AUSTRALIA’s cultural capital has no shortage of inspiring wedding venues for couples to tie the knot in style.
Whether it’s a low-key budget affair, a luxe inner-city soiree or a romantic rooftop reception, the edgy metropolis of Melbourne certainly has every couple covered when it comes to the best wedding venues to host the celebration of a lifetime.
As well as the slew of churches and pristine public parks and gardens in the city and surrounding areas, Melbourne is brimming with elegant fine dining restaurants, five-star hotels, converted warehouses and inspiring eateries that double as stylish wedding venues.
Budget, demand and the number of guests on your invite list obviously play a role in securing a particular location – as does Melbourne’s notoriously unpredictable, four-seasons-in-a-day weather – however the Victorian capital does deliver when it comes to memorable events.
Here are some of our recommendations for the best wedding venues in Melbourne:
Contemporary chic
10. St Andrews Conservatory
With its delicate bamboo lanterns and understated elegance, this contemporary space is ideal for the modern Melbourne bride.
Located at Melbourne’s iconic St Andrew’s Hotel at Fitzroy, the Conservatory is a chic, airy wedding venue which boasts attentive, intuitive service and offers all-inclusive packages for both seated and cocktails events.
Unlike other function spaces, St Andrews provide full a la carte service at a seated wedding [from $150 per head] with guests able to choose their entrée, main and dessert which are prepared onsite by the executive chef using locally sourced ingredients.
Also, appealing for a cocktail wedding, the romantic space, which has a ceiling made entirely from glass, can accommodate 160 people for a stand-up soiree, with packages starting from $120 per person.
Location: 128 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy.
https://standrewsconservatory.com.au
Barn Wedding
9. Collingwood Children’s Farm
With its paddocks, gardens, orchards and charming rustic buildings, this seven-hectare not-for-profit community space is a delightful spot for an informal wedding.
Built in 1895, The Barn is full of rustic charm and can seat 120 guests or 160 cocktail style and works in warm or drizzly weather.
The brilliant team from the Farm Café are a popular choice to cater and fully event manage weddings however couples are welcome to source their own caterer and planner for their farm nuptials.
Location: 18 St Heliers St, Abbotsford
Opulent affair
8. Crown Melbourne
WHETHER you fancy a rooftop marquee, a dreamy garden room wedding or a lavish ballroom affair, Crown caters for the varied tastes of discerning modern brides.
Located on the level three rooftop at Crown Towers, The Crown Aviary is the newest event space which boasts views over the Melbourne skyline and can accommodate 550 guests in a cocktail setting or up to 400 seated.
With space for up to 1300 guests, the Palladium at Crown has been hailed as one of the most opulent venues in Melbourne and features seven-metre ceilings and state-of-the-art sound systems.
Crown’s classic wedding package is available for both intimate gatherings and large-scale celebrations and starts at $180 per person which includes canapes, a three-course menu and drinks package and complimentary accommodation for the bride and groom at Crown Towers on the wedding night.
Location: 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank
https://www.crownmelbourne.com.au/weddings/about
Affordable Fun
7. The Brunswick Mess Hall
FOR a stylish wedding that won’t break the bank, this hip spot sets the scene for a stellar celebration.
Housed in an old masonic hall, the beautifully renovated space features two plant-filled atriums overlooking Sydney Road, and opening into the stunning grand hall with high ceilings, and pops of faux ivory.
Their team can cater for both cocktail-style or sit-down events and are known for their tasty South East Asian fare, craft beer, cocktails and good vibes.
Location: 400 Sydney Road, Brunswick.
https://thebrunswickmesshall.com.au
Waterfront Romance
6. Leonda by the Yarra, Hawthorn
THIS riverfront institution is one of Melbourne’s most-loved wedding venues.
With experienced wedding professionals on hand to assist couples plan every element of their special day and floor-to-ceiling windows capitalising on the views of the tree-lined Yarra River, Leonda provides the idyllic backdrop for romance and celebration.
Renowned for their food and attention to detail, Leonda offers packages to suit a range of budgets, and has easy public transport and parking.
Plus, newlyweds have an option of arriving or departing by boat from their private jetty, which adds to magic of the day.
