Wedding Venues in Victoria, Australia

All About Getting Married in Victoria

Don’t let the size fool you! Despite being the second-smallest mainland state in Australia, Victoria has everything larger states can offer and more! Discover diverse landscapes, countryside and scenic wineries, stunning coastal venues, urban places and lush gardens.

One in four Aussies lives in Victoria, and most of them enjoy the perks of the state capital, Melbourne. In such a vibrant setting, the wedding industry is highly competitive and ever-evolving to cater to a diverse population and changing trends.

Opportunities for a memorable wedding in Victoria are endless and include everything from cultural and traditional weddings to casual alfresco celebrations in the most stunning locations. Couples can choose between large players in the wedding industry or trust small family-owned businesses for their special day.

Around 30,000 weddings are hosted yearly in Victoria, which, according to the data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), falls somewhere in the middle of state marriage rates. Within all of these “I do”s, you can find everything from lavish celebrations to intimate elopements, cosy restaurant weddings, relaxed outdoor events and everything else. The price range is wide depending on your needs and wants. 

The costs of a wedding in Victoria primarily depend on the type and location. For example, castle-like weddings or celebrations on the refurbished historical estate are the most expensive, featuring through-the-roof prices over $25,000. On the lower end, couples who choose low-key vow exchanges pay only around $1,000 for process, paperwork, garments and light refreshments after the ceremony.

Popular Weddings Themes and Trends in Victoria

As we roll into the second half of the decade, the wedding industry in Victoria sees eco-friendly practices and biodegradable materials. Couples and wedding experts are all on board and try to lower the negative effect on the environment. Key features of this trend:

• Choosing a wedding venue with sustainable practices: solar powering, waste reduction, and rainwater harvesting. Example venue: Yarra Valley Estate
• Locally sourced food and seasonal menus with fresh ingredients to reduce transportation impact, packaging and more
• Reusable, biodegradable wedding décor
• Using recycled materials for wedding stationery, such as invitations and table numbers

Micro weddings are a growing trend in the current and upcoming wedding season, allowing guests to avoid expensive gatherings and use their money on things they appreciate. Victoria's intimate wedding venues, such as The Source, Otways in Tanybryn, come into the spotlight for this trend.

Couples are spending more and more on weddings in Victoria, and this growing trend applies to micro weddings, too. One way to reduce expenses is to cut the guest list and host a low-key, intimate wedding. 

For example, Tatra Receptions, a venue that hosts both large and micro weddings, offers a long list of cool add-ons for intimate nuptials, which can bump up the price per guest by up to $90. Think personalised cards, favours, lavish menu upgrades, wine tastings, and games, now offered by venues as an optional micro wedding enhancement. 

Muted pastels have finally retired to let bold colours, statement wedding décor, and attractive floral arrangements pop at weddings. This is why there has been a significant increase in the floral budget, thanks to demanding supply chain issues and the need for creative florists and flowers.

Popular Wedding Venues in Victoria & Average Wedding Venue Costs

Because of the eye-catching natural settings and breathtaking views in Victoria, many couples choose outdoor wedding venues for their spring wedding. If an outdoor ceremony is high on your list of priorities for your special day, farm wedding venues featuring a joyful vibe and rustic, romantic atmosphere are perfect. The Farm Yarra Valley in Warrandyte South and Cadella Park have just what you're looking for.

If you are more into city vibes, full-service venues All Smiles Melbourne Waterfront and Carlton North's San Remo Ballroom are fantastic options.

Luxury hotels are always in high demand for weddings in Victoria because of the convenience of having everything in one place. Consider Hotel Bellinzona Daylesford for everyone's sake - guests will enjoy the perks of staying on-site, while you will love elegant indoor spaces and manicured gardens.

You can’t go wrong with Victoria's wineries, especially Vines of Yarra Valley. If you want a secluded atmosphere and a historic manor house wedding, the Taradale House Estate and Marybrooke Manor guarantee exceptional settings and fantastic service.

Lastly, Great Ocean Road Resort, situated at one of Victoria's most recognisable landmarks, ensures an extraordinary experience from the drive to the wedding and overnight stay. If you are thinking about elopement or classic nuptials, Victoria has an exceptional list of modern and outdoor wedding venues for every wedding type. 

Wedding venues in Victoria, especially around Melbourne, charge more for the space and food and drinks. The differences between rural and urban locations are as high as $3,000 for the same-size weddings and similar inclusions.

