Stones of the Yarra Valley Venue Spotlight
As a Melbourne-based wedding photographer and owner of Ten Acres Agency, I've had the privilege of capturing love stories at some of Victoria's most stunning venues. But there's something truly special about Stones of the Yarra Valley that keeps me coming back, camera in hand, ready to document another unforgettable celebration.
Rising from the rustic, weather-beaten remnants of a barn left idle for generations, Stones has emerged as the region's premier wedding destination. Today, I want to share everything you need to know about this extraordinary property from a photographer's perspective—because understanding your venue is the first step to creating timeless wedding imagery.
The Property
Located on one of the most picturesque and historic properties in the Yarra Valley, Stones offers uninterrupted views across 200 acres of vineyards to the blue-tinged Great Dividing Range. This isn't just a wedding venue; it's a complete wedding experience spread across a magnificent estate that includes multiple ceremony and reception options, luxury accommodation, and even a sister venue called Meletos with its own restaurant, brewery, and whiskey bar.
What sets Stones apart is how seamlessly it blends rustic charm with sophisticated elegance. The rough-rendered Chapel and Dairy nestle under century-old oak trees, while modern reception venues feature floor-to-ceiling windows that frame those spectacular vineyard vistas. As a photographer, I can tell you that this combination creates endless opportunities for capturing both intimate, romantic moments and grand, sweeping scenes.
The Chapel
Let me start with what I consider one of the most photogenic ceremony venues in Victoria—The Chapel. This non-denominational space was purpose-built for wedding ceremonies, and it shows in every thoughtful detail.
A Photographer's Dream
The Chapel seats between 160 and 180 guests, with a balcony overflow that can accommodate up to 200 people total. But the capacity is just the beginning. Custom-made timber pews crafted exclusively for this space create beautiful leading lines in photographs, while the elegant central chandelier provides a stunning focal point. Stained glass arched windows cast the most gorgeous light throughout the day, and the minimalistic rendered walls ensure your love story remains the focus.
One of my favorite features is the Chapel bell, handcrafted by the Marinella family of Agnone, Italy. The sound of that bell ringing as newlyweds exit is something I always try to capture—it adds such a profound sense of tradition and celebration to the moment.
Inside, you'll find a Steinbach baby grand piano and vintage crystal wall sconces that add to the ethereal, romantic, and timeless atmosphere. There's also a private room for final preparations and a long timber signing table that photographs beautifully during the certificate signing.
Outdoor Ceremony Options
If you're dreaming of saying "I do" outdoors amongst the vines, Stones can make that happen too. The surrounding grounds offer breathtaking natural settings, though you'll need to arrange furniture and power externally. From a photography standpoint, outdoor ceremonies here are absolutely magical during golden hour, with the Great Dividing Range providing a dramatic backdrop.
The Perfect Interlude
After your ceremony, your guests will move to The Dairy for aperitivo—and this is where the Stones experience really begins to shine. Located between The Chapel and The Barn, The Dairy serves as a picturesque venue for guests to mingle while you steal away for portrait photography.
What Makes The Dairy Special
Your food and beverage package begins here, with guests enjoying drinks, roaming canapés, and a cheese grazing station. The venue features expansive panoramic windows that immerse guests in the adjoining vineyard views, a custom-made round timber service table, and a signature string of pendant lights overhead that create a warm, inviting glow for photographs.
There's a fully equipped indoor bar, a long stone outdoor table, and a heated outdoor terrace—because comfort matters in the Yarra Valley, no matter the season. The inclusion of restrooms here is also thoughtful planning that your guests will appreciate.
Optional Enhancements
The Dairy offers several bespoke enhancements that I've photographed over the years, and they always add something special to the experience. The Italian-inspired gelati cart is a hit with guests and makes for playful, candid shots. The freshly shucked Appellation oyster bar, attended by chefs, creates an elevated atmosphere that photographs beautifully.
Other options include a charcuterie table, specialty cocktails, a gin bar where guests can craft custom drinks, a champagne bar, and rustic lawn games. These enhancements aren't just about the experience—they're opportunities for capturing your guests having genuine fun and creating memories.
Reception Venues
Stones offers two exceptional reception venues, each with its own character and capacity. Choosing between them depends on your guest count and the atmosphere you want to create.
The Barn
The Barn is where I've photographed some of my favorite large-scale weddings. This grand, light-filled space features floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase vineyard and mountain views from every seat. The exposed timber trusses and cathedral ceilings create a sense of scale that's simply breathtaking, while polished concrete floors provide a sleek, modern foundation.
