Some wedding venues are chosen because they’re pretty. Others actually mean something.

For Erin + Rhys, Old Melbourne Gaol made perfect sense.

The two of them met while working in a youth prison, so getting married inside one of Melbourne’s most iconic prison buildings felt less like a gimmick and more like a full-circle moment. Dark, moody, a little chaotic, and completely personal — exactly how alternative weddings should feel.

There’s a reason people keep coming back to film.

It’s not about nostalgia for the sake of it, it’s about how it feels. If you’ve been drawn to 35mm film wedding photos but can’t quite explain why, this is probably it.

Not every wedding needs chair covers, round tables, and a strict timeline. If you’re planning something that feels a bit more like you — less traditional, more personal — Melbourne has some seriously good options.

These are some of my favourite alternative and non-traditional wedding venues in Melbourne for couples who want something different.