Wedding permits

Additional restrictions are in place for ceremonies held within a heritage listed park or garden: Carlton Gardens, Fitzroy Gardens, Kings Domain and Queen Victoria Gardens. 

No infrastructure is permitted at these locations, and set-up is limited to: 

• up to 80 chairs 
• up to 4 tables 
• up to 4 market umbrellas 
• a wedding arch or arbour. 

Note: the use of an arch/arbour impacts the allowance for market umbrellas. We will discuss these limitations with you during the application process.

If your set-up exceeds the above, you may wish to consider Treasury or Flagstaff Gardens as an alternative location.

In high winds, water fountains or features such as the Hochgurtel Fountain in Carlton Gardens may not be in operation. 

We don’t allow infrastructure to be placed over water features (such as a platform over the Pioneer Women’s Memorial pond in King’s Domain), due to risk of injury, damage to existing infrastructure and reinstatement costs.

Access to Fitzroy Gardens Conservatory for a ceremony or photography is only available outside of public opening hours (9am to 5.30pm). Outside of these times, the conservatory can be hired for 1.5 hours (5.30pm to 7pm) or 3 hours (5.30pm 8.30pm), including setup and pack down. 

We recommend ceremonies held inside the Conservatory are limited to 60 guests, cocktail style (standing). The outdoor area of the Conservatory allows space for larger ceremonies. We encourage you to consider a set-up time prior to your ceremony, noting access for set-up cannot be granted before 5.30pm. 

The floral arrangements inside the conservatory change throughout the year and can’t be altered in any way. The displays are specifically arranged to coordinate seasonal variations in availability of flowers. We recommend inspecting the site closer to your ceremony to ensure you can accommodate any recent changes inside the venue, which may include changes to internal structures and walking paths.

Floral show guide:

• Begonia show (February to April)
• Tropical show (April to July)
• Cyclamen show (July to September)
• Schizanthus show (September to November)
• Hydrangea show (November to February) 

Many events are held in and around the city’s parks and gardens throughout the year. We are not able to advise you of other events happening on your wedding day, but you can check major event listings on sites such as What’s OnOpens in new tab to help you plan ahead. 

If you are planning to have your wedding in Kings Domain or Queen Victoria Gardens, keep in mind that the Sidney Myer Music Bowl is located within Kings Domain and often hosts large musical events and concerts. You can check their event scheduleOpens in new tab here.

If you are planning to have your wedding in Carlton Gardens, keep in mind the Royal Exhibition Building is privately managed. We recommend you contact Museum management on 13 11 02 to check if there are any events scheduled on the same day as your booking that may impact your wedding.

Wedding permit fees apply to commitment ceremonies that are invitation only. This does not include wedding receptions, parties or wedding photography.

• All wedding permit applications incur an application fee which is non-refundable, and a site fee.
• Use the interactive mapOpens in new tab to determine the classification of the site you are booking.
• Additional fees may apply.
• Fees are effective from 1 July 2024.

On receipt of a completed application, we will review details and availability and get back to you advising on next steps.

To secure your chosen location, on receipt of an invoice, fees must be paid within 7 days.

To pay your invoice online, you will need to provide the reference number located on your invoice.

Pay your invoice onlineOpens in new tab

As a permit holder you are responsible for costs incurred to reinstate a public place back to its original and best possible condition after your ceremony. This includes addressing any damage incurred by third parties, suppliers or contracted service providers.

Read the fact sheet for examples of how to prevent damage and the possible costs involved in reinstating public places:

When making an application, you are required to specify which area of the park you wish to book. Use our online mapOpens in new tab to determine the specific location including lawn numbers.

There are no signs on the lawns themselves, so if you are planning a site visit, it is recommended that you bookmark a digital map and use your smartphone or mobile device to find the location when you arrive at the park.

Once a booking is made and a permit issued, the specified location is reserved for your use. 

The Crown Land (Reserves) Act does not allow for exclusive use of gardens or for an area to be physically cordoned off from the public. i.e. we don’t physically fence off the area for your use. 

Ensure you have a copy of your permit with you on the day. When setting up for the ceremony, the public have a good understanding that an event is going to commence and usually leave the space. 

Marquees are not allowed in heritage-listed parks: Carlton Gardens, Fitzroy Gardens, Kings Domain and Queen Victoria Gardens. 

In all other locations, marquees are allowed in line with our terms and conditions.

Up to four market umbrellas are allowed. Umbrellas cannot be pegged into the ground.

We don’t provide any kind of furniture infrastructure or recommend suppliers. You will need to source these yourself. 

There is no access to power - we encourage you to bring battery-operated devices. Amplified sound must not exceed 65 decibels.

Bridal vehicles (including cars and horse-drawn carriages) are prohibited from entering or remaining in a park or garden. 

Vehicle access can be permitted for the drop off and collection of equipment or for the transportation of mobility impaired guests, in line with our terms and conditions.

Car parking close to our park and garden locations is limited. You may wish to consider reserving car parking spaces and advise guests to use alternative modes of transport. To locate nearby street or commercial parking, see where to park.

A permit is not usually required - photos may be taken in the city’s parks and gardens free of charge, unless you need a reserved space for the photography.  

To undertake photography within the Fitzroy Gardens Conservatory (which can only be booked outside its hours of operation), you will need a permit.

If you are using a drone/remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) as part of your photography, you will need a filming permit.

You should consider the possibility of bad weather when making a booking. We do not provide wet weather alternatives, and you can't erect a marquee without prior notice.

As stated in the permit terms and conditions, fees are not refunded in the case of wet weather or extreme weather conditions such as heat. 

The use of confetti (including biodegradable) or rice in parks and gardens is prohibited. You are allowed to use real (fresh or dried) flower petals, however, these must be completely cleared from the site before departure. 

You are allowed to serve alcohol, but not sell alcohol.  

If serving alcohol, you must also serve food and ensure all rubbish and containers are cleared before you leave. 

No adhesive materials can be used and decorations can’t be tacked or taped onto City of Melbourne property or trees.  

We encourage you to place decorations on your own furniture, for example, on chairs or flower stands. 

Due to associated risks and reinstatement costs, we do not support this.

City of Melbourne is continually maintaining assets. We endeavor to avoid impacts or clashes with activations in public spaces. Where we identify works or maintenance that will significantly impact your wedding, we will notify you as soon as possible. 

Our skilled contractors work hard to keep parks and gardens looking their best at all times. Flowers and other plants need to be maintained and can be at varying stages in height and growth throughout the year. You may consider visiting several locations before making your booking.  

Most floral plantings in parks and gardens are annual or seasonal and require replanting. Regular maintenance may mean the flowers will not be in full bloom during your wedding. There are four stages of re-planting:

1. Preparation
2. Seeding
3. Blooming
4. Declining

We encourage you to visit the site in the lead up to your wedding so you are across its current condition. We are more than happy to consider alternative lawn locations, provided there is availability.