What are some of the best places for wedding photos?
I'm getting married in Sydney CBD. What are some of the best places for wedding photos?
Amber A
Question Asked: 24/08/2016
Wedding Date: 17/03/2018
Wedding Location: Sydney, NSW 2000
Most Helpful Response
(12) · Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast, servicing all of South East Queensland.
Posted: 26/06/2026
Answered by: 10 Experts
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Some of the most common spots around the CBD are:
-- Martin Place and Angel Place (but parking can be tricky)
-- The Rocks, for instance near the Garrison Church (there's lots of little nooks and crannies, and there are particular ivy-covered walls and colourful doors that photographers like; you can also film inside some pubs etc if you get permission)
-- Observatory Hill
-- Hickson Road, under the bridge, and down towards (and at) the piers
-- Hyde Park and St Mary's Cathedral
-- Sydney University Main Quad (a little further afield; technically need permit)
-- Centennial Park (I think you need permit)
-- Carriageworks (need permit)
-- National Art School (need permit)
-- Paddington Reservoir
-- Botanical Gardens (need permit)
-- North of the bridge, there's Milson's Point, and Blues Water Point
Basically, open Google Maps, and look for any spot of greenery, especially near water.
Reading through some of other people's suggestions, some are a little surprising to me! In a good way. Not sure why I've never had a couple go to the Opera House on their wedding day, for instance. I've got a feeling it's because it wasn't en route, wasn't in vicinity of church or reception, and maybe parking is tricky for a limousine. Newtown is also not a place I've gone on a wedding day.
On our Beautiful Strand
Hi Amber, there are so many great spots around Sydney CBD!
It really depends on what look you're after - there's Martin Place for the old buildings, Darling Harbour and Circular Quay for the waterfront, Botanic Gardens and the Domain for nature photos, The Rocks for historic buildings, shop fronts, little laneways and other unique places like that. It's really whatever suits the two of you and your favourite scenes!
If you're short on time and don't want to be out taking photos too long, I'm sure that wherever you are your photographer could find some great photo locations nearby! Or if you have the time, you could jump in a taxi or on a train - even making that part of the photo shoot would be fun and would provide another cool location with all the historic city stations!
Also, it's worth thinking about the time of day - if you can organise the photos close to sunset they will look much nicer with great light and a nice sky!
Hope this helps! If there's any other info I can help you with just let me know!
(26) · Cairns, Palm Cove & Port Douglas
Posted: 27/01/2017
If you have a skilled and creative photographer, time of day is probably more important than the location. Light (Photo) should be your photographers first consideration. The quality and direction of the light. Which lighting style will flatter the subject etc. We aim to isolate you as the subject as you are just that, the (Important) subject. Then we consider the palette of our images and try to make it consistent throughout the day. This was we become story tellers and picture takers. You can see the result of this in our images. Hope that helps Amber ;)
(1) · Sydney and Surrounds, NSW, Statewide and International
Posted: 19/10/2016
The best places are your favourite places, areas that suit your memories and personalities. The Rocks have lovely old streets, textured walls and colourful doors, Door 64 and Harrington Street are popular, Observatory Hill and the Royal Botanic Gardens will give you landmark backdrops. A short hop on a ferry to the north shore also works well. Barangaroo has a nice new park. The nearby streets of Surry Hills and Oxford street will work for a more urban feel and a short drive away the Paddington Reservoir Gardens.
(1) · Sydney Wide, Wollongong, Illawarra, South Coast and Southern Highlands
Posted: 17/10/2016
Anywhere!
When a Bride and Groom are freshly married and at that moment their love for each other is at it's peak amazing images are so easy to capture. Don't get me wrong... beautiful locations are a big help in setting the scene for the photos however a couples inner sparkle is what really makes my job so fun.
If you check my website and open the link http://www.evermorephotographics.com.au/tips-ideas/location-tips/ this will give up an up to date suggestion list for photos in Adelaide. Please contact if you have further queries.
There are the very obvious landmarks of Sydney Opera House steps, under the Harbour Bridge at Milsons Point (don't forget Luna Park for some fun photos!) and Hyde Park with their beautiful waterfall and tree archway.
Some of the more uncommon spots include Angel Place – a little laneway just off Pitt Street with birdcages hanging from above. You won't find another spot like it! For something a little different there are some great buildings down at King St Wharf. Using their unique architecture to give some really interesting backgrounds with bright colours and shapes.
If you have some time to spare, catch a ferry from King St Wharf and head to Cockatoo Island. Not only will you get some incredible photos while on the ferry sailing through Sydney Harbour but Cockatoo Island is a photographers dream! So much character and unique images around every corner.
For something really different, head to Newtown or St Peters and find some of their iconic graffiti laneways.
I absolutely love Bradley's Head Amphitheatre for its awesome views of the entire city, Centennial Park, The Rocks, Observatory Hill. There are also many hidden spots around the CBD which are my best kept secrets!
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Sydney really does spoil you for choice, and the others have given you some cracking spots already. The one thing I'd add from years of shooting these days is to think about timing as much as place. In the CBD the light bounces hard off all that glass and sandstone, so the same laneway can look harsh and squinty at midday and absolutely magic an hour before sunset. If your ceremony allows, holding even twenty minutes back for that softer late light will do more for your photos than adding a fifth location.
For a Sydney CBD run, my practical pick is to keep your locations close together so you actually get to enjoy the day rather than sit in traffic. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Mrs Macquarie's Chair and the Opera House forecourt are all within a short stroll of each other, so you get harbour, greenery and that iconic skyline without burning your whole afternoon in the car. The Rocks is just up the hill from there for the textured laneways and sandstone if you want a change of feel in the one outing.
One thing worth knowing: a few of these spots, the Botanic Gardens and parts of the Opera House precinct included, can require a photography permit, so it's worth checking before the day so nothing gets in the way on the morning. A good photographer will help you sort that as part of the planning.
If you end up with a videographer too, those same waterfront spots are gold for film because you get movement in the background, the ferries, the water, the light shifting. We edit everything in-house ourselves rather than sending it off, so we're genuinely thinking about how each location will cut together for both photos and film when we plan the route with a couple. Happy to help map out a Sydney run if you'd like a hand.