Discover Melbourne’s 10 Best Wedding Venues

Of the many things that need to be considered, the perfect wedding venue is high on the list. While there is a lot to consider when choosing the perfect spot, the task is made easier because Melbourne has some of the best wedding venues in Australia.

The right wedding venue helps make your day special, and it should contain some personal elements to help achieve this. You also want it to look amazing. This will be the space where you start your new life, and the photos need to look great!

To help with your decision, we’ve listed some of Melbourne’s finest wedding venues. There is enough variety to appeal to all tastes, budgets and sizes. So read on to find the perfect spot for one of the most important moments in your life.

The key questions you should ask when finding the right wedding venue

Three main questions will help you find the right wedding venue, and you should ask these immediately before you fall in love with a space to save possible disappointment:

• What dates is the venue available?
• Are multiple weddings booked on the day that you want? (If yes, how many?)
• Are there different prices based on the day and time of the wedding?

So, what are Melbourne’s 10 best wedding venues?

In no particular order, we’ve detailed Melbourne’s ten best wedding venues to help you find the perfect spot for your special day. Think about the must-haves for your location, and see how they match up with these stunning spaces.

Fargo and Co is a revitalised 1907 heritage bank located in Richmond which is a popular after-work drinks spot. It also happens to host a range of function options perfect for a wedding! This sleek art deco-style bar comes complete with a rooftop terrace.

There are three options available depending on the size of your wedding:

• THE VAULT: Perfect for up 100 people and a cocktail style wedding. Your guests will head up the grand staircase into an exclusive space with decorative windows, fireplaces and a full team of dedicated wait staff.
• BANKER’S FOYER: Tailored for small cocktail weddings of up to 30 of your nearest and dearest. The grand foyer on the ground level will house your reserved spot, which has direct access to the main teller bar. You can also choose from the venue’s very affordable celebration packages.
• VENUE EXCLUSIVITY: For a big bash of up to 450 people, you can book the entire bank, including the outdoor terrace, vault and terrace bar.
  Known for their cocktails and cocktail-inspired food (espresso martini waffles exist here), you’ll be able to delight your guests with Patron chocolate sauce, white chocolate and meringue kisses and plenty more from the menu.

The iconic Imperial Hotel on Bourke St was established in 1863, making it the third-oldest pub in Melbourne. The inside, however, is newly refurbished, inclusive of a stunning rooftop beer garden that sits right in the heart of Melbourne CBD.

Situated right next to Parliament station, your guests will be able to head to and from your wedding with ease. The venue also offers several spaces, so you can pick the best option for your wedding size. These include:

• The Cabinet Room: With a standing capacity of 100 and a seated capacity of 60, the Cabinet Room has its own private bar and lounge area, perfect for smaller, cocktail-style weddings.
• Imperial Rooftop Bar: The Imperial Hotel’s newest event space, The Rooftop, offers a relaxed lounge seating with breathtaking views of Melbourne city. It allows for 270 guests and is available all year round.
• Level One: Impress your guests and exclusively hire the entire first floor. Perfect for up to 240 guests, you’ll enjoy picturesque views of Parliament House, a private bar and an enclosed deck area.

A fun addition to your wedding menu at The Imperial could be their build-your-own hot chocolate. Your guests can create a concoction with a base of Kahlúa, Baileys, red wine or choc-mint mezcal for something a little different.

Celebrate your big day right in the heart of Chapel Street with the Imperial South Yarra. The menu covers a range of contemporary small dishes perfect for sharing, or you can opt for classic pub meals, pizzas and burgers for something more substantial.

The Imperial offers a range of function spaces along with an experienced functions team to help you plan your big night. You can choose between the following areas of the venue for your wedding:

• The Cocktail Lounge: A relaxed space that is semi-private with an exclusive roped-off area right next to the bar. This is best for smaller weddings and can accommodate 30 people seated and 80 standing.
• Mezzanine: This stylish area offers a private bar, DJ booth, and large projector screen with a view that looks out over Chapel Street and the ground floor main bar.
• Red Room: The largest private function space on offer has an exclusive bar, stage, and comfortable seating. This will hold 60 people seated and 150 standing.

Chapel Street’s party precinct is obviously the perfect spot for the biggest party you’ll likely ever throw! The Imperial can help make it one to remember.

If you love the grunge of St Kilda, the Newmarket Hotel is the perfect spot to celebrate your nuptials. The balance of modern and retro funk of the Newmarket Hotel offers character in spades, creating a truly unique feel for your big day.

There are plenty of function spaces to suit your needs, and these include:

• The Courtyard: Perfect for smaller relaxed celebrations, you’ll be able to seat 40 and have 80 guests standing as you enjoy an outdoor feel.
• Inkerman Bar: A similar size to the courtyard, this option is best for those who want to dance the night away under the roof.
• Cellar Bar: Create a moody vibe in the underground space that offers a stage, exclusive bar, and plenty of seating in comfy booths. This area can seat 100 with 250 standing.
• Chef’s Dining Room: For something a little more sophisticated, The Chef’s Dining Room is the spot for a sit-down meal, seating 70 or having 40 standing.
• The Whole Venue: Take over the entire space and seat 300 guests for larger venues, with access to all of the spaces above (standing: 180).

Music lovers will adore celebrating in what is usually a thriving gig space called the Hummingbird, which hosts local shows every week. This hidden gem of St Kilda draws influence from the classic Aussie pub with some trendy additions to create a modern atmosphere.

Your wedding will look amazing with 180-degree views over Melbourne’s city skyline and Yarra River! River’s Edge Events offers a sophisticated and minimalistic setting with neutral tones, polished concrete floors, and industrial styled lighting; the perfect canvas to style your wedding.

