Melbourne boasts some of the best wedding venues in Australia, and there’s a huge range of options to choose from across every style and budget—from beautiful country estates in the Yarra Valley region, to city-central locations, to shoes-optional venues overlooking the ocean.
At the same time, there’s a lot of function centres and hotel venues that cater to mass-produced weddings and don’t offer the bespoke, intimate touch many couples are searching for. These dime-a-dozen venues often lack the character and atmosphere to create timeless wedding photos, instead making your big feel cheap or tacky. And when a wedding is anything-but-cheap, this is the last thing you want.
So if you’re after a classy, intimate wedding estate that caters to both ceremony and reception needs, look no further. Here’s a brief overview of my top ten (in no particular order) located in Melbourne and its surrounds:
01.
With options ranging from the Melbourne Museum, Royal Exhibition Building, Scienceworks, Immigration Museum and the IMAX, Museum Spaces is a team of wedding planners ready to make your dreams come true. With experience organising both ceremonies and receptions, their event packages feature countless, classy options that will have you absolutely spoilt for choice.
02.
With stunning white interiors and classic architectural detailing, this venue is a perfect blank canvas for the discerning, style-conscious couple. The venue has various kinds of tables and layouts to offer earthy, organic, funky or classic aesthetics, plus their green wall, festoon lights and exterior detailing make for magical photo opportunities. They also have great food and offer on-site ceremonies for all weather conditions, so you really can’t go wrong. And did I mention it’s in the heart of Melbourne?
03.
Overlooking Melbourne’s iconic St Kilda beach, Stokehouse offers an Australian “beach luxe” aesthetic, with its laid back charm, vibrant atmosphere and award-winning food and wine. With multiple indoor and outdoor spaces offering stunning views of the ocean and city alike, the venue is available for exclusive bookings and seats up to 150 people, but also caters to more intimate parties.
04.
Considered Australia’s most historic public library, State Library Victoria offers gorgeous 19th and 20th Century interiors, and a choice of iconic spaces for your wedding ceremony or reception. Serve cocktails for up to 500 people in their La Trobe Reading Room, host a banquet for up to 150 in the Isabella Fraser Room, or an intimate dinner for 25 in a heritage rotunda. The venue partners exclusively with Showtime Event Group, who plan and cater events, to make your wedding run as smoothly as possible.
05.
This contemporary venue really has it all—ocean views, private bridal suites, expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, a built-in dance floor, flexible room layouts, award-winning catering and an outdoor beach-front terrace. Just a short walk from the gorgeous St Kilda Sea Baths, Catani Gardens and Luna Park, the location offers some awesome photo opportunities as well. This one’s all class.
Picking a wedding venue that you and your fiancé will love is a huge decision, and not one to be taken lightly. With so many variables at play, it can be hard to know where to start. All the options I’ve listed above feature my priority items: on-site wet weather options, and both ceremony and reception facilities available, to make your day run as smoothly as possible. I hope it helps! As always, I’m just a phone call or email away if you need any further guidance.
Love always,
Mitch X