There’s a certain kind of magic in doing things your way. No pressure—just presence. And for modern lovers who value soul over spectacle and intimacy over itinerary, getting married at the Victorian Marriage Registry is a seriously underrated slice of joy.
This blog is your deep-dive into everything registry weddings and small elopements in Melbourne—from what it looks like, to how easy it is, what it costs (hint: your bank account will smile), and the glorious little extras you can sprinkle in to turn it from “just paperwork” into “best. day. ever.”
1. Why the Registry Ceremony Is Pure Magic—and Easy on the Heart (& Wallet)
If you’re dreaming of something simple, soulful, and super Melbourne—meet the Victorian Marriage Registry. Housed in the Old Treasury Building in the CBD, it’s Victoria’s largest ceremonial provider and built for love stories that don’t need hoopla, just truth.
Are you…..
- Craving a no-drama day that still feels rich with meaning
- Watching your budget but still wanting a storybook chapter
- Thinking of a big celebration later on
…a registry wedding might just be your dream dressed in city chic.
The Victorian Marriage Registry sits in the beautiful Old Treasury Building right in the heart of Melbourne. Think high ceilings, sandstone elegance, heritage vibes with none of the wedding industrial complex.
Planning to elope at the registry? As someone who’s captured many of these tender moments, here are my top 5 tips:
- Think micro‑wedding style: Only want the two of you Perfect. Want 35 exuberant humans? Still perfect.
- Bring personality: Feels stuff, micro‑stories, inside jokes—scroll through your feels, and we’ll capture the truth.
- Choose timing: Weekdays are usually quieter—Tuesdays only during peak period though, so plan ahead. Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria
- Book nearby beauty: Hotels like The Windsor, QT, Sofitel are all within a heartbeat of the registry—great for prep‑photos or crash‑and‑snuggle later.
- Grab a cocktail after: There are mood-rich lounges just steps away for that celebratory clink—and a chance to sink into the moment together.
Why couples love Victorian Marriage Registry
- You only need 2 witnesses (which can be besties, your sister, or even strangers—yep, some photographers will volunteer!)
- It’s affordable (like, really): fees range from a few hundred depending on date/time.
- You can book it all online via the BDM site.
- The paperwork is sorted by the professionals.
- There’s a sweet, timeless sense of intimacy.
The Power of Simplicity: Low Cost, High Feels
Let’s face it—weddings can get costly very quickly! Between catering, florals, seating charts, and fifteen versions of Aunt Margaret’s dietary restrictions, traditional weddings can creep into five figures fast.
Registry elopements strip away the noise and bring you back to what matters: the two of you, making a promise.
Costs to consider:
- Ceremony: from ~$400–$600
- Legal certificate (ordered post-wedding): ~$60
- Optional photography (hello, it’s me!) start from $1180
- Transport, drinks and dinner after
- Maybe an outfit that makes you feel bloody fantastic
Total? Often between $5000- $10,000 . Yes, even with cocktails.
Marry Now, Party Later
This is the game-changer mindset. You don’t have to choose between a big wedding and an elopement. You can absolutely elope now—have your moment, lock in the love—and throw a party later.
Want to host a backyard BBQ bash in six months? Or a black-tie dinner next year? You get both.
Registry elopements let you:
- Ease the pressure
- Separate the emotion from the production
- Budget with intention
- Create space for your energy, your way
You’re married. The rest? Optional extras.
Turning a Small Elopement into a Big Memory
Okay, let’s romanticise the registry a little, shall we? Just because you’re keeping it low-key doesn’t mean it has to be low-impact.
Here’s how to turn this sweet city elopement into a memory-rich love story:
1. Choose the right photographer
Not just someone to take photos—but someone who’ll document the way it felt. Someone who’ll fix your hair, pass you a tissue, and capture your grandma wiping a tear on the tram platform.
2. Plan your outfits with flair
You don’t need a ballgown (unless you want one!). But wear something that makes you feel like the star of your own indie rom-com. Colour, textures, tailoring—it all sings in the city streets.
3. Curate a post-wedding stroll
Your elopement doesn’t end at “I do.” Plan a walk to your favourite bar, stop by that vintage photo booth, grab a cocktail, and dance barefoot in a hidden laneway. I’ll be there for it all. Some of my favourite moments with city elopements is taking an hour to go for a walk and see what happens.
4. Add small rituals
Write each other letters to read after. Bring a bouquet from your garden. Wear a pin from your grandma. Light a candle at a nearby church. Do it your way.
4. Where to Crash, Sip & Celebrate Near Your Elopement
You’ve promised forever. Now, let’s find the perfect cocktail twist on the after‑ceremony.
- Adina Hotel Melbourne on Flinders — elegant lofts, soaring windows, cocktails on a trolley, and a stroll away from Hosier Lane magic. Great for just‑married cuddles before heading out again.
. Windsor hotel – A stones throw from the treasury gardens with old world charm!
Where to Take Photos After Your Registry Ceremony
This city? She’s a dream.
Here are my fave spots for post-ceremony photo magic:
1. The Flinders Street Photo Booth
- Black & white strips, coin-operated, pure nostalgia
- Right outside Flinders Station
- Three minutes, lifetime memories
2. Hosier Lane
- Iconic Melbourne laneway filled with ever-changing street art
- Vibrant, cinematic, and a little rebellious
3. Royal Botanic Gardens
- Lush, calm, timeless
- Gorgeous backdrops and quiet moments
5. Degraves Street & Centre Place
- Cozy cafes, Euro vibes, cobblestone texture
- Let’s grab a coffee and sneak kisses between tables
6. State Library of Victoria
- Grand, literary, quiet power
- Perfect for couples who love history, story, and a bit of drama
- Top tip we sort of have to sneak in here (shhhh) I hide my camera, you do have to pay and entry fee, take a few snaps and scarper what’s more thrilling!
