Looking for a different atmosphere for your wedding party instead of the usual RSL clubs, reception centres or hotel ballrooms? Why not consider celebrating your big day in a romantic heritage setting, complete with old-world charm and style?

The National Trust of Australia has many unique and varied properties across New South Wales that are geared up to cater for weddings of various styles and sizes. Properties range from Colonial cottages and townhouses which can serve as suitable venues for wedding photography, small, intimate wedding lunches/dinners or stand-up cocktail parties, to stately mansions, gardens or homesteads that can cater for posh dinners or large garden parties. One property even has a romantic little chapel to make it a complete one-stop wedding shop!

 

In Sydney, you have several choices on the heritage front. The Eastern Suburbs’ Lindesay at Darling Point (ph: 9363 2401) is a much-sought after venue by brides, being an elegant 1830s mansion with full views across manicured lawns to Sydney harbour. You can have an elegant sit-down dinner or cocktail party under the marquee for up to 100 in the pretty garden. But you have to be quick to book: only 12 weddings a year are currently allowed at Lindesay. NT Members - receive 5% off hiring fee for large wedding functions (up to 100 ppl) or small dinners (up to 20 ppl). Click here to find out more information about Lindesay.

 

In Western Sydney, there are two choices for weddings of different scales: Harris Park’s Experiment Farm Cottage (ph: 9635 5655), an 1830s Anglo-Indian bungalow with romantic verandahs and gardens is a pleasant venue for wedding photography or small groups looking for an atmosphere of character and historic significance. The verandah and gardens make a nice setting for a stand-up cocktail party (up to 40 people), and an intimate wedding breakfast or lunch (up to 20-25 people)can be accommodated on the verandah or forecourt.
NT Members - 10% off venue hire for functions up to 40 ppl, wedding ceremonies  and photography.

 

On the other end of the spectrum, Old Government House, Parramatta (ph: 9635 8149), is ideal for larger wedding parties. Old Government House isa stately Georgian manor hailing back to 1799. The manor house with its impressive portico makes a striking backdrop for wedding photos. Dine in the marquee in the courtyard with excellent food served by Lachlan’s, the property’s on-site restaurant. Lachlan's marquee can accommodate up to 350 people.
NT Members - 10% off venue hire for a wedding ceremoy or Grand entrance at Old Government House, and 10% off at Lachlan's Restaurant. Ph: 9635 8149.

In the Blue Mountains, the Norman Lindsay Gallery (ph: 4751 1067) is a positively sensual and evocative spot for a wedding. The former residence of artist Lindsay in the lower Blue Mountains features tangled gardens, fountains and statues. Up to 200 people can be accommodated for a sit down dinner, and the small courtyard and verandah can be hired for a cocktail party.
NT Members - receive 10% off venue hire for parties and wedding ceremonies/reception for up to 200 ppl. Norman Lindsay Cottage is also offering 15% off accommodation rates for 2 ppl (for NT Members).

 

Everglades Gardens, Leura (ph: 4784 1938), is another sought-after location for weddings, so brides need to book early to reserve their time in this beautiful five hectares of garden. The 1930s classical English style gardens set in stunning World Heritage listed Blue Mountains vistas are ideal for those who want something more outdoorsy: consider getting married in the shady glens or terraces of the gardens. The gardens are lovely in spring when the cherry blossoms and daffodils are in bloom and equally attractive in autumn with the trees aflame in orange, yellows and reds. Wedding photos can be taken throughout the garden. Everglades can also provide between 40-100 with a great cocktail party. If the weather turns, weddings can be held in the art gallery in Everglades’ grounds, or in the 1930s Art deco style Everglades House.
NT Members - receive 10% off venue hire for wedding ceremony/reception and meetings (up to 100 ppl).

In Bathurst, Miss Traill’s House (ph: 6332 4232) is a pretty 1830s Colonial cottage. The spacious gardens, paddocks and verandahs make for great wedding photography or a ceremony. Small weddings can be accommodated in the pretty garden.

NT Members - receive 10% off venue hire for wedding ceremonies, photography and functions.

 

In Dubbo, there’s a different venue on offer: Dundullimal Homestead (ph: 6884 9984), a rather refined 1840s homestead with spacious grounds. Brides can get married in the grounds and a great party can be held in the homestead’s Shed Café and Function Centre.

NT Members - receive 10% off venue hire for wedding ceremonies, receptions and functions.

 

 

In the Hunter Valley, Tomago House (ph: 4929 2117), built in 1843, is a very special location, set in five hectares of parkland. The gracious mansion retains the elegance and style of the Victorian era. A bride can prepare in comfort and tranquilty in the pleasant ‘brides’ room’ on the main floor of the house, make a stress-free promenade to the romantic sandstone chapel nearby – it holds 60, and there’s no traffic to hold you up on the way to the church! – and return for an elegant reception in the house afterwards.
The wide verandahs and lofty clerestory of the mansion are the natural places to receive guests and serve pre-dinner cocktails. The drawing room is ideal for a large formal dinner or dancing. Tomago is perfect for weddings in three seasons – winter, where you can have a pleasant reception in front of a log fire, or spring when dancing can be held in the drawing room, spilling out to candelit verandahs beyond. Autumn is also ideal with late afternoon sunlight and the autumn colours on display.

NT Members - receive 10% off house and chapel hire for wedding ceremonies and receptions (up to 60 ppl).

Close to Maitland, Grossmann House (ph: 4933 6452), an elegant 1870s townhouse is a pleasant place to consider for wedding photography. It is especially beautiful in October when the many varieties of heritage roses are out.
NT Members - receive 10% off venue hire for wedding ceremonies, photography and functions.

 

Further afield at Saumarez Homestead at Armidale (ph: 6772 3616), the grounds, farm area and Saumarez function centre can accommodate weddings from 60 to 1600 in a quintessential Australian rural setting. You can get married in the homestead’s romantic gardens or farm area, which features a delightful 1860s atmosphere, and afterwards enjoy a delicious sit-down dinner or cocktail party in the function centre.
NT Members - receive 10% off venue hire for wedding reception, ceremonies, meetings and funtions.

At Yass, Cooma Cottage (ph: 6226 1470), the former homestead of explorer Hamilton Hume, is set in a romantic pastoral landscape – ideal for ceremony and photography. Cooma Cottage can cater for 150 people for a cocktail party or the dining and drawing rooms can be used for a more intimate party of 40.
NT Members - receive 10% off venue hire for meetings, wedding ceremonies and photography.

 

 

If the idea of a wedding at a historic property appeals, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the National Trust property of your choice to learn more about what’s on offer in the wedding department, costs and hiring conditions.

Lindesay – 9363 2401
Experiment Farm Cottage – 9635 5655
Old Government House -9635 8149
Norman Lindsay Gallery – 4751 1067
Everglades House and Gardens – 4784 1938
Miss Traill’s House – 6332 4232
Dundullimal Homestead – 6884 9984
Tomago House- 4929 2117
Grossmann House- 4933 6452
Saumarez Homestead – 6772 3616
Cooma Cottage – 6226 1470 Woodford Academy- 4758 8584
Riversdale- (02) 6226 1470
Sir Henry Parkes School of Arts- (02) 6736 3592
S.H. Ervin Gallery- 9251 1110
National Trust Centre- 9258 0123