The wedding chapel has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the early 1800's, when they were built as places of worship to service local communities. Today, the wedding chapel has broadened both its community and design with civil ceremonies now welcome in non-denominational churches that bear little resemblance to the pitched roof buildings of yesteryear.
Most traditional wedding chapels in NSW have been deconsecrated in recent decades and now welcome both religious and non-religious ceremonies. The traditional wedding chapel is an ideal option for couples wanting a ceremony venue only, with most available to hire for 2 - 4 hours at a cost of $750 - $2,000.
Many traditional wedding chapels and churches have had a modern makeover in recent times and feature brand new polished wooden floors, airy white walls and technological enhancements such as air con, lighting and sound systems. Below, you'll even find a heritage wedding church fitted out with 5 luxury bedrooms in the rafters.
Built in the last decade, a new wave of modern wedding chapels include everything from little white replicas to bush cathedrals, log chapels and open-air chapels with & without a roof. Stained glass windows feature side by side with huge walls of glass that not only let in way more light than their traditional counterparts, but some epic views.
Here are 17 amazing wedding chapels in NSW...
Wedding Chapels
Sydney
Central Coast
Hunter Valley
Northern NSW
South Coast
Southern Highlands
Wedding Chapels in Sydney
1. Lords Estate Chapel
- Location: 313 Seven Hills Rd, Seven Hills, NSW 2147
- Capacity: 2 - 100
- Chapel Hire: $2,000
The privately owned Lords Estate Chapel has recently opened to the public after restoration works that have modernised the interior of the historic location. Built in 1880, the chapel retains its gothic heritage with new polished wooden floorboards and lime washed walls.
You can hire the chapel for both religious & civil wedding ceremonies and it comes with removable pews for up to 80 guests and modern sound & lighting systems. The chapel also welcomes small celebrations of up to 30 guests if you're looking for an utterly unique spot for a micro wedding reception.
2. St Joseph's Guesthouse
- Location: 1029 Saint Albans Road, Saint Albans, NSW
- Capacity: 100
- Accommodation: Sleeps 10
- Church hire: $7,500 (includes 4 nights)
Built in the ruins of a 165 year old Catholic Church and with 5 luxury bedrooms in the upper levels, St Joseph's Guesthouse is a wedding chapel quite unlike any other. The original church bell still works today and you can get married underneath it on the front sandstone steps.
On the ground floor is a function area that seats up to 60 guests or caters for cocktail events of 100. Outside is a beautifully peaceful setting overlooking surrounding hills and is ideal for outdoor weddings with the church making an incredible backdrop. Elopement packages also available from $3,500.
3. The Old St Thomas Chapel
- Location: 1A Wilson Crescent, Narellan, NSW 2567
- Capacity: 140
- Chapel Hire: $750+
If you're looking for a wedding chapel in the Camden region, the historic Old St Thomas Chapel is an original delight. Built in the early 1800's, the chapel retains its heritage features with handcrafted wooden pews, stained glass windows and high, dark timber ceiling.
Both religious and non-denominational wedding ceremonies are welcome within the chapel and the surrounding grounds offer several photo opportunities including at The Old Hall located behind the Chapel. Venue hire starts at $750 for 2 hours with the option of catered morning or afternoon tea micro weddings for less than 50 people.
4. Chapel Hill Retreat
- Location: 36 Berambing Crest, Berambing, NSW 2758
- Capacity: 150
- Chapel Hire: Ceremony only available
The aptly named Chapel Hill Retreat is home to The Chapel on the Hill which was built in 1994 and put into service for the aged in the community. The chapel's beautiful stained glass windows were designed to encourage contemplation, prayer and meditation.
These days the chapel is available for weddings all cultures and religious backgrounds and can be hired for ceremonies only, elopements or as part of an all-inclusive package with a reception held onsite. The 35 acre retreat features a blank canvas reception hall with views across bush and farmland, helicopter landing facilities and 7 private cottages.
Wedding Chapels on the Central Coast
5. Charlotte Chapel @ Kantara House
- Location: 431 Avoca Drive, Green Point, NSW 2251
- Capacity: 140
- Wedding Packages: All inclusive
Charlotte Chapel at Kantara House is a beautiful white church with enormous gothic-inspired doors that make an impressive backdrop for wedding photos. Inside are bevelled glass windows, hanging chandeliers & traditional pews while outside is Australia’s oldest ringing bell. This 260kg historic gem comes with its own bell ringer for your wedding.
Nestled in the 4.5 acres of rainforest gardens is also Green Chapel, Kantara House's open-air space which features a romantic canopy of fairy lights and is a spectacular location for a sparkler exit. The chapels are available with all inclusive wedding packages that include reception, catering and drinks.
