Melbourne Registry Wedding Photography: OLD Treasury Building Guide for Intimate Weddings & Elopements
In this guide, you’ll discover…
The best photography locations around the Old Treasury Building, including Treasury Gardens, Parliament House, Spring Street and Melbourne’s CBD laneways.
How many hours of wedding photography you actually need for a Melbourne registry wedding, from a simple one-hour ceremony to a relaxed half-day celebration.
A practical 2-hour registry wedding photography timeline, showing how to make the most of your time without feeling rushed.
The difference between Treasury Gardens and Fitzroy Gardens and which location works best for your wedding photographs.
How to create natural, candid and relaxed wedding photographs without spending the day posing for the camera.
Ideas for extending your celebration beyond the ceremony, including lunch, city walks, golden-hour portraits and intimate restaurant celebrations.
What to consider when choosing a Melbourne registry wedding photographer, including experience, photography style, timing and coverage.
The difference between a registry wedding and an elopement in Melbourne, and which option might suit your plans.
Real examples from Melbourne registry weddings and intimate celebrations we’ve photographed around the city.
Practical tips, timelines and a simple checklist to help you plan your Old Treasury Building registry wedding photography with confidence.
Images By: Rohit Jhawar Wedding Photography
At a Glance: Planning a Melbourne Registry Wedding
If you're considering a Victorian Marriage Registry wedding, here are the essentials:
Venue: Victorian Marriage Registry, Old Treasury Building
Address: 20 Spring Street, East Melbourne
Closest major photo location: Treasury Gardens, directly beside the building
Other nearby options: Parliament House, Spring Street, Fitzroy Gardens, Treasury Reserve, Melbourne CBD streets and laneways
Ceremony options: Classic ceremony or legal-only ceremony
Photography: Professional photographers are permitted
Ideal photography coverage: Approximately 1–2 hours for a simple ceremony and portrait session, with 3–4 hours ideal if you want preparation, extended portraits and lunch/reception coverage
Photography style: Candid, documentary, editorial and natural photography work particularly well for intimate city weddings
Best strategy: Keep the photography route compact rather than spending half your wedding travelling between locations
The Victorian Marriage Registry is located inside the historic Old Treasury Building and sits directly beside Treasury Gardens, making the precinct particularly convenient for wedding photography.
Planning a Melbourne registry wedding? Here's the short answer:
For most couples marrying at the Victorian Marriage Registry at the Old Treasury Building, 2 hours of wedding photography is an ideal starting point. It gives you enough time for the ceremony, family photographs and relaxed couple portraits around the Old Treasury Building, Treasury Gardens and nearby Melbourne CBD. If you're continuing to lunch or dinner afterwards, 3–4 hours allows the photography to tell more of the story.
Why Choose a Registry Wedding at the Old Treasury Building?
There is something special about a Melbourne registry wedding.
You are not required to build your wedding day around a huge reception venue, hundreds of guests or a complicated production schedule.
Instead, the focus can remain where it belongs:
the two of you, the people closest to you and the experience of getting married.
The Old Treasury Building adds another layer of character.
Its historic architecture, grand exterior, Spring Street setting and proximity to Treasury Gardens and Parliament House mean that even a short ceremony can produce an incredibly varied collection of wedding photographs.
You can have:
Elegant
Photographs on the historic steps and sandstone architecture.
Romantic
Natural portraits amongst the trees and gardens.
Editorial
Fashion-forward portraits around Melbourne's heritage architecture.
Documentary
Real hugs, laughter, congratulations and spontaneous moments with family.
Urban
Walking photographs through Melbourne streets, laneways and city architecture.
This is why I love photographing registry weddings.
The wedding may be intimate, but the photographs don't have to be.
What Is the Victorian Marriage Registry at the Old Treasury Building?
The Victorian Marriage Registry operates from the historic Old Treasury Building at 20 Spring Street, East Melbourne.
The Registry currently offers two main types of ceremony: a Classic ceremony and a Legal-only ceremony.
