Melbourne's Diy Wedding Venues: Create Your Dream Day

do it yourself wedding venues melbourne

Melbourne is a vibrant city known for its thriving arts scene, coffee culture, and charming laneways, and it offers a wide variety of wedding venues to suit every couple's style, personality, and vision. From intimate elopements in picturesque gardens to grand celebrations in heritage buildings, Melbourne has something for everyone. The city boasts diverse venues, including cosy restaurants, rooftop spaces with panoramic views, and industrial warehouses. Couples can also choose from all-inclusive packages or bring their own caterers and beverages to some venues. With so many options available, couples can create their dream wedding in a venue that resonates with their love story.

Characteristics Values
Venue Types Vineyard, Homestead, Restaurant, Warehouse, Beachside, Garden, Waterfront, Indoor, Outdoor, Historic, Hotel, Pub, Cocktail Bar, Rooftop, Heritage Building, Church, Schoolhouse, Boat
Location Melbourne CBD, Port Phillip Bay, St Kilda, West Melbourne, Coburg, Flinders Lane, Hawthorn, Fitzroy, Carlton, Kensington, Brighton, Yarra Valley, Little Saigon
Capacity 70-700 guests
Features & Amenities Bridal suites, dance floor, outdoor terrace, private garden, personalised beer, designer bar, wine wall, commercial kitchen, adjoining bar, built-in cathedral
Packages All-inclusive, BYO, external caterer, in-house catering, special event offers, basic and extended packages
Style Rustic, chic, modern, intimate, industrial, art-deco, heritage-listed, luxury, quirky

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Converted warehouses

Melbourne is home to some of the most urban industrial and chic converted warehouse wedding venues. These venues offer couples the chance to customise their special day with a blank canvas to make it their own.

The Wool Mill

The Wool Mill is one of Melbourne's oldest wool mills, located in Brunswick East. The venue features soaring ceilings, black beams, exposed brick walls, and a burnished concrete floor. It is set over two levels, with five distinct spaces: a private laneway, a mezzanine, the "I do" room, a feasting hall, and a speakeasy bar. The Wool Mill offers a stunning blank canvas for couples to create their dream wedding.

Showtime Event Centre

Showtime Event Centre is a large-scale, converted cargo shed located on South Wharf. The warehouse-style space features professional lighting and audiovisuals, a chandelier bar with a stone benchtop, original hardwood flooring, and unique, laser-cut iron wall features.

Gather & Tailor

Gather & Tailor is a restored warehouse located on the bank of West Melbourne's Maribyrnong River. The open-plan layout features hardwood floors, exposed beams, and a warm, rustic atmosphere. Gather & Tailor is well-suited for cocktail receptions or sit-down dinners and can accommodate up to 320 guests.

The Palms

The Palms is a converted warehouse venue that impresses with its designer bar, feature pendant lights, polished concrete floor, and impressive wine wall. The venue is fully licensed and offers a commercial kitchen, allowing for outside caterers with prior arrangement.

The Line

The Line is a Fitzroy warehouse venue with polished cement floors and high ceilings, offering a raw industrial-chic vibe. With a capacity of up to 200 guests, The Line provides a unique and memorable setting for weddings.

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Outdoor venues

Melbourne offers a variety of outdoor venues for a DIY wedding. For a beachside wedding, the luxurious venue at Port Phillip Bay features an outdoor terrace overlooking St Kilda Beach. The Aviary Hotel in Little Saigon is another option, with its sunny beer garden and versatile event spaces.

If you're seeking a garden wedding, the Royal Botanic Gardens offers a quiet corner for an intimate ceremony. The Post Office Hotel in Coburg also features a private outdoor garden that can accommodate up to 130 seated guests or 250 standing.

For a wedding surrounded by nature, Bramleigh Estate is nestled in 10 acres of Warrandyte bushland and offers panoramic views from its timber deck. The Button Factory, located in the heart of Melbourne, has a light-filled indoor Garden Room, while its Art Gallery is perfect for pre-wedding canapes.

For a unique outdoor setting, the Old Melbourne Gaol provides the opportunity to get married onsite in the Old Magistrates Court. Chapter Place, the site of the former Pentridge prison, offers a reflection garden and a historic bluestone setting.

If you're after a rooftop wedding, Morris House provides a breezy rooftop space that can be covered if needed. Strato Bar and Lounge, set 41 storeys up, offers two distinct rooms with expansive views during the day and glittering sights at night.

