A gorgeous, rustic country themed wedding can create a beautiful and memorable day. You might have this theme at the top of your preference list and be in love with the idea of decorating with whimsical touches of wildflowers, burlap and lace. But if you live in the heart of Melbourne city, how do you find the ideal venue for a rustic country wedding without having to travel well into the country itself?
What are some of the signature touches of a rustic wedding theme?
- Long, shared tables with large amounts of food and a very communal atmosphere
- Cuisine with big flavours and a paddock to plate philosophy
- Boutique craft beers
- Candles and fairy lights
- Hay bales, bonfires and cosy rugs after dark
- Instead of a DJ, a quaint little trio playing bluegrass
- Linen, lace, pared back and simple decorations in natural colours and with touches of greenery
- A more casual and relaxed day, big on modest pleasures and having fun with family and friends
So if we’ve got you a bit excited now about a countryfied wedding celebration for your big day, here are a few nearby venues where you can do it.
Top Ten City Wedding Venues in Melbourne for a Rustic Country Wedding
Leonda By The Yarra
One of Melbourne’s most regarded venues, just minutes from the CBD is Leonda. Their décor is simple and elegant, with a lovely pared back base that you can use to pepper with all of your country spices. They have stunning dark wooden floors and floor to ceiling glass windows letting in all of the natural light, and you can take photos by the vintage wooden pier. The showcase view is over the ancient Yarra River, making you and your guests feel just like you are in the heart of the country.
Ascot House Receptions
This quiet Victorian mansion is set on two acres of verdant green gardens overlooked by huge bowing gum trees. Photos down the front stairs or through the grounds give you a feeling of being a rich cattle station owner from yesteryear. The property boasts ornate open fireplaces, wooden floors, candelabras on the tables, sweeping verandas and an overwhelmingly homely embrace, all a convenient distance from the airport and the CBD.
Nathania Springs Receptions
A tiny bit further out is Nathania Springs, a purpose-built wedding reception venue designed to look like a sprawling country homestead. Their three acres of rich green gardens is abutted by native Australian bushland, which makes for a distinctly contrasting style to your photos. You can choose from a number of ceremony and reception spaces, including a rustic wooden gazebo, outdoor deck or quaint little chapel. Here they have made weddings an artform, and you know with their expertise that you are going to get a high-quality day.
Montsalvat
Montsalvat in Eltham is an extremely rare treasure of a setting for your wedding day. It used to be an artist’s colony and was built to resemble a provincial French village from hundreds of years ago. There are expansive gardens and unique photo opportunities aplenty, but the star of this place is the look of the buildings, both indoors and out. With mudbrick cottages, stone and wood stables, polished slate floors, recovered refectory tables, open fireplaces and more, this place gives you vintage, French and rustic all at the same time.
Inglewood Estate
Just a hop, skip and jump from Melbourne CBD (about 40 minutes drive) is the secluded valley of Kangaroo Ground and the beautiful old Inglewood Estate. Overlooking rolling hills and vineyards, you can get married in their hand-built stone chapel, and have your reception in their refurbished former barn. Decorate your dining room with fresh flowers, hessian and lace, wrought-iron candelabras and tiny historic touches everywhere. You can choose from a sit-down or cocktail reception, or go all out country and have a sumptuous buffet and shared tables. You simply won’t believe how accessible this place is from the city.
Farm Vigano
For a truly cultural farming feeling, you must check out this reception venue. It boasts renowned rustic Italian cuisine, served in hearty shared portions at long family tables, accompanied by premium local wines. Their Tuscan-country style terrace is the perfect spot for photos or sipping champagne. For romance and elegance, but in a very countryside setting, arrange an inspection at Farm Vigano today.
Roombas @ Mt Aitken
Located just 35 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD in Gisborne, Victoria, Rombas @ Mt Aitken is one of the most sought after rustic venues in the state. With a spectacular location in the Macedon Ranges, this venue exudes rustic charm and historic character is ever room and corner of the property. Rombas @ Mt Aitken offers couples the entire wedding experience, including three ceremony locations, a number of photography opportunities, the ability to host 60 to 130 guests for a seated reception, and accommodate on-site accommodating up to 8 lucky guests the night of the wedding. For those planning a rustic wedding, Roombas @ Mt Aiken is certainly one to put on your list.
Goona Warra Vineyard
Still in Melbourne’s west is a vineyard and grand old stone property that was built for rustic romance. In any season, the vines offer a stunning display of nature’s colours and will give you some unforgettable photos of your big day. Their food menus can be tailored to suit your perfect country-style feast, and are complemented by the venue’s own wines. Their talented wedding staff will help you craft the ideal day, and are sure to think of everything that you may have forgotten.
Eynesbury Golf Club
In Melbourne’s newer western suburbs sits this homestead and golf course that will simply blow your mind. Once you see it, you won’t believe you’ve never heard of it before. Their towering gums form what they call ‘Nature’s chapel’, under which you can exchange your vows with your sweetheart. A wooden deck looks out over the ornamental lake. The 1870s style bluestone homestead is steeped in history and waiting for you to make some history of your own.
Bundoora Park Farm
From one farm to another, this one in the middle of the Northern suburbs, we come to Bundoora Park Farm. You can say your vows in their heritage chapel and hold your reception in the original timber barn. Every event here also has full use of the property, including walking through their Heritage Village, feeding and cuddling farm animals, or petting kangaroos. Your photo album from here will be one of a kind! The venue is self-catering and self-decorated, so you will need to bring in external professionals, but this is a wonderfully flexible way to get the rustic country wedding of your dreams.
If you are on the hunt for a rustic location to host your wedding, we recommend putting these 10 venues at the top of your list.