The Classic ceremony is currently listed as a 30-minute ceremony, while the Legal-only ceremony is approximately 15 minutes. The Registry's current information also confirms that professional photographers are permitted at both types of ceremony.
For couples choosing the Legal-only option, the ceremony is intentionally very simple. The couple and two witnesses attend, along with the celebrant and photographer. The ceremony itself takes approximately 5–10 minutes once the legal formalities begin.
This is important when planning your photography.
The ceremony length is not the same thing as the amount of photography you need.
A 15-minute legal ceremony doesn't mean you only need 15 minutes of photography.
The photographs immediately before and after the ceremony are often where some of the most meaningful images happen.
How Much Time Do You Need for Wedding Photography After a Registry Ceremony?
This is one of the most common questions couples ask:
"How much time do we actually need?"
The answer depends entirely on what you want your photographs to tell.
1 Hour: Ceremony + Essential Portraits
One hour can work beautifully if you want a very simple registry wedding.
A typical structure could be:
10 minutes
Arrive, greetings and final preparation.
15–30 minutes
Ceremony and signing.
10 minutes
Family and witness photographs.
15–20 minutes
Couple portraits immediately around the Old Treasury Building and Treasury Gardens.
This works particularly well for couples who want a small collection of beautiful, natural photographs without extending the wedding into a larger production.
2 Hours: My Favourite Option for a Registry Wedding
For many couples, two hours is the sweet spot.
It gives you enough breathing room that the photography doesn't feel like a race.
A possible two-hour timeline:
11:00 am — Photographer arrives
A few photographs of the building, details, flowers, rings, invitations and guests arriving.
11:10 am — Ceremony
Your ceremony and signing are documented naturally and unobtrusively.
11:30 am — Congratulations
Hugs, laughter, family photographs and those wonderfully chaotic few minutes immediately after saying "I do."
11:45 am — Old Treasury Building portraits
The grand steps, façade, architectural details and surrounding streets.
12:00 pm — Treasury Gardens
A relaxed walk through the gardens, with photographs taken naturally rather than posing constantly.
12:20 pm — Spring Street / Parliament area
A few editorial city photographs.
12:40 pm — Final photographs
A final portrait before heading to lunch.
1:00 pm — Photography finishes
You continue your wedding day with lunch, drinks, family or whatever feels right to you.
This is one of the reasons I offer intimate city registry wedding photography packages designed specifically around 1–2 hours of coverage.
My current Melbourne elopement and registry photography collection starts from $690, with coverage designed around Old Treasury Building ceremonies, signing, family photographs and relaxed portraits around nearby Melbourne locations.
3–4 Hours: When Your Registry Wedding Becomes a Full Little Story
If you don't want your photography to begin and end at the Registry, consider three or four hours.
This gives you the opportunity to photograph:
getting ready
your wedding outfit
hair and makeup
flowers
your partner getting ready
your first look
travelling to the Old Treasury Building
the ceremony
family photographs
couple portraits
Melbourne streets and laneways
champagne or coffee afterwards
your restaurant arrival
the first part of your wedding lunch
speeches or a small celebration
This type of coverage is particularly beautiful for couples having a registry wedding followed by an intimate restaurant lunch.
It allows the photographs to tell the entire story rather than simply documenting the legal ceremony.
The Best Photo Locations Near the Old Treasury Building
One of the biggest advantages of getting married here is the number of photographic environments within a relatively compact area.
You don't necessarily need a car.
You don't need to spend your wedding travelling across Melbourne.
And you don't need ten different locations.
The best approach is to create a small walking route with variety.
1. Old Treasury Building Steps
Start here.
The steps immediately outside the building are an obvious choice, but they are obvious for a reason.
The architecture gives your photographs a sense of occasion.
This is where I like to create a mixture of:
full-length portraits
walking photographs
family photographs
just-married photographs
architectural portraits
close-up emotional portraits
photographs of you leaving the Registry together
Rather than lining you up and asking you to "pose", I prefer to give you something to do.
Walk together.
Hold hands.
Talk to each other.
Look at each other.
Walk back towards the building.
Pause.
Laugh.
The photographs become much more natural.
