3 of the Best Southern Highlands Wedding Venues

The NSW Southern Highlands is a popular choice for weddings. Comprising of small towns and villages like Bowral, Berrima, Mittagong and Moss Vale, the area is so beautiful and is super easy to get to. At just 110km south-west of Sydney and most of the drive a cruise along motorways, you can be in the Southern Highlands in around an hour and a half.

The Southern Highlands gives you the best of both worlds when it comes to weddings – the feel of a destination wedding without asking your guests to invest a huge amount of time or money. So it’s no surprise that some amazing venues have popped up over the years. Here are my favourites…

My Favourite Southern Highlands Wedding Venues

Mali Brae Farm, Moss Vale

This boutique wedding venue is set on 90 acres of some of the prettiest countryside going around. The old hay shed has been transformed into the reception room oozing with rustic charm. The open fire will keep you and your guests cosy and the food is to die for (I seriously considered pretending I was a guest after one ceremony I did there – the food looked SO good!)

There are five different ceremony locations to choose from (yes five!) including water views, a sculpture garden, old ruins, an old boatshed and jetty, acres of landscaped gardens and a gorgeous little enclosed pavilion should it be raining on your wedding day.

Mali Brae Farm also has two cottages for the couple to stay overnight and for wedding preparations.

There is so much to love about this little gem. Check it out!

Mali Brae Farm Southern Highlands Wedding Venue - Andrea Calodolce celebrant Sydney
Photo: Mali Brae Farm

Bendooley Estate, Berrima

Food, wine, books! Bendooley Estate is my kinda place.

Besides the gorgeous gardens and charming cottages, the big draw card at Bendooley is the Book Barn. The barn itself was built last century but has been recently transformed into the home of Berkelouw Books. The Book Barn is a book shop (surprise surprise!) and restuarant/cafe by day and transforms into the most unique and whimsical reception venue by night.

Bendooley also offers various ceremony locations including a grand entrance through the front doors of the main house and across the lawns to a pretty spot in the garden and a pavilion by the lake which is perfect for those rainy days (without giving up the view).

And did I mention wine? The Bendooley Estate Cellar Door offers a great option for night before or post wedding meal and wine tasting with bridal party, family and friends.

Accommodation is also available onsite, for couples and limited guests.

The Book Barn and Cellar Door are open to the public so it’s super easy to head down to Berrima for a day trip and enjoy a great meal and a glass of wine while having a sticky beak for a potential wedding venue.

Find out more about Bendooley Estate

Bendooley Estate Southern Highlands wedding venue - Andrea Calodolce Celebrant
Rob & Alice’s entrance through the grand doors and across the garden // Photo: James Day

Summerlees Estate, Sutton Forest

If you’re after a fairytale country garden wedding, Summerlees Estate is the place for you. This historic site is set amongst 8 acres of beautiful gardens providing heaps of gorgeous ceremony options. And depending on the weather and time of year, you can choose to have your reception outdoors in the gardens or in the old ballroom where it’s all about ‘rustic romance’.

Accommodation is available onsite and the team at Summerlees can help with all your other suppliers from caterers, florists, transport, music, beauty, styling, cakes – the lot!

Find out more about Summerlees Estate

Southern Highlands wedding venue Summerlees Estate - Andrea Calodolce celebrant
Jacinta and Pirow exchange their vows in the Summerlees gardens // Photo: James Frost

Your Southern Highlands Celebrant

If you’re looking for a celebrant for your Southern Highlands wedding, I’d love to hear from you!

I am based in southern Sydney making meetings and planning easy (if you’re also in Sydney that is) and when it comes to travelling to the venue on the day, I am already halfway there (which helps keep travel costs down).

I can help you create a ceremony that is as beautiful, relaxed and romantic as your venue!

All the deets to get in touch can be found here.