This post is for the romantics (that’s you and me!).

Selecting your wedding venue is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the early days of your wedding planning (other than booking a photographer of course!). The venue’s atmosphere will set the styling direction and atmosphere of your special day and so I get really excited when a venue is a reflection of the couple’s personality and their journey in love. Maybe the venue is architectural reflecting the couple’s love of design (hello the Calile Hotel in Brisbane and their incredible breeze blocks) or the venue has European vibes, such as Stones of the Yarra Valley, because the couple loved travelling to Italy together.

Here are five of the most romantic wedding venues in Melbourne. Some are intimate venues and others perfect for larger weddings. What they have in common is that no matter the size, the venue and atmosphere create memorable experiences on the couples wedding day for years to come.

It was tricky to name just five venues as Melbourne is lucky to have so many beautiful spaces and so I will add more venues to this feature down the track!

Lei xx

SIGLO bar

Siglo Bar in Melbourne’s CBD and their owners, Spring Street Events, have the special touch for opening venues that have a sense of European or Old World Melbourne hospitality. Siglo, French Saloon, and Recoleta are three of my favourites. They suit intimate weddings between 20 to 80 seated guests. Features include weathered timber flooring, ornate stained glass windows, bentwood chairs, murals, courtyards and balconies overlooking Melbourne’s laneways below. Each space feels like an escape from the busy city streets; they’re discreet and perfect for the low-key bride who wants to share her wedding day with family and friends in a romantic setting with ‘cool-girl’ European charm.

Flick and Henry married at Siglo and were featured in Anti-bride here.

SIGLO BAR, SPRING STREET EVENTS

2/161 Spring Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000

springstreetevents.com.au/siglo

Instagran: @siglobar OR @springstreetevents

Capacity: 20 to 80 seated guests

CHURCHILL EVENTS

Churchill is one of my favourite event spaces in Melbourne as it is the perfect setting to bring old-world romance and modern luxury together.

A beautiful 1800’s gothic church, accompanied by an old Sunday school hall, this one-of-a-kind venue is complemented by original stained glass windows, an antique patina latte, handmade rusted metal chandeliers suspended from the soaring old oak beams and trusses, and grand timber ceilings. 

Surrounded by picturesque countryside, this charming church and wooden wonderland are tucked away on two amazing acres of garden. The garden is a wonderful location for bridal portraits and an outdoor reception in the warmer months.

I’m photographing a wedding there this season and I can’t wait to see how they transform Churchill into their own for their special day.

For more images captured at Churchill Events, follow these links to my editorial shoot or recent blog post on styling details.

CHURCHILL EVENTS

9 Davy St, Taradale, VIC

churchillevents.com.au/

Instagram: @churchillevents OR #CHURCHILLEVENTS

Capacity: Up to 100 seated guests

RIPPON LEA ESTATE

Tucked quietly just 10 kilometres from the CBD and resembling something of a fantasy film, Rippon Lea Estate is a stunning suburban estate and wedding venue.

The Rippon Lea House and Garden is one of Australia’s grand suburban estates –its magnificent ballroom leads to a picture-perfect pool and almost 14 acres of enchanting gardens, including an orchard, fernery, rose garden, sweeping lawns, trees, and a stunning lake backdrop. 

Chelsea and Gabriel married at Rippon Lea Estate and their inspiration was a summer Italian wedding. Romantic, dreamy - pastel florals and summer fruits with a hint of British colonial charm. The estate and gardens were the perfect location and the sunset portraits in the gardens are some of my favourites.

RIPPON LEA HOUSE AND GARDENS

192 Hotham Street

Elsternwick, VIC

ripponleaestate.com.au

Instagram: @ripponleagardeners #ripponleaestate

Capacity: Up to 130 seated guests

COoMBE YARRA VALLEY

The former home of the famous soprano, Dame Nellie Melba, this restored historic motor house and clock tower is situated on seven acres of garden and vineyards. 

Coombe’s charm lies in its manicured gardens and vistas which are perfect for couple portraits after the ceremony or at ‘golden hour’ just before sunset. The venue offers three ceremony locations, with my personal favourite being under the oak tree (I’m a little biased though, as this is where I was married!).  

The historic, creamy-stone Clock Tower restaurant provides an ambient and luxury setting for your special day – its 360-degree windows, polished concrete floors, feature timber ceiling, and classic pendant lighting, all add to its undeniable reputation as one of Melbourne’s most romantic venues.

COOMBE YARRA VALLEY

673-675 Maroondah Hwy,

Coldstream, VIC 

coombeyarravalley.com.au

Instagram: @coombeyarravalley or #coombeyarravalley

Capacity: up to 150 seated guests

STATE LIBRARY VICTORIA

Right in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, the State Library Victoria is distinctive, old-world, and oh-so-romantic.

With marble staircases, antique bookshelves, and 1800’s architecture, this unique venue is the backdrop for a one-of-a-kind wedding ceremony and reception. Guests are seated under the Latrobe Reading Room’s Dome on oak desks with heritage chairs and the traditional green reading lamps are unique table centrepieces.

I’m shooting a wedding this wedding season at the State Library Victoria and I’m really excited to see how the couple style their ceremony and reception. I was lucky enough to shoot Tweed Twigs’ gorgeous wedding floral set-up for the most styling wedding at the State Library and hope they are a source of inspiration for the ceremony and reception styling at the venue.

STATE LIBRARY VICTORIA

328 Swanston St,

Melbourne, VIC 

venues.slv.vic.gov.au & LATROBE READING ROOM

Instagram: @showtimeeventgroup

Capacity: Up to 500 for a cocktail style event

Lei xx

THE GEORGE BALLROOM

The George Ballroom is such an incredible event space.

From the foyers art-deco features to the faithful restoration of the ballroom with its heritage walls, high ceilings, and lighting, it's a stunning space and canvas for the vision of your wedding day. ⁠

Accommodating 150 seated on long tables the space has ambiance and feels oh-so-romantic. ⁠

THE GEORGE BALLROOM

Level 1, 129 Fitzroy St,

St. Kilda, melbourne

www.thegeorgeballroom.com.au

Instagram: @thegeorgeballroom

Capacity: Up to 150 seated guests or 200 for a cocktail style event

Lei xx