2. Treasury Gardens
If you ask:
"Where can we take wedding photos near the Old Treasury Building?"
Treasury Gardens should be near the top of the list.
The Victorian Marriage Registry itself describes the building as being next to Treasury Gardens and specifically notes the gardens as a photo opportunity.
This is incredibly useful for couples with limited photography time.
You can move from heritage architecture to greenery without spending a significant part of your wedding travelling.
Treasury Gardens works particularly well for:
romantic portraits
candid walking photographs
family photographs
photographs with children
quieter intimate moments
spring and autumn photographs
softer editorial portraits
The key is not to spend the entire session standing in one spot.
Walk.
The movement gives you variety and allows the photographs to feel like a story rather than a collection of poses.
3. Parliament House
If you want your Melbourne registry wedding photographs to feel more architectural and editorial, Parliament House is an excellent option.
The grand columns and steps provide a distinctly Melbourne backdrop.
It works particularly well when you want a contrast:
Treasury Gardens = soft, romantic and organic
Parliament House = grand, architectural and editorial
This combination can give you two completely different looks within a relatively short portrait session.
However, remember that Melbourne is a working city.
Parliament House can be busy, particularly during popular wedding periods and when Parliament is sitting.
That's another reason why having a photographer who knows the area matters.
The objective isn't simply to arrive at the most famous location.
It's to know when and where to photograph around it.
4. Spring Street
Spring Street is one of the easiest ways to introduce a distinctly Melbourne feeling into your wedding photographs.
Think:
heritage buildings
stone architecture
city movement
trams
pedestrians
street crossings
classic Melbourne façades
You don't need to stop every few metres for a photograph.
Some of my favourite city wedding photographs happen while couples are simply walking.
The city becomes part of the story.
5. Fitzroy Gardens
Fitzroy Gardens offers another visual direction.
Compared with the more formal architecture around Parliament and the Old Treasury Building, Fitzroy Gardens gives you a more romantic and organic environment.
It can be particularly beautiful for couples who want:
"We want natural wedding photos, but we still want them to feel elegant."
The gardens allow us to slow the pace down.
Instead of directing you into a series of traditional poses, we can walk, talk and let moments happen.
If you have more than two hours available, Fitzroy Gardens can become part of a longer portrait route.
For a very short registry package, however, I would generally prioritise locations closer to the Registry rather than trying to cover everything.
Treasury Gardens vs Fitzroy Gardens: Which Is Better?
There isn't one universal winner.
It depends on the photographs you want.
If you want...Consider...Maximum convenienceTreasury GardensA quick portrait sessionTreasury GardensArchitecture + greeneryTreasury Gardens + Old TreasuryMore garden varietyFitzroy GardensRomantic walking portraitsBothGrand city photographsParliament HouseUrban/editorial photographsSpring Street + CBDA relaxed 1-hour packageOld Treasury + Treasury GardensA 2-hour packageOld Treasury + Treasury Gardens + ParliamentA 3–4 hour storyAdd Fitzroy Gardens, laneways or lunch
The important point is that you don't need to visit every location.
Three great locations photographed well are better than seven locations photographed hurriedly.
How to Get Natural, Non-Cheesy Wedding Photos
Many couples tell me:
"We're not really comfortable posing."
My answer is:
That's completely fine.
In fact, you don't need to be good at posing.
You just need a photographer who understands how to photograph people without constantly making them perform for the camera.
My approach is deliberately relaxed and documentary-inspired.
Instead of giving you complicated instructions such as:
"Put your hand here, turn your shoulder, tilt your chin, look over there..."
I will often give you simple prompts.
Walk together.
Hold hands.
Whisper something to each other.
Look at your partner.
Take a breath.
Stop for a moment.
Keep walking.
Those small interactions create photographs that feel like you.
The goal is not to manufacture emotion.
The goal is to give real emotion room to happen.
Candid vs Editorial: You Don't Have to Choose
I don't think intimate wedding photography needs to sit inside one particular style.
A beautiful registry wedding gallery can contain both.
