Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden in Lavender Bay, Sydney, is a truly magical and sought-after location for weddings. Here are five reasons why it's an excellent choice:
The garden offers **breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour**, including the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. This provides an unparalleled, picturesque backdrop for your ceremony and wedding photos, creating truly memorable and unique images.
Despite its prime location, the garden lives up to its "secret" name. It's tucked away, providing a sense of **seclusion and intimacy** for your special day. This privacy ensures your ceremony feels personal and undisturbed, allowing you to fully immerse yourselves in the moment with your closest friends and family.
Wendy Whiteley has lovingly transformed this space into a verdant oasis. It features an abundance of native birds, giant fig trees, lush plants, and vibrant flowers, creating a naturally beautiful and romantic environment. The **quirky antiquities and unique features** dotted throughout the garden add to its charm and provide wonderful photo opportunities.
The garden is not just a beautiful natural space; it's also a testament to Wendy Whiteley's artistic vision and dedication. This gives it a **unique, bohemian, and slightly whimsical character** that sets it apart from more traditional wedding venues. If you're looking for a wedding location with soul and a story, this is it.
While it can accommodate small gatherings, the garden is particularly well-suited for **intimate ceremonies**. Its size and secluded nature lend themselves to smaller, heartfelt celebrations, where the focus remains on the couple and their closest loved ones. Many couples choose it for elopements or micro-weddings, appreciating the personal and unpretentious atmosphere.
While it's a public park, you do need to book it for events, and it's essential to check the specific booking requirements and fees with North Sydney Council to ensure a smooth planning process.
Email for wedding inquiries: bookings@northsydney.nsw.gov.au
Website with wedding packages (this is an external event management company): www.wendyssecretgarden.org.au
Phone North Sydney Council on 02 9936 8100.
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 start at your scheduled time.
Arrive by:
Now it doesn't happen often, but when it does you will need to shelter under trees or bring umbrellas - how romantic.
a) 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. A cleaning fee of up to $1,000 may be charged for any violation of this policy.
b) Public park I understand that this location is a public park and no fee has been paid for it. As such the specific location in the park may vary.
c) Public Liability Insurance I understand that if Public Liability documentation (cover note) is required, there will be an additional fee of $50.
d) 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 booking.
*****************************e) Reserve location and pay associated fees I understand it is our responsibility to ensure this location is available for our ceremony and I will make all necessary arrangements and pay any associated fees directly to the venue or relevant authority
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