Congratulations! If youβre reading this, you might be recently engaged. Or maybe you just like reading wedding blogs. Regardless, picking the perfect wedding venue is likely to be at the top of any newly engaged coupleβs list. And itβs not easy, as thereβs a lot of choice. Donβt let anyone tell you otherwise β the venue you choose will play a crucial role in the success of your day. It ultimately determines the number of guests you can invite, your wedding date, your theme, your wedding suppliers, and of course it has a huge impact on your wedding budget, so choose wisely. Right, so here are ten of our favourite Melbourne wedding venues, most of which weβve been to and some weβve heard great things about, and which we look forward to visiting in the near future.
Good luck and enjoy the ride.
Melbourne Zoo
Get your βinner animalβ on with a unique yet gorgeous wedding at the Melbourne Zoo. Centrally located minutes from the CBD, the Zoo has a few event spaces on offer to suit your taste. Whether you prefer to look over the stunning Japanese garden (Lakeside Bistro), or have a backdrop of lush greenery home to some Tamarin monkeys jumping around (Rainforest Room), the Zoo has you covered! The new and refurbished Giraffe Look out is a stunning space for cocktails and canapeβs too. Many couples have had their ceremonies at the zoo too, under a Fig tree or by the lake.
The Terrace @ Royal Botanical Gardens
Whilst Melbourneβs iconic Royal Botanical Gardens host a handful of potential wedding venues (Jardin Tan, The observatory, the Garden house, etc), our pick of the bunch is The Terrace. Central Location, tick. Beautiful surroundings, tick. Executive Chef with versatile modern menus, tick. Personalised wedding co-ordinator to ensure stress minimisation and perfection, tick. The terrace has all bases covered and is an outstanding location to ensure your big day is celebrated in style. We recently attended a civil ceremony and it was as magical a garden wedding as you could imagine. The grounds are spacious and immaculate β thereβs certainly a reason they call these gardens βroyalβ. You wonβt have to go too far for photos either!
Carousel
Nestled right by the lovely Albert Park Lake, the stunning views of Melbourneβs city skyline are just one of the reasons Carousel remains one of the cityβs iconic wedding venues. With several areas including forecourt, balcony and the amphitheatre, Carousel can cater for ceremonies too, ensuring it is a versatile space which wonβt disappoint regardless of what type of wedding you wish to have! Whether youβre planning an intimate lunch or a glamorous evening reception, youβd be silly not to get in touch with the Carousel team!
Encore
Simple, elegant, and most importantly, on the beach! This is by far Melbourneβs finest beach wedding venue. Waterfront views of the palm-tree lined promenade, even more spectacular from the classy deck outside, we simply love this spot for a wedding reception. The food is excellent and the staff are very attentive β in fact the overall service is immaculate. One of our favourite Melbourne wedding venues (as I got married here myself!), I can personally vouch for how easy the Executive team made the experience for my husband and I, and still rates as the best wedding Iβve ever been to! Hot tip: wedding photos taken on the nearby pier are a winner!
Fenix
A special place for a special occasion, Fenix prides itself on providing the laid-back feel of a country wedding whilst positioned in the bustling suburb of Richmond. Set on the banks of the Yarra River, surrounded by nature, and the tranquil sounds of bell birds and rosellas, Fenixβs is sure to wow your guests and make them feel like royalty. We recently attended a wedding here, and it didnβt disappoint. The food was most definitely a highlight of the night β the lamb shank and grilled salmon (yes, I tried both) were both cooked to perfection.
Stones @ Yarra Valley
If what youβre looking for the quintessential country-style wedding near enough to Melbourne, look no further than Stones. This stunning venue has the ability to accommodate an intimate affair (40-60) in the stables or go large with up to 200 people catered for in the beautifully restored 1860βs barn. You get the feeling that this place is used to producing endless magical moments, and the fairy tale begins when you first drive through the stunning tree lined entrance. Housing a European-style chapel on site, and a rustic farmhouse which can accommodate close family and VIPβs, Stones has all bases covered for an unforgettable wedding weekend amongst the great outdoors.
Showtime events
Imagine a restored warehouse on the iconic Yarra River within the industrial heart of the city, South Wharf / Docklands. If youβre thinking an urban-chic style wedding, Showtime Events Centre essentially offers a blank canvas for you to design your special night in any way you see fit. Offering inspiration by way of an epic chandelier bar, versatile laser cut LED wall panels, juxtaposed against the original timber floors and exposed beams, thereβs a damn good reason this ultra-special venue often tops the charts as βBest reception venue in Australiaβ.
Ripponlea Estate
Romance. Mystique. Glamour. If these are the themes you are looking for in a wedding day, youβre bound to fall in love with the National Heritage listed Ripponlea house and garden. A 19th century grand ballroom set in the magical surrounds of the siteβs magnificent gardens and lawns, itβs hard to believe it is only 10km from the CBD! Oozing class but not over the top, another excellent option for that βfairy taleβ wedding youβve always dreamed of.
Quat quatta
Old world charm coupled with modern elegance, this heritage listed mansion in Ripponlea has been a stalwart on the Melbourne Wedding Venues scene for years. A venue with the ability to cater for your ceremony and the reception later on, Quat Quatta must be considered whether youβre having an intimate party for 60 or a larger affair up to 200. Perfect for the classic, fairy-tale style wedding.
Mon bijou
Set amongst the clouds high above Melbourneβs vibrant life this breath-taking penthouse space sets new standards in the realm of wedding celebrations. We are not mincing words here, this venue spells luxury β and will undoubtedly wow your guests with its sophisticated French saveur, lavish furnishings and housing a covered open air space to boot. Mon Bijou is guaranteed to impress with its 270 degree panoramic views of Melbourneβs skyline. Day or night the view is breathtaking and the space is stylish and elegant. With its contemporary but intimate atmosphere towering over the city streets, any couple after a modern-chic wedding ought to get in touch with Mon Bijou β you wonβt regret it!
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