In recent years eloping or elopement weddings have been growing in awareness but many pressures have made these impossible for many couples. With the coronavirus pandemic, eloping is gaining in popularity for couples who don’t wish to delay their nuptials anymore.
Recommended reading: How to plan an elopement wedding (in Sydney)
This guide is written specifically for couples living in Sydney NSW. With Australia locking down its borders and restricting movement, it is crucial that we all do our part in flattening the curve. As such, if you are thinking of traveling to Sydney from another Australian State or Territory, please reconsider.
Elopement Spots Overlooking Sydney Harbour
When planning an elopement at one of the following spots, the best time of day will be towards sunset. During April through till August, this will mean some time between 3-5pm. The light will be the most romantic and will give you the most stunning of memories.
As you can see from the above map, all of the elopement spots are littered across Sydney Harbour – you will find locations that are in lower north shore, eastern suburbs, and The Rocks. This map should give you some ideas on how to pick the closest location to you so that you may reduce the amount of travel required.
- Observatory Hill, Millers Point
- Hickson Road Reserve, The Rocks
- Milk Beach, Vaucluse
- Rocky Point Island, Mosman
- Clifton Gardens, Mosman
- Bradleys Head Amphitheatre, Mosman
- Georges Head Lookout, Mosman
- Athol Beach, Mosman
- Cremorne Reserve, Cremorne Point
- Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden, Lavender Bay
- Copes Lookout, Kirribilli
- Quibaree Park, Lavender Bay
- Clarkes Point Reserve, Woolwich
- Cabarita Park, Cabarita
- Riverglade Reserve, Huntleys Cove
- Fleet Steps within Royal Botanic Gardens, The Domain
- Darling Point Reserve, Darling Point
- Seven Shillings Beach, Double Bay
- Robertson Park, Watsons Bay
- Camp Cove Beach, Watsons Bay
- Q Station, North Head
- Shelly Beach, Manly
- Long Reef Headland, Dee Why
Elopement Spots With Ocean Views
- Diamond Bay Reserve, Vaucluse
- Clarke Reserve, Vaucluse
- Cape Solander Lookout, Kurnell
- West Head Lookout, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
- Whale Beach
- Palm Beach
- Bilgola Beach
- Avalon Beach
Urban Elopement Spots
- McKell Park, Darling Point
- Ballast Point Park, Balmain
- Elkington Park, Balmain
- Callan Park, Rozelle
- Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour
- Rose Garden & Pavilion within Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney CBD
- Centennial Parklands, Queens Park
- Hyde Park, Sydney CBD
- Blackburn Gardens, Double Bay
Hi! I’m Jack of Jack Chauvel Photography
I trust that the information on this page has been helpful during these uncertain times. I know things are a bit crazy at the moment and having a tiny wedding may not have been your original plan.
I have a hands on, no-fuss approach to my photography and have a good time whilst doing it. The process of meeting couples, getting to know them and documenting their wedding day in a story driven way is the best. Everyone has their own story and being able to communicate this story through photos and providing a memorable experience is why I love weddings.
I like to get to know my clients and often walk away as friends. At the end of the day I am documenting and communicating your story through photos. When you look back at your images years down the line I want you to relive the day through all of the little moments.
Recommended reading: How to plan an elopement wedding (in Sydney)
Like everyone in the wedding industry, COVID-19 has hit my business very hard so if you are planning on eloping in the coming few weeks, I’d love to have a chat with you – get in touch.
COVID-19 Elopement FAQS: Answered
Q: Are we allowed to get married during COVID-19?
At the time of writing, weddings are still permitted in New South Wales. Please ensure that your wedding plans meet the following criteria:
Weddings can be conducted with no more than 5 people, including the couple, the celebrant and the witnesses. The 4 square metre rule and social distancing must be observed.
This is the official public health advice from the Australian Government:
Stay at home unless you are:
- Going to work or education (if you are unable to do so at home).
- Shopping for essential supplies such as groceries, return home without delay.
- Going out for personal exercise in the neighbourhood, on your own or with one other.
- Attending medical appointments or compassionate visits.
As you can see, weddings are not considered as non-essential gatherings but are permitted so long as there are no more than 5 people in attendance and that social distancing is applied at all times.
Q: Can my friend from Interstate travel to my elopement?
Non-essential travel is to be avoided. For this reason, you will find region-specific locations in this guide to minimise the need for travel.
Q: Can we travel for ‘location photos’?
No. Again, we have been advised that all non-essential travel should be avoided. COVID-19 is a serious public health matter and we must all do our part to reduce the risk of spreading the disease. This means restricting our movements – even whilst eloping.
The advantage of elopement weddings is that they often take place at a picturesque location anyway. Therefore, most photos can be taken within walking distance of your ceremony location.
Q: Wait, can we kiss each other?
We know that COVID-19 can be transmitted between human contact (click here for more information). Therefore, you and your guests must NOT hug, kiss each other, or make any physical contact. However, when it comes to you and your newlywed, I think it is acceptable to embrace and kiss each other (and each other only).
