As hospitality providers, one of the greatest honours we consistently enjoy each year is playing a role in major family events, and few rival the excitement, romance and celebration of weddings.
Each year at George’s Mediterranean Bar and Grill, we are privileged to host weddings large and small, so here’s an insight into some of the trends we see emerging and the facts and figures that surround this special event.
Fast facts on marriage
According to research firm McCrindle, each day there are 326 weddings in Australia, with New South Wales the state where weddings are most likely to occur.
In reality, that daily statistic swings between 2000 weddings on a popular Saturday to just 37 on Christmas Day.
And while Valentine’s Day may be the international day of romance, it sees only 311 couples tie the knot compared to Australia Day when 923 couples are married, New Year’s Eve when 342 couples get married, April Fool’s Day when 66 couples tie the knot and New Year’s Day when just 59 couples are married.
Spring and Autumn remain the most popular seasons to stage a wedding, with November and March the most popular months. In Sydney, that offers the opportunity to enjoy the city at its finest. These are the days where the harbor sparkles, the sunsets are crisp, and celebrations extend long into twinkling evenings studded by the city lights.
Meanwhile, over half (59 per cent) of weddings take place on a Saturday, and 15 per cent take place on Sundays.
Of the 118, 962 weddings that take place each year, 73 per cent are conducted by a civil celebrant, and 27 per cent are religious.
So what specific trends do we see emerging at George’s?
The grand-scale affair
The picture-perfect, grand-scale wedding remains perennially popular with couples looking to celebrate their special day in spectacular style. These weddings incorporate anywhere between 80 and 200 guests and usually take place on a Saturday.
At George’s, we accommodate this type of wedding with a venue exclusive function, where you can elect a seated meal accommodating 180 guests, or a cocktail style event catering to up 350 people.
Our dedicated function team will also work with the happy couple to create a menu to suit your budget and tastes, while catering to requirements like microphones and AV equipment for speeches, and accommodating live entertainment or dance floors.
Our top tips
Grand scale weddings take planning. Bookings for the ceremony and venue need to be made months in advance and there will be factors to consider like any special dietary requirements or accessibility issues for guests.
Meanwhile, it’s not only important the couple likes the ambience and position of the venue. They need to feel warmly welcomed by the establishment that will host their special day, and comfortable in the knowledge the event will go off without a hitch.
With years of hospitality experience under our belts, George’s works with the couple and their family to ensure needs are met, the menu accommodates all attending and a wedding is a truly special affair.
Our function team can also assist with the suggestions of florists, decorators and live entertainers we regularly work with to facilitate a truly memorable event.
The intimate celebration
Whether it’s a table of 20, a party of 50 or eight friends gathering to mark the wedding milestone, intimate weddings come with their own unique charm.
And we’re seeing more of these style weddings at George’s as couples increasingly fund their own wedding day.
When it comes to intimate weddings, the options at our venue are almost endless. They can be accommodated in the al fresco area, in the dining room, feature a formal vibe or offer a casual ambience.
For example, George’s Grove Bar and Lounge can accommodate 80 guests in a seated style al fresco event, or up to 120 cocktail-style.
The dining area can also be utilised for up to 120 people seated, meanwhile, if exclusivity is the theme, the whole venue an also be employed with extras like live entertainment, a dance floor and AV equipment.
Our top tips
While small weddings are easier for any venue to accommodate, the bride and groom still need to be clear on their planning, numbers and preferences.
Items that need to be considered include are you willing to share the venue with other guests or do you wish the venue to be your own for the entire evening. Will decorations be required? And do the guests have any dietary requirements?
Again, it’s critical the couple feels comfortable working with the venue, and our function team is on hand to assist. We can walk you through the menu options, seating plans and available spaces to ensure your intimate wedding lives up to all your dreams.
The weekday wedding
With an increasingly flexible workforce, more and more couples are opting to step outside the confines of weekends and opt for weekday weddings, and this comes with its own unique benefits.
Not only are venues often less likely to be booked on week days, the rates are sometimes cheaper, allowing the happy couple to enjoy a premium event at a faction of the weekend price.
At George’s we are more than happy to accommodate weekday weddings, offering the same premium service and venue benefits that we do for conventional weddings on a Saturday.
Our top tips
As weekdays generally require your guests to take time away from work, flag the date well in advance and highlight that it is a weekday.
Why George’s
At George’s Mediterranean Bar and Grill, our accomplished team has hosted countless weddings over the years, but we view each as a unique occasion in the knowledge this is a seminal event in any couple’s life.
Our waterfront Darling Harbour venue offers stunning views accompanied by an equally sensational menu. Meanwhile, our hospitality team is on hand to walk you through the myriad of options available for weddings at our renowned restaurant.
About George’s Mediterranean Bar and Grill
Located on the King Street Wharf amidst the beauty and excitement of Darling Harbour, George’s Mediterranean Bar and Grill is renowned as one of Sydney’s premier eateries. Come share the Greek hospitality for which we are renowned as we serve up harbourside dining in simply stunning surrounds.
You can learn more about our function facilities here, or contact us directly for further advice.