Melbourne also offers a range of outdoor venues with water views. The Bay Room at Chelsea Yacht Club provides unparalleled views of Port Phillip Bay, while the George Ballroom in St Kilda exudes old-world charm with its wooden floorboards and heritage-listed walls.

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All-inclusive packages

Melbourne offers a wide range of venues, from barn and ranch to ballroom and beachfront. Many venues offer all-inclusive packages, which typically include food and drink, with prices starting at $1,000 and averaging $3,700.

The Ballroom

A prestigious venue famous for its 1930s Hollywood-era glamour and pool deck. Prices range from $20 per person to $125 per person.

Harbour House

A unique slice of paradise, Harbour House offers a full day of privacy and a stress-free event. They have experienced, certified event planners, custom decor, 5-star catering and bar services, and an in-house floral artist.

The Beer Garden at Temperance Hotel

A relaxed and informal summer wedding venue in South Yarra, with cheap wedding options.

The Main Hall at The Brunswick Mess Hall

An impressive yet chilled-out setting for a slightly larger wedding. Brunswick Mess Hall is located in the Central Business District (CBD) and offers a rustic venue.

Altar Electric

A colourful, inclusive chapel that caters to elopements and weddings of up to 50+ guests.

Poodle Bar in Fitzroy

A cosy and inviting space with multiple areas, including a private dining room that caters to intimate weddings of up to 20 people. The upstairs bar area can accommodate up to 42 seated guests or 70 for a cocktail-style wedding. There is also an outside heated courtyard that can seat up to 27 or hold 50 standing.

Cutler & Co

Based in a former metalworks factory in Fitzroy, Cutler & Co is a refined, elegant space with a private dining room that can seat up to 40 guests or 50 for a cocktail-style reception. The entire restaurant can be hired for larger weddings of up to 80 guests.

The State Library of Victoria

The library offers five wedding venues in the centre of Melbourne, featuring grand 19th-century architecture with dramatic high ceilings and elegant decor. The two most popular reception venues are the La Trobe Reading Room and The Ian Potter Queen's Hall.

The Gaol & Watch House

One of Melbourne's quirkiest ceremony venues, where you can get married onsite in the Old Magistrates Court. All-inclusive wedding packages are catered by Showtime Event Group.

Gather & Tailor

A restored warehouse on the bank of West Melbourne's Maribyrnong River with hardwood floors, exposed beams, and a warm, rustic atmosphere. It offers flexible wedding packages, including the option for all-inclusive or venue hire only.

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Intimate venues

Melbourne has a diverse range of intimate wedding venues, each with its own unique charm and character. From cosy restaurants to picturesque gardens and rooftop spaces, there is something for every couple's style and vision.

For a small, intimate celebration, Little Bossley is an excellent choice, accommodating up to a dozen guests at a shared table. It offers a private entrance and bar, and its events menu showcases the best of Victorian produce. For a slightly larger gathering, the Private Dining Room is a great option.

The Bay Room at Chelsea Yacht Club offers unparalleled views of Port Phillip Bay and is complemented by an adjoining commercial kitchen and on-tap bar. It is fully licensed, so external drinks are not permitted, but outside catering can be arranged.

If you're seeking a unique setting, the Old Melbourne Gaol provides a quirky option for wedding receptions. You can get married onsite in the Old Magistrates Court, and all-inclusive wedding packages are catered by Showtime Event Group.

For a rustic yet city-centric option, Gather & Tailor is a restored warehouse on the bank of West Melbourne's Maribyrnong River. The open-plan layout features hardwood floors, exposed beams, and a warm, rustic atmosphere. It is well-suited for cocktail receptions or sit-down dinners, and you can also hold your wedding ceremony indoors.

Lastly, for an intimate garden wedding, the Post Office Hotel in Coburg offers a private outdoor space that can seat up to 130 guests or accommodate 250 standing. You can even request a personalised beer from their onsite brewery to celebrate your special day.

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Historic venues

Melbourne has a variety of historic wedding venues that offer a blend of old-world charm and modern amenities. Here are some options for DIY wedding venues with a historic twist:

The Old Melbourne Gaol

The Old Melbourne Gaol is one of the city's most unique and colourful wedding venues. The Gaol & Watch House provide a distinctive setting for wedding receptions, and you can even get married onsite in the Old Magistrates Court. All-inclusive wedding packages are available, taking care of catering and other essentials. This venue offers a quirky and memorable experience, with a rich history dating back to the mid-1800s.

