Athol Hall — Attraction in Sydney

We got married at Athol Hall in mid-May 2024 and are SOOOOOOO incredibly pleased with this venue both on-the-day and in the months leading up to the wedding.

Athol Hall is an absolutely, drop dead gorgeous, stunning venue - the hall itself is charming and spacious enough for a 100-guest wedding (fits even more but perfect for 100). The views from it showcases the very best of Sydney with an uninterrupted view of Sydney Harbour and all the Sydney icons from the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Westfield Tower and the skylines of Sydney CBD and North Sydney CBD. We had guests coming from interstate and overseas so it was wonderful to show them the beautiful city that is Sydney right from our wedding venue! There are also plenty of locations for wedding day portraits from Athol Beach and the bushland leading up to it, Athol Lawn itself and/or Bradley's Head which is about a 3 minute drive from Athol Hall. It's also an excellent all-inclusive venue in the event of perfect or wet weather as they have a game-plan for both and the food at the venue was just fantastic (coming from foodies!). Athol Hall may be less well known than some of the other Mosman wedding venues, but it is by no means lesser than (we think it's even better by miles!!!).

However, more than the actual look and feel of the venue which is already a huge selling factor, the Athol Hall staff is the thing that should seal the deal for any potential Athol Hall couples (especially events coordinator, Antonia, and venue coordinator, Bish).

Our events coordinator, Antonia Lenehan, is an absolute gem and we're confident in saying that she is one of the very best in the wedding business! We booked Athol Hall back in December 2022 after a site-visit with Antonia and from the moment we enquired till the days following our wedding, Antonia was nothing but responsive, proactive and super helpful. This is especially clear as we planned the majority of our wedding from London (where we currently live) which made wedding planning that bit more challenging but Antonia made it so easy for us, answering all our questions so efficiently, attending multiple site visits over the course of our wedding planning season and so accommodating of any last minute changes that had to happen due a handful of guests not being able to attend the wedding last-minute because of illness, etc. Antonia, you are amazing and we are so grateful to have worked with you! You are such an asset to Athol Hall.

Our venue coordinator (i.e. on the day contact), Bish, was also nothing less than an absolute star. It was raining heavily the week leading up to our wedding and even on the morning of our wedding so it was unclear how the day would play out particularly for the ceremony. Bish was very communicative throughout the morning, guiding us with the game-plan in the event of rain. We got quite lucky as the rain cleared just before our ceremony until the end of our wedding reception formalities and we managed to have our ceremony outdoors, at the foot of the verandah but Bish handled everything so well and seamlessly. He was also a powerhouse throughout the day, liaising with vendors to ensure the venue is set up beautifully and liaising with them throughout the night to ensure the reception ran like clockwork (which it did).

As much as we want to gatekeep Athol Hall, we really cannot recommend Athol Hall (with Antonia and Bish at the helm) enough and just want to sing it praises!

Thank you Athol Hall for a wonderful wedding day.

With...

We are extremely disappointed and shocked with Athol Hall’s attitude. We booked to celebrate our wedding in Athol Hall in 2020. In the beginning, we were well attended, and the negotiations were fine. Until the pandemic appeared. We, as many couples last year, had to change the date of our wedding as a large part of our family and friends would not be able to attend it – and not having them there would defeat the purpose of having a wedding party. When we tried to move the date for next year, Athol Hall charged us more than 20% of the initial cost to move to a new date. We tried to negotiate, explain our financial situation but they did not care. Their response was that Athol Hall is a very sought-after wedding venue, that they had a lot of interest in the dates we wanted and that they were not going to give any price reduction. This is ambiguous to when they asked us to understand their side as that was a difficult year for everyone. In any case, we have never felt they understood our side. Charging us substantially more made us feel trapped and taken advantage of as we had a contract and had already paid a lot of money. After a lot of discussion, the sales and events manager told us that we would be able to have a reduction of fees if we decided to have the wedding in any Sunday in October. After a couple of days, she said that there was no availability, and we would have to book it on another day. However, we got to know that they in fact still had a few Sundays available. So basically, they manipulated us so we would have to pay the additional 20%. This was not the only lie we were told, and we were given a lot of contradictory information from them. The lack of transparency from their part made us completely lose trust in them. But, as we did not have another option, we postponed the wedding for a year and agreed to pay the higher fee. After a few months – when the second wave hit Melbourne – and news started circulating that Australian borders would remain closed until the end of 2021, we realised that doing a wedding in 2021 would still be very difficult. As a combination of the pandemic issues and the way Athol Hall treated us because of matters that were out of hands, we decided to cancel the wedding. We did not feel comfortable celebrating one of the most important moments of our life in an event organised by them. We felt that if Athol Hall had dealt with things in a more humane way, we would try to find a way to proceed with the wedding at a later stage. The feeling we had was that we preferred to not have a wedding at all than to put it into the hands of Athol Hall. This was not an easy decision; it was heart breaking. I was the one who dealt with the first negotiations in trying to postpone the wedding, but I was emotionally exhausted, so my partner was the one who dealt with the cancelation. We have been together for ten years and I have never seen him so upset. The manager was inflexible and completely lacked empathy – which does not make sense when you are in a business that is supposed to bring people happiness! We paid two deposits, and they do not want to give us the second deposit back as it is indicated in the contract. We are having to involve lawyers now. A sad outcome for a wedding. DO NOT BOOK YOUR WEDDING...

I recently had the privilege of photographing a wedding at Athol Hall, and I can confidently say it's a gem of a venue that exceeded all expectations. In fact, I've been back several times as a wedding photographer, and each visit reaffirms my admiration for this exceptional venue.

From the moment you arrive at Athol Hall, you're greeted by its picturesque surroundings. Nestled in the heart of Sydney's stunning national park, the venue offers breathtaking views of the harbor and the city skyline. It's a photographer's paradise with endless opportunities for capturing beautiful moments.

The indoor space at Athol Hall is equally impressive. The classic and timeless design provides an elegant backdrop for any event. Large windows allow natural light to flood the room, enhancing the atmosphere and making every photo a work of art.

One of the standout features of Athol Hall is its versatility. Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, this venue can accommodate your needs. The outdoor terrace overlooking the harbor is perfect for ceremonies or cocktail receptions, adding an extra layer of charm to any event.

The staff at Athol Hall are exceptional, ensuring that every detail is taken care of with professionalism and warmth. Their commitment to making each wedding unique and special truly shines through.

I highly recommend Athol Hall as a wedding venue. It not only offers a beautiful backdrop for your special day but also an unforgettable experience for both couples and their guests. If you're looking for a venue that combines natural beauty, classic elegance, and exceptional service, Athol Hall should be at the top of your list.

I've attached some sample photos from the weddings I've captured at Athol Hall to showcase the...