Who got the invites to The Lodge: A guide to the guests

The guest list was small – no world leaders, no TV celebrities, no former prime ministers. Several members of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s cabinet came along, sharing the celebrations with NSW state political figures, the prime minister’s closest staffers and political strategist, Jodie Haydon’s friends and family from the Central Coast and old friends from Albanese’s days in the housing commission and at university.

While we don’t have a full guest list of who attended the prime minister’s wedding (and we don’t expect to receive one), Sydney Morning Herald and Age photographer Alex Ellinghausen managed to capture some of the more high-profile invitees. Here’s who he saw arriving at The Lodge.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong was captured stepping out of a car in front of The Lodge. She married her long-term partner Sophie Allouache at a private ceremony in Adelaide in March last year, with Albanese as a guest.

We also managed to see the economic engine of the Albanese ministry, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher and Treasurer Jim Chalmers, alongside their partners.

Sporting a stylish hat that may play into his reputation as “the Godfather” of the Labor Party, powerbroker and Trade Minister Don Farrell arrived alongside his wife, Nimfa Farrell.

Health Minister Mark Butler, one of Albanese’s closest colleagues who travelled with him during the 2025 campaign, arrived with his wife, Daniela Ritorto.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke arrived with his wife, Sky Laris, and Industry and Innovation Minister Tim Ayres also attended.

Also spotted: ALP national secretary Paul Erickson and his wife, Dimity Paul.

Albanese’s chief of staff, Tim Gartrell, arrived with his wife, Kerry Sanderson, rocking up just behind former NSW state government minister and ex-Albanese staffer Jo Haylen and her husband, Garth Williams.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles – who will have to hold the fort for the next week while the prime minister is on his honeymoon – was spotted holding a gift.

Also spotted, Minister for the NDIS Jenny McAlister talking with Ayres and Erickson.

Sydney’s inner west, where Albanese grew up, was well represented at the wedding. Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne, whose council falls within the PM’s electorate of Grayndler, arrived present in hand, as did Sherie Dewstow and Rod Burns, who grew up with Albanese in social housing in Sydney.

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