The George Ballroom

The George Ballroom is a heritage-listed venue located in St Kilda, Melbourne. This elegant space was restored to its original 1860s charm, boasting wooden floorboards, heritage distressed walls, high ornate ceilings, and designer lighting fixtures. It can accommodate up to 150 seated guests or 200 for a cocktail function. The George Ballroom combines historical allure with modern conveniences, making it a sought-after choice for couples seeking a blend of vintage and contemporary styles.

National Trust Properties

National Trust offers a selection of iconic heritage venues across Melbourne, each with its own unique story rooted in Victoria's history. These venues provide breathtaking backdrops for wedding ceremonies, combining romantic charm with serene beauty. Couples can choose from picturesque gardens or grand heritage interiors, creating timeless memories. National Trust properties cater to various wedding styles, from rustic charm to high glamour, ensuring that your special day is tailored to your vision.

Abbotsford Convent

Abbotsford Convent, founded in 1848, is a former Roman Catholic convent that now serves as a multi-purpose art and cultural precinct. It offers a range of indoor and outdoor spaces for ceremonies and receptions, accommodating up to 280 seated guests or 500 for a cocktail-style celebration. The beautifully landscaped gardens and unique setting make it a quirky and memorable choice for couples seeking a blend of history and creativity.

Rippon Lea Estate

Rippon Lea Estate, located in the inner-city suburb of Ripponlea, is a historic mansion surrounded by beautiful gardens. It provides a romantic setting for both ceremonies and receptions, with elegant indoor and outdoor spaces. This venue is perfect for couples seeking a blend of history, nature, and sophistication on their special day.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some DIY wedding venues in Melbourne:

- The Palms, a converted warehouse with a designer bar, feature pendant lights, polished concrete floors and a wine wall.

- The Bay Room at Chelsea Yacht Club, with views of Port Phillip Bay, an adjoining commercial kitchen and on-tap bar.

- Little Bossley, an intimate space with a private entrance and bar.

- Strato Bar and Lounge, a private event space 41 storeys high with expansive views.

- The Wool Mill, a chic, light-filled space with five distinct spaces, including a private laneway, mezzanine, "I do" room, feasting hall and speakeasy bar.

Melbourne has a range of unique wedding venues, including:

- Old Melbourne Gaol, one of the city's most colourful venues, with the Old Magistrates Court as the ceremony venue.

- The George Ballroom, a heritage-listed 1860s art-deco space with wooden floorboards, heritage distressed walls, high ornate ceilings and designer lighting.

- The Trust, a multi-million-dollar revamp of a heritage-listed former Port of Melbourne Authority building, with touches of gold, swathes of marble and 20th-century Beaux-Arts details.

- Bramleigh Estate, an intimate and romantic location surrounded by Warrandyte bushland, with indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception options.

- Chapter Place, with a 160-year-old chapel, a reflection garden and a long hall room that was once a cell block.

Melbourne has a variety of small wedding venues, including:

- The Altar Electric, a retro Abbotsford venue that hosts small weddings of up to 80 guests, with the option of adding food, drinks and a DJ.

- The George Lounge, a 1970s Miami and New York-inspired space located in the basement of the heritage-listed George Hotel in St Kilda.

- The Aviary Hotel, a contemporary pub in the heart of Little Saigon with versatile event spaces and a sunny beer garden.

- Morris House's breezy rooftop, which can be covered if needed.

- The Button Factory, an industrial-style venue with four individual and versatile spaces, including the light-filled indoor Garden Room and the Art Gallery.

When choosing a wedding venue in Melbourne, here are some things to consider:

- Size: Ensure the venue can comfortably accommodate your guest list.

- Vibe: Consider whether you want a laid-back, rustic feel or a chic, modern atmosphere. The decor and architecture of the venue will contribute to the overall ambience.

- Location: Think about whether you want a city or country venue, and if there are any special spots in Melbourne that hold memories for you and your partner.

- All-in-one: Decide if you want the ceremony and reception in the same place.

- All-inclusive: Determine if you want a package that includes venue hire, catering and table settings, or if you prefer to bring your own caterers and beverages.

- Style: Reflect on the type of ceremony and reception venue you envision, such as garden, waterfront, warehouse, indoor or outdoor.

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