Melbourne Weddings By Season
Melbourne Weddings By Season: What To Expect & How To Plan
If you’ve found yourself here, chances are you’re looking into Melbourne weddings, which means first and foremost congratulations!
Planning your Melbourne wedding is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with the seasons in this beautiful city. And trust me, the seasons matter when considering a variety of factors like your wedding aesthetic, your travel expenses, and even your dream venue’s availability.
So, what are the best seasons to get married in Melbourne and how should you plan accordingly? That’s what I’m going to help you find out!
Melbourne is a beautiful coastal city famous for its sightseeing, food, bars, nightlife, and culture — so it’s no wonder you’re considering saying your “I do’s” here!
As a wedding photographer, I adore the different landmarks around the city and the variety of locations that allow for stunning backdrops day or night! There’s so much to love about Melbourne, and you can really enjoy a wedding here regardless of the season thanks to the mild weather Australia is famous for.
In saying that, Melbourne has been described as having “fickle weather”, albeit not extreme. Many visitors have noted that Melbourne is capable of having four seasons in a single day!
When planning your Melbourne wedding, you’ll want to plan accordingly, and you’ll certainly want to consider the season.
The season you wed in Melbourne is important for a few reasons. The time of year you plan to tie the knot can impact the cost and availability of your venue, as I touched on above. It can also determine stuff like travel expenses and hotel availability for out-of-town guests (the last thing you want is Aunt Kath hassling you because she can’t find anywhere to stay…), and even the overall tone and mood of your wedding photos — if you’re not a fan of cold weather, we don’t want to snap you shivering and uncomfortable in a Melbourne winter wedding shoot!
It’s important to have a good understanding of what you want when it comes to your dream wedding when planning to get married in Melbourne. Having a vision will help you determine which season would be best for you and your partner.
Consider factors like:
Your wedding aesthetic
Your wedding day timeline
The seasonal flowers that are in bloom
The seasonal foods that may or may not be available during certain times of the year
Whether or not you want an indoor or outdoor wedding
The types of activities you’re planning with your partner or guests
The venue you hope to book
And the style of wedding photography you want when all is said and done
You should also consider how long you and your guests will be visiting Melbourne. If you plan on making your big day a big weekend, you should also consider the available activities or events going on around the city during each season.
Melbourne Weddings In Springtime
Spring in Melbourne is lovely, so it’s no wonder this time of year is one of the most popular times to get married in Melbourne. Spring runs from September through November, and couples can enjoy mild temperatures ranging from 9.6 to 19.6°C (49.3 to 67.3°F).
This is the perfect weather for indoor or outdoor weddings, though be prepared to plan your wedding in advance during Spring. Venues are often booked out for several months to a year, so you’ll want to make sure you consider this before deciding if Spring is right for you to wed.
Because spring is such a popular time for couples to say their “I do’s”, it’s also a more expensive time for travelling and hotel stays. Your budget should also be kept in mind if you’re considering a spring wedding in Melbourne.
With all that noted, I can’t stress enough how beautiful your spring wedding photos will be! The sky is generally clear and golden-hour sunsets are phenomenal this time of year, especially over the water.
Melbourne Weddings In Summertime
When it comes to the best month to get married in Melbourne, experts suggest marking your calendar for December through February. While Spring may be the most popular month, summer takes the cake as the most desirable.
Summer weather in Melbourne is warm but rarely too hot, with temperatures falling between 14 to 25.3°C (57.2 to 77.5°F). This makes for excellent day tours and sightseeing for guests! I’d highly recommend taking a romantic and breathtaking hot air balloon ride over the city, visiting the Melbourne Skydeck, or even taking a wander through the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. All of these activities make for some gorgeous Melbourne wedding photography opportunities, as does a simple stroll past Parliament House and the Hotel Windsor — historic buildings that make stunning backdrops
And like spring, your summer wedding photos will be jaw-dropping! Clear skies and breathtaking sunsets or sunrises offer the perfect romantic backdrop for lucky couples in love.
Autumn Wedding In Melbourne
Though not one of the most popular months to get married in Melbourne, I suggest considering an autumn wedding, especially if you’re struggling to nail down your dream venue in spring or summer, or if you’re looking to save a bit on travel and hotel costs for out-of-town guests.
Autumn is not only a beautiful season in Melbourne, but its temperatures are still relatively mild. The months of March through May host temperatures that range from between 10.9 to 20.3°C (51.6 to 68.5°F).
In terms of wedding photos, autumn weather can make for some absolutely beautiful shots. Foggy mornings give way to crisp, clear afternoons, the leaves are golden and gorgeous, and the magic hour just before sunset offers particularly incredible lighting at this time of year.
Are You Considering A Winter Wedding In Melbourne?
Winter months in Melbourne range from June through August, with temperatures falling between 6.5 to 14.2°C (43.7 to 57.6°F). So, while chilly, winter is not typically too cold for weddings to be enjoyed, even if they are held outdoors for part of the ceremony.
Nights may be a bit frosty, but days are generally clear, and skies are sunny, and some lovely seasonal flowers are in bloom around winter like Asters, Carnations, and Alyssums.
Best of all, it’s often much easier to book venues during the winter, and vendors may charge less because it’s the off season for weddings. Plus, there are some amazing venues that are beautifully suited to winter weddings, like the George Ballroom (such a lush and cosy indoor venue!). Travel costs are also typically lower, and best of all, you don’t have to sacrifice gorgeous lighting or the beautiful backdrops of the city for your wedding photos.
So, When Is The Best Time To Get Married In Melbourne?
People will have varying opinions on when the best time to get married in Melbourne is, though in reality what works for the majority may not work for you.
Spring and summer are arguably the most popular times to wed in Melbourne thanks to the more agreeable temperatures, but that doesn’t mean you should forgo autumn or winter just because other people say spring and summer are best!
My advice as a Melbourne wedding photographer is to have an idea of what you want out of your wedding before you decide which season to get married in. The great news is that Melbourne offers mild weather year-round, and regardless of the season, there are endless opportunities to have a breathtaking wedding and capture beautiful photos all around this incredible city!