Weddings at The University of Sydney

Congratulations on your engagement and thank you for considering The University of Sydney for your wedding. We offer spectacular and unique venues for family and friends to assist you in celebrating your special day.

The University Venues Office are committed to providing a service to ensure wedding ceremonies, receptions and photography are on course to run successfully in accordance with University policies.

The Great Hall, MacLaurin Hall and The Darlington Centre are our premier venues for wedding ceremonies and receptions. Please refer to each individual venue on our home page for more information.

The University of Sydney is happy to work with the caterer or your choice. They must hold a Gold Licence supplied by the Restaurant and Catering Association of NSW. It is also suggested that the caterer arrange the hire of the tables for your function and coordinate the table and general decoration if you do not have a Coordinator. The exception to this rule is at The Darlington Centre where internal caterers have exclusive access to this venue.

Acts of the NSW Parliament control the sale and service of alcohol. The appointed caterer should also have a liquor licence and responsibility for applying the law with respect to the service of alcohol. All catering staff need to hold a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) Certificate.

The caterer (or any external supplier) is to ensure that all waste / rubbish is stored in properly sealed containers and or bags, then removed from campus. This is at the caterers (or external suppliers) expense and is to be conducted within the agreed hire period.

To assist in planning your wedding ceremony and/or wedding photography on the lawns of the University of Sydney, the following information, terms and conditions are important to note:

• The University of Sydney is a popular venue for weddings and wedding photography. As such, users must be prepared to share it with others. The site you choose for your ceremony/photographs cannot be closed off to the public.
• You will not be deemed as having a valid booking until such time as we receive your application form and full payment in advance. Bookings are processed on a first in, first served basis. Late applications may result in the failure to obtain a booking due to the large demand. Payments can be made by cash or cheques payable to the University of Sydney Venues Office. A receipt or confirmation letter will be sent to you. To ensure your reservation is acknowledged, please produce your receipt to the staff member on duty on the day. If you cannot produce your receipt, the fee must be paid again before access is granted.
• The non-exclusive access wedding and wedding photography fee is $220 per hour (GST inclusive), where the wedding does not require a logistical set-up involving tables, chairs, marquees. Non-exclusive means there is the possibility of up to 4 wedding parties present at any given time.
• The exclusive access fee for weddings and wedding photography is $1,000 for two hours. Thereafter, $220 per hour or part thereof. Weddings and wedding photographs of this nature can only be accommodated if there are no pre-existing weddings, wedding photographs or other event booked into the area concerned. The maximum allowable capacity for such events is 200. For exclusive access wedding ceremonies you are restricted to two tables and a maximum of 12 chairs, supplied by the University, no additional furniture or structures are permitted without prior authorisation from the University. The specific location of such items to be discussed with University Venues personnel. NOTE: Exclusive access means that the University will accept no other bookings during the period in question. As stated previously, access to the area concerned by the public and visitors to the University cannot be closed off.
• Public address systems, confetti, flower petals and rice are not permitted on the grounds. Noise must be kept to a minimum. Quiet pre-recorded music or small live ensembles are allowed. The exception being that small live ensembles are not permitted between 2 and 3pm on Sundays, as they would clash with the University’s regularly schedule carillon concerts. Quiet pre-recorded music is allowed during this time period.
• Groups of no more than 10 people will be admitted to the grounds for non-exclusive wedding photos and non-exclusive wedding ceremonies.
• Parking is complementary for the wedding party only.
• Motor vehicles (of any kind), including motorcycles, are not permitted inside the Quadrangle Building, on its internal lawn areas or pathways on the front lawn area at any time.
• The area used for your function is not to be damaged and must be left clean and tidy. If any damage occurs to the lawn during the hire period and or in relation to the set up of your booking, related fees and charges will be invoiced directly to you.
• Directions from University staff must be observed at all times.
• Marquees are on application only.
• Items must not be attached to trees, buildings or other structures. All equipment must be weighted down (sandbagged), therefore no spikes allowed on the lawn area due to restrictions. If applicable due to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations all cables for outdoor equipment must have security barricades and or cable guards / covers (not tape) to ensure safety.

• Non-exclusive wedding ceremonies or photography sessions on lawns: A limited quantity of beverages may be brought onto the grounds for toasting purposes only. No food may be brought onto or consumed on the grounds.
• Exclusive wedding ceremonies or photography sessions on lawns: A limited quantity of beverages and finger style food may be brought and consumed on the grounds. Food and beverage preparation may not occur on the lawns or cloister area. Should you require a food preparation area, please arrange for the hire of a suitable room.
• The caterer (or any external supplier) is to ensure that all waste / rubbish is stored in properly sealed containers and or bags, then removed from campus. This is at the caterers (or external suppliers) expense and is to be conducted within the agreed hire period.

You may cancel at any time before the date of your booking, but you must pay us the Cancellation Fee specified below if you do so. We may deduct the Cancellation Fee from any amount you have already paid to us. The Cancellation Fee is:

• the greater of 5% of the fee or $50, if you cancel 28 days or more before the date of your booking;
• 50% of the fee, if you cancel less than 28 days, but more than 7 days, before the date of your booking;
• the total fee, if you cancel 7 days or less before the date of your booking.

Your presence on site indicates that you accept all terms and conditions set out above and that you indemnify the University of Sydney against any claim, expense, loss or damage we suffer if you, or any employee, agent or invitee of yours, directly or indirectly, and wilfully or negligently:

• damages or destroys any property of ours, or of another person located within any of our buildings or grounds at any time you have access;
• injures, or causes the death of, any person within any of our buildings or grounds at any time you have access; or
• does not observe an obligation of yours under the conditions set out above.

This indemnity is a continuing and independent obligation and includes any expense we incur on a full indemnity basis.

Download application form and terms and conditions for outdoor weddings ceremonies & photography in pdf format wedding_form.pdf (39 kb)

Go back to the University venues page.