Cityscape or Countryside: Choosing your Perfect Melbourne Wedding Venue
February 6, 2024
RETURN TO ALL BLOGS
Cityscape or Countryside: Choosing your Perfect Melbourne Wedding Venue
You’re ready to set the scene for your happily ever after. And, lovers, you have questions! Like, what are the best Melbourne wedding venue options? Are they tucked away in the beautiful landscape of regional Victoria? Or found under the sparkling lights of Melbourne’s city centre? Read on to discover the perfect setting for you.
You’re getting hitched #exciting! That means you need to make your first big decision… finding the perfect Melbourne wedding venue.
Good news! You’re looking at your wedding day bestie. AKA me, the gal who’s planned, styled and coordinated countless weddings across regional Victoria and urban Melbourne.
From al fresco, hillside celebrations for laid-back newlyweds. To rooftop soirées set inside Melbourne’s bougiest buildings for cutie pie corporates. Whatever your vibe, my little black book of wedding venues in Melbourne and regional Victoria has you covered.
I’m spilling the tea on some of the best wedding venues Melbourne and Regional Victoria have to offer (with a whole lot more exclusive locations reserved for my clients!).
First things first… let’s unlock your vibe!
1. Create your Vision
Dreaming of a romantic-yet-relaxed style for your blissful reception? Maybe you’re pondering a *chic* floral fantasy? Are warm or cool tones your vibe? So many questions! Take a big exhale if you don’t have the answers yet (that’s what I’m here for).
Truth is: having a *special* style that reflects you two is what’ll make your nuptials truly sing.
I highly recommend starting your own Pinterest board. This is the perfect way to start visualising what your day might look like! Based on what you’re vibing, it could make it clear whether you’d like to get hitched countryside or in Melbourne’s city.
Some useful resources are:
- Hello May: From colours to cakes and even transport. What’s sparkling your hearts?
- Together Journal: Jewels, bouquets and venue ideas for ceremony and reception!
- Wedshed: Table stylings, catering ideas, arbours and florals (just for starters!)
- Mellyrain: Regional Victoria and Melbourne wedding venues, stylings and vendors
Want a first step to get your pins rolling? Sure thing! Think about what takes your fancy when it comes to a colour scheme.
Here are two examples from recent weddings styled by yours truly.
Photo credit: Blissful Love Photography
#Proweddingtip: Sunset colours are coming in hot this 2024 and 2025 wedding season. Warm tones are sure to make your upcoming reception a party for the ages! Take a peek at these wedding table stylings for more inspo.
Photo credit: Lisa Nardella Photography
Going for a wintery look? White flowers stand out against a natural wood base. Then add a *sprinkle* of blue shines next to a gold finish. Now your nuptials feel extravagant. Here’s a peek at a glorious atmosphere I had a hand in creating!
Uncover your colour vibe with this colour combo-filled Pinterest board. From springtime to monochrome, autumn to vibrant pops!
2. Choose your Locale
So you’re a little clearer on your wedding’s vibe – tick! Cheers! Woo hoo!
Maybe you’ve visualised the perfect flowers. Chosen to pour the most *delicious* champagne #yum! And even found the cutest tux for your fur baby to walk down the aisle (who doesn’t love a puppy ring-bearer?!).
Now comes the next big question: Where do you go? Do you throw a lavish countryside ceremony in Regional Victoria? Or hit up the big city of Melbourne for a wedding venue and party unlike any other?
That’s where my expertise (and pocketbook of trustworthy venues) comes in handy (you’re welcome).
Photo credit: Alto Events
Cityscape
Is a Melbourne wedding venue on the cards for you?
Let me paint you a picture: It’s a *romantic* moonlit night. You’re surrounded by the dazzling architecture of a building’s rich history. The lights of the city twinkle through the windows, flickering sparkles over your dancefloor. 100% #swoonworthy!
It’s true – there are some real perks to one-of-a-kind cityscape ceremonies in Melbourne. In fact, you’ll have everything you need right at your fingertips!
Melbourne wedding venue inspo
Melbourne wedding venues really do have a whole lot of charm, heart-eye-worthy backdrops and the benefit of surrounding vendors which is always a #win!
Set in the heart of Fitzroy, Panama Dining Room is the best Melbourne wedding venue for couples looking for a unique, enchanting restaurant and chic New York-style loft feel.
Husband and wife team Ric and Mali lovingly converted this warehouse restaurant into the ultimate Melbourne wedding venue. Tucked away down a Collingwood alley, this locale features moody backdrops, an evergreen cathedral and a breathtaking reception space.
