Shelly Beach in Manly is one of Sydney's most beloved and beautiful locations for a wedding ceremony. Nestled in the protected Cabbage Tree Bay, this west-facing beach offers calm waters and a stunning backdrop of the headland and natural reserve, making it a truly picturesque and relaxed spot to say "I do."
Yes, you absolutely need to make a booking to hold a wedding ceremony at Shelly Beach (on the reserve/public land) to secure your spot and ensure you have the necessary permissions.
The authority responsible for managing wedding ceremony bookings on the public land at Shelly Beach is the Northern Beaches Council.
Bookings are typically for a minimum of three hours and only give you a right to conduct your ceremony, not exclusive use of the area.
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. Shelly Beach is located at the southern end of Manly Beach, tucked behind the headland.
Shelly Beach has a small council car park located on Bower Street, Manly, right near the beach. This is a metered 'Pay and Display' car park, which typically has a four-hour limit and requires a Northern Beaches Council beach parking permit or payment at the meter. Spaces fill up very quickly, especially on weekends and in summer. Allow significant extra travel time to find a park, or consider a drop-off service.
This is the most popular and enjoyable way to arrive. From Manly Wharf, it is a lovely 15-20 minute flat walk (approx. 1.2km) along the beachfront, past the main beach, and along the picturesque Marine Parade walk to Shelly Beach. It's a beautiful way to soak in the atmosphere and a great option for guests using the ferry.
For guests coming from the Sydney CBD, the ferry to Manly Wharf is a scenic and reliable option. Both the slow Sydney Ferries and the faster Manly Fast Ferry service Circular Quay. Once at Manly Wharf, follow the walking instructions above. This is highly recommended for guests not driving.
You can be dropped off relatively close to the ceremony site. Direct your driver to the end of Marine Parade or the carpark entrance on Bower Street. This is an excellent option for the bridal party or elderly guests to ensure a timely arrival.
Now it doesn't happen often, but when it does you will need to shelter under trees or bring umbrellas - how romantic. For ceremonies held on the public reserve or beach at Shelly Beach, there are unfortunately no convenient permanent built structures for shelter.
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.