Documentary
The real moments:
your partner seeing you
your parents reacting
laughter after the ceremony
hugs
nervous hands
walking through the city
spontaneous smiles
little interactions nobody planned
Editorial
The photographs that feel more considered:
architectural portraits
dramatic light
clean compositions
elegant full-length portraits
striking city backgrounds
fashion-inspired images
The combination is powerful.
You get photographs that feel real, but also photographs that feel beautifully made.
That is the balance I aim for.
What Does a Melbourne Registry Wedding Timeline Look Like?
Here's a sample timeline for couples who want a ceremony followed by an intimate lunch.
Option A: Simple 2-Hour Registry Wedding
10:30 am
Arrive at Old Treasury Building
10:40 am
Guests and details photographed
11:00 am
Ceremony
11:20 am
Congratulations + family photographs
11:35 am
Old Treasury Building portraits
11:50 am
Treasury Gardens
12:10 pm
Parliament House / Spring Street
12:30 pm
Final portraits
12:40 pm
Photography finishes
1:00 pm
Lunch
This is simple, relaxed and very achievable.
Option B: 3–4 Hour City Wedding Story
9:00 am
Getting ready
9:45 am
First look
10:00 am
Travel to Old Treasury Building
10:30 am
Ceremony
11:00 am
Family photographs
11:20 am
Old Treasury Building portraits
11:40 am
Treasury Gardens
12:00 pm
Parliament House / Spring Street
12:30 pm
Melbourne laneways
1:00 pm
Restaurant arrival
1:15 pm
Lunch begins
2:00 pm
Photography finishes
The beauty of this option is that your photographs tell a much broader story.
You don't simply have photographs of a ceremony.
You have photographs of your wedding day.
What About Golden Hour?
Golden hour can make a huge difference to wedding photographs.
But there is an important distinction for registry weddings:
Your ceremony time may not be flexible enough to coincide with golden hour.
That doesn't mean you can't have beautiful photographs.
Melbourne's city architecture, tree-lined streets and shaded areas can provide beautiful light throughout the day.
If golden-hour portraits are important to you, consider extending your photography coverage rather than trying to force the entire wedding into a narrow time window.
For example, you could:
Have your Registry ceremony earlier.
Enjoy lunch with family.
Take a break.
Meet again later for a relaxed evening portrait walk.
This can turn a short registry wedding into something much more cinematic.
What If It Rains?
Don't automatically panic.
Melbourne weather can change quickly, but rain doesn't have to ruin your registry wedding photographs.
In fact, wet streets, umbrellas, reflections and darker skies can create some wonderfully atmospheric city photographs.
The Old Treasury Building also gives us architectural shelter and strong visual lines.
A good rain plan might include:
Old Treasury Building interiors
covered architectural areas
Parliament surroundings
sheltered city streets
umbrellas
reflections
short bursts outdoors between showers
The goal is not to pretend it isn't raining.
Sometimes the rain becomes part of the story.
What Should You Wear for an Old Treasury Building Registry Wedding?
One of the advantages of a registry wedding is that you can completely ignore the idea that there is one correct wedding outfit.
You can wear:
Traditional wedding attire
A full wedding dress, veil and formal suit.
Modern city wedding attire
A minimalist dress, tailored suit or contemporary outfit.
Editorial fashion
Something bold, architectural or fashion-forward.
Something personal
A vintage outfit.
A family heirloom.
A colourful sari.
A cultural garment.
A simple white dress.
A suit you feel incredible in.
There are no rules that say a registry wedding has to look like a registry wedding.
Your photographs should reflect you, not a template.
Should You Get Ready at a Hotel Near the Old Treasury Building?
If you want photographs beyond the ceremony, absolutely consider it.
Getting ready can add an emotional beginning to your story.
Instead of the gallery beginning with:
"Here we are outside the Registry."
it begins with:
"This is how the day felt."
We can photograph:
your dress
jewellery
shoes
flowers
invitations
your partner getting ready
parents helping
quiet moments
champagne or coffee
final touches
the anticipation before leaving
There are numerous hotels around Melbourne CBD and East Melbourne, but proximity should not be the only consideration.
