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MARRIAGE CELEBRANT & MC
Southern Highlands & South Coast Wedding Venues
Since becoming a celebrant, I find myself travelling to the Southern Highlands and South Coast for weddings far more than I ever expected. And I'm certainly not complaining.
The drive south from Sydney is pretty spectacular, whether you're cruising through the autumn leaves in the Highlands or spotting whales along the South Coast. It's not hard to see why so many couples are choosing this part of NSW for their wedding.
And then there are the venues.
Honestly, there are some seriously bloody good wedding venues down this way. Some of my personal favourites are here, and the concentration of five-star venues in such a relatively small area is slightly ridiculous.
So, if you're getting married somewhere around the Southern Highlands or South Coast, here are a few of the venues I've had the pleasure of working at, along with some completely unsolicited advice from your celebrant.
Bendooley Estate
Berrima, NSW
If you've looked into weddings in the Southern Highlands, there's a very good chance you've already come across Bendooley Estate.
It's one of those venues that feels completely woven into the fabric of the Southern Highlands. Between the Book Barn, the Stables and the lakeside ceremony space overlooking the rolling hills, every location has its own personality.
And honestly, it almost doesn't matter which space you choose. They all look like they belong on the cover of a very expensive wedding magazine.
There's a beautiful mix of rustic charm and modern grandeur here. The Book Barn feels warm and full of character, while the Stables has that grand, effortless feel that makes you wonder whether you've accidentally wandered onto the set of a period drama.
The staff are always fantastic to work with, the food is bloody delicious, and they consistently go above and beyond for couples and their guests.
Plus, any venue that combines weddings, books and wine is clearly making some very good life choices.
Pro Tip: Winter weddings here are actually a vibe. The ceremony spaces are beautifully lit during the day, and once the sun disappears, you've got cosy fires and all the warm, romantic feels. If you're considering a wedding in the colder months, definitely don't write this one off.
Terrara House
Terara, NSW
One of my all-time favourites.
Firstly, it's hard to look past Terrara House's history and beauty. Built in 1860, the main house provides an absolutely stunning backdrop and brings a refined elegance to the day.
The grounds can accommodate up to 28 guests staying onsite, with plenty of spaces to host both your ceremony and reception. It genuinely feels like a little destination wedding tucked away in the countryside.
First, you'll be blown away by the jaw-dropping driveway. Then you'll spot the Highland cows wandering through the fields. Then you'll arrive at the historic mansion itself. And just when you think you've seen it all, there's an elegant maze garden tucked around the other side of the house.
The whole place has that wonderful "luxury weekend away with all your favourite people" energy.
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Pro Tip: Give yourself plenty of time for photos here. There are so many gorgeous spaces and backdrops around the property that you'll definitely want to make the most of them.
Kangaroo Valley Bush Retreat
Kangaroo Valley, NSW
Kangaroo Valley Bush Retreat feels like a destination wedding without the need for passports, international flights or someone losing their luggage in Singapore.
Set across private bushland with sandstone cliffs, native landscapes and incredible ceremony spaces like the Rock Cathedral, it creates a genuinely immersive wedding experience.
The Rock Cathedral, framed between two towering sandstone formations and soaring gum trees, creates a natural amphitheatre that somehow manages to feel both dramatic and incredibly intimate.
Then there's the Sunset Deck.
I'm a sucker for a good view, and honestly, the view from this deck is hard to beat. It's just a short distance from the Rock Cathedral and makes for an incredible spot to watch the sun disappear over the valley.
Weddings here can unfold naturally across an entire weekend rather than being squeezed into a few hours. Think sunset drinks, fire pits, stars overhead and everyone staying together in one place. It's relaxed, personal and wonderfully connected to the landscape.
Pro Tip: Seriously, don't skip sunset drinks on the Sunset Deck. I mean it.
Wildwood feels like you've accidentally wandered into some beautiful hidden bush paradise.
Set across 100 acres of subtropical rainforest, sandstone escarpments and incredible valley views, it has that destination-wedding feel while still feeling intimate and completely connected to the landscape.
The ceremony area by the ledge provides one of the most spectacular backdrops I've come across. With its raised platform and natural stone bench seating built into the cliffs, it genuinely feels like you're getting married in your own little carved-out corner of the wilderness rather than some giant, excavated wedding venue.
What I love most about weddings here is the sense of complete immersion.
Alex, Charlie and Lee-Michelle, who run the place, do an impeccable job of making everything feel intimate and warm. With exclusive use of the property, multiple ceremony locations and the kind of scenery photographers dream about, the whole experience feels relaxed, personal and genuinely memorable.
Pro Tip: The ceremony layout here is pretty unique. The signing table, for example, is closer to the reception space than the ceremony space. Because of that, most couples I marry here choose to sign the official certificates after the ceremony while guests are enjoying cocktail hour. It makes for a much smoother flow on the day.