The Barn accommodates 65 to 200 guests in a long banquet table layout, making it perfect for larger celebrations. An impressive bar, spacious indoor dancefloor, and seamless flow to the Tuscan courtyard outdoors mean there's never a shortage of beautiful backdrops for photography. The natural light pouring through those panoramic windows is a photographer's dream, especially during late afternoon receptions.
For 2025-2027, The Barn requires minimum guest numbers that vary by day: 65 guests Monday through Friday, 80 for lunch weddings on weekends, and between 65-140 for dinner weddings depending on the day of the week. Saturday dinner weddings have the highest minimum at 140 guests (130 in 2025).
The Stables
For couples seeking a more intimate celebration, The Stables is absolute perfection. Originally established in 1868 and used by stable hands, this venue has been beautifully converted while maintaining its historic soul. The Stables accommodates 40 to 63 guests and exudes rustic elegance.
What I love photographing here: the exposed timber beams and pitched ceilings, the original brickwork that tells stories of generations past, the stunning chandelier, and the heritage bar. But the real gem is the private open-air loggia, complete with festoon lights, creating gorgeous indoor-outdoor flow for both day and evening celebrations.
The Stables is primarily available for lunch weddings and Monday through Wednesday dinner weddings, with a 40-guest minimum. This more exclusive availability makes it feel even more special for intimate gatherings.
Take a look at some of my other favorite venues:
State Library Victoria
Sophia at The Prahran Arcade
Coombe Yarra Valley
The Terrace
The Trust
Gardens House, Royal Botanical Gardens
Butler Lane
Accommodation
One of the biggest advantages of choosing Stones is the onsite luxury accommodation. As a photographer, I can't overstate how valuable it is to have your getting-ready photos, couple portraits, and guest accommodations all within walking distance.
The Farmhouse at Meletos
Located on the east side of the property with uninterrupted views across vines and apple orchards, The Farmhouse offers 23 luxury rooms in a two-storey Tuscan-inspired building. Each room is uniquely furnished with luxurious textiles and rare pieces sourced from travels around the world. The ambience is elegant and relaxed—perfect for those getting-ready photos that set the tone for your wedding album.
For newlyweds, there's the Tuscan Suite, boasting a soaker bathtub and walk-in shower. The suite is the epitome of luxury and photographs beautifully. The Farmhouse also features a cozy lobby with leather lounges and a grand open fireplace, full ensuites and minibars in every room, and a stunning outdoor courtyard and loggia overlooking the vines.
Evening wedding couples receive a preferential booking window for accommodation. You can reserve up to five rooms or secure exclusive access to all 23 rooms. Please note that children are only permitted when The Farmhouse is booked for exclusive use, and accommodation is charged separately from your wedding booking.
The Villa
For groups wanting self-contained luxury, The Villa is a hidden retreat on the north side of the property. This five-bedroom haven, curated by Creative Director Vonnie Frazer, offers a completely different accommodation experience that's perfect for bridal parties or family groups.
The Villa features five stunning bedrooms, all with luxurious ensuites. The top-floor Cortona Suite includes a bath and Juliet balcony with sensational Yarra Valley views—ideal for intimate bridal portraits. There's an open-plan lounge, dining, and kitchen area, plus a private, enclosed courtyard with outdoor dining and an open fireplace.
Located directly next door to The Day Room (an exclusive space for evening wedding preparations), The Villa makes getting ready feel like a relaxed retreat rather than a rushed scramble. As someone who photographs these precious pre-ceremony moments, I can tell you that having space, natural light, and beautiful surroundings makes all the difference.
The Complete Package
Stones operates on a per-guest pricing model with an additional venue hire fee. For 2025-2027, lunch weddings are priced at $285-$305 per person with a one-hour ceremony and four-hour food and beverage package. Dinner weddings run $300-$320 per person with a one-hour ceremony and five-hour package.
Food and Beverage
Your package includes everything from The Dairy onwards: a free-flowing beverage package featuring locally selected wines, beer on tap, Napoleone & Co. Apple Cider, juices, mineral water, and soft drinks. In The Dairy, guests enjoy a cheese grazing station and four roaming canapés.
The reception continues with house-made sourdough bread and olive oil, an elegant three-course meal service (either alternate drop or family-style La Famiglia), cutting of your supplied wedding cake, and barista coffee and loose leaf tea from dessert time.
You can choose between two dining styles: Alternate, for a more formal experience with individually plated entrées and mains, or La Famiglia, inspired by family-style gatherings with three entrées and two main courses served on platters to share. Both photograph beautifully but create different atmospheres.
