These days traditional weddings seem less popular than the more relaxed alternatives, but your wedding is not for the consideration of others. This is your day! And, your wedding should be exactly the way you picture it!
There is something magical about a traditional wedding: classy, sophisticated, and oozing a sense of old world style. The saying “They don’t make em like they used to!” has a ring of truth to it in the 21st century, everything is made for fast consumption, maybe that’s why you – like us – crave that old world beauty.

To align with your traditional theme, a venue to host your ceremony is the essential first pick. Large, arching, and lasting architectural designs that will contrast perfectly with your classic black and white colour palette (with hints of colour but nothing to out there), is what you are after. Lucky for you, Melbourne has embraced it’s 19th & 20th century architecture, the city has numerous beautiful venues which will bring your traditional wedding dream to life!

Just a quick note: Be aware that churches, mosques, or other religious buildings will often have requirements specific to that religion.

St Ignatius Catholic Church

Located a short commute from the CBD, the St Ignatius Catholic Church is about as traditional as it gets. Construction began in 1867 and was completed in 1883. The time and effort put into the huge pillars, archways, and detailed finishings really shows what people can do with time and effort. The beauty of traditional wedding venues is this metaphor! Good things require hard work, sacrifice, and time!
As you can imagine, this venue is popular so it pays to plan ahead, for more details click here.

Location: 326 Church St, Richmond VIC 3121

St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church

A historically significant Catholic Church, St Mary Star’s foundation stone was laid in 1882 and completed at the turn of the century (1900). Like St Ignatius, the build of this church took time which has resulted in a beautiful venue the likes of which modern architecture struggles to replicate. If you are looking for a more colourful venue, whilst keeping to more traditional attire, St Mary Star of the Sea is the right venue for your ceremony. It’s walls are splashed with colour and its glass windows stained with colourful Catholic imagery.
Weddings can be booked at this venue on Saturdays, and Sundays. However, the venue is also happy to negotiate weekday weddings. For more information click here.

Location: 33 Howard Street, Melbourne Victoria 3003

Antiochian Orthodox Church of St Nicholas

St Nicholas began as a parish made up of immigrants who came to Australia from the Middle East. With a rich and beautiful history and a religious house that reflects that beauty in its storied walls, large arched windows, and enormous chandeliers. Smaller than the first two options, St Nicholas creates a more intimate traditional wedding experience.
Start the planning process, click here.

Location: 176 Simpson Street, East Melbourne 3002

Montsalvat

If you are looking for a traditional wedding in a location without any specific religious affiliation, Montsalvat is a beautiful option with some incredible locations for photos! As photographers this venue is easily our pick of the list!

Montsalvat’s artist-founder, Justus Jörgensen, took his inspiration from the villages of France, but the Montsalvat he built with artist friends and families, notably the prodigiously talented Skipper family, is fashioned out of the clay and stone of this beautiful Eltham hillside, and pieced together with many remnants of Australia’s architectural heritage. Look through the larger bay window in the Upper Gallery and you might learn that it once graced the Victorian Insurance Building. Lean against the great wooden uprights in the Barn Gallery and you will be told they were once wharf timbers from Wollongong.
Start planning your beautiful traditional wedding at Montsalvat, click here.

Location: 7 Hillcrest Avenue, Eltham 3095

Victorian Marriage Registry – Old Treasury Building

What better place to tie the knot, and commit to a life together than the Victorian Marriage Registry?
Another perfect option for you, if non-religious venues are important while planning out your traditional wedding ceremony. The Old Treasury Building on Spring Street in Melbourne, built 1858-62 as a home for the Treasury Department of the Government of Victoria now serves as a beautiful location for your traditional wedding ceremony. It’s location offers some amazing city locations for photos!

Be aware this is a popular venue, book early here.

Location: 20 Spring St, Melbourne 3002

These are just five of the most beautiful traditional wedding venues, but Melbourne has so many more to offer. We plan to grow this list over time, so if you have venues that you want to see on this list, drop a comment below!