Look for a room with:
Good natural light.
Interesting interiors.
Enough space to move around.
Large windows.
Minimal visual clutter.
A beautiful room can become part of your wedding story.
What Happens After the Registry Ceremony?
This is where your day can become completely your own.
You could:
Have an intimate restaurant lunch
Perfect for couples who want good food and conversation without a formal reception.
Explore Melbourne together
Walk through the city and make your wedding day a mini Melbourne adventure.
Have coffee and cake
Simple, relaxed and completely personal.
Visit a favourite bar
A beautiful way to finish a city wedding.
Have a larger celebration later
Many couples choose to have the legal ceremony privately and celebrate with family and friends at another time.
There is no requirement for your registry ceremony to be the entire wedding experience.
A selection of timeless, elegant and poetic hand picked images photographed at the Old Treasury Building by Rohit Jhawar Wedding Photography.
Where Should You Have Lunch After Your Registry Wedding?
One of the advantages of the Old Treasury Building location is that you are surrounded by Melbourne's CBD and East Melbourne dining scene.
The best restaurant isn't necessarily the one with the highest rating.
For a wedding lunch, I would look for somewhere that has:
a beautiful interior
natural light
comfortable seating
a quieter atmosphere
good service
room for your group
dietary flexibility
a location that doesn't require a long journey after photographs
For couples wanting something particularly convenient, there are restaurants within the CBD and East Melbourne precinct that can make the transition from photography to lunch very easy.
Parliament House itself also has Strangers' Corridor, which offers lunch on selected non-sitting weekdays and provides an elegant historic setting directly within the Parliament precinct.
Another option is to choose a restaurant around Spring Street, Collins Street or the eastern edge of Melbourne CBD.
For a larger intimate group, consider booking a private dining room rather than a large traditional reception venue.
The goal is to continue the feeling of the day rather than suddenly turn it into a conventional reception.
What About a Melbourne Elopement?
A registry wedding and an elopement can overlap, but they don't have to mean exactly the same thing.
An elopement can be:
Just the two of you.
You and two witnesses.
A small group of family.
A legal ceremony followed by an adventure around Melbourne.
A ceremony somewhere meaningful followed by dinner.
The beauty of an elopement is that the day can be designed around what matters to you.
And that is exactly why short photography coverage makes sense.
You shouldn't have to purchase an entire traditional wedding package just because you want professional photographs of your marriage.
Melbourne Elopement Photography Packages: How Much Coverage Do You Need?
For an intimate city elopement or registry wedding, I recommend thinking about coverage in terms of what you want documented, rather than simply buying hours.
1 Hour
Best for:
legal ceremony
signing
witnesses
family photographs
a short couple session
2 Hours
Best for:
ceremony
family
Old Treasury Building
Treasury Gardens
city portraits
more relaxed storytelling
3–4 Hours
Best for:
getting ready
ceremony
portraits
city walking
multiple locations
restaurant arrival
intimate lunch
5+ Hours
Best for couples who want a larger Melbourne adventure or are travelling further afield.
My current registry and elopement collections are structured specifically for this type of flexible coverage, with 1–2 hour intimate city registry packages from $690, and longer city and destination options available by enquiry.
Planning an intimate registry wedding in Melbourne? This guide covers essential local knowledge for couples—from iconic first look locations and city portrait spots to nearby hotels, cocktail bars, and practical tips for smooth family photos.
What If We Need a Celebrant and Don't Have Witnesses?
This is something to clarify early.
A legal marriage requires the appropriate legal formalities and witnesses.
The Victorian Marriage Registry's Legal-only ceremony requires the couple and two witnesses, with the Registry providing the celebrant and handling the legal ceremony.
If you are creating a separate elopement experience with your own celebrant, your requirements may be different.
For couples who want a more complete elopement experience rather than simply booking photography, I also offer an all-inclusive elopement option combining photography, a professional celebrant and a meaningful location of your choice, with current coverage starting from $1,490.
This can be particularly useful if you want the entire experience organised around you rather than having to coordinate several different suppliers yourself.
