Street and in adjacent streets around the club. However, as it is a residential area, parking can be at a premium, especially on weekends, so advise guests to allow extra time to find a spot.
The Balmain Peninsula is well-serviced by local bus routes (e.g., routes 441, 442, 445). You should plan your trip using the TransportNSW Trip Planner or Google Maps, setting your destination as 'Water Street, Birchgrove'. The closest bus stops will require a short walk down to the waterfront location.
For a scenic arrival, consider catching a ferry to nearby Balmain East Wharf or Birchgrove Wharf. From Balmain East, it's a longer walk or a short taxi/rideshare trip. Birchgrove Wharf is closer, but walking directions should be checked, as the route may involve some hills.
A simple and direct option. Use the club's address: Water Street, Birchgrove, NSW 2041, as your drop-off point. This is often the best choice for the couple and immediate family to ensure a stress-free arrival.
Now it doesn't happen often, but when it does you will need to shelter under trees or bring umbrellas - how romantic.
The primary advantage of Balmain Sailing Club is that if you have booked the venue for your ceremony, the indoor function space is the most convenient and comfortable wet weather alternative. The club's hall offers:
a) Reservation of Location and Payment of Associated Fees
I understand that it is our responsibility to ensure this location is available for our ceremony. I will make all necessary arrangements and pay any associated fees directly to the venue or relevant authority.
b) Guest Numbers
I understand that the Standard number of people is 20. This can be increased to 100+ people for an additional fee of $75 (click on Add Ons after making your booking).
c) Standard Duration of Booking is 30 Minutes
I understand that the total time for the standard booking is 30 minutes, which is plenty of time for a beautiful ceremony. This time cannot be extended on the day of the ceremony. However, if you would like to extend the duration of your booking, this can be done prior to the date of the ceremony for an additional fee of $150. (Click on Add Ons after making your booking.)
d) Confetti and Natural Materials
I understand that to maintain the cleanliness and integrity of the area, confetti of any sort, including natural materials such as flower petals, rice, glitter, or artificial equivalents, are strictly prohibited—unless prior written consent is received from the venue.
e) Public Liability Insurance
I understand that if Public Liability confirmation is required, there will be an additional fee of $50 to provide this.
