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Wedding couple: Sophie and Jack

On a hot balmy summer’s day in January 2020, we welcomed Sophie and Jack for their beautiful wedding ceremony and reception at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. With guests travelling from abroad, the focus for the evening was great food, wine and music, in a stunning venue unique to Sydney.

A couple stand between large sandstone columns.

Sophie and Jack at the front of the Art Gallery of NSW. Photo: Sam Riles Photography

Glass vases filled with pale pink and white flowers on a table in a restaurant.

Floral arrangements in the Art Gallery Restaurant for Sophie and Jack’s wedding. Photo: Sam Riles Photography

Three seated musicans play stringed instruments in a room with large windows.

Musicians play in the function room. Photo: Sam Riles Photography

A couple are seated between floral arrangements in a room with floor to ceiling windows in front of seated guests. Three musicans are seated in the corner.

Sophie and Jack’s wedding ceremony in the Art Gallery of NSW’s function room. Photo: Sam Riles Photography

Two people embrace in a room in front of large floral arrangements. One person wears a suit. The other wears a white dress and carries a bouquet.

Sophie and Jack during their ceremony in the Art Gallery of NSW’s function room. Photo: Sam Riles Photography

Two people walking in a room, hand in hand. One of them holds up a floral bouquet.

Sophie and Jack’s wedding ceremony in the Art Gallery of NSW’s function room. Photo: Sam Riles Photography

Rectangular tables with white tablecloths are set with tableware and decorations.

Tables in the Art Gallery Restaurant for Sophie and Jack’s wedding. Photo: Sam Riles Photography

Two people stand with their arms around in other in front of paintings on a wall in an historic gallery space.

Sophie and Jack in the Art Gallery of NSW’s Grand Courts. Photo: Sam Riles Photography

Dozens of smiling and laughing people sit at tables in a restaurant.

Guests in the Art Gallery Restaurant at Sophie and Jack’s wedding. Photo: Sam Riles Photography

Turntables and other DJ equipment along with a Grace Jones album, a pile of three books and two glasses of wine.

A DJ plays in the function room for Sophie and Jack’s wedding. Photo: Sam Riles Photography

Two people dance with their arms around each others as other people look on.

Jack and Sophie on the dancefloor. Photo: Sam Riles Photography

To us, the Art Gallery of NSW is an iconic Sydney institution. It felt like coming home…
Sophie and Jack, 2021

Interview with Sophie and Jack

What is your favourite memory from your wedding?

Immediately after the ceremony, we stepped out into the Art Gallery forecourt for a glass of champagne with our bridal party. We felt a mixture of excitement and relief and it was wonderful to be able to share a quiet, reflective moment with our close friends away from the crowd.

We live in London and, to us, the Art Gallery of NSW is an iconic Sydney institution. It felt like coming home, being surrounded by our favourite Australian artists and overlooking our old Sydney neighbourhood.

Sophie adds: I grew up visiting the Gallery countless times, and once heard Ben Quilty liken it to his church – this resonated with me and the Gallery felt befitting of a ceremony.

Tell us about the theme and styling of your wedding.

We wanted our wedding to feel timeless, classic and modern.

Why did you choose to include tours?

We had friends and family visiting from interstate and abroad, and wanted to make their trip memorable – their response was extremely positive!

Do you have any stand-out suppliers you’d recommend? 

The team at the Art Gallery were outstanding – they were professional and responsive and ensured everything ran smoothly on the day. The food and service was exceptional. Sam Riles captured beautiful, relaxed, romantic photos of the day. We Play Records were so much fun and stuck (mostly) to our strict soul and disco brief, but knew when to throw in some crowd pleasers. Mr Cook’s team made lush floral arrangements and bouquets (which also survived the 36 degree heat).   

Do you have any tips you’d give other couples planning their wedding day?

Don't let convention become a constraint – focus on what matters to you. For us it was ensuring our guests had an amazing time: food, wine and music were priorities. Make sure you stop and take a moment to savour the day. If your dress is long – practise dancing in it!

Sophie and Jack’s vendors

  • Photographer: Sam Riles Photography

  • Florist: Mr Cook

  • Entertainment: StringSpace, We Play Records