Burnt Orange is a sandstone restaurant and events venue at Middle Head in Mosman, inside Sydney Harbour National Park, about 20 minutes from the CBD. There's a lawn in front of the building for ceremonies, The Balcony upstairs for seated receptions, and the Signals Room downstairs for smaller cocktail-style weddings. We've designed the flowers for six weddings there since 2022, for 50 to 110 guests, with more booked. Here's what we've set up and what works.
A lawn ceremony in front of the sandstone building, March 2023 (photo: Justin Aaron).
The spaces at a glance
| Space | Used for | What works |
|---|---|---|
| Lawn and sundial | Ceremony, canapés | Clusters on plinths or an arch, chair flowers along the aisle, a signing table arrangement, petals for the exit |
| The Balcony (upstairs) | Seated reception up to 160 | Long tables with low arrangements or bud vases, a feature piece on the bridal table, cake table flowers |
| Signals Room (downstairs) | Cocktail reception up to 80, wet-weather ceremony | Repurposed ceremony clusters at the bar and entrance, a few larger arrangements rather than table flowers |
| Terrace | Drinks, wet-weather ceremony | Arch or circle flowers moved across from the lawn |
Ceremony on the lawn
Most couples marry on the lawn with the sandstone building behind them and the harbour below. The building does the work, so the ceremony flowers tend to be a pair of clusters rather than a full backdrop. Setups we've done there:
- Clouds of baby's breath with white and toffee roses cascading down four acrylic plinths, so the building stays visible through them
- A single corner cluster of natives on a white arch, later moved to the gift table
- Chair flowers on the first few rows, dismantled after the ceremony and reused on the reception tables
- A small signing table arrangement that becomes the cake table piece
- A basket of petals or gum leaves for the exit
A native corner cluster on a white arch, November 2022 (photo: Chalk and Cheese Photography), and reflexed rose bouquets in white, blush and toffee, March 2023 (photo: Justin Aaron).
Reception on The Balcony
The Balcony is a long, light room upstairs with a wraparound verandah and views over Chowder Bay. Couples usually seat guests at long tables, so we keep the flowers low: garden-style arrangements in a line down each table, or bud vases with candles between them, and a larger piece in front of the couple. For Gemma and Rob we designed low arrangements along the long tables and a statement feature for the king bridal table, with tea lights in between and the view left to speak for itself.
Long tables inside The Balcony and out on the verandah, with greenery runners and amber glass (photos: Chalk and Cheese Photography).
Minimal bud vases with amber glass (photo: Justin Aaron), and a signing table arrangement moved to the cake table (photo: Chalk and Cheese Photography).
Smaller weddings in the Signals Room
The Signals Room downstairs suits cocktail weddings of up to 80. There are few surfaces for table flowers, so we concentrate on two or three larger arrangements: the ceremony clusters moved to the bar and the entrance, and something for the cake table. For a native-led palette we've used flowering gum, banksia and grevillea that guests can take home and dry. More in our guide to reusing your wedding flowers.
Portraits on the sandstone with the city behind (photo: Chalk and Cheese Photography).
Timing and logistics
- Ceremony access is usually early afternoon for a mid-afternoon ceremony, and the reception rooms are set while guests are at canapés on the lawn.
- Ceremony to reception: we stay on and move the plinth or arch clusters upstairs to the bridal table, bar or cake table, and chair flowers onto the guest tables.
- Wet weather: the ceremony moves to the terrace or into the Signals Room, and the call is made that morning. Freestanding clusters work in either spot.
- Parking at Middle Head is limited on busy days, so we schedule deliveries early.
- Most couples skip pack-down. Guests take the flowers home, and hired plinths and vases come back to our studio the next day.
The wedding party outside the building, March 2023 (photo: Justin Aaron).
More Mosman venue guides
Planning nearby? See our guides to Gunners Barracks, Sergeants Mess and Athol Hall, all within a few minutes of Middle Head.
See more real setups on our Burnt Orange Pinterest board.
Burnt Orange wedding flowers FAQ
How much do wedding flowers cost at Burnt Orange?
There's no set price. It depends on your guest numbers, the scale of the ceremony design and how much of it is repurposed for the reception. After your enquiry we send a tailored range estimate, then a detailed proposal. Our guide to wedding flower pricing explains what drives it.
Can the ceremony flowers be used at the reception?
Yes. Plinth and arch clusters move to the bridal table, bar or cake table upstairs, and chair flowers can be dismantled and reused on the guest tables.
What happens if it rains?
The ceremony moves to the terrace or the Signals Room. We design freestanding pieces that work in either spot.
Do you do native flowers at Burnt Orange?
Yes. Natives suit the bushland setting and dry well, so guests can keep them.
Planning a Burnt Orange wedding?
Tell us your date, guest numbers and the moments you'd like flowers for, and we'll send a tailored range estimate. See our work as a Sydney wedding florist or start your enquiry.
Photography: Justin Aaron, Chalk and Cheese Photography and Gui Jorge.
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