Melbourne. My hometown and the backdrop for weddings of all shapes and sizes. It’s a city of culture, open spaces, gorgeous regional locations and edgy urban buildings. What’s not to love. Given Melbourne streams through my wedding planning veins, I of course LOVE Melbourne weddings. When you get married in Melbourne (and why wouldn’t you??), here’s a few things to keep in mind.
The weather
Yep. The weather is super unpredictable in Melbourne. It can be pouring with rain in the morning and absolutely stunning by the middle of the afternoon.
So what does that mean when you’re planning a wedding in Melbourne? Make sure you have a back up plan if you are hosting any of your wedding celebrations or photos outdoors. Having a Plan B absolutely takes the stress out of Melbourne wedding planning.
Delicious nosh
We live in a city of sensational food options. We have Michelin star restaurants, lip smacking food trucks and everything in between. The cuisine options are absolutely endless. So no matter your taste, you’ll find something that’s super delicious that your guests will rave about.
Regions for miles
Want to get married in the Melbourne CBD? No problemo. Got your heart set on a winery wedding. We’ve got options for that too. Dreaming of seaside nuptials.
Head to the city fringe or down to the Mornington or Bellarine Peninsulas. There’s the perfect vibe somewhere in this great city for every couple.
Insta worthy Melbourne Wedding vendors
What on earth did we go before Instagram! Look no further than Insta to source epic wedding creatives who will create your dream wedding day.
Popular hashtags like #melbourneweddings #morningtonpeninsulaweddings and #yarravallyweddings will connect you with super talented individuals and companies ready to make your wedding day rock.
If you are looking to support local small businesses in your area when planning your wedding, simply use the location feature on Instagram. You’ll uncover local florists, photographers, restaurants, caterers, beauty and grooming artists and more.
The great news about sourcing local wedding vendors is that you can often cut down markedly on additional travel fees. Some wedding vendors charge these fees when they need to travel a long way to get to you.
The other benefit is that when you source locally, the carbon footprint of your wedding is much smaller. And the planet will thank you for that!
Permits please
If you are planning a wedding in one of Melbourne’s many parks or seaside locations, you might just need a permit. There is no hard and fast rule on this front. Some beaches require a permit, other don’t. Some parks require a permit and others don’t.
So make sure you check before you book any outdoor location for your wedding ceremony or reception in Melbourne.
Happenings around town
I don’t mean to boast but there are loads and loads of festivals and events hosted in Melbourne year round. And this can impact venue availability, guest availability, hotel availability and more.
Some of the major events to avoid when planning a wedding in the Melbourne CBD include Moomba (March), White Night, Melbourne Cup (November), Australian Open (January), Grand Prix (March), Melbourne Fashion Week, Australia Day celebrations (January), Comedy Festival and the AFL Grand Final (October).
When you have decided on a couple of potential wedding dates, check out sites such as What’s on in Melbourne, to make sure your nuptials don’t clash with events you or your guests might want to attend. Or on weekends when it may be hard for out of town guests to source flights and accommodation.
Public transport trekking
Melbourne has an awesome public transport network. Trains, trams and buses are the perfect way for your wedding guests to get to your wedding celebration. Public transport, or PT as we Melburnians like to call it, means your guests can party like it’s 1999.
Many Melbourne wedding venues are located right near PT. If the venue you have your heart set on isn’t located near trains, trams or buses, speak with the venue and ask them about how easy it is to find a taxi or ride share service in their area.
Believe me, you want your guests to get home safe and sound after your wedding. Being stuck at a venue when bed is calling, can create a sour note for any guest’s evening.
Marrying outside of the Melbourne CBD and surrounds? You might want to consider hiring a charter coach or bus for your guests to get to your wedding venue.
Group transport is a great way to build the vibe for your guests. Sure the trip home is usually rowdy but that won’t be your problem!
Melbourne weddings rock
Honestly, whatever vibe you’re seeking for your wedding day, Melbourne will offer you the perfect backdrop. Yes I am biased.
Seriously. When it comes to planning a wedding, Melbourne is your oyster (OK I may have borrowed from another popular saying there – but you know what I mean!)
Need a hand planning your wedding in Melbourne. Get in touch. Hey Lovers offers a range of services from easy to follow wedding planning printables through to full wedding planning and on the day wedding coordination services.