Location: 2 Wallen Road, Hawthorn
Home – Leonda By The Yarra
Warehouse wedding
5. Rupert on Rupert
Located in inner-city Collingwood, this converted warehouse restaurant is an oasis in an urban backstreet of one of Melbourne’s most vibrant hospitality districts.
With its cathedral-high ceilings, concrete floors, vintage furniture, Rupert is a contemporary yet romantic space which also boasts lush indoor gardens which brings the outdoors in without the risk of rain ruining the big day.
An all-inclusive venue, the venue’s main dining hall has capacity for up to 80 guests for a shared feasting banquet or stand up options for up to 200 of your nearest and dearest.
Head chef Samuel Wilson is passionate about delivering a Mediterranean-style share menu both to comfort and excite guests.
There’s also no extra cost for having the ceremony on site so couples can enjoy the convenience of hosting both the nuptials and reception under one roof and not run the risk or weather or transport dramas running the magic.
Better yet, there’s an in-house wedding planner to assist with pulling together a dream day.
Location: 73 Rupert Street, Collingwood.
Industrial cool
4. twotonmax
TUCKED away behind an anonymous street front, this carefully reimagined industrial North Melbourne warehouse is an ideal spot for an urban wedding.
With its burnished concrete floors, white walls and moody lighting, twotonmax, named after the vintage overhead crane onsite, provides an ultra-cool blank canvas for brides to design their own dream day.
The venue boasts a large marble bar, and a covered outdoor garden space and can seat up to 200 people.
Couples can manage their wedding with their own suppliers or use twotonmax’s in-house event agency leaving the finer details in the hands of their experienced team.
Where: 124 Langford Street, North Melbourne.
Boho luxe
3. Greenfields Albert Park
This airy, open-plan holistic eatery is a hit with green-minded brides.
Boasting views of the Albert Park Lake, rattan-laid high ceilings and luxe bohemian interiors, this environmentally-conscious eatery looks and feels like a Byron Bay getaway rather than a venue located within minutes of Melbourne’s CBD.
Luckily for Melbournians, they can enjoy this slice of paradise on their special day with the Greenfields team specialising in bespoke wedding celebrations.
The healthy but flavoursome menu is created from locally sourced – and where possible – sustainable ingredients by head chef and co-owner Nick Korceba [ex Maha].
The Main Room has capacity for 150 guests for sit-down and 350 for cocktail, while the Lakeside Bar can accommodate 40 and 100 respectively.
The entire venue is also available for exclusive use upon request.
Location: Cnr Lakeside Drive & Queens Rd, Albert Park 3206
www.greenfieldsalbertpark.com.au
Timeless Romance
2. The George Ballroom
For timeless elegance and character, it’s hard to go past this historical venue for a milestone event.
Opening its doors back in 1860, this iconic venue, which features wooden floorboards, ornate ceilings and heritage walls, has been respectfully restored to its original charm by leading event and catering company DAMN FINE FOOD Co, who offer a range of premium menus, drink packages and styling solutions to suit every taste.
Centrally located in the George Building at St Kilda, this whimsical space can host up to 150 guests for a sit-down dinner [with dance floor] or up to 200 guests for a stand-up cocktail wedding from $150 per person.
Location: 1/127-129 Fitzroy St, St Kilda
https://www.thegeorgeballroom.com.au
1. Cultural grandeur
National Gallery of Victoria
ART and history aficionados will fall in love with this truly spectacular wedding venue.
With its towering stained-glass ceiling by Leonard French, the Great Hall at NGV is one of the city’s most breathtaking backdrops for an upscale wedding celebration.
Boasting 775sqm of floor space, the Great Hall can accommodate up to 600 guests for banquet or lecture-style seating or 1100 for a cocktail soiree.
Such grandeur does come with a price tag to match and there’s a minimum catering spend of $36,200 for a wedding in the Great Hall. The venue hire fee for a Saturday wedding is $6100 but varies on other days of the week.
With views over the sculpture and landscaping of the Grollo Equiset Garden and bathed in natural light, the cultural institution’s Garden Restaurant is also a serene spot for a wedding reception.
The Garden Restaurant has a minimum catering spend of $14,800 and a venue hire of around $2,750 depending on the day.
Location: 180 St Kilda Road.
https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/about/venue-hire/
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