6 Incredible Venues For Garden Weddings On The Mornington Peninsula

As I’m sure you’re no doubt already aware, Mornington Peninsula has some of the most incredible wedding venues around. Historical buildings, old school charm, luxury accommodation, world-class food – you name it, there’s a place perfect for you. More specifically, there are loads of great places for garden weddings on the Mornington Peninsula! 

To make things a little easier for you, I’ve compiled a list of 6 of my favourite garden wedding venues for your special day. So no matter the size of your wedding party, your accommodation requirements, if you just need to get married in front of a lake, or if you’ve ever wondered “where are the best garden wedding venues near me”, I’ve got you covered!

1. Butterfly Red Hill

It’s cute, rustic and allows you to have some of the most customisable and unique weddings on the entire peninsula. While this wedding venue does have up to 3 indoor spaces if the weather takes a turn for the worse, the real star of the show is its spectacular outdoor area. It’s a place that acts like a blank canvas for you and your partner to build your perfect fairytale wedding from the ground up.

The entire 4-acre property will be exclusively yours for the duration of the stay which means access to the gallery, farmhouse, lawn, multiple gardens and the deck with views over the hinterland and gorgeous vineyards.

2. Merricks General Store

If you’re looking for outdoor garden wedding venues that are both historically charming and well-loved by the community, you needn’t look any further. Built and designed in 1922, among other things this location has served as a community hub for locals and visitors to the town. It’s only recently, however, in 2008 when the store started serving alcohol that it took things to the next level. They stock a huge amount of fine wine in their cellar as you’d expect, but most importantly they have a beautiful garden for hosting weddings.

It’s a simple setup, though nonetheless stunning because of it. There are benches on either side of the courtyard for the ceremony, 2 barrels for florals and a signing table to make things official. It’s cute, understated and fits right in with the general store rustic vibe. There are only a few seats for guests to sit on at the ceremony, but plenty of space behind them to stand. 

One thing to remember with all these venues is that for them to be seriously considered they absolutely need to have a wet weather option. Luckily Merricks General Store does just that. Couples are given exclusive access to the restaurant and the option for Merricks House Art Gallery for the ceremony. Always good to have a backup!

3. Stillwater At Crittenden

As far as fairytale garden weddings go, you don’t get much better than Stillwater at Crittenden wedding venue. Reading your vows beside a lake, with ancient willow trees and vineyards surrounding you is everything you need to make your wedding more memorable. Any style of wedding you can throw at this venue can be handled with ease by the fantastic staff and wedding managers on site.

The great thing about a wedding venue with a stunning garden is that you know your couple’s portraits will look fantastic. At Stillwater at Crittenden, you’ll get complimentary use of the entire grounds and garden for us to take photos. That means stellar photos for the entire day, especially when the sun goes down! 

There’s really nothing quite like experiencing golden hour while you’re sipping a glass of wine on their timber decking looking out over the lake. That’s the stuff fairytale weddings are made out of, and the incredible experiences you’ll get if you book your wedding here.

4. The Briars

The Briars wedding venue is situated on Mount Martha, Victoria, and has a stunning garden with incredible views across vineyards, rolling hills and even a wildlife sanctuary. They also have a wedding marquee that can hold around 200 guests, and the site has access to many walking trails should you want to explore the area a little further. With 230 hectares of countryside, you’ll be spoiled for choice!

Like many of these venues, having a garden wedding is maybe the perfect way to experience golden hour on the peninsula. Dancing the night away and watching the sun slowly descend past the vineyards and ancient trees is not only the perfect way to end your wedding day, but also a memory that you and your guests will likely share for a lifetime.

5. Barn & Co

Barn & Co is one of the newer Mornington wedding venues with its doors only opening in 2014, but that absolutely doesn’t mean it’s any less established or worthy of picking than the others. It’s run by a woman named Rachael McCarty who has a tonne of experience hosting and managing over 400 weddings, so you know you’re in the absolute best hands for your big day.

As well as local wines from the estate and other close-by areas, they offer a Mediterranean-style menu with tapas. A little different from many of the other venues, but they still value both local and seasonal produce which means you’ll get only the freshest of ingredients on your plate.

Now, let’s talk about why we’re all here – the garden. The space for your outdoor ceremony is nothing short of spectacular. The myriad of trees, pristine lawns, and natural wood arbour give your wedding a natural yet incredibly refined aesthetic, perfect for those of you who want the best of both worlds.

The indoor reception room can hold a maximum of 150 guests and has a cosy and rustic feel throughout. Wood beams, walls, and furniture coupled with a set of piled-up wine barrels give this place a hell of a lot of character and keep the vibe going when you all come in for food.

The whole wedding venue exudes a sense of refined luxury, with a hint of rusticity in all the right places. While the indoor dining room is cosy and a great area for a reception, it’s clear that the real winner here is the outdoor garden area for ceremonies.

6. Illuka Retreat

At 36 acres, nestled among the countryside of Shoreham, Illuka Retreat truly lives up to its name. Not only does its location make you feel as though you’ve ventured off into a storybook with your significant other, but it’s also one of the best outdoor wedding venues that allow you to build your wedding from the ground up. Blank canvas wedding venues like these are an amazing way to make sure each and every part of your day is unique.

The options for having your outdoor garden wedding are huge. First up, let’s talk about how playful this venue is! Throw a few fairy lights around the trees, and when it’s night time you’ll feel like you, your family and your friends have all attended a secret wedding garden party. There’s something so nice about a down-to-earth venue like this.

Luxury has its place, don’t get me wrong, but when you can build your wedding exactly how you want it you’ll probably have far more fun. Isn’t that what getting married is about? That said, although this kind of venue works great for bohemian-style events, you can of course dress it up to eleven and go all out. You do you!

What’s even better than a lakeside garden wedding with all your friends and family? How about a lakeside garden wedding with all your friends and family where they can stay in group lodges, glamping sites and Rent-A-Tents? If you thought this ‘pick ‘n’ mix’ style garden wedding venue couldn’t get any better, you were wrong. Illuka retreat gives guests access to on-site accommodation that’ll take them back to a simpler time with a variety of tents, and lodges. 

In my opinion, venues that give you access to on-site accommodation absolutely get more points than those that don’t. It gives you and your guests the opportunity to relax as much as possible without having to worry about taxis. More time to make those precious memories!

Garden weddings are something many places in Mornington Peninsula do spectacularly – I highly suggest making the most of them if you’re able to. These are just 6 of my favourite outdoor wedding venues on the Mornington Peninsula, but there’s plenty more out there to visit!

Curious about the possibility of having your own garden wedding? If you’d like a bit more help choosing the best venue to suit you and your partner’s tastes and requirements, get in contact and let’s have a chat!

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