But last night at Hotel Realm dozens of brides arrived for the happiest night of their lives, along with many fathers-of-the-bride and scores of grooms.

It was a wedding where everybody got to be at the top table, as proud members of the bridal party.

The bridesmaids - perhaps for the first time in history - got to choose their own dresses and there were many wedding cakes to feed the 200-plus guests.

It was Marymead's 2014 Bride & Groom Ball, a major fund-raising event to kick off a month of events that will raise awareness and funds.

Marymead's marketing manager Jeff Griffiths said the ball was held to benefit the organisation's foster-care program and accordingly, all the gifts brought by the guests were for Marymead's foster families.

''We did have a wedding registry, it had gift suggestions like a family pass to the zoo, baby items, a cleaning service voucher,'' he said.

''The idea behind it is that people can really get involved and pool together with other people at their table to get a bigger gift.

''A lot of foster carers do it tough; they may have two of three kids themselves - so it's nice to be able to give them a gift to show our appreciation.''

Mr Griffiths said there were 73 children from the ACT who were in the Marymead foster-care program and another 57 from regional NSW.

''Part of the reason we do the ball is to raise awareness of our foster program,'' he said.

''Sometimes people think to be a foster carer you have to take a child from five to 18 years old. But it's really whatever time you can give.

''We have short-term emergency care, which can be one day to six months.''

Mr Griffiths said an information session would be held at Marymead in Narrabundah on Tuesday at 6pm and people could register by calling 6162 5800.