Garden Wedding Venues for Hire in Melbourne

Your Guide to Hiring Garden Wedding Venues in Melbourne

Who wouldn’t want to marry in one of the beautiful gardens of Melbourne? Australia is known for its natural wonders (sometimes called “the bush”) and wide open spaces. Seems like the best place to have your wedding, right?

Now you know weddings in Australia are a bit on the expensive side, we have some other things you should look out for before picking the perfect garden for your wedding in Melbourne:

• Catering. With a garden wedding, a big concern is food getting spoiled by the sun or warmth or unexpected rainfall ruining your big event. That’s why you might only want to consider garden wedding venues in Melbourne with in-house catering, so you don’t have to worry about anything at all. Look for venues that offer an extensive gluten-free/vegan menu (for those who need it), alcohol, halal, kosher, and more options, adjusted to your, and your guests' needs.
• Pick an affordable date. Cutting costs on the date of your wedding can have a significant impact on your total wedding costs, especially in Australia. In Australia, the cheapest months to marry are June and July. Also, consider booking a venue on a weekday (or Sunday). To avoid the coldest months of the year, you could choose to have your garden wedding in May for a lower (than usual) price and after-summer feeling.
• Have a backup plan. If you choose to celebrate during the coldest months, there’s more chance of bad weather. It doesn’t mean that you can’t organise a garden wedding during the winter months. You just need to have a backup plan for people who prefer to stay warm and unaffected by the weather. You could do this by renting heaters for outside or by looking for a venue with enough space to fit all your guests both outdoors and indoors, just in case.
• Insurances. A wedding is a huge investment, so protecting this event with insurance is a good call to enjoy a stress-free marriage. Two insurance policies can help you out: wedding liability insurance (in case your drunk uncle Jack decides to kick equipment around) and cancellation/postponement insurance.

What are the most popular locations for organising a garden wedding in Melbourne? Here are some of our favourite ones:

• Flagstaff Gardens – Multiple garden wedding venues in Melbourne are located in and around these gardens of historical significance. Close to the Central Railway Station of Melbourne, this place is easily accessible by train, tram, and bus.
• Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne – The must-see of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne are the Fountain Island and Shrine of Remembrance. Approximately one million people visit this wonderful park every year. Enough reason to check it out for yourself too!

FAQs about Garden Wedding Venues in Melbourne

How much does it cost to hire a garden wedding venue in Melbourne?

Garden wedding venues in Melbourne offer a range of pricing options:

• Minimum spend. You can get away with a free venue hire in some garden spaces if you spend a minimum of $1,750-$2,000 during a weekday between May and September (for up to 100 guests). The highest minimum spend rate is around $18,000-$20,000 on a Saturday evening (for up to 120 guests).On average, you’re looking to spend anything from $20 to $150 per person.
• Per person rate. The pricing option comes with wedding packages that include everything you need for your ceremony and reception—such as venue hire, food options and other services. If you decide to pay on a per-person basis, the caterer will charge you based on the guest count you provide. With only $50-80 per person, you can have an amazing wedding. At most, you’re looking at $125-$150 per person (with a minimum of 80 guests). (All data from Tagvenue.)

Can I have the ceremony and reception at the same garden wedding venue in Melbourne?

You can definitely have your ceremony and reception at the same venue! But there are some things you need to consider. 

• First, make sure that your garden wedding venue is licensed to serve alcohol. You might think that's obvious, but it's not always the case. 
• Second, make sure they're comfortable with doing both ceremonies and receptions at the same location. Some venues only do one or the other, and may not be able to accommodate your needs.
• Third, make sure they're okay with hosting your ceremony in the morning before noon and your reception after sunset because those are the times when most people tend to get married. Keep in mind that there are some restrictions on what you can do at a garden venue. You might not be able to have live music or fireworks, and it's probably best if you don't serve alcohol during the ceremony itself.

Are there any additional charges or is everything included in the hire fee for the garden wedding venue in Melbourne?

Some venues charge additionally for catering (food, drinks, crew), while others already include that in the fee. Other costs you may need to consider are tables, chairs, and decorations. It’s also important to check if the venue charges extra for the use of their equipment, such as generators, lights, or sound systems. If you have any other questions, please ask your personal event manager at Tagvenue so you can plan with peace of mind.