Love the idea of a greenery-lined day with all the modern comforts of a city centre soirée? Then Butler Lane might just be the best Melbourne wedding venue for you. With its sky-high hedge backdrop, open plan and warehouse building, she’s a true Melbourne beauty!
Think: Melbourne wedding venue set inside a greenhouse. Conveniently located by Richmond train station, consider Glasshouse Events your dream inner-city sanctuary!
Gaze upon *gorg* cityscape views from the comfort of Alto Events’ open-air terrace. With a swanky bar, polished concrete floors and dreamy lighting, this is the best Melbourne wedding venue for those looking for a day perched above the hustle and bustle.
Countryside
Curious about whether Victoria’s tranquil (and beautiful!) regional area is more to your tastes?
Let’s hit the hinterland and see what it might look like to take your wedding outside the big city to wed where it’s pretty!
Lush rolling hills as far as the eye can see. A locale scattered with *adorable* wildlife. Bonfires lighting up the night sky. Have I convinced you yet?
In that case, let me call upon a couple *extra* special venues to help out.
Regional Victoria wedding venue inspo
Regional Victoria is the unsung hero of the state, in my opinion! And you don’t even have to drive far from Melbourne’s cityside to feel worlds away. Take a peek!
Right by the stunning Macedon Ranges, Emu Bottom’s heritage-listed property is a countryside dream. Think: an iconic cottage surrounded by towering eucalyptus trees!
Photo credit: Emu Bottom
It’s the wedding venue with a jetty, dam, forest, field, warehouse and woodlands. So I’ll come right out and say it: Tanglewood Estate is the best wedding venue in Regional Victoria for couples looking for versatility! The options are endless to really make this venue your own.
This exclusive site features a historic bluestone homestead (built back in 1866!) and endless opportunities for styling in the iconic Aussie outback.
It’s giving country club in regional Victoria, and it’s seriously swoonworthy. With accommodation, dining and rolling green pastures, it’s a clear winner for those on the lookout for a wedding venue with a luxe feel.
It’s the private-club-meets-vineyard accommodation many couples dream about. Offering exclusive hire of the private estate, gaze out at Mount Buffalo directly from your room. This regional Victoria destination wedding venue snuggles beside native forests and rolling vineyards, with a jaw-dropping backdrop of the Victorian Alps.
With a wide variety of versatile spaces to choose from for your ceremony and reception, Feathertop Winery even offer high-quality wedding catering, featuring fresh seasonal produce options onsite.
The cherry on top? Stroll down an aisle of vines at Feathertop Winery, then pop open a bottle from their delicious wine selection. What’s not to love?
Photo credit: Lisa Nardella Photography
3. Clarify your Needs
Time for the nitty-gritty: the logistics. When choosing your dream regional Victoria or Melbourne wedding venue (AKA your countryside or cityscape locale), I have a few tips to keep in mind.
Brief your vendors
With your wedding location locked and loaded, you’re able to check if your preferred vendors service the area. Who are the vendors you *have* to have on the day? Prioritise these in your next steps of planning.
Consider your guests
Are they flying in and require transport? Or would accommodation recommendations be useful for them? (Pssst… remember Feathertop Winery and Mount William Station both offer a place to stay!)
Venue inclusions
Many Regional Victoria and Melbourne wedding venue options feature a range of inclusions in their packages. Make sure to triple-check your venue’s terms and conditions. Some packages include a coordinator, though it’s important to know exactly what they’ll actually help with (I’ve heard the horror stories!). This way you can see what you need to DIY, or if it’d be wise to hire an external wedding planner, stylist and/or on-the-day coordinator.
That’s where I come in. Not only will I help with the styling of your venue and planning of your big day, but I can even be there to coordinate from the morning of until the final formalities!
4. Choose your Place
Now you have one final choice: cityscape or countryside?
Cityscape
- Pros – Easy accessibility, more vendors to choose from, and culinary hot spots
- Cons – Potentially higher expenses, more traffic for guests and vendors, and external noise
Countryside
- Pros – Down-to-earth vendors who don’t charge travel fees, fresh air and lush garden ceremonies
- Cons – Limited vendor options, the threat of bushfires, and possible accommodation fees for your guests
Want access to my little black book of Regional Victoria and Melbourne wedding venue options?
Thankfully, you don’t need to make this choice alone, lovers!
I’m here to help choose your dream Melbourne wedding venue, then style, plan and coordinate the day right by your side. Take a peek at my perfected packages!
Want to map out your dream day solo? Check out my FREE pro wedding costs breakdown cheat sheet!