The venue is suited to receptions from 50 to 180 guests if you want to include a wild dance floor space. Alternatively, you can set the room up in a more relaxed cocktail style which lifts the capacity number to 550 guests in total.

Rivers Edge has operable doors which allow for amazing customisations, meaning smaller wedding parties can enjoy an intimate ambience. However, the highlight of this space is the two stunning Juliet balconies that look out over the Yarra. Start your evening with a great view, cocktails and canapés, then move inside to get the party going. You’ll have all the help you need with the events team, who provide comprehensive event consultation before your reception and seamless execution of the evening, so you can relax and have the night of your life.

The Studley Park Boathouse backs onto the Yarra, carving out its own little rowboat oasis. Many duck families call the waterway home topping off one of the most romantic spots in Melbourne and, therefore, a great spot to celebrate your wedding!

This location balances the feel of new and old perfectly with tailored menus and three incredible spaces to customise your event:

• The Balcony: This room can accommodate up to 76 people seated or 120 people in a cocktail setting, offering views over the water.
• The Terrace: Capable of housing up to 80 people seated or 120 as a cocktail party.
• The Riverbank: The ultimate cocktail party spot, capable of hosting up to 120 people.

All of these options offer a beautiful setting in which your family and friends can dance the night away with great food and excellent service from the attentive and helpful staff. If you are looking for a fairytale wedding, Studley Park Boathouse is the perfect location.

The Duke of Wellington has a lot of function spaces on offer, so you can enjoy the perfect spot right in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. The friendly and professional crew will work closely with you to ensure your budget, theme and catering boxes are ticked, so you can relax and enjoy the party at Melbourne’s oldest licensed pub.

Choose from the following options for your reception:

• The Wine Bar: You’ll fit 64 people seated and 120 standing in this spacious and stylish private room for a cozy little shindig.
• The Dining Hall: Seat 100 guests or bump it up to 150 standing in this light-filled hall that has a great Aussie pub feel.
• Level One: Take over the whole floor for a 200 seated, 250 standing space that includes the Wine Bar, Dining Hall, The Lounge and Garden Deck.
• Rooftop: You’ll fit 200 people on the Duke’s rooftop, which offers views of the Forum, Fed Square and Flinders Street, soaking in Melbourne in all of its glory.

Your wedding menu at The Duke can include Australian and international dishes, pub classics and tasty share platters covering something for everyone. If you and your partner love a good pub, this is the spot for your biggest party yet.

For a wedding that people will be talking about for years to come, choose the beautiful setting of Albert Park Lake. The Park is a venue that offers tranquil views from an open and stylish warehouse filled with natural light from all angles.

For receptions from 50 to 500 guests, you can easily configure the space to suit your needs. The outdoor, covered balcony is perfect for cocktails and canapés before moving inside for a bespoke menu or interactive Food Station.

Everything will be perfect thanks to the skilled events team, who will ensure style and elegance at every angle. The venue houses chandeliers, a mirrored statement bar, and large arched windows. Dream weddings are held here; it’s as simple as that!

The Provincial sits in what we like to call “the fun part” of Fitzroy, and it offers an amazing rooftop that will have you partying over the bustle of Brunswick Street below. If you have ever spent time in this area, you will have likely already familiarised yourself with one of Fitzroy’s most popular spots.

The venue caters to a range of function sizes and types (including plenty of undercover options as well). You can choose from the following:

• The Salon: Up to 150 guests can enjoy this private, upstairs space full of old-world Parisian charm. Look out over Brunswick Street from this split-level space complete with a private bar, fireplaces and chandeliers.
• The Courtyard: With a maximum standing capacity of 80, you’ll be partying al fresco in this partially-covered outdoor space perfect for a relaxed cocktail vibe.
• The Chameleon Bar: A similar size to The Courtyard, The ‘Chammy’ has a warm and rustic charm with large windows that open out onto Johnston Street for vibrant views of Fitzroy.
• The Rooftop: This relaxed but exciting space can house up to 180 people who’ll be surrounded by lush greenery and chic decor. There is no better spot to enjoy the venue’s creative cocktails and signature menu.
• The Whole Venue: Take over The Provincial with up to 500 guests and enjoy all of the spaces above for the biggest party on Brunswick Street.

If you and your partner consider Melbourne’s north to be a special area (possibly due to many great nights out) The Provincial will help you cement it as part of your history.

The Smith in Prahran is known for amazing share plates and an in-depth cocktail list. Split into two sections, Mr Smith (dark and masculine) and Mrs Smith (bright and minimalist), this venue is home to Chef Michael Lambie, who offers a creative menu that will have your guests heading back for seconds.

The space is divided up into sections and capable of holding up to 200 people with canapé and set menu options along with beverage packages. Choose between the following areas:

• The Atrium: Seat 100 or have 200 standing in this light-filled Atrium Bar that brings the outside in for a stylish event.
• Mr Smith: Smaller events of up to 65 will love the intimate and suave feel of Mr Smith.
• Mr & Mrs Smith: Bump the guest list up to 135 by bringing Mr and Mrs Smith together. The partition between the two rooms is opened for much more space and the combination of both aesthetics.

No matter what feel you are after for your reception, the tailorable options at The Smith can help create something special. If you are after something unique, you’ll want to understand the possibilities available at this venue before looking anywhere else!

When wedding bells are ringing, planners in the know enlist the help of the event specialists.

Australian Venue Co. offers the best wedding reception venues, function spaces and wedding ceremony venues for separate events or all-in-one ceremony and reception venues.

If the big day for your Melbourne wedding is fast approaching, Australian Venue Co. offers a wide selection of premium venues throughout Melbourne that tick all the boxes: panoramic or waterfront views, beautiful open spaces with high ceilings, taste-tempting menus and exceptional service.