7. NGV Gallery Red room
. Gorgeous red room surrounded by old works of art.
8. Parliament Steps
Old world charm beautiful mosaic tiles, high towering pillars!
I also would love to know where you love, is there somewhere you both love to go lets go there!
I also know tonnes of other secret spots that can make this extra special!
Where to Celebrate with a Cocktail (or Two)
Victorian Marriage Registry weddings end fast. But the celebrating? That’s where we stretch time.
Some of my fave spots for a just-married clink:
- Peligrinis
. My favourite little Italian joint in the city, they are fine with having photos taken in there.
1. Miss Gunn’s
- Hidden under Flinders Station
- Dark, moody, perfect for lovers
2. MoVida Next Door (do need photo permission)
- Tapas, Spanish wine, laneway chic
- Great for groups or a duo
3. Eau De Vie
- Speakeasy vibes
- Whisky and velvet booths
4. Siglo Bar (great for you to go but they don’t allow professional photography unless prior booking)
- Rooftop bar above the Melbourne Supper Club
- Cigars optional, city views essential
5. The Everleigh
- Classic cocktails in Fitzroy
- Dress up, feel like old-Hollywood royalty
6. Heartbreaker
- Neon, jukebox, and the kind of cocktails that hit just right
- Fun for letting loose after something so tender
WINE BARS
- Kirks wine bar – One of my favs got classic Parisian vibes
Ice CREAM
- Gelateria Primavera
. A stone throw from the registry office
2. Pidapepo
So delicios this is my fav! It’s on degrades st
Making It Yours: Victorian Marriage Registry Elopement Tips
Pick a weekday – Less busy, more romantic.
Book in advance – Spots fill fast, especially Fridays.
Tell your people – Or don’t. You get to choose how public it is.
Bring your story – Tattoos, heirlooms, songs on your phone—whatever matters.
Treat yourself – Book a hotel for the night. Wear the shoes. Eat the cake.
Real Talk: What My Couples Say About Eloping in the City
“We thought it would be quick and done—but it was actually one of the most intimate, emotional experiences of our lives. The registry felt sacred. And then walking through the streets just us, holding hands, laughing… it was perfect.”
“Jenny, you captured not just the images but the feeling. Our hearts were racing. Our cheeks hurt from smiling. You helped us slow down and made even the trams feel romantic.”
“Our plan was to marry quietly and throw a party later. But honestly, that quiet morning with just us… I’ll treasure it forever.”
From Me to You
If you’re thinking about eloping at the registry—or just want to get married your way—I’m here for it. 100%. I’ll be there with my camera, my calm, and probably a snack in my bag just in case.Let’s make this love story one to remember.
Imagine this:
You stand hand‑in‑hand in the Old Treasury. It’s quiet, except for the hum of your heart and the soft “I do” echoing in gold-trimmed walls. Ten minutes later, you’re flicking a coin into that 1960s photo booth, laughing. And as dusk drapes its glow over Hosier Lane, you steal a kiss in our graffiti-walled cathedral of colour.
Then, you find yourself beneath brass-and-brick at Miss Gunn’s, sipping something fierce, something smooth. Later, you wander into an art deco hotel, floorboards glowing with footfall, dreaming out loud what “together” will look like tomorrow.
That—right there—is your visual love letter. Raw. Unstaged. You.
Recommended vendors to add to your Victorian Marriage Registry from video to flowers.
Local florists:
Pemberly of Malmsbury – Not in the city but she delivers she’s the best in the biz in my opionion!
Pollon flowers on Flinders lane they are stunning!!
Hair and make up
– Distinctive dame her studio is on collins st so very easy to get to.
If you want someone to come to you I also Jolie artistry, Makeup by aylce or shrinking violet
Content creators
Video
– 2 way media
Custom wedding gowns
– Jennifer Bowden, diva, Georgia young couture
More casual off the rack Aje, Scanlan and Theodore, Bec and bridge, Rachel Gilbert,
Suits
YSG, MJ Bale, Politik, Suitably
P.S. Want a downloadable guide for planning your Victorian Marriage Registry Elopement?
Free Download: Victorian Marriage Regisrtry Elopement Guide + Checklist
✨ Planning a soulful, stress-free registry wedding in Melbourne? This is for you. ✨
This free guide gives you everything you need to plan the most effortless, heartfelt, joy-filled city elopement—complete with my personal tips, location recs, and a photo-ready checklist.
What’s inside:
✅ Step-by-step planning guide
✅ Real cost breakdowns
✅ Romantic photo spots across Melbourne
✅ Post-wedding celebration ideas
✅ Printable checklist to keep you organised & grounded
Whether you’re getting legally hitched at the Victorian Marriage Registry or planning an intimate city stroll with vows and cocktails, this guide will help you make it personal, meaningful, and ridiculously gorgeous.
Perfect for:
- Couples wanting a low-fuss, high-feels ceremony
- Lovers planning to party later
- Time-poor but heart-rich romantics
- Anyone who believes in beauty, not big budgets
Grab your free Melbourne City Elopement Guide + Checklist now
Let’s turn “just paperwork” into the love story you’ll never forget.
Want to chat about your elopement plans? I’d love to hear your story.
Love,
Jenny x
About the Author
Jennifer MacDonald at Liminal Wonderland loves anything sci-fi and re runs of Gilmore girls. Loves baking and Champagne. Jennifer spends her free time hanging out with her husband and toddler that keeps her active. Jennifer is a wedding photographer based in Melbourne and Scotland. She specialises in capturing artistic portraits paired with unique storytelling.
Check out a few more posts to help or send an enquiry https://liminalwonderland.com/contact
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