Sensational Yarra Valley Wedding Venues

The Yarra Valley is my absolute favourite place in the world to photograph weddings. The scenery, the seasons, the unique local beer & wine and the bonus that it’s all in my backyard. Most of the venues are just 15 minutes from home for me.

But the number 1 thing that makes The Yarra Valley such a desirable destination for weddings is all of the fantastic Yarra Valley venues that are located here. The Yarra Valley is made up of 3 ‘main’ highways. Maroondah, Melba & Warburton. Maroondah Highway is the main one that everyone knows, which runs between Lilydale and Healesville, this highway boasts many of your big name, well known commercial wineries, plus stunning venues like The Riverstone Estate, Coombe & Stones of The Yarra Valley. The Melba Highway connects Yarra Glen to Yea, and here you have beautiful rolling hills, valleys and amazing venues like Zonzo, Yering Station & Immerse.

Perhaps the ‘lesser-known’ highway of the 3, and very often overlooked as far as Yarra Valley wedding destinations go, is The Warburton Highway. You’ll find many of your smaller, family-owned wineries on The Warburton Highway; where you’re more like one of their family members, not just another customer. My favourite wedding venues on The Warburton Highway include Killara Estate, Paynes Rise, Seville Estate & Projekt 3488.

Here is what I consider to be some of the best wedding venues, that the Yarra Valley has to offer.

(in Alphabetical order)

ACACIA RIDGE

One of the most common questions I’m asked from couples when they’re still on the hunt for a wedding venue is; ‘Where is a wedding venue in The Yarra Valley that has a marquee?’. Your answer is right here! At Acacia Ridge.

Situated just on the outskirts of Yarra Glen, like many Yarra Valley wedding venues; Acacia Ridge boasts premium views with relaxed rustic vibes.

The marquee allows for sit down or cocktail receptions and you have the huge added bonus of being able to choose your own caterer at this venue. Meaning the sky is the limit, as far as choice goes.

With acres of Vines, rustic sheds and the most epic permanent marquee, you’re absolutely spoiled for choice for photo and ceremony options here.

And on a warm summers day, they have mist spraying, all throughout and around the marquee. So refreshing. So good.

You just can’t beat, partying & relaxing the night away, at your Yarra Valley wedding reception, under a marquee.

Acacia Ridge is fast becoming known as one of the Yarra Valley’s most popular wedding venues in 2021, and for good reason.

COOMBE YARRA VALLEY

Once the home of the famous Australian opera singer, Dame Nellie Melba, this is a property rich with history & culture.

There are 7 acres of fabulous gardens to use, with multiple options for your wedding ceremony location.

The Italian garden.

The oak tree believed to be at least 180 years old,

The ‘tennis’ lawn.

These gardens are stunning, like absolutely stunning. You can only get into them for two reasons. One, you pay for a guided garden tour. Or two, you’re having your wedding there. So that makes them pretty special and unique.

Set around a hundred-year-old homestead, you’ve got access to the rooftop—the perfect place for a few cheeky sunset portraits.

The row of elm trees, adjacent to the central car park is impressive too.

The inside dining area of Coombe Yarra Valley is classy and sophisticated, drenched with so much natural light; making wedding receptions during daylight savings there, an absolute dream to photograph inside.

And a fantastic courtyard at the main entrance, perfect for your pre-dinner canapés.

Coombe. Classy. Captivating. Culture.

IMMERSE

Immerse has got two pretty big selling points, for couples looking for a Yarra Valley wedding venue. It’s got accommodation on site. Twenty rooms for both of you to get ready at the morning of your wedding, and quickly walk back to, after letting loose on the dance floor all night. Perfect.

It’s also got a large chapel on site. Perfect if you’re traditional or looking to incorporate a religious element to your day. Or, you just want a great wet weather option, if getting married out amongst the vines, doesn’t go to plan.

The grounds are enormous, allowing you heaps of different photo locations. And if you’re keen on having a first look, there’s also plenty of room to be well away from the prying eyes of all your guests who are staying on-site or arriving early.

A quick 2 minute up the hill to the back of the property gives you 360 views and killer sunsets.

And lots of room, both indoor and outdoor, for your wedding reception in any season.

KILLARA ESTATE WINERY

I’m going to be a little (a lot) biased towards Killara Estate because our wedding was held there in 2014. I was photographing weddings back then, but I had been to nowhere near as many different weddings and venues, as I have now. After being to hundreds of other wedding venues since my day, if I had the choice again, I would still choose Killara Estate for my wedding.

In what can be an extremely high-turnover job role at many other venues, Killara Estate still has the same wedding coordinators on site now, as it did then. Kevin & Lou are an absolute dream to work with, both as a wedding vendor or as a couple planning your wedding day. Friendly, flexible, and they know their shit when it comes to weddings. Nothing is too complicated for them, and we had some pretty outlandish requests for our wedding, haha.

Killara boasts some of the best views in The Yarra Valley, especially as far as Warburton Highway wedding venues in the upper Yarra Valley go. You have the option of two different decking areas for your ceremony, or the wet weather option undercover in their barrel room is just as good.

There are acres upon acres of the fantastic landscape for photo opportunities—rolling hills, bushland, dams, beautiful romantic long grass areas and of course, vineyards.

Killara’s food and wine are bloody amazing, and there’s plenty of different menu options, which you can customise depending on your taste and budget.

Inside you can seat over 100 guests, plus have plenty of space for a rocking dance floor.

Killara will only ever have one wedding per weekend too, meaning maximum attention & customer service for you, especially that week. At Killara, you’re family from the moment you walk in, not just another couple with a credit card in their wedding factory wheel. I cannot recommend this venue enough, for anyone planning a Yarra Valley wedding.

