Sarah & Lachlan | Customs House Wedding, Newcastle

An Inner-City Newcastle Wedding at Customs House

Sarah and Lachlan’s Customs House Hotel wedding in Newcastle was the perfect blend of relaxed energy, thoughtful styling and iconic city scenery.

Set on Bond Street in the heart of Newcastle, Customs House offers one of the city’s most unique ceremony spaces. With heritage architecture, sweeping foreshore views and everything within walking distance, it’s an ideal venue for couples who want an inner-city wedding without the logistics of constant travel.

Ceremony at Customs House Hotel

The ceremony took place in the upstairs function room at Customs House, overlooking the Newcastle foreshore. With views stretching across the harbour and ocean, it created a beautiful backdrop for an intimate city wedding.

Sarah and Lachlan were married by Monty King, whose warmth, humour and effortless delivery kept the ceremony personal and engaging. His witty one-liners and genuine insight into the couple set the tone perfectly — relaxed, heartfelt and full of personality.

Styling throughout the ceremony featured floral-dressed plinths, timber chairs and carefully considered details that elevated the space without overpowering it.

Sarah arrived by vintage limousine, making her way up the iconic spiral staircase with her parents and bridesmaids — a moment that felt just as special as it looked. After exchanging vows, signing the register and sharing their first kiss as newlyweds, the couple made their way back down the aisle to cheers from their guests.

Family Photos & City Portraits

Following the ceremony, guests gathered outside in the common area with Customs House’s heritage façade and water fountains as the backdrop. We captured a large group photo with all guests, followed by family photos based on Sarah and Lachlan’s prepared list — keeping things efficient and stress-free.

Guests then boarded Newcastle’s iconic vintage tram bus for transport to the reception at Merewether Surfhouse — a conversation starter in itself and such a fun way to move through the city.

With guests on their way, the bridal party grabbed a quick drink before heading out on foot for portraits around Newcastle. One of the best parts of an inner-city wedding is the ease — no hopping in and out of cars, just great locations within metres of each other.

We wandered through the city, making use of the architecture along Bolton, Wolfe and Hunter Streets, the old Newcastle Train Station, and a few hidden garden pockets tucked between foreshore properties.

Night Portraits at Merewether Surfhouse

As the afternoon rolled on, rain began to move in, meaning we missed a traditional sunset. Instead, we embraced the conditions and captured a handful of intimate night portraits just outside the reception space at Merewether Surfhouse.

Night photos are often overlooked, but they can be incredibly romantic — quiet moments, soft light and the kind of atmosphere you just don’t get during the day. Sarah and Lachlan standing together in the rain, holding each other as the evening settled in, was the perfect way to wrap up their wedding day.

Final Thoughts

Sarah and Lachlan’s Customs House wedding is a great example of how well inner-city Newcastle weddings can flow. Everything was close, intentional and relaxed, allowing the day to unfold naturally while still creating a wide variety of images.

A beautiful ceremony, thoughtful styling, iconic locations and a couple who were fully present — a winning combination.

VENDORS
Celebrant: Monty King
Video: Filmed by Andy
Hair: Sophie Agnes Hair
Makeup: Makeup by Bonnie Lee
Music: Mobile Millennium DJ’s
Transport: Classic Limousines Newcastle
Florist: Blooms by Katey
Stylist: Exotic Lily Events
Photobooth: Creative Booth
Dress: Belles and Beaux Bridal
Suits: MB Apparel
Guest Transport: Newcastle’s Famous Tram
Cake: Caked by Beck