Wedding Dates to Avoid in Sydney 2025 & 2026
When it comes to planning the perfect wedding, every detail counts—especially the date! For Type A brides and couples who want flawless execution, selecting the right wedding date in Sydney is crucial to ensuring a stress-free, magical day. While many dream of a sunny weekend wedding, not all dates are created equal, and some are better avoided for a variety of reasons. This guide will help you identify the dates in 2025 and 2026 that could add unnecessary complications to your Sydney wedding.
Photography: Kristen Cunningham
Sydney Wedding Dates to Avoid in 2025 & 2026
1. Major Holidays
Holidays might seem like a good idea for weddings, but they often come with inflated venue prices, difficult travel, and limited vendor availability. For Sydney weddings, these are the main holidays to steer clear of in 2025 and 2026:
- New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day
Avoid: December 31, 2025 & January 1, 2026
Sydney is buzzing during New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, especially with the world-famous fireworks. Hotels and venues book out fast, traffic is a nightmare, and your guests may have other commitments or simply be tired from the festivities. Plus, expect to pay a premium for every aspect of your wedding! - Australia Day Weekend
Avoid: January 25-27, 2025 & January 24-26, 2026
Australia Day celebrations take over Sydney with beach parties, barbecues, and fireworks. Many people travel or host events during this time, which could make it difficult for your guests to attend. Additionally, venues and vendors may charge extra for peak holiday service. - Easter Weekend
Avoid: April 18-21, 2025 & April 3-6, 2026
Easter is another time when people tend to travel or have family commitments. It’s also a public holiday, meaning your costs for venues and vendors will skyrocket. Traffic around Sydney can also be challenging, especially if you’re planning a city or beach wedding.
2. Sydney Festival Season
- Sydney Festival & Mardi Gras Season
Avoid: January 6-28, 2025 & January 5-27, 2026
The Sydney Festival and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras are two of the city’s most iconic events, attracting tourists from all over the world. While these celebrations bring vibrant energy to the city, they also mean packed hotels, limited availability of top vendors, and inflated costs. Additionally, road closures and crowds could make logistics a nightmare for you and your guests.
If you have your heart set on a January wedding, we recommend booking a venue and vendors at least two years in advance. Otherwise, it may be better to explore other, quieter months.
3. Sporting Events
Sydney is home to many major sporting events, which can cause congestion, traffic delays, and accommodation shortages. Here are the ones to watch out for:
- NRL Grand Final Weekend
Avoid: October 4-6, 2025 & October 3-5, 2026
The National Rugby League Grand Final is a huge event in Sydney, with fans pouring in from all over Australia. If you’re planning a wedding during this time, expect hotels to be booked, transportation to be difficult, and some guests to be distracted by the game. - Melbourne Cup Day
Avoid: November 4, 2025 & November 3, 2026
While the Melbourne Cup is technically not a Sydney event, its influence is nationwide. Many venues and vendors will host Cup Day events, making it harder to book what you need. Additionally, your guests might prefer watching the race rather than attending your wedding!
4. School Holidays and Long Weekends
While school holidays might seem convenient for guests with kids, they can also present issues like higher travel costs, booked-out accommodation, and busy tourist attractions. Here are the dates to avoid:
- NSW School Holidays
Avoid: April 12-28, 2025 & April 4-20, 2026
Families tend to take vacations during school holidays, so you may lose potential guests to their pre-planned trips. Venues and accommodations also tend to be more expensive and booked out during these periods. - Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend
Avoid: June 7-9, 2025 & June 6-8, 2026
While this long weekend is great for a mini-holiday, it’s not ideal for a wedding. Many of your guests might take the opportunity to get away, leaving you with fewer RSVPs. Also, travel costs and vendor rates are higher due to the public holiday.
5. Local and National Events
Be mindful of large-scale events that can affect Sydney’s traffic, hotel prices, and venue availability. For example:
- Vivid Sydney
Avoid: May 23 – June 15, 2025 & May 22 – June 14, 2026
Vivid Sydney, the city’s annual festival of lights, music, and ideas, draws massive crowds, making it difficult to secure accommodation and navigate through the city. Although Vivid offers some stunning backdrops, consider how it might affect your guests’ experience.
Pro Tips for Choosing Your Wedding Date in Sydney
- Consider a Midweek Wedding
While weekends are popular, having a midweek wedding can often save you money and increase availability for venues and vendors. If you’re flexible, a Wednesday or Thursday wedding could be a great option. - Be Aware of Weather Extremes
Sydney’s summers can be sweltering, and winters can bring unpredictable rain. While autumn and spring are typically considered the best times for outdoor weddings, be sure to check the weather trends before settling on your date. - Consult With an Expert Wedding Planner
Still feeling unsure? That’s where we come in. At Weddings Down Under, our expert planners know Sydney’s calendar like the back of our hand. We’ll help you avoid any date clashes and find the perfect day to say “I do.” Our Partial Wedding Planner & Coordinator Service ensures every detail is meticulously planned, and we guide you through the entire process—stress-free.
Get to Know Us
Planning a wedding is a personal journey, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. At Weddings Down Under, our team of experienced planners are more than just professionals—we’re people who are passionate about creating beautiful, seamless wedding days. Want to learn more about who we are? Head over to our About Us page to meet the team!
Have Questions? We’d Love to Help!
Choosing the right wedding date can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re still wondering about the best dates to avoid in Sydney, feel free to reach out to us! We’re always here to chat. Just visit our Contact Us page and let’s start planning your perfect wedding date.
Keep Reading
For more expert advice on planning your dream wedding, check out our blog post 10 Vendors You Need to Book: A Checklist for Sydney Weddings. It’s packed with insights that will help you create a flawless, memorable event.
By considering these key dates for your Sydney wedding in 2025 & 2026 and working with the right professionals, you can make sure your wedding day is not only beautiful but also free of any unnecessary stress or surprises. With the help of Weddings Down Under, your big day will be as perfect as you’ve always imagined! Book a Consultation
With Love,