Based on Bridebook data gathered from real-world Australian couples getting married in 2024, the average cost for a wedding venue in Victoria is around $13,416. The venue is the biggest chunk of the wedding expenses, and other costs include catering, photos, flowers, gowns, and more.

Average Booking Lead times for Wedding Venues in Victoria

On average, engaged couples book their wedding venue between 12 and 18 months in advance in Victoria. If you have your eyes on highly sought-after wedding venues in scenic regions during spring and summertime, you'll have to book at least two years in advance.

Some venues, especially popular wineries in Yarra Valley, keep waitlists. If someone cancels, the couple first on the list gets a sooner date. So, remain flexible about the day of the week and season, and you can score a sooner date, only a couple of months ahead.

Lead times for venues in mountainous and rural regions, such as the Grampians and High Country, are between nine and 15 months. When it comes to CBDs, Bayside, wine regions and coastal venues, lead time stretches up to 18 months or two years.

Most venues in Victoria offer a tentative hold for your day, which is a non-binding, small window, typically between 3 and 7 days, allowing you to check other venues and ask around and get your friends’ and family’s opinions before making a final decision.

Weather & Seasonality in Victoria

Victoria experiences all four seasons, with fluctuations in weekly and daily weather conditions. The peak season for weddings is spring, giving couples freedom to organise their party outdoors or indoors. This state is notoriously known for its wild weather and tendency to serve all seasons in a single day. Plus, inland and coastal weather have little in common.

Spring (September–November): Victoria's moody spring bursts with colours, making this season a superb choice for weddings; if you are planning a wedding in this unpredictable season, get weather protection or have a backup plan because a sunny morning can quickly turn into a cold afternoon with a shower; the average spring temperatures in Victoria are between 15°C (59°F) and 22°C (72°F).

Summer (December–February): Hot and dry summers are ideal for dazzling beach weddings; inland, it might get too hot for an outdoor summer party; average temperatures are between 20°C (68°F) and 28°C (82°F), but watch out for heatwaves, when temperature easily go above 35°C (95°F); venues with AC units, or coastal venues with sea breezes, such as Encore St Kilda, offer magnificent waterfront settings and comfortable temperatures.

Autumn (March–May): Victoria's autumns are warm and pleasant, offering mild conditions for weddings here, and averages between 15°C (59°F) and 25°C (77°F); as the autumn fades into winter, rainfall can spoil your plan, so seek venues with wet weather alternatives.

Winter (June–August): Don't cross out winter weddings because this cool and wet season guarantees more choices and, often, more affordable venue rental rates, discounts and a cozy ambience; Alpine regions experience snowfall, and inland, expect a touch of morning frost and chilly nights; average temperatures are between 10°C (50°F) and 15°C (59°F); plus, most indoor venues offer heating and year-round comfort for the perfect I do!

Travel & Accommodation in Victoria

Heading to Victoria for a wedding? You're in for an easy trip, whether you choose public transport, car or plane. Victoria has an excellent network of roads and is well-served by airports. Thanks to its compact size, most car drives in Victoria, for example, from Melbourne to Yarra Valley or Great Ocean Road, are short. The best part - you'll enjoy the views all the way!

On top of that, if you choose urban wedding venues such as Crown Plaza Melbourne, the public transportation system, featuring an excellent network of trams, buses and trains, guarantees easy access to and from the hotel. Non-local guests will appreciate the variety of airports, such as:

• Melbourne Airport (MEL): Tullamarine Airport: Victoria's primary international and domestic airport, 23 km from CBD Melbourne
• Avalon Airport (AVV): Mostly serving domestic air traffic and offering cheap plane tickets, situated between Melbourne and Geelong
• Essendon Fields (MEB): Regional airport close to Melbourne
• Mildura Airport (MQL): Regional airport on the northwest
• Albury Airport (ABX): Located on the border with NSW, serving regional purpose
• Portland Airport (PTJ): Regional airport on the southwest coast

Because of the developed tourism in Victoria, your guests will easily find where to stay for your wedding day. Whether they prefer international hotel chains, such as Accor (Novotel, Pullman, Sofitel, Ibis, etc.), IHG (InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, etc.), Marriott Bonvoy, Rydges Hotels and Resorts, or anything else, Victoria delivers.

Boutique hotels, countryside bed and breakfasts, camping and glamping accommodation are also available for your guests, and many double up as fun wedding venues.

Accommodation prices depend on the location. The most expensive guest room rates are in the Melbourne Metropolitan Area and tourist regions, such as Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula, but that’s not to say you can’t also find cheaper alternatives.