Carlton Gardens Wedding Photos
Elm avenues, the Hochgurtel fountain and the Royal Exhibition Building dome, on the edge of the CBD
Carlton Gardens is the 26-hectare Victorian-era park on the north-east edge of Melbourne’s CBD, bounded by Victoria, Rathdowne, Carlton and Nicholson Streets. The Royal Exhibition Building was completed in 1880 for the Melbourne International Exhibition, and building and gardens together were inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2004. The plantings are avenues of elms and plane trees; three fountains and two lakes sit in the southern half, Melbourne Museum in the north. It is a public portrait location, not a function venue.
Three of the days below passed through Carlton Gardens. Pearl and Allen came for their engagement photos in matching white suits, finishing at the arched entrance of the Royal Exhibition Building, before their West African Dowry Day at home. Danielle and Michael stopped here for portraits between their ceremony in Preston and the Palladium at Crown, and Jip and Sarit’s pre-wedding session moved from Geelong Grammar School to Carlton Gardens, St Paul’s and Hosier Lane. Two earlier Merrimu Receptions weddings from 2019 also came here for the formal set.
How to prepare for your wedding photos (without overthinking it)
Seven small things that make a real difference on the day — learned across hundreds of weddings. None of them involve practising poses.
In motion, unposed · FR 15A1. Be yourselves — that's where the magic is
You don't need to perform or worry about what you look like. The best photos come from real moments: a glance, a laugh, a shared breath. Let go a little — we'll guide when needed, and the best unfolds naturally.
2. Build buffer time into your timeline
A little breathing room between getting ready, the ceremony and couple portraits makes all the difference. It gives us space for spontaneous shots — and gives you time to soak it all in.
3. Choose locations that feel like you
A quiet lane, an open field, a textured wall — we love meaningful or interesting spots. Trust us to find great light, but if you've got a place you love, let's work it in.
4. Consider an unplugged ceremony
Phones can distract from the emotion (and your photos). Asking guests to be fully present makes for cleaner frames and a more heartfelt atmosphere.
5. Get ready in calm, light-filled spaces
Clutter-free rooms with natural light are a photographer's dream, and calm energy in the morning sets the tone for the day. Keep the space tidy — or assign a friend to do a quick sweep before we arrive.
6. Keep a drink and snacks nearby
Especially during portraits — hydration and a little sugar go a long way in keeping energy and moods high.
7. Trust the process
We've worked at hundreds of weddings and we're here to make you look and feel amazing. Trust us with the light, the angles, the pace — we've got you.
Photographing a wedding at Carlton Gardens
The elm avenues give shade and a long line of sight at any hour, and the Hochgurtel fountain with the dome behind it is the formal frame everyone asks for. The lakes on the southern side handle the softer set. The lawns are open ground, so midday sun is hard; we book the portrait hour late in the afternoon when the trunks throw long shadows. Weekends bring other wedding parties, so arrive early and work the far avenues first. The galleries below are the days that passed through here.