Why a Venue-Savvy Melbourne Wedding Photographer Matters
You might look at a map and think:
"Everything is close. Surely any photographer can do this?"
Technically, yes.
But the difference becomes apparent when your photography time is limited.
A photographer familiar with the Old Treasury Building precinct already understands the relationship between:
the ceremony
→ the steps
→ Treasury Gardens
→ Spring Street
→ Parliament
→ Fitzroy Gardens
→ the CBD
→ your restaurant
That knowledge saves time.
It also means we don't have to spend your wedding day figuring out where to go.
I've photographed registry weddings around this part of Melbourne and have built my approach around keeping the experience relaxed rather than turning your short wedding into a production.
You should be able to get married, breathe, hug your family, walk through Melbourne and enjoy being newly married.
The photography should fit around that.
Not the other way around.
A Registry Wedding Doesn't Need Awkward Posing
One of the biggest misconceptions about wedding photography is that you have to spend an hour standing around being photographed.
You don't.
Especially not for a registry wedding.
A 60–120 minute session can be incredibly varied if it is photographed well.
Instead of:
Pose → Pose → Pose → Pose
I prefer:
Walk → Talk → Pause → Connect → Explore → Photograph
That creates movement.
Movement creates interaction.
Interaction creates genuine expressions.
And genuine expressions create photographs that still feel like you years later.
My approach is candid and documentary at its heart, with gentle direction when you need it.
So if you're thinking:
"We're terrible at posing."
Don't worry.
That's not your job.
How Many Family Photos Should You Plan?
This is another area where registry weddings can become unnecessarily complicated.
You don't need 40 formal group photographs.
For a small wedding, I generally recommend creating a short list in advance.
For example:
Couple with both parents
Couple with bride's family
Couple with groom's family
Couple with siblings
Couple with witnesses
Couple with everyone
That might take only 10–15 minutes if everyone knows where they need to be.
The trick is preparation.
Don't try to remember every possible combination while everyone is standing around after the ceremony.
Send your photographer a family photo list before the wedding.
It will save time and reduce stress.
How to Make a Short Registry Wedding Feel Bigger in Photographs
You don't need more hours.
You need more layers.
Photograph:
The anticipation
Before the ceremony.
The details
Rings, flowers, outfits, hands, documents.
The ceremony
The vows, expressions and signing.
The people
Parents, siblings, witnesses and friends.
The architecture
Old Treasury Building and Parliament.
The landscape
Treasury Gardens and Fitzroy Gardens.
The city
Trams, streets, laneways and pedestrians.
The intimacy
Quiet moments when nobody else is watching.
The celebration
Lunch, coffee, cake, hugs and laughter.
That is how a two-hour wedding can produce a gallery that feels much larger than the amount of time you actually spent in front of the camera.
Melbourne City-Chic Wedding Photography
If you love the idea of a wedding that feels modern, sophisticated and distinctly Melbourne, consider combining three visual elements:
Heritage
Old Treasury Building.
Parliament House.
Historic architecture.
Nature
Treasury Gardens.
Fitzroy Gardens.
Tree-lined streets.
Urban
Melbourne laneways.
Street art.
Trams.
Cafés.
City architecture.
Together they create something that feels much more personal than a traditional "wedding photo location".
It becomes your Melbourne wedding story.
Sample Melbourne Registry Wedding Itinerary
Here's one of my favourite ways to structure an intimate Old Treasury Building wedding.
9:00 am
Getting ready at a nearby hotel.
10:00 am
First look and a few portraits.
10:30 am
Travel to Old Treasury Building.
11:00 am
Victorian Marriage Registry ceremony.
11:30 am
Family photographs.
11:45 am
Old Treasury Building portraits.
12:00 pm
Treasury Gardens.
12:20 pm
Parliament House and Spring Street.
12:40 pm
Melbourne city walk.
1:00 pm
Restaurant arrival.
1:15 pm
Wedding lunch.
2:00 pm
Photography finishes.
From there, the rest of the day is yours.
No reception schedule.
No seating chart.
No formalities unless you want them.
Just married.