Wedding Chapels in the Hunter Valley
6. Wedding Chapel @ Greystone Estate
- Address: 617 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin, NSW 2320
- Capacity: 30 - 110
- Accommodation: Sleeps 32 ($18,400 inc 2 nights)
- Wedding Packages: $400+/pp
- 25% mid-week discount
Hire of the wedding chapel at Greystone Estate comes with exclusive use of the entire property including all accommodation across 3 seperate dwellings. You must book the entire property for 2 nights which ranges from $13,800 for mid-week bookings to $18,400 on the weekend.
The beautiful estate is set on 10 resort like acres and features a Hamptons-inspired main homestead with luxury furnishings, an open-air wedding chapel, elegant all-white reception hall and gathering spaces in the homestead and surrounding pool area. There's a private butlers pantry, a BBQ area poolside, a games room and paved garden paths to stroll and enjoy the sunsets.
7. Goosewing Cottage
- Location: 1194 Mount View Rd, Mount View, NSW 2325
- Capacity: 20
- Accommodation: Sleeps 12
- Elopement packages: $3,295+
This magical outdoor chapel is situated on a peaceful farm stay and is surrounded by beautiful views over lush green rolling hills. Goosewing Cottage specialise in micro weddings & elopements offering ceremonies for 2 - 20 guests at this gorgeous little open air chapel.
All inclusive ceremony packages start at $3,295 and include your choice of celebrants to craft & deliver a personalised wedding ceremony, all legal paperwork, one of the Hunter Valley's best wedding photographers and an in-house wedding planner. There is accommodation available in two cottages and one has a swimming pool.
8. Peppers Creek Wedding Chapel
- Location: 1946 Broke Road, Pokolbin, NSW 2320
- Capacity: 120+
- Chapel Hire: Enquire
The beautiful Tuscan-style wedding chapel at Peppers Creek features a light-filled sandstone & exposed wood interior with side opening doors that overlook rows of lush green Merlot vines. The entrance to the chapel is through a peaked timber pergola surrounded by perfectly manicured lawns, gardens and views over the Hunter Valley's rolling hills beyond.
Peppers Creek is renowned also for its impressive Barrel Room reception space which epitomises luxe, European romance. Huge Indian elephant doors open to vast gabled ceilings and an incredible 5 metre wide stone fireplace. The wedding team are incredible stylists and will help you source & select pieces to set the wedding chapel & barrel room to your liking.
9. Hunter Valley Gardens Chapel
- Location: 2090 Broke Road, Pokolbin, NSW 2320
- Capacity: 150
- Chapel Hire: Enquire
Hunter Valley Gardens is a versatile wedding destination with world class ceremony venues including a non-denominational chapel with pews seating 150 guests. Large stained glass windows frame the elevated altar providing a stunning wedding backdrop as guests watch on in air conditioned comfort.
Outside, Ornamental Pear trees line the exterior of the wedding chapel and a beautiful courtyard offers picturesque views over the gardens, lakes and Brokenback Mountain as guests mingle after your ceremony. Chapel hire includes access to the 10 internationally themed gardens for wedding photos, and a Garden Terrace offers wedding receptions onsite.
10. Lovedale Wedding Chapel
- Location: 842 Lovedale Rd, Allandale, NSW 2320
- Capacity: 180
- Wedding Packages: Ceremony only or all inclusive
Lovedale Chapel is a popular wedding chapel in the Hunter Valley, favoured for its country church-like style. Nestled amongst the best vineyards in the region, the chapel and its adjoining reception hall enjoy views across 27 acres of lush green paddocks.
The Lovedale Wedding Chapel can be hired for civil or religious ceremonies and seats 108 guests in handcrafted wooden pews. You don't have to have a reception onsite to book the wedding chapel but if you do, you may also be interested in the 3 cedar cottages available to hire at the same address.
11. The Carriage House @ Chateau Elan
- Location: Vintage Dr, Rothbury, NSW 2320
- Capacity: 80+
- Chapel Hire: $2,000
The Carriage House at Chateau Elan is a sandstone wedding chapel made of convict cut stone that seats 80 guests for wedding ceremonies with additional standing room. Shaded by beautiful gum trees and with an adjoining courtyard overlooking the golf course, the fully air conditioned chapel can be hire for ceremonies only with space for mingling afterwards.
Discounted chapel hire is available for couples having their reception onsite in one of two function rooms. The resort also features the largest day spa in the southern hemisphere with hair & makeup professionals onsite, a swimming pool, restaurant and late night bar.
