Before we were Elope Australia, we were Elope Yarra Valley. That’s where our story began, and it’s where we built our reputation as the region’s leading elopement and micro wedding specialists. Over the years, we’ve worked with some of the most sought-after micro wedding venues in the Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges, from boutique wineries to stunning private estates, all within an easy drive of Melbourne.
These six venues are the ones we return to again and again.
Here’s why couples love them, how many guests each one suits, and the best time of year to marry there.
What is a micro wedding?
A micro wedding is a smaller, more intimate celebration, usually with up to around 50 guests. You still have the ceremony, the photos and a beautiful meal with the people who matter most, with far less of the size, cost and planning of a traditional wedding. An elopement is smaller again, often just the two of you, a celebrant and your witnesses.
Yarra Valley micro wedding venues at a glance
| Venue | Area | Guest numbers | Best season | Stand-out feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balgownie Estate | Yarra Valley | Intimate private dining through to larger function space | All year | On-site accommodation for guests |
| Mont de Soleil | Dandenong Ranges | Elopements to around 15 to 20 guests | All year, autumn a favourite | On-site cottage to stay before and after |
| Vue on Halcyon | Yarra Valley | Elopements and small groups | Spring and summer | Exclusive use with 360-degree views |
| Flowerdale Estate | Strath Creek | Up to 40 to 50, more in the pavilion | All year | Three ceremony backdrops |
| Log Cabin Ranch | Yarra Valley | Small, intimate weddings | Summer for outdoor dining | Exclusive midweek use |
| Healesville Sanctuary | Healesville | 20 to 60 seated, more cocktail style | All year | Wildlife photos with koalas and kangaroos |
1. Balgownie Estate: micro weddings with on-site accommodation
Balgownie Estate is our number one partner venue, and it’s easy to see why. Set in the heart of the Yarra Valley, it offers on-site accommodation for all your guests, so the celebration can unfold at a gentle pace with no one rushing home.
It’s also the perfect base for a wedding weekend. Neighbouring vineyards, Healesville Sanctuary and the many sights of the Yarra Valley are right on your doorstep.
We host micro weddings here in the private dining space for intimate gatherings, right through to larger numbers in the estate’s function space. A marquee keeps everyone cosy and dry on a cold winter’s day, or on a not-so-kind summer afternoon. Once the ceremony and family photos are done, we love heading up to the hilltop with just the two of you for sweeping views across the valley, with kangaroos bounding in the background at sunset.
Best for: couples who want guests to stay on site and make a weekend of it.
2. Mont de Soleil: a European-style vineyard in the Dandenong Ranges
Tucked away in the Dandenong Ranges, Mont de Soleil is one of the most beautiful properties we work with. With a boutique vineyard on site, it feels as though you’ve stepped into a corner of Europe, and it’s a stunning destination all year round.
Autumn is a particular favourite, when the grapevine arbour turns an incredible ombre of colour. Summer, winter, autumn or spring, though, there’s never a bad time to marry here.
A gorgeous on-site cottage lets you stay the night before, get ready on site with hair and makeup, and stay the night of your wedding. It’s ideal for an elopement with just the two of you, or a micro wedding of around 15 to 20 guests, before heading off-site for dinner. We’ve even had guests travel from interstate to enjoy this special spot.
Best for: elopements and very small micro weddings with a European vineyard feel.
3. Vue on Halcyon: exclusive use with 360-degree vineyard views
Vue on Halcyon is one of our most beautiful vineyard venues, with 360-degree views across the Yarra Valley. Think rolling hills, golden light and a setting that is simply divine for couples eloping or celebrating with a small circle of loved ones.
Our micro weddings here are held on the lawn overlooking the vineyard, followed by a reception in the private cellar door. You and your guests have the venue completely to yourselves for the whole celebration. It’s especially lovely for spring and summer weddings.
Best for: couples who want a private, exclusive-use vineyard wedding.
4. Flowerdale Estate: rustic farm stay weddings in Strath Creek
Flowerdale Estate in Strath Creek blends rustic charm with a relaxed farm stay feel, and it works beautifully all year round.
You can choose your backdrop: marry on the lawn beneath the arbour, in front of the dam for something more laid-back, or under the grand old oak tree. Afterwards, head inside the homestead for a private lunch or dinner, or dine under the stars if the weather allows.
It’s perfect for micro weddings of up to 40 or 50 guests. For larger numbers, the pavilion can be transformed for a bigger celebration, with Elope Australia handling all the organising so you can simply turn up and enjoy.
Best for: country-style weddings with plenty of ceremony options.
5. Log Cabin Ranch: relaxed midweek micro weddings
Log Cabin Ranch is a DIY-style venue that Elope Australia is proud to partner with, and we organise absolutely everything for you.
In summer, we set a long table outside beneath the festoon lights so you can dine under the stars. There are indoor and outdoor options, whatever the weather. Say your vows at the paddock arbour for a rustic bush setting, or in the stables for a chapel-style look.
The vibe here is wonderfully relaxed, with food trucks rolling up the driveway and drinks flowing. Elope Australia has exclusive midweek use of the venue, so you can celebrate on a weekday, which suits smaller, intimate weddings beautifully.
Best for: relaxed, rustic weddings on a weekday.
6. Healesville Sanctuary: a wildlife wedding venue in the Yarra Valley
Healesville Sanctuary is one of the Yarra Valley’s hidden gems. Sweeping green lawns, a beautiful arbour space and a backdrop of magnificent mountain ash trees and tree ferns make it feel as though you’ve stepped into the Dandenong Ranges.
We cater for elopements, intimate weddings and larger micro weddings here. Because it isn’t a typical wedding venue, we can often secure dates that are hard to find elsewhere, and we’ve hosted many incredible celebrations at the sanctuary over the years.
You can marry without going anywhere near the animals. If you love the idea of being surrounded by Australian wildlife, we can take your photos in and around the sanctuary with koalas, kangaroos, wombats or echidnas in the background, while your guests enjoy the birds of prey experience.
The reception space suits groups of 20 to 60 guests seated, and larger weddings can be accommodated cocktail style. Floor-to-ceiling doors open the dining room onto the festoon-lit verandah for a true alfresco dining experience, so you can enjoy the space all year round. In the cooler months, picture yourselves gathered around a fire pit. It brings a fun, relaxed and family-friendly feel to your celebration.
Chat to us about marrying here at any time of year. We might even be able to snag you a weekend.
Best for: family-friendly wedding celebrations and couples who love Australian wildlife.
Micro wedding FAQs
How many guests can you have at a micro wedding?
Most micro weddings have up to around 50 guests. Across our Yarra Valley venues, we cater for anything from an elopement for two through to 60 guests seated.
How far is the Yarra Valley from Melbourne?
Most Yarra Valley venues are around an hour’s drive from the Melbourne CBD, which makes them easy for guests to reach for a day or a weekend.
Can we have a micro wedding on a weekend?
Yes. Balgownie Estate offers weekend micro wedding packages, and we can sometimes secure weekends at Healesville Sanctuary. Log Cabin Ranch is available to our couples midweek.
Which venues are best for an elopement?
Mont de Soleil, Vue on Halcyon and Healesville Sanctuary are all beautiful for an elopement with just the two of you.
What does Elope Australia organise?
We take care of the organising from start to finish, so you can simply turn up and enjoy your day. Get in touch, and we’ll share the inclusions for each venue.
Ready to plan your Yarra Valley micro wedding?
With more than nine years of experience in elopements and micro weddings, we’d love to help you find the Yarra Valley venue that feels like you. Get in touch with the Elope Australia team to start planning your day.
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