As a wedding celebrant who has conducted hundreds of weddings across Sydney’s stunning Northern Beaches, I’m often asked for recommendations on the best locations for wedding ceremonies. The Northern Beaches has many beautiful spots to say ‘I do’ – from pristine beaches with views across the Tasman Sea to shady parks tucked between the bushland and the ocean.
Choosing the perfect outdoor northern beaches wedding ceremony locations is an important part of your wedding planning. You’ll want somewhere that suits the vibe and size of your wedding and also fits within your budget.
The great news is that the Northern Beaches Council provides access to many ceremony locations that only require a small permit fee to book. These spots do not offer any facilities like chairs or a wet weather option – they are simply beautiful settings to hold your short wedding ceremony before heading to a nearby reception venue.
Here are my picks for the top northern beaches’ wedding ceremony locations:
Palm Beach Wedding Ceremony Locations
Palm Beach is one of the most popular northern beaches wedding ceremony locations for weddings on the Northern Beaches. This classic Aussie beach suburb offers postcard views of the ocean and beautiful parks nestled between the sand and the Palm Beach lighthouse.
Wiltshire Park Wedding
Tucked behind the dunes, Wiltshire Park in Palm Beach is a gorgeous spot for a wedding ceremony. Having your wedding here means you are shaded by the palm trees and protected from the wind blowing off the ocean. It’s very close to reception venues like Dunes and Moby Dicks.
Governor Phillip Reserve Wedding
Next to Dunes restaurant, Governor Phillip Reserve is another excellent Palm Beach ceremony location overlooking the ocean. This spot has been used for filming Australian TV shows like Home and Away, so it has that extra novelty factor.
Palm Beach Bible Gardens Wedding
The Palm Beach Bible Gardens offer a more intimate ceremony setting, with pretty gardens on the hill overlooking Palm Beach. Set back from the hustle and bustle, this is a good option for smaller weddings near Jonah’s restaurant.
Lucinda Park Wedding
Lucinda Park in Palm Beach provides elevated views looking over Pittwater National Park. It’s a big open grassy area, so you do need to consider wet weather backup if you choose Lucinda Park. But beating the outlook over Palm Beach is hard on a sunny day.
Snapperman Beach Reserve Wedding
Like Lucinda Park, Snapperman Beach Reserve offers a stunning view over Pittwater National Park. As it’s right on the sand just next to the park, it also gives you that beach ceremony feel while still enjoying those Pittwater vistas.
Whale Beach Wedding
Last but not least, Whale Beach is one of the most iconic Northern Beaches wedding spots. With pine trees lining the beach and reception venues like Jonah’s Whale Beach and Moby Dicks Whale Beach close by, it’s a fantastic place for beachfront vows before the party starts. Also, see Best Reception Venues Northern Beaches.

Collaroy Wedding Ceremony Locations
For couples planning weddings in Collaroy, there are also some great ceremony spots to consider:
Collaroy Beach Wedding
Of course, an actual beach ceremony right on Collaroy Beach is hard to beat – especially with popular venues like Collaroy Beach Club nearby.
Collaroy Rockpool Wedding
The Collaroy Rockpool is another amazing ceremony spot, with the ocean pool making a dramatic backdrop for exchanging vows.
Collaroy Beach Headland Wedding
The grassy headland between Collaroy Beach and Long Reef Headland offers fabulous elevated ocean views, and space for larger wedding groups.
Stuart Park Wedding
Similar to Palm Beach, Stuart Park in Collaroy is an open grassy park nestled behind the sand dunes, perfect for a relaxed wedding ceremony near the beach.

Freshwater Wedding Ceremony Locations
For a Freshwater wedding, here are some great ceremony venue options:
Freshwater Beach Wedding
An iconic Freshwater Beach ceremony with views of Manly cannot be beaten for the real beach vibe.
Freshwater Rockpool Wedding
Again, the ocean pools along the Northern Beaches, like Freshwater, are striking spots for a wedding ceremony near the beach.
Harbord Beach Reserve Wedding
Harbord Beach Reserve is a large grassy park overlooking Freshwater Beach – great for bigger weddings needing spacious ceremony grounds.
Curl Curl Wedding Ceremony Locations
Curl Curl is another Northern Beaches suburb offering spectacular oceanfront wedding ceremony venues:
Curl Curl Beach Wedding
A beachside ceremony right on Curl Curl Beach perfectly captures the Northern Beaches’ spirit perfectly.
Curl Curl Rockpools Wedding
The Curl Curl ocean pool area is a fantastic alternative to holding your ceremony near the ocean but without sand between your toes.
Lawson Reserve Wedding
For weddings with 100+ guests, Lawson Reserve is a spacious grassy area in North Curl Curl, with views over the coastline.
Manly Wedding Ceremony Locations

And you can only talk about Northern Beaches weddings by mentioning Manly – the perfect mix of laidback beach suburb and bustling village.
Manly Cove Beach Wedding
A ceremony on Manly Cove Beach with views over the Manly wharf is simply stunning.
Manly Little Manly Beach Wedding
For a slightly more secluded beach ceremony option in Manly, Little Manly Beach is a beautiful and relaxed spot.
Manly Botanic Gardens Wedding
The Manly Botanic Gardens offer tropical vibes with shady trees and meandering paths for an alternative garden-style affair.
As you can see, engaged couples are spoilt for choice regarding top northern beach wedding ceremony locations. From the sand between your toes at Freshwater Beach to the dramatic cliffs above Curl Curl – there are so many Tips For a Beach Wedding and amazing ceremony venues to choose from.
I always advise couples to visit a few locations together and find the ceremony spot that ‘feels right’ for their wedding style. Book Your Northern Beaches Wedding Ceremony Locations early to secure your perfect Northern Beaches wedding ceremony venue.
Then let your Northern Beaches wedding celebrant take care of the rest – I know all the stunning ceremony locations well and would love to chat more about making your special day absolutely perfect.
Special Thanks
Photographer: David Campbell
Creek Street Photography
Alex Marks
Kelly Jury
Venue: Milestone Events
Long Reef Golf Club
Lucinda Park
The Zephyr
Celebrant: Marry Us Gary
Best Northern Beaches Wedding Ceremony Locations
Gary’s goal is for you to have the best wedding day possible! He is an enthusiastic, grounded, fun-loving and relaxed Wedding Celebrant and Professional Wedding MC based in Australia.
He was an electrician who loved his wedding so much, he quit his job and became a full-time celebrant.
He’s here to help you plan your wedding and get the party started!