Styling and Inclusions
The styling inclusions ensure your reception looks polished without additional effort: A5 wedding menus, long reception table style and chairs, table numbers, silver cutlery, crockery and glassware, white linen napkins, choice of white tablecloths or runners, and a selection of Stones candlestick holders and tea light holders with wax candles provided.
Before your wedding day, you'll enjoy lunch for two in The Barn restaurant to sample menu options, have access to a wedding administrator, and can use the wedding drop-off room for pre-wedding storage. On the day itself, you'll have a wedding coordinator, chapel coordinator, and team members directing guests throughout the property.
Music facilities with AUX input and surround sound speakers are available in all venues. There's complimentary onsite parking, rustic easels with a welcome sign, a gift table and wishing well birdcage, setup of personal items like place cards and photo frames, a lectern and wireless microphone, cake table and knife, and beautiful seasonal foliage throughout the venue.
Optional Enhancements
While the standard package is comprehensive, Stones offers numerous enhancements that can elevate your celebration. These are charged additionally and don't contribute to the minimum spend, but they're worth considering for creating those special touches.
For The Dairy, consider the champagne tower—a stunning five-tier tower with custom plinth that adds incredible theatre to your first toast. Other reception enhancements include artisan bread upgrades, seafood platters pre-set on tables, late-night snacks for evening weddings, and a cheese and fruit table served at dessert time.
Venue enhancements include bespoke menus with a custom illustration of The Chapel, fairy light installations overhead in The Barn, property closure for complete privacy, and access to The Day Room for evening wedding preparations and photography.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Let me be transparent about the investment required for a Stones wedding, because understanding the numbers upfront helps you plan effectively. As someone who's worked with countless couples through their venue selection process, I know that clarity around costs is essential.
Pricing Structure
Stones operates on a per-guest pricing model with an additional venue hire fee. Here's what you need to know for 2025-2027:
Lunch Weddings (1-hour ceremony + 4-hour food & beverage package):
2025: $285 per person
2026: $295 per person
2027: $305 per person
Dinner Weddings (1-hour ceremony + 5-hour food & beverage package):
2025: $300 per person
2026: $310 per person
2027: $320 per person
These per-guest rates cover everything I mentioned earlier: ceremony, The Dairy aperitivo experience, full reception with free-flowing beverages, three-course meal, styling, coordination, and all the venue inclusions.
Understanding Minimum Spend
Here's where it gets important: Stones has minimum guest requirements that vary by day of the week and venue. The minimum spend is calculated by multiplying the per-guest rate by the required minimum number of guests. If you don't meet the minimum guest count, the unmet balance gets incorporated on top of the venue hire fee.
The Stables Minimum Guest Numbers:
Lunch Weddings:
Monday to Friday: 40 guests
Saturday & Sunday: Not available
Public Holiday & Eve: 40 guests
Dinner Weddings:
Monday to Wednesday: 40 guests
Thursday through Sunday: Not available
Public Holiday & Eve: Not available
The Barn Minimum Guest Numbers:
Lunch Weddings (2025/2026/2027):
Monday to Friday: 65 guests
Saturday & Sunday: 80 guests
Public Holiday & Eve: 80 guests
Dinner Weddings:
Monday to Wednesday: 65 guests
Thursday: 80 guests (2025), 90 guests (2026/2027)
Friday: 100 guests (2025), 120 guests (2026/2027)
Saturday: 130 guests (2025), 140 guests (2026/2027)
Sunday: 100 guests
Public Holiday: 100 guests
Public Holiday Eve: 120 guests
Venue Capacities
The Chapel: Seats 160-180 guests, with balcony overflow allowing up to 200 total
The Stables: Seats 40-63 guests in long banquet table layout
The Barn: Seats 65-200 guests in long banquet table layout
Additional Fees to Consider
Public Holiday Fee: $1,400 for The Stables or $2,800 for The Barn
Reduced Winter Minimums: Guest minimums reduce during winter months (June to August). Contact the Stones team for specific winter pricing.
Accommodation: Charged separately and managed directly with the event accommodation team. Evening wedding couples get preferential booking windows.
Optional Enhancements: All enhancements (champagne tower, fairy lights, oyster bar, etc.) are charged in addition to and do not contribute toward the minimum spend.
What This Means in Real Numbers
Let me give you some examples to make this concrete:
Example 1: Saturday Dinner Wedding in The Barn (2025)
Minimum guests required: 130
Cost per guest: $300
Minimum spend: $39,000 (plus venue hire fee)
Example 2: Friday Lunch Wedding in The Barn (2026)
Minimum guests required: 65
Cost