10 Things I Would Do If I Were Planning an Old Treasury Building Registry Wedding
1. Keep the photography route compact.
Don't spend your wedding travelling.
2. Allow at least 90 minutes if photographs are important to you.
One hour can work, but two gives you much more breathing room.
3. Choose a photographer who knows the precinct.
It matters more when your timeline is short.
4. Don't over-plan every photograph.
Leave room for spontaneous moments.
5. Make a family photo list.
It will save valuable time.
6. Think about light when choosing your ceremony time.
The same location can feel completely different depending on the time of day.
7. Have a rain plan.
Melbourne weather is Melbourne weather.
8. Don't feel pressured to have a traditional wedding.
Your registry wedding can be completely your own.
9. Choose lunch somewhere you genuinely love.
It doesn't need to look like a wedding reception.
10. Remember why you're doing this.
The photographs matter.
But being present matters more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Melbourne Registry Wedding Photography
How much does a registry wedding photographer cost in Melbourne?
Prices vary depending on the photographer, experience, coverage time and what is included.
Short registry wedding photography packages can be significantly more affordable than full-day wedding photography because you are booking a smaller amount of coverage.
At Rohit Jhawar Photography, current intimate city registry photography packages begin from $690 for 1–2 hours. Longer coverage is available for couples wanting preparation, multiple locations or an intimate lunch documented.
How long is a Victorian Marriage Registry ceremony?
The current Victorian Marriage Registry information lists the Classic ceremony as approximately 30 minutes and the Legal-only package as approximately 15 minutes.
Can I have a professional photographer at the Victorian Marriage Registry?
Yes. Professional photographers are permitted at both the Classic and Legal-only ceremonies.
Where can we take photos after our Old Treasury Building wedding?
Popular options include the Old Treasury Building steps, Treasury Gardens, Parliament House, Spring Street, Fitzroy Gardens and selected Melbourne CBD streets and laneways.
Is Treasury Gardens close to the Old Treasury Building?
Yes. The Victorian Marriage Registry is located next to Treasury Gardens, making it one of the easiest locations to include in a short wedding photography session.
Is Fitzroy Gardens better than Treasury Gardens?
Not necessarily.
Treasury Gardens are more convenient and work particularly well for short coverage. Fitzroy Gardens gives you more variety if you have additional time.
How many hours of photography do we need for a registry wedding?
For the ceremony and essential portraits, 1 hour can work.
For a more relaxed experience, 2 hours is ideal.
For getting ready, multiple locations and an intimate lunch, consider 3–4 hours.
Can you photograph our wedding lunch?
Yes. Longer city coverage can include your restaurant arrival and the beginning of your intimate lunch or celebration.
Can we have candid wedding photography without awkward posing?
Absolutely.
My approach is based around natural movement, gentle direction and documentary storytelling rather than constant posing.
What if we're not comfortable in front of the camera?
That's completely normal.
You don't need to know how to pose. I'll guide you when necessary while giving you plenty of space to simply interact with each other.
Can we have an elopement rather than a registry wedding?
Yes. An elopement can be structured around your preferred ceremony, location and celebration. I also offer all-inclusive elopement experiences combining photography, celebrant services and location planning.
Can we get married at the Old Treasury Building and then explore Melbourne?
Absolutely.
In fact, this is one of my favourite ways to photograph an intimate Melbourne wedding.
Your wedding becomes part ceremony, part portrait session and part Melbourne adventure.
5 Most Frequently Asked Questions by Couples Getting Married At The Old Treasury Building
1. What’s the difference between the "Legal-Only" and "Classic" ceremony packages?
The registry offers two distinct ways to get married, depending on how simple or traditional you want the experience to be:
Legal-Only Package (15 Minutes): This option strips away the fluff and focuses purely on the legalities. It takes place in an executive registry office and strictly permits only the couple, two witnesses over 18, and your photographer/videographer. You can’t write personal vows or play entry music—it’s short, sharp, and sweet.
Classic Package (30 Minutes): Hosted in one of the building's grand historic spaces (the Margaret Craig Room or Thomas Hyde Room), this package lets you invite your loved ones. You can walk down the aisle, exchange personal vows, customize your music, and include short guest readings.
