A moment with ‘The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’

ABIA meets Kathy Zhang, marketing and communications manager, of this iconic Sydney hotel and heritage wedding venue

Images courtesy The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

Couples planning a Sydney wedding will find no shortage of wedding sites and places to get married, but its location at number 1 Martin Place makes The Fullerton Hotel Sydney a standout when it comes to wedding reception venues in New South Wales.

“The former General Post Office building is now celebrating its 150th year anniversary and represents an exceptional time in both Sydney’s and Australia’s history,” Kathy Zhang points out. “It has been regarded as one of the most well-known landmarks in the heart of the city since the 19th century.”

Certainly, the venue’s grand Victorian Italian Renaissance-inspired façade is recognisable to most Sydneysiders, but venture inside and the interior of the heritage-listed building is equally impressive, offering two spacious wedding halls for couples looking to accommodate large-scale weddings and impress guests with fine food and ambient surroundings.

To find out more, ABIA took a walk up the Grand Staircase with Kathy, to discover the unique blend of heritage charm, high-end amenities and dedicated service this Sydney wedding venue prides itself on.

Tell us about your wedding venue and services.

Steeped in character, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney showcases contemporary sophistication combined with the heritage charm and iconic sandstone architecture of Sydney’s former General Post Office building. The GPO building has a fascinating history and embodies timeless romance, making it an ideal setting for a beautiful bridal shower, elegant wedding ceremony or grand wedding reception.

Function spaces, capable of accommodating up to 1400 guests, include the pillarless Grand Ballroom and atmospheric Heritage Ballroom, and our experienced team of wedding planners is on hand to help couples coordinate every detail of their wedding day with a choice of all-inclusive wedding packages and international gourmet menus, curated by the Hotel’s talented culinary team.

How long have you been hosting weddings?

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney became the custodians of Sydney's former General Post Office in 2019, and since then we have been working with couples to bring their dream day to life in, what we believe is, one of the best wedding venues in Australia.

What styles of weddings, and how many guests, can you accommodate?

Each event can be personalised and tailored to the vision of a couple’s wedding dreams, so we can accommodate occasions of all styles and sizes. Our Grand Ballroom is Sydney’s largest pillarless hotel space, and this banquet hall is suitable for up to 1400 guests, while our Heritage Ballroom, which features Victorian architecture and a spectacular 11-metre-high domed-ceiling, can host up to 350 guests.

What wedding packages do you offer, and what’s included?

We consider ourselves one of Sydney’s iconic wedding venues, offering individually-tailored bespoke packages to suit each couple’s unique requirements. Additionally, we offer an assortment of popular wedding packages, ranging from classic cocktail receptions — inclusive of drinks and canapés — to comprehensive packages combining pre-dinner canapés, four-course seated menus, beverages, décor, menu tastings and onsite accommodation. All packages also include one hour of exclusive access to our Grand Staircase for wedding photographs.

What wedding venue spaces do you offer for ceremony and reception locations?

Comprising more than 1000 square metres of floor space, The Fullerton Hotel’s Grand Ballroom is Sydney’s largest column-free hotel event space, making it ideal for those seeking large wedding venues as it can accommodate up to 1400 guests theatre-style, 1200 for cocktail-style occasions and up to 1000 for seated, banquet-style celebrations. It also features an adjoining foyer, the latest audio-visual technology and can be divided into four sections.

Another of the city’s best wedding locations, the separate 400-square-metre Heritage Ballroom, features ornate Victorian architecture in its breathtaking vaulted dome-ceiling and round recessed windows, and accommodates up to 350 guests for cocktail-style events, and 250 for seated arrangements. The Heritage Ballroom also features a high-end audio-visual fit out and offers a connecting foyer for pre-dinner gathering.

How far in advance should couples book your wedding venues?

We recommend booking at least one year in advance to secure preferred wedding dates. However, we invite couples to contact our dedicated planners at any time with enquiries, or for more information, regarding our unique wedding venues.

Image NYC

What advice do you have for couples looking for a wedding venue? What should they consider?

It is important to choose a venue that aligns with each couple's wedding vision. Our passionate and experienced team is dedicated to bringing their dream wedding to life in one of Sydney’s most iconic wedding venues, with our careful attention to detail and the renowned hospitality of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

What photographic opportunities are available within your wedding venue or in the area?

Given its rich heritage, there are so many areas of the former GPO building that lend themselves as beautiful backdrops for wedding photographs — from the grand sandstone exterior of the building to the intricate sculptures and marble statue of Queen Victoria right through to the majestic Grand Staircase, ornate wall trims and the stunning bridges that connect the clock tower. Plus, its convenient location in the heart of Sydney makes it a perfect base from which to capture wedding photos at many of the city’s famous landmarks. 

What onsite accommodation options do you have for couples and their guests looking for a place to stay?

As one of Sydney’s favourite hotel wedding venues, we have an assortment of luxury accommodation onsite, ranging from Deluxe Twin Rooms to King Tower-view Suites, and our Heritage Long Suite, located withing the former postmaster’s office, offers the ultimate combination of space and indulgence.

What makes your wedding venue and service unique?

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s location within the historic General Post Office building establishes it as a remarkable wedding venue. Though, it’s the blend of historic charm, spacious function areas, high-end facilities, mouthwatering menu offerings and an attentive team of wedding planners that really makes it exceptional.

Read The Fullerton Hotel Sydney ABIA Wedding Reviews

Visit The Fullerton Hotel Sydney website

Email The Fullerton Hotel Sydney