Wedding traditions of Sydney
A harbour city of waterside ceremonies, big Greek, Lebanese and Chinese weddings, and marriage open to same-sex couples since 2017.
Sydney weddings run from harbour cruises and sandstone chapels to the large banquet-hall weddings of its migrant communities. Australia legalised same-sex marriage in December 2017 after a national postal survey and a law that followed. The minimum age is 18, and a couple must give a month's notice before they marry.
A wedding here
Many couples marry in a garden or on the water with a celebrant, then hold a reception with a speech from the best man and the maid of honour. Greek and Lebanese families hold large church or hall weddings with dancing and a feast. Chinese Australian couples may add a tea ceremony and red envelopes.
The season and the calendar
Weddings cluster between September and May in the warmer months, with a peak in spring and autumn. Saturdays book up a year or more ahead in popular venues.
Wedding customs of Sydney
Also part of it, and being written: Best man (The groom's supporter.), Tea ceremony (The Chinese custom.).
Communities and their weddings in Sydney
- Greek families A church wedding and the dancing.
- Lebanese families The zaffe and a large party.
- Chinese Australian families The tea ceremony.
A wedding trail idea for Sydney
- Royal Botanic Garden Sydney A harbour-side garden used for ceremonies.
- Vaucluse House A historic house used for weddings.
- Sydney Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages The registry for civil marriage.
- Chinatown and Haymarket Where Chinese banquet venues and bridal shops cluster.
Written by the EveryShaadi desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, venues and wedding-season dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
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Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Wedding dress: Statens historiska museer, CC BY 2.5, source
- Same-sex marriage in Australia: Mikeybear, CC BY-SA 3.0, source