Quick Tip: If you want guests present beyond your two official witnesses, you must book the Classic Ceremony.
2. How many guests can we bring, and can we bring our dog?
Guest capacities depend on the room assigned to your Classic Ceremony booking:
Margaret Craig Room: Up to 55 guests total (35 seated, 20 standing).
Thomas Hyde Room: Up to 30 guests total (20 seated, 10 standing).
As for four-legged family members? Pets are generally not permitted inside government registry rooms (with the exception of registered assistance animals). However, many couples bring their pups along for the portraits right after the ceremony in nearby Treasury Gardens or on the grand building steps!
3. How far in advance do we need to book?
Under Australian law, you must lodge your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) at least one calendar month before your ceremony date.
However, because the Old Treasury Building is Melbourne's most popular registry spot, weekend slots (Friday through Sunday) routinely book out 3 to 6 months in advance. If you’re targeting peak Melbourne wedding seasons (Spring and Autumn) or want a specific time slot to align with golden hour photos, aim to book 6 to 9 months ahead.
4. Can we throw confetti or decorate the ceremony room?
Because the Old Treasury Building is a heritage-listed landmark—and runs back-to-back ceremonies throughout the day—styling and traditional confetti throwing are strictly off-limits:
Decorations: No external flowers, arches, signage, or candles can be brought into the rooms. The historic rooms are already dressed with classic furnishings, high ceilings, and rich tones.
Confetti: Rice, paper confetti, and real flower petals cannot be thrown inside the building or on the exterior grand front steps.
The Alternative: Bubbles outside on Spring Street or high-fives as you hit the bottom steps!
5. Where are the best nearby spots for wedding photos?
One of the biggest perks of an Old Treasury wedding is the sheer variety of world-class photo backdrops within a 5-minute walk:
The Old Treasury Steps & Colonnade: Right outside your ceremony door. The grand bluestone architecture and soaring columns offer instant editorial elegance.
Treasury & Fitzroy Gardens: Located directly behind and adjacent to the building. You get avenues of massive elm trees, lush green lawns, and historic fountains.
Melbourne Laneways & Spring Street: Step straight onto Spring Street for classic yellow Melbourne trams, historic streetscapes, or walk around the corner into Parliament Place for minimalist urban tones.
Iconic Eats & Bars: Head into the CBD or East Melbourne’s iconic spots—like Pellegrini’s, The European, or Siglo—for celebratory champagne and authentic lifestyle photos.
Your Melbourne Wedding Doesn't Have to Be Big to Be Meaningful
There is a growing appreciation for weddings that are smaller, more intentional and more personal.
A registry wedding doesn't mean you're having less of a wedding.
It can mean you're choosing more of what actually matters.
Your favourite people.
Your favourite city.
A beautiful meal.
A walk together.
A few photographs you will keep forever.
And the freedom to spend the day actually being together.
The Victorian Marriage Registry at the Old Treasury Building gives you an extraordinary starting point.
From there, Melbourne gives you the rest.
Architecture.
Gardens.
Laneways.
History.
Food.
Movement.
Light.
And endless little moments.
My role as a wedding photographer is not to turn your intimate wedding into a production.
It's to document it honestly, beautifully and with enough gentle direction that you feel confident without ever feeling like you're performing.
Photography that lets you be fully present.
If you're planning a Melbourne registry wedding, Old Treasury Building ceremony or intimate city elopement, I'd love to help you create a photography plan that fits your actual day — whether that's one hour, two hours, an afternoon around Melbourne or a complete elopement experience.
CHECK YOUR DATE
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ABOUT ROHIT JHAWAR PHOTOGRAPHY
RJ is a Melbourne based Wedding and Elopement Photographer who passionately documents love stories in the most intimate, fun and candid way. He enjoys being in nature and looking at things with wonder and new eyes each day. His photography is primarily driven by a deep sense of adventure, alchemy and being present. He aspires to capture the true essence of your intimate love story and to present it in a raw and candid manner.