Wedding Chapels in Northern NSW
12. Summergrove Estate
- Location: 363 Carool Rd, Carool, NSW 2486
- Capacity: 130
- Chapel Hire: $2,500
The beautiful white wedding chapel at Summergrove Estate is set within peaceful gardens and vineyards high in the Tweed Valley hilltops. The interior of the chapel features huge 3 metre high windows that overlook stunning ocean views and is furnished with traditional pews, timber floors and exposed wooden rafters.
You can hire the chapel for your wedding ceremony without a reception package on Mondays & Tuesdays including 2 hours exclusive use. All inclusive packages including reception, catering + accommodation range from $12k - $22k. Elopement packages from $3,600.
13. Plantation Chapel @ Pioneer Country
- Location: Tweed Heads - Northern NSW
- Capacity: 300
- Chapel Hire: $1,500
Pioneer Country is a 200 acre working farm located 10 minutes from the Gold Coast Airport in Northern NSW. The property features a plantation style non-denominational wedding chapel with pitched roof that seats up to 120 guests in antique hand made pews. The lattice walls of the chapel open for up to 300 guests to witness your ceremony.
Very affordable all inclusive wedding package start at around $10,,000 with a reception and basic catering for 50 guests including your ceremony in the wedding chapel.
Wedding Chapels on the NSW South Coast
14. Bush Chapel @ The Woods Farm
- Location: Bayly Road, Tomerong, NSW 2540
- Capacity: 200
- Venue Hire: $30,000+ (includes accommodation for 120)
The Woods Farm is home to one of the most unique open air wedding chapels in NSW. This gorgeous bush chapel has open sides surrounded by native trees & shrubs and is access via a 120 metre long, arched pergola covered in jasmine. Inside the chapel's antique doors, glass chandeliers hang overhead and there is space for 140 individual chairs.
Use of the wedding chapel is exclusively for couples booking the entire venue for 2 nights including all accommodation and the reception shed. The 40 acre property comes with 8 x 3 bedroom cottages, a permanent glamping village, swimming pool, petting animals and pre & post wedding function opportunities.
15. The Lodge Wedding Chapel
- Location: 406 Jamberoo Mountain Road, Jamberoo, NSW 2533
- Capacity: 300
- Venue Hire: $25,000+ (includes accommodation for 136)
The newly renovated Lodge is an exclusive-hire wedding destination with 43 hotel rooms that surround a huge 25 metre swimming pool. For your ceremony venue there is a beautiful outdoor Cathedral with an aisle of souring Pine Trees and an open sided timber wedding chapel.
The Lodge also has a luxe reception hall, a champagne courtyard that's ideal for cocktails & canapés, two dedicated spaces for getting ready and an onsite restaurant where guests are able to gather and are served breakfast each morning. The venue hire fee is typically covered by guests paying for their own accommodation. Food & beverage packages are $95 - $180 per person.
16. Log Chapel @ Weddings in the Wilde
- Location: 71 Ryans Ln, Wildes Meadow NSW 2577
- Capacity: 200
- Venue Hire: $25,000+ (includes accommodation for 120)
Weddings in the Wilde is a 40 hectare wedding destination that you book for 2+ nights and have your entire guest list stay onsite with you. It comes with a unique, rustic log chapel complete with forest aisle and seats for up to 130 people.
Weddings in the Wilde is used as an education facility during the week and hence has basic but clean (and affordable) accommodation for up to 120 guests. You have a marquee set up on the lawn for your wedding reception and combined with the outdoor setting totally immersed in bush is an ideal spot for DIY festival style celebrations.
Wedding Chapels in the Southern Highlands
17. Mali Brae Farm
- Location: 562 Nowra Rd, Moss Vale, NSW 2577
- Capacity: 30 - 110
- Wedding Packages: All inclusive of catering
It's not your typical chapel wedding, but the rustic ruins at Mali Brae Farm are an utterly unique open-air option for chapel-like weddings. These ruins are located in front of the main reception venue which is a beautifully renovated rustic barn that seats up to 110 wedding guests.
Also on this private 90 acre farm which is located in the heart of the Southern Highlands is micro reception venue that caters for weddings of 30 - 55 guests. You need to book one of either reception venues to have your ceremony at the rustic ruins and complimentary accommodation for 2 is included in a cute dairy cottage.
Wedding Chapel Hire
Wedding chapel hire in NSW comes in 3 main package options:
- Chapel Only: You can hire the wedding chapel for your ceremony only from $750 - $2,000
- Chapel + Reception: You can only book the chapel with an onsite reception from $75 - $500+/pp
- Chapel + Reception + Accommodation: Chapel use is exclusively available with a reception package + minimum accommodation booking
Need a marriage celebrant for your chapel wedding? Here's a directory of marriage celebrants in NSW.