Wildwood Kangaroo Valley
Kangaroo Valley, NSW
Jaspers Berry
Jaspers Brush, NSW
One of the more iconic wedding venues on the South Coast, Jaspers Berry definitely lives up to the hype.
With seemingly endless secret gardens and beautifully restored historic buildings, it's a venue that seems to surprise you at every turn.
"Enchanted" is probably the word that comes to mind.
You've got classical elegance and charming high teas inside, alongside magical courtyards and breathtaking gardens outside.
The hardest part about Jaspers is deciding which locations to use because you're absolutely spoilt for choice. Even if you hired a terrible photographer, you'd probably still walk away with some incredible photos. It's basically impossible to point a camera in the wrong direction here.
And then there's the food.
Holy Sh*t.
The spread these guys put on for canapés and dinner is worthy of its own Instagram account.
Rosi and Sue go above and beyond to create something genuinely special for every couple, and the effort certainly doesn't go unnoticed.
Pro Tip: Make sure you get some photos on the swing by the giant oak tree. You're welcome.
Growwild Wildflower Farm
Alpine, NSW
If you're looking for a venue where the wet-weather option is just as beautiful as the outdoor ceremony space, you really can't look past Growwild.
Growwild has a really distinctive feel compared with many Southern Highlands wedding venues because it embraces the surrounding landscape so beautifully.
Surrounded by native gardens, bushland and seasonal wildflowers, it has this wonderfully natural Australian character that feels relaxed, earthy and full of personality.
Couples who choose Growwild often want something that feels authentic and personal rather than heavily traditional, and the setting lends itself perfectly to that.
Lukas and the team at Growwild are phenomenal to work with and genuinely go above and beyond for their couples and guests.
The barn is absolutely jaw-dropping and makes a beautiful backdrop for smaller weddings or as a wet-weather option. In fact, a lot of couples, myself included, actually prefer it to the outdoor ceremony area.
That said, the outdoor ceremony space does boast an incredible wooden ramp aisle leading down into the valley, which you'll almost certainly fall in love with.
Pro Tip: Winter weddings are a hit here too. The burners get fired up, the little bonfires come to life and the ceremony area is well sheltered from the wind. So don't assume winter means rugging up and freezing your arse off.
Mali Brae Farm
Moss Vale NSW
Mali Brae Farm has become one of the Southern Highlands' most sought-after wedding venues, and it's easy to see why.
Set across a private 90-acre farm, it offers exclusive use, beautiful Highland cows, multiple purpose-built ceremony locations, heritage ruins, rustic reception spaces and beautifully manicured gardens, all while maintaining a relaxed country atmosphere that never feels over the top.
Oh, and did I mention the Highland cows?
What I love most about weddings here is how effortlessly everything comes together. The dedicated ceremony spaces, picturesque lake and rolling countryside create an incredible backdrop, particularly for sunset photos.
But it's the warm, welcoming feel of the property that really stands out.
It strikes that perfect balance between elegant and relaxed, making it ideal for couples who want a wedding that's stylish, personal and genuinely enjoyable for everyone involved.
Pro Tip: Leave at least an hour in the schedule for sunset photos and Highland cow feeding. You'll thank me later.
Sylvan Glen Estate
Penrose, NSW
Sylvan Glen Estate is one of those venues that immediately makes you slow your pace.
Set across a sprawling country estate in the Southern Highlands, it combines heritage charm, rolling farmland and exclusive use to create a wedding experience that feels peaceful, private and wonderfully unhurried.
I particularly love how flexible weddings can be here.
Whether you're planning an elegant garden ceremony, a relaxed celebration under the trees or an entire wedding weekend with family and friends, the property gives you the space to make the day, or the whole weekend, feel completely your own.
There's plenty around the grounds to keep your guests entertained while you disappear for photos. And yes, there's even a golf course further down the property if you fancy squeezing in a quick nine holes before the big day.
Because apparently getting married isn't stressful enough. Why not add golf?
It's the perfect choice for couples wanting a destination-style wedding that's both timeless and deeply personal.
Pro Tip: I know this is random, but the dessert spread they put on here is immaculate. You won't want to touch it because it looks too good. And then you do touch it, and suddenly you're eating everything.
Looking in different areas?
I frequently do weddings in places like:
Sydney Metro
Northern Beaches
South Coast
Blue Mountains
Central Coast
Hunter Valley
Forster/Tuncurry
QLD, VIC and beyond.
I regularly travel for weddings throughout NSW and beyond, and I’ve put together dedicated pages for some of these areas featuring my favourite wedding venues, along with my thoughts and insider tips from a celebrant’s perspective.