Sydney’s Northern beaches offers not only it’s already famous costal locations, but a few hidden spots that offer a perfect destination to host a wedding ceremony! We all know how stressful planning a wedding can be, so let me unearth some of these secret location gems and make your ceremony choice a little easier. Grab a glass of wine, or a cold beer and lets do this.
I’ve broken down each of the 8 locations ranking them in no particular order. Each of the locations, I personally recommend as a good option in hosting an outdoors wedding ceremony.
1. Freshwater View Reserve - Freshwater
Living in Freshie most of my life, as a boy I ventured around looking for cool spots with my mates. Stumbling over the somewhat known spot, Freshwater reserve offers not only perfect views looking over (the greatest) Freshwater beach but is less than a kilometre from Pilu at Freshwater. (making it super easy for all the guests, not having to walk too hard in their high heels and blazers!) The reserve is fully turfed and has a little arch way opening, that acts perfect as the start of the aisle.
Freshwater View Reserve is located on Queenscliff head land, 200m from the stairs at the end of Bridge Road.
If you continue down the trail to the right of the reserve, you'll be greeted by an amazing, uninterrupted view of Freshwater beach. The (now known) spot is perfect for couple photos and is a hit with my engagement shoots.
When shooting after a wedding, I prefer to shoot the couple photos are a variety of locations. With the first being the look out rock, I also love to shoot below on the sand and rocks. The sandstone wall blends perfectly with a brides white gown. The sand stone wall, being large, adds a sense of scale to the images - showing the Freshwater location.
To sum up - I love Freshwater View Reserve. Ive been taking my dog there for as long as I can remember and i think its an amazing spot to get married.
2. Shelly Beach - Manly
Shelly Beach is located in Manly and surrounds a protected marine reserve that lies adjacent to North Head and Fairy Bower. Shelly Beach offers stunning views over looking Manly beach front and is an amazing spot to have an engagement shoot. The organic rocks are positioned perfectly to allow for natural shots of couples sitting and walking across. I'm a big fan of natural colours - making the greens and yellows at Shelly beach a personal favourite of mine.
Shelly Beach is not only a great shot to have an engagement shoot, it is also a wedding hotspot. With The Boat House literally on the beach, Shelly Beach is a great spot to host a chilled costal wedding.
Getting to Shelly Beach is super simple. All you need to do is follow Manly Beach all the way around, head up the hill towards ICMS, pull a left then follow Bower Street all the way around. My only recommendation if that couples leave a bit of time for parking. The small car park is locally known as a bottle neck and its difficult to find a spot; especially when the waves are pumping.
3. The Bible Gardens - Palm Beach
Despite being a small trip away from Manly, Palm Beaches Bible Gardens are worth every minute.The small, isolated gardens look over the entire bay of Palm Beach.
