The perfect wedding venue use to be large room with round tables, plenty of room for a dance floor, 5 piece band, and a place the couple can escape to throughout the night when needed. But as Instagram and Pinterest play a huge part in the couples decision process of how their dream wedding will look, feel and unfold, the sky really is the limit. That means as an Award Winning Wedding vendor, we need to ensure that we are constantly on the search for the latest and greatest wedding venues to facilitate exceptional wedding receptions. Meet some of the venues in Showtime Event Groups portfolio.
Showtime Event Centre
The classic converted wharf shed, Showtime Event Centre is Industrial Glam. Seating up to 220 people with a large dancefloor, the venue sits along the Yarra River in South Wharf. Winner of the ABIA Best Wedding Reception Venue in Australia, and three time Victorian winner of the award, Showtime Events Centre has hosted more than 400 weddings. The venue features an impressive wrought iron bar chandelier installation, bridal suite, LED feature wall and the original restored wooden floor boards from the wharf.
Starward Distillery
Located in Port Melbourne, just a stone’s throw from the city, this venue meets the demand of every millennial that is looking for a unique wedding venue. Micro-breweries, city wineries, and distilleries are the on trend venues right now. This distillery makes premium whiskey, and the venue is an impressive indoor garden that is backed against the copper vats and bottling plant. The venue features a large bar, casual seating and relaxed vibe, perfect for that non-traditional wedding. But keep in mind you will need to keep that non tradition going and get married during the week, this venue is only available Monday – Wednesday.
Smart Artz Gallery
This art gallery located in South Melbourne use to be an old car repair workshop, before the current owner converted it to house their art collection. Now the space is a great inner city art gallery for wedding receptions, and is a popular one too. Smart Artz can hold up to around 100 people seated comfortably with a large dance floor, or up to 200 for a cocktail reception. If you are looking to have a grand piano play at the reception, this is the venue for you. The grand piano in the venue was once played and performed on by Dame Nellie Melba.
Australian Centre of Contemporary Art
Located in Southbank, ACCA has for some time been a great exhibitor of modern art. There are up to four galleries at any one time with a series of collections, often from local artists. The foyer space of the gallery can be converted in to a reception area, seating up to 120 people, or standing for 250 people. A great space if you are a lover of art, or looking to add an element of visual entertainment.
Old Magistrates Court
Adjacent to the old Russel Street Police station, this old court room, left in its original state, is a unique setting for either a ceremony or an intimate reception. The courtroom has seen many infamous criminals sentence, and is often used as a set piece for local television and film productions. The space is best used as ceremony for weddings taking place in the Old Melbourne Gaol.
Former City Watch house
In use right up until 1994, the Former City Watch house has been preserved in the way it was left. It’s a confronting, and gritty reminder of the way Melbourne use to lock up the undesirables before sentencing and taken to other locations for incarceration. A unique venue that will certainly leave an impression on guests, it’s not for the faint hearted, but for those who want a truly memorable and ‘themed’ reception. The cells are large enough to have some fun with, and the venue often comes with actors dressed as Watch House sergeants to complete the look. Don’t forget to check out the padded cell.
Old Melbourne Gaol
This historical building in Russell Street at the top of the CBD has been operating as a cultural museum for quite some time. The venue is famous for being the last resting place of Ned Kelly. The building is a grand three level cell block that has been immaculately restored by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria). The venue has capacity for up to 120 people seated, with an adjoining outside courtyard, There are also multiple locations surrounding the venue to hold a ceremony in, including the original entrance to the Gaol, the former Chapel, and the courtyard.
Showtime Event Group also caters to Parks and Gardens, or your house. If you have a venue that you want to see us at, let us know and we will organise a proposal for you.
