Melbourne’s Best Wedding Venues
Previously we have discussed the pros and cons of hiring a wedding planner. Next on the list: the venue. Are you envisioning a converted warehouse in the city or on a beach? Atop the undulating grape slopes, or in a cactus-studded desert oasis? Or perhaps someplace a little weird, like at a carnival or in a throwback ice cream parlor. It takes a lot of work to plan the ideal wedding, and choosing your location is one of the first and most crucial items to cross off your list.
When to start looking for a venue
Better if done sooner. You may start looking for a location once you have a firm grasp on the following three criteria: budget, anticipated event size, and space needs.
To give yourself enough time to organize other essential elements, such as hosts, developing an event program and website, interacting with guests, and more, book a location at least 8 months in advance.
Flexibility in contracts and Force Majeure
Negotiating flexible contract terms with your venue is a smart idea since unanticipated events may cause your event to be rescheduled or cancelled. Even if someone has registered, they might not be able to attend your event if there is a lockdown order or natural catastrophe. If the venue has a condition about force majeure, see if they can add a clause to prevent you from losing your entire deposit.
Consider the layout
Even if choosing a location to keep the bride happy for your event will happen early in the planning phase, you should still have a general concept of the activities you’ll be arranging, the amenities you’ll need, and the requirements of both your team and the guests.
Get an illustrated floor plan of each venue as you reduce your options, and walk through your top choices at least once. Take note of significant details such the locations of the outlets and any available AV equipment.
Remember the acoustics
A low ceiling will give the space a pleasant appearance, but if it’s crowded, it will make it noisier. As an alternative, a massive warehouse-style venue will produce echoes. The choice of a location won’t always be based on its acoustics, but there are various techniques to improve them.
Now, let’s get on with our top picks.
01. Encore St. Kilda Beach
Since it first opened in the spring of 2011, Encore St. Kilda Beach has established itself as Melbourne’s premier wedding and event location. Encore St. Kilda was named the “best wedding caterer” in Victoria and Tasmania in 2016 and 2018 by Savour AustraliaTM Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Award for Excellence. Receiving such an honor confirms Encore’s status as the top Melbourne wedding venue, as well as the top Victorian wedding venue and Tasmanian wedding venue.
Website: https://encorestkilda.com.au/
02. Avalon Castle
This gorgeous Melbourne wedding location is perched high above a magnificent two-acre estate. The Rose Terrace is the ultimate “stand-out” place for small wedding ceremonies with a rustic outside bar for your guests to enjoy before dining upstairs. The grounds are stunning all year round. They can accommodate sit-down weddings for up to 100 guests and cocktail weddings for up to 130 attendees. Weddings on weekdays are common, and little weddings have recently become increasingly fashionable in Melbourne. Elopements in the mountains, intimate weddings, and tiny weddings are all popular right now.
Website: https://www.avaloncastle.com.au/
03. Flowerdale Estate
Make a full weekend out of your wedding celebrations when one day is simply not enough. They are experts in organizing two- and three-day weddings, and their entirely customizable events are brimming with personality and good times.
Set the mood for the weekend with a warm evening palette twilight picnic on the grounds, a relaxed Barbecue on the terrace, a three course formal supper in Gracie’s Restaurant, or a grazing feast beneath festoon lights.
Website: https://flowerdaleestate.com.au/
04. Lake House
Only 80 minutes from Melbourne, Lake House is well recognized for its stunning lakeside setting, two-hatted destination restaurant, award-winning cellar, and superb service. This is one of Australia’s most prestigious and romantic hotels.
Website: https://lakehouse.com.au/
05. Gardens House
Melbourne couples may walk thru through the beauty of the city’s largest and most extravagant garden to locate a romantic wedding or upscale event location, straight out of a history book.
The private property, a gem hidden among the serene lawns of the Melbourne Botanical Gardens, is recognized for its splendor and historic architecture. Given that the location is so near to the City, it also offers a special chance to get away from the busy city life for an evening or lunchtime garden party.
Website: https://atlanticgroup.com.au/weddings/
06. Macedon Ranges
Cleveland Winery is a gorgeous winery wedding venue situated in the magnificent Macedon Ranges, 45 minutes north of Melbourne’s CBD and only 30 minutes from Melbourne Airport, with a picture-perfect background of vineyards and rolling farmland.
The additional bonus of having your reception, ceremony, and lodging all in one lovely site is another perk of having your Macedon Ranges wedding at Cleveland Vineyards. It also provides visitors with tastefully furnished country style lodging so they may extend their special day into a weekend filled with happy memories shared with loved ones.
Website: https://clevelandwinery.com.au/weddings/macedon-ranges-weddings/
07. Baxter Barn
Baxter Barn is located on the 34 acres of serene, heritage-listed Sages Cottage property, just 40 minutes from Melbourne’s doorstep. This ancient location is brimming with natural charm, enticing beauty, and a rustic feel. It is one of Victoria’s most alluring and forthcoming wedding locations.
Website: https://www.baxterbarn.com.au/wedding-venue-melbourne/barn-receptions
08. Butterland
Whether you get married in winter, spring, summer, or fall, the splendor of the grounds is mesmerizing. Each season adds a unique mood and style. You can create a unique and thoughtful catering style by collaborating with chefs who recognize the value of customization.
Butterland is a special, laid-back country location that provides a breathtakingly lovely environment for celebrations.
Website: https://www.butterland.com.au/events
09. Chateau Wyuna
In the base of the magnificent Dandenong Ranges, Château Wyuna is a very unique event venue. They have two beautiful outdoor ceremony locations as well as a magnificent chapel that has been 100 years old and is included on the national register of historic places. You may select from a flexible selection of all-inclusive wedding packages for up to 150 guests at your reception. Each package may be customized to guarantee that you enjoy the wedding celebration of your dreams. Last but not the least, their menus are broad and concentrate on delectable, country-style food that is elegantly arranged and served in extremely generous portions.
Website: https://chateauwyuna.com.au/weddings/
10. Rippon Lea Estate
One of Australia’s opulent suburban estates, Rippon Lea Estate features a pleasure garden with wide grass, majestic trees, and a serene lake. The elegant and magnificent gardens at this traditional location, which also includes an ornamental lake, an orchard, a fernery, and expansive lawns, provide the ideal setting for your special event.
Rippon Lea Estate is also an ideal location for your wedding. It has a spectacular ballroom that opens up to a stunning pool and over 14 acres of pleasure grounds. A variety of events may be held on the grounds, including family reunions, Christmas break-ups, birthday celebrations, and outdoor wedding ceremonies. The Ballroom is a stunning location for gala dinners, business events, and wedding celebrations.
Website: https://www.ripponleaestate.com.au/venue-hire/
The bride’s dress, venue rental, cake, decorations, and other costs are traditionally covered by the bride and her family, while the groom’s primary obligations are to pay for the engagement ring, the honeymoon, and the bride’s flowers.
The expenditures related to the reception location, such as the price of renting furniture like tables and chairs and the cost of supplying food or beverages, are often the most expensive components of most weddings.
Weddings held throughout the week are often less expensive, with Monday being the least expensive and costs rising as the weekend approaches. However, there will be a difference between venues; high-end venues are usually high-end seven days a week.