PAYNES RISE

Like many of the Warburton Highway wineries, venues like Paynes Rise can easily be overlooked when couples are searching for a Yarra Valley wedding venue. It is such a perfect place for a summer wedding.

The property is scattered with historic buildings, built-in 1867, and still standing strong.

You’ve got a choice of multiple different Yarra Valley caterers to use, who will come and site and cook for you. So you’re not stuck down to just one cuisine type.

Ceremonies under a giant tree, overlooking the upper Yarra valley provide the perfect shade from the summer heat.

If you’re lucky with the weather, you can have your entire wedding reception outside under the stars. Who doesn’t love an outdoor dance floor on a hot summer night!?

PROJEKT 3488

Located in beautiful Warburton, Projekt 3488 has to be the most unique, eclectic and surprising wedding venue in all of The Yarra Valley. Just get a look at this place!!

Rooftop ceremonies, super beautiful gardens.

The reception room is truly something else. All of the hardwood tables lift up after dinner service to make way for an epic dance floor later in the evening.

And you’ve got the added bonus that the incredible Redwood forest is only minutes drive from the venue for portraits!

And the beautiful Yarra River. Yep, the river is crystal clear and clean in Warburton. I’ll often take my family swimming there in summer! Wouldn’t be doing that in Southbank, haha.

All four seasons, this is one very special place!

THE RIVERSTONE ESTATE

The best sunsets in The Yarra Valley are right here. Logistically, many of the Yarra Valleys wedding venues are quite literally, in valleys. Who would have thought? Not Riverstone, it’s perched high up on a hill with incredible 360-degree views everywhere you look. And when that sun hits the horizon, you’re right there with it.

The venue is made of beautiful bluestone brick and features a deck that wraps around for all your guests to soak up and enjoy the views—the absolute perfect place for a summer wedding. But the cosy inside also makes it ideal for weddings during the colder months, while still being able to enjoy the views.

The outlook for your ceremony is next level amazing.

You got the option of having a cocktail style wedding for over 150 guests, where everyone gets to mingle all night with everyone. Or a more formal sit down style, with seating for up to 70 guests.

When the weather is right, the band or DJ’s are set up outside on the deck—allowing you to party out under the stars.

The grounds are enormous with so many different options for your couple photos. The Yarra River weaves through the bottom of the property, where you can be taken down in their custom buggy, which gives you an excellent opportunity to have a quick breather as a couple and snag some rad photos too.

Those Riverstone sunsets though.

SEVILLE ESTATE

Another ‘hidden gem’ of a wedding venue on The Warburton Highway, Yarra Valley. Firstly, there’s amazing accommodation on site. Views & pool included.

Upper Yarra Valley views for days, for your wedding ceremony.

Unique modern grounds and buildings for your celebration & couple portraits.

A sweet little flat lawn area amongst the bush with a shipping container to serve your pre-reception drinks and canapes out of. So good.

Amazing food & wine.

Those upper Yarra Valley sunsets, so damn good.

STONES OF THE YARRA VALLEY

One of, if not the, most popular and well-known wedding venue in The Yarra Valley. For an excellent reason. Just have a look at this place. Jaw-droppingly beautiful.

VINES OF THE YARRA VALLEY

A beautiful venue location in Coldstream, only minutes from Lilydale is Vines of the Yarra Valley.

You’re nestled high up on a hill, giving you amazing views of The Yarra Valley and Ranges for your ceremony.

A super rad part about Vines, is that the ladies can get ready right on site at the venue. With killer views and no stress about travel, it’s an awesome way to start the day.

You’re spoiled for choice with amazing photo locations for your portraits.

And the reception room can easily fit weddings with larger guest numbers.

YERING STATION

Beautiful modern and architecturally designed buildings, coupled with a classically restored historic barn, makes Yering station an excellent option, giving you the greatest of both new and old.

There’s plenty of ceremony options on-site at Yering Station, both indoor and outside.

The grounds provide an excellent opportunity for awesome photos, especially the avenue of elms. Quintessentially Yarra Valley.

Their elegant food menu showcasing the best of the Yarra Valley’s produce is mouth-wateringly tasty.

And those Yarra Valley views for days.

ZONZO

There’s a reason why Zonzo is one of the most popular wedding venues in The Yarra Valley. It’s that perfect mix of modern, tinged with a bit of rustic.

You’ve got three unique ceremony locations to choose from, meaning no matter the weather or style you want, you’re covered.

The barn, rustic and filled with wine barrels. And a giant moose head.

The Capella. A chapel, perfect if you’re a little more traditional. Or just love the idea of big, beautiful light-filled area suitable for any season. It is air-conditioned in summer, heated in winter. Ripper.

The lawn. Or if you want to be outside and soak up the absolute best of the views Zonzo has on offer, and you want to be as close as possible to where the food and drinks are happening, post-ceremony. The lawn is where it’s where you want to be.

Zonzo is hands down the best authentic Italian food on offer in the Yarra Valley. Their standard wedding menu involves three epic courses of Italian. None of your guests will be stopping by the Lilydale Maccas drive-thru on the way home from your Zonzo wedding, trust me on that one.

Lubra Bend, a quick 60-second car ride from the main restaurant area at Zonzo is the perfect location for first look portraits, away from all the early arriving guests.

It’s got a pretty killer field for sunset photos too. Where it’s bloody lovely to sneak out of your reception for 10 minutes and have a little breather away from everyone, as a just married couple, don’t forget to invite your photographer along as the professional third wheel too.