MCA, The Rocks

Are you thinking of The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA for short) as your wedding venue?

Then you're are the right place.

The MCA is the perfect spot for the modern couple to celebrate their big day with friends and family. Normally hired out for product launches, cocktail parties, and private dinners, you can have your own wedding at the MCA.

Rooftop access in Sydney is rare and the MCA is one of the few event spaces that have an outdoor terrace overlooking Sydney Harbour. As wedding stylists, rooftop access excites us very much.

Speaking of rooftop access, the MCA has two separate event spaces available. The Harbourside Room has panoramic views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Kirribilli, and Sydney Opera House. On the opposite end of the building is Quayside room. As the name implies, this event space provides unparalleled views of Circular Quay and city skyline. The latter is mesmerising during sunset as the building lights begin to shine against a dark sky.

Both of these rooftop spaces include an outdoor semi-covered outdoor terrace - ideal for small wedding ceremonies or chill-out areas.

If you want a reception space that is a little bit different and want to impress, the Foundation Hall is an epic function space to host a glamourous and modern chic celebration.

Essential Information

Can we get married here?

Yes. Many couples have held their nuptial wedding ceremony on the rooftop (Quayside or Harbourside).

Is there a separate venue hire fee if we want to get married here?

A hire fee may apply and will depend on a number of factors (month of the year, spend etc). Contact MCA Weddings directly for pricing enquires.

What event spaces are available for hire?

For specifically wedding ceremonies and wedding receptions, you may choose from the following options: Sculpture Terrace (level 4), Harbourside Room (rooftop), Foundational Hall, and Quayside Room (rooftop). Each function space has its own unique charm and seating specifications.

How many guests can the MCA accomodate?

Maximum guest capacity will depend on the space you choose for your wedding event.

The following numbers were taken from the MCA website:

Sculpture Terrace: 120 (sit-down without dance floor), 100 (sit-down reception with dance floor)

Harbourside Room: 200 (sit-down without dance floor), 160 (sit-down reception with dance floor)

Foundational Hall: 300 (sit-down without dance floor), 250 (sit-down reception with dance floor)

Quayside Room: 110 (sit-down without dance floor), 80 (sit-down reception with dance floor)

What is the address?

140 George St, The Rocks, Sydney NSW 2000

Given the location, there is no on-site parking although you can be dropped off along George Street upon your arrival. Guests should be warned that there is limited parking in The Rocks area - especially during the summer months when cruise ships are docked at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.

Is there a minimum spend?

Most Sydney wedding reception venues have a minimum spend - especially places that are popular. Contact MCA directly on (02) 9245 2480 to discuss pricing and package inclusions.

As a rough guide, you can expect to pay $160+ per head at Sydney event spaces.

Is there wheelchair access?

Yes. There is elevator access to every floor within the MCA as are accessible ramps.

What Makes MCA Weddings A Great Idea?

As wedding stylists in Sydney and wedding planners, we are constantly on the look out for the next big thing.

According to the MCA Weddings website, hire of any MCA space on your special day includes exclusive access to the various exhibitions and spaces within the building. Due to gallery access, this will give you wedding photography that no one else can have. You'll definitely want to discuss this with your wedding photographer and venue manager to make the most out of this opportunity.

Both the Harbourside Room and Quayside Room provide views of the harbour. In terms of styling, given the floor-to-ceiling windows in these spaces, we will avoid any elements that block the view of Sydney Harbour.

For wedding receptions on the rooftop, the outdoor terraces are ideal for breakout areas where your guests can chat, enjoy the view, and sip on their drinks. A few lounges will go a long way to creating a relaxed ambiance for the ultimate experience.

An advantage of the Harbourside Room and Quayside Room is that they both have high ceilings(3.7m). This creates a feeling of grandness that only a high ceiling venue can deliver.

The Foundation Hall screams for something ostentatious - think Great Gatsby but with a edgy contemporary styling. With an existing art deco style, marble, stone and timber are used to complement a beautiful wedding reception setting. The high ceilings provide opportunity for custom rigging which is useful for implementing dramatic lighting to highlight specific elements. Hanging installs would definitely work well in this space.

Round tables or long tables would work well in the Foundation Hall. We prefer long tables as we believe this provides a much more interactive and engaging experience for your wedding guests.

PS - by choosing a MCA wedding, you are supporting the work of contemporary Australian artists.

About Us

Hi! We're Upside Down Events and we style weddings up and down the east coast of NSW Australia.

We help make wedding days extra beautiful and meaningful by personalising individual decor and styling to match your vision. As you can tell, we get excited at the mention of MCA Galleries.

Chat with an experienced wedding stylist before you choose your wedding venue. We'd love to help create your vision.