There are so many wedding venues in the Melbourne, Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula areas that I have enjoyed working at, that I have decided to compile a list in order to help couples who may still be searching for a wedding venue that fits their requirements.
This list does not intend to be exhaustive or comprehensive, instead offering a stamp of approval from a Melbourne wedding photographer that has attended and photographed a wedding at this venue.
Venues which have not taken care of me on the day (ie. given me a crap meal, when a couple have paid for a full one), been rude, not treated the guests well, or not shown enough respect, class or simply don’t deserve to be recommended, have simply been scratched from the list and won’t be making an appearance! If they’re on this page, they’re doing things right and keeping clients and other weddings suppliers happy!
Which are the best wedding venues in Melbourne?
If you’re looking for a wedding venue that will be exclusively yours for the day and close to Melbourne CBD, Vogue Ballroom is a popular option. With hundreds of 5 star Google reviews for it’s unique style, excellent food and attentive staff, it’s sure to suit the most discerning of couples.
Are you holding a small wedding ceremony with up to 20 guests? Looking for somewhere a bit more exciting than the Victorian Marriage Registry? The Altar Electric could be for you!
Mountain Goat Brewery Beer. Lots of it. It gets a tick from me. If it’s a hot day, it can get stifling though as it’s an industrial space used for brewing beer so doesn’t have air conditioning. They do have some huge fans which are fine for most of the time – it’s just those days when it’s exceptionally hot that it gets a bit sweaty. On the upside, there is plenty of cold beer for cooling down!
Another small brewery option for hosting a wedding is at Two Birds Brewing in Spotswood. They have a brewing and bottling hall that is also used for functions and events. Half industrial, half cool, it’s worth a look if you’re a craft beer lover.
Butleigh Wootton is now sadly closed. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens to this beautiful old building with it’s grand staircase and ornate ceilings. Hopefully someone makes good use of it and make it into an amazing family home!
Who doesn’t love a little National Trust action?! The Stables of Como are a new venue this season, but all the right ingredients are there and it’s looking great so we’re looking forward to shooting the first wedding there in a couple of months time.
Another National Trust beauty, is the elegant Rippon Lea Estate in Elsternwick. Nestled in Elsternwick, less than 10km from Melbourne CBD, the nineteenth century mansion is surrounded by 7 hectares of gardens so has plenty of wedding photography opportunities without having to leave the venue. It’s often popular with couples looking for a classic or vintage feel, and is also just around the corner from another of my favourite National Trust listed properties, Quat Quatta.
Enoteca – I hear it’s currently undergoing renovations after changing ownership. More as I get it…
Elwood Bathers (formerly Sails on the Bay)
Treasury on Collins
Not be confused with the beautiful Glasshaus venues in Cremorne & Richmond which brim with lush green foliage, The Glasshouse is a modern, contemporary venue located nearby at Olympic Park and is probably better suited to corporate events rather than wedding receptions.
Looking like it’s been plucked from Bavaria and transplanted to the Melbourne suburbs, Montsalvat is a beautiful artists colony hidden away in the hills of Eltham. There really isn’t anywhere else like it in Melbourne and I encourage you to take a look at it. It has several great options for both indoor and outdoor ceremonies, as well as acres of rambling gardens for photography.
If you’re a yoga fan then you might have come across Greenfields already. It’s philosophy is one of wellness and looking after oneself. The food is excellent, and the regular yoga classes are popular. It’s also pet friendly so there are plenty of walkers and their dogs to be found there at the weekend. The venue also works well as a wedding venue with it’s clean and fresh style well suited to being decorated as you wish. Nearby Albert Park lake has good options for wedding photography, especially around sunset as it backlights the reeds and gives a decent view of the sunset.
Butleigh Wootton is now sadly closed. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens to this beautiful old building with it’s grand staircase and ornate ceilings. Hopefully someone makes good use of it and make it into an amazing family home!
Another impending closure that we heard about this week on the wedding grapevine is the International of Brighton (most people just call it the Brighton International!) which has apparently been sold to developers for apartments. More as we get it…
Close by in Highett, 40rd is being talked about alot lately – in a good way! A blank canvas type warehouse venue. Bright and versatile.
Regal Ballroom, Northcote
Spring Street Events
The Terrace in Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens is a pleasant venue with a good reputation. Structured to blur the line between inside and out, the botanic garden’s Terrace venue and courtyard is very convenient if you are also hosting your marriage ceremony within the gardens. The building is especially cool in summer thanks to it’s thoughtful construction and shading from the large trees that surround it. It’s a venue that is also popular with wedding photographers as they also have the opportunity to dash out into the gardens with the couple between courses in summer to make the most of the golden hour of light, without ruining the party.
Meadowbank Receptions in Campbellfield to the north of Melbourne has become very popular over the last few years with it’s manicured grounds and rustic feel while still only a stones throw from the city.
Originally owned and run by Masterchef’s Gary Mehigan, Fenix is a popular event and wedding venue located above the banks of the Yarra River in Richmond.
White Lane is a new (opened Sept 2017) event and wedding venue located on Flinders Lane in Melbourne CBD. Offering a blank canvas type space with whitewashed walls and sensational dining.
True South, Black Rock A restaurant and on site brewery. Can you where this is heading?! Sounds like a perfect venue to me!
Also on the bay is Sandringham Yacht Club with great views towards the city as well as south toward Half Moon Bay and Red Bluff.
Yuroke. Where? I had the same response when I first heard the name, but surprisingly, it’s actually very close to Melbourne, lying between Greenvale and Craigieburn. Anyway, Yuroke is home to Aitken Hill, which on first look appears to be a modern business or conference centre but surprisingly has plenty of good options for wedding photography.
