Dani and Lachie’s Sergeants Mess wedding was relaxed, coastal and very much about bringing their favourite people together. They wanted a beautiful setting, a great celebration, some incredible Sydney wedding photography and, in their own words, a big party without taking things too seriously.

Getting Ready in Sydney

The day began with Dani getting ready at The Star Grand Hotel and Residences in Pyrmont, while Lachie prepared separately at Meriton Suites in the Sydney CBD. Dani’s bridal look came together with hair by Kayla Goss Bridal and makeup by Hayley McIver Makeup, while she wore a dress by Gloria Grady with Steve Madden shoes.

There was no first look planned, so they each spent the morning with their bridal parties before heading towards Sergeants Mess in Mosman. Lachie and his guests left the city by boat, making the journey across Sydney Harbour towards the venue together. It was a pretty memorable way to arrive at a wedding, and a fitting start to a day that was always going to have a strong connection to the water.

The Ceremony at Sergeants Mess

The ceremony was held at Sergeants Mess overlooking Sydney harbour. Dani and Lachie had always wanted to get married somewhere by the water, having both grown up with a strong connection to the coast, so the location felt very natural for them. The ceremony was led by Michael Bower, who also brought his experience as a marriage celebrant and MC into the day. Live music from Ria Ritchie accompanied the ceremony, adding another layer to the relaxed atmosphere. They kept the styling simple and timeless, with an all-white palette and plenty of greenery. Against the surrounding bushland and blue of the harbour, it was understated without feeling plain.

After the ceremony, we took care of the family photographs before heading down towards Chowder Bay Wharf for portraits.

Portraits Around Chowder Bay

The walk down to the wharf gave us plenty of opportunities to photograph Dani and Lachie in the landscape, with the boats, old buildings and rocky shoreline providing a completely different backdrop to the ceremony. I particularly liked this part of the day because it felt very relaxed. There wasn’t a long list of locations to get through or a need to manufacture anything. We could simply walk, stop when we found something interesting and let them enjoy some time together after the ceremony.

Chowder Bay also has a fascinating history. The area was once home to a Submarine Miners Depot and formed part of the military facilities around Georges Heights. Sergeants Mess itself was built in 1963 as an officers’ mess, and some of that history remains part of the character of the site today.

The Reception at Sergeants Mess

We returned to Sergeants Mess for the reception, where the styling continued the simple coastal feel of the day. The floral design by The Faux Fernery used greenery and white flowers to keep everything fresh and understated, allowing the setting to remain a big part of the atmosphere.

The reception was a sit-down celebration, with speeches, drinks and plenty of time spent with family and friends. Sergeants Mess an accommodate up to 250 guests for a seated reception with a dancefloor, while smaller weddings can make use of spaces including the Bar Area and Sergeant Major’s Room. The cake was created by Gorgeous Cakes by Helen, while Northern Beaches DJs took over the music later in the evening, along with the photo booth. The combination of good food, music and a room full of their favourite people was pretty much exactly what Dani and Lachie had envisioned.

And then, as planned, the wedding became a party.

A Wedding at Sergeants Mess

What I liked most about Dani and Lachie’s wedding was how little they worried about making it overly formal. After so many years together, they knew what mattered to them: their people, a beautiful day and having a genuinely good time. The boat ride, the ceremony at Sergeants Mess, wandering down to the wharf at Chowder bay for photographs and then settling in for the reception all gave the day a really natural rhythm.

For couples considering a Sergeants Mess wedding, it’s a venue that offers something a little different from the typical Sydney wedding. The combination of its waterfront setting, historic character and ability to host both the ceremony and reception means the whole day can unfold around the one location, while the surrounding Chowder Bay area gives you plenty of options for portraits. For Dani and Lachie, it was exactly what they wanted: simple, beautiful and a very good excuse to get all their favourite people together.

Take a look through the images below to see how Dani and Lachie’s Sergeants Mess wedding unfolded. If you’re planning your own wedding at Sergeants Mess and want a photographer who knows the venue, the surrounding area and all the best spots for portraits, get in touch via our contact page. I’d love to hear all about your plans.