RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR WEDDING RECEPTION VENUE FROM SYDNEY JAZZ BAND THE GRADUATES
When it comes to choosing your reception venue for your special day, it can be overwhelming with the number of different options available. There are several factors you have to consider before choosing a venue that will best reflect your wedding style and feel. While the big venues such as Doltone House and Navarra venues may be more suitable for larger gatherings, there are a range of other fantastic options for smaller weddings. We’ve compiled a short list, in no particular order, of some of our favourite intimate Sydney venues to perform at.
Swifts, Darling Point
Swifts is a heritage-listed late Victorian castellated Gothic mansion located in the suburb of Darling Point, Sydney. It is described by the Australian Heritage Council as “perhaps the grandest house remaining in Sydney”. The Graduates have performed there on many occasions for both corporates and weddings and we have always been blown away by the beautiful architecture, lush gardens, and intimate feel of this private venue. There is a courtyard overlooking both the gardens and the main dining room where the band usually plays, and this setup allows us to perform music for canapes and drinks out on the lawn followed by dinner sets when guests move inside. You truly have to visit the venue to experience its grand appeal amongst bridal couples!
Catalina, Rose Bay
Catalina’s is a ‘One-Chef’s Hat’ Award-winning restaurant in Rose Bay, Sydney. The restaurant features panoramic views of Sydney Harbour, Rose Bay, Shark Island and the peninsula of Point Piper. The floor to ceiling glass sliding doors open out onto a spectacular balcony where you can enjoy summer canapes and cocktail drinks while listening to The Graduates play your favourite jazz classics. If your wedding falls in winter, there is an open fireplace and extra heating out on the balcony. The band normally sets up inside next to the kitchen and faces out towards the seated tables, which makes the band a feature of your reception. Due to the intimate size of the restaurant, the largest recommended ensemble size is the Full Quartet, with our various smaller options for Trios and Duos available.
The Langham, Sydney
Nestled in the heart of The Rocks district, with views of the Harbour, The Langham is a luxury hotel which is the ultimate in indulgence. From elegant floral designs to exquisite gastronomic menus, the Langham exudes sophistication, style and glamour under one roof. The hotel also features one of the best day spas in Sydney where you can book exclusive bridal preparation programs. The Graduates have performed at The Langham on many occasions, and we were even the selected band to open the hotel’s grand ‘Observatory Bar’. The Hotel has two main reception rooms to choose from – the ‘Drawing Room’ and the larger ‘Ballroom’. For those looking for a Sydney venue which covers everything, the Langham is hard to beat!
Lindesay, Darling Point
Lindesay is a heritage-listed harbourside mansion in Darling Point which features stunning Georgian interiors, elegant parterre gardens and well-tended grounds with uninterrupted Sydney Harbour views. The residence is very popular for weddings and corporate events and is suitable all year round. The Graduates have performed at Lindesay on many occasions and we love the location and feel of this venue. However, bridal couples should be aware that the venue has a noise-restriction policy in place which prohibits amplified music. This means that the venue suits bands which play softer acoustic music such as jazz and classical, and definitely not party or dance bands. We are able to accommodate these provisions by adapting our setup to include accordion and saxophone instead of vocals and keyboard, which creates a more acoustic and instrumental feel to your wedding music. If you are interested in this venue, please get in touch with us to find out about our custom acoustic line-ups.
Centennial Homestead, Centennial Park
Surrounded by rolling green lawns, wispy long grass fields, ponds and lakes, Centennial Homestead offers a number of indoor and outdoor spaces perfect for a picturesque garden ceremony and wedding. The beautiful ‘Wisteria Room’ is the most popular for weddings, and the recommended choice should you wish to have a live band featured at your wedding. The Graduates have performed at Centennial Homestead on many occasions, and we love the open and “green” feel of this venue. One of the popular choices amongst bridal couples is to have pre-dinner drinks and canapes out on the lawn, followed by dinner inside. We are able to accommodate this by offering an acoustic ‘Saxophone and Double Bass Duo’ out on the lawn (where power is unavailable) followed by the rich, full sound of the quartet in the Wisteria Room once guests move inside. You can watch us performing in this exact lineup at this exact venue via our Vimeo channel at https://vimeo.com/392839269.
Please get in touch with us today for more information about these venues or should you have any questions about other wedding venues in Sydney. We can help guide you on selecting the perfect venue to complement your wedding style and feel. If you’ve heard of it, chances are we’ve performed there!
Michael Walder (Manager)