Now thankfully closed, The Willows, NEVER made my list of recommended wedding venues. It really doesn’t surprise me that it’s all come crashing down!
Which are the recommended wedding venues in the Yarra Valley?
Located in the excellent winery Helen’s Hill Vineyard, Vines of the Yarra Valley has achieved the well deserved reputation of being the Yarra Valley’s busiest and best wedding venues. Glorious views across the Yarra Ranges, coupled with the fine wines and excellent dining options make this wedding venue the one to be watched in coming years.
One of the most popular venues in the Yarra Valley in recent years has to be Stones of the Yarra Valley, and deservedly so. Beautiful renovated farm buildings, sweeping vistas and food that is always right on the money all help to make this one of the best places to host a wedding, but also one of the best places to photograph a wedding.
Vonnie and the team at Stones have recently also opened another event space in nearby Healesville, named No.7 Healesville. Although it’s early days and we haven’t photographed a wedding there yet, we’re expecting great things from this rustic event space that combines fine dining and wine making amongst the wine barrels of a barrel hall. We’ll let you know what we think once we’ve been.
If you’re looking for a rustic wedding venue in the Yarra Valley without paying a fortune, Inglewood Estate is a good option. Nestled in the hills at Kangaroo Ground, it’s a lovely country-feel wedding venue without the Yarra price tag. It’s got loads of great options for wedding photography, friendly staff and the food had been excellent each time I’ve photographed a wedding there.
Talking about rustic wedding venues, Yarra Range Estate is a nestled in a beautiful spot in Monbulk with breathtaking views and a really relaxed vibe. Oh, and fantastic food!
Once the home of the Australian opera singer, Dame Nellie Melba, Coombe at Melba Estate is now a fine dining restaurant set amongst beautifully manicured gardens and historic buildings. Although it doesn’t seem to market itself as a wedding venue it’s been hosting some pretty swanky weddings over the last year or two.
Mount View Estate in the beautiful Yarra Valley is not strictly a wedding venue, but luxury accommodation that is well suited to hosting weddings and private gatherings.
Not quite in the Yarra Valley, but on Melbourne’s northern fringes where the ‘burbs meet the bush is Farm Vigano. Renowned for it’s authentic Italian food and warm welcome, this venue has become very popular for small to medium sized weddings for couples who want to keep things relaxed in a restaurant environment with good views and a country feel without having to travel too far.
Yarra Valley Estate
Bramleigh Estate
If I’m in the Yarra Valley I love to visit Zonzo – great for coffee, lunch or a wedding! Stunning views and great options for wedding photos. There is plenty to keep you entertained close to Yarra Glen, including the fabulous Tarra Warra Estate and art gallery. In fact, there are probably a few too many excellent choices for both lunch and wedding venues in quite a small area. I guess there are worse problems to have…
Although Tarra Warra Estate is all about the wine and the art gallery, they also host a limited number of weddings each year.
The Piggery Cafe at Burnham Beeches is another favourite place to graze when I have a day off, but also works brilliantly for weddings.
It’s a bit of a stretch to add the name of the place of where you want to be located to the name of the venue, but The Farm Yarra Valley manages to get away with it with their beautiful 100 acre property in Warrandyte. Fresh, bright, rustic. Something for everyone, and definitely something for wedding photographers to work with!!!
Acacia Ridge Winery
Seville Estate
Killara Estate
St Paz Estate in Wandin
Which are the best wedding venues on the Mornington Peninsula, Phillip Island & Gippsland?
One of our favourite wedding venues on the Mornington Peninsula is Baxter Barn, with it’s rustic and relaxed vibe.
Royal Hotel, Mornington
Flinders Yacht Club
Click here to see our Mornington Peninsula wedding photography offers
Max’s Restaurant at Red Hill Estate is a popular spot for summer and autumn weddings, with it’s hilltop location and stunning views down to the water.
Another favourite in Red Hill is The Epicurean. If you’ve eaten here, you’ll know why! It’s a great excuse to pop down there for lunch sometime…
Tussie Mussie Vineyard & Retreat
Eagle Ridge
Monalto Vineyard & Olive Grove
Point Leo Estate
Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne
All Smiles, Sorrento
Ten Minutes By Tractor is ideal for more intimate sized weddings, with seating for up to 50 guests.
The Baths, Sorrento
The Shearing Shed, Phillip Island
Parnassus
Great wedding venues in Kyneton, Bendigo, Ballarat, Macedon Ranges & rest of Victoria
Cadella Park
Churchill in Taradale
Sault, Daylesford
Located near Beaufort, weddings at Cave Hill Creek feel like a holiday, an adventure and a long way from Melbourne! Located in beautiful bush, this is one of those wedding venues I’d happily return to week after week. Sure, it’s a bit of a drive, but oh, so worth it!
Harcourt Valley Vineyards
Roomba’s, Mt Aitken
Recommended wedding venues around Torquay, Bellarine, Geelong & Great Ocean Road
Who doesn’t love a trip down the Great Ocean Road?! Torquay, Lorne and Apollo Bay all have great options for wedding venues and plenty of options for great wedding photography locations with the stunning Victorian coastline, waterfalls, The Otways, bush and even Redwood Forests.
Although weddings on the Great Ocean Road are a bit of a drive from Melbourne, they always have a relaxed vibe and guests seem to really get into the spirit of the day.
Closer to Melbourne, the Bellarine Peninsula also has a great selection of wedding venues from dedicated event venues such as Harvester Moon to breweries, wineries and excellent restaurants such as Terindah Estate and Jack Rabbit.
Terindah Estate
Rusty Gate Weddings
The Barn, Wallington
Futher afield
Shangri-La, Coral Coast, Fiji
Yandina Station
Click here to see the wedding suppliers I recommend
Want to chat? 0450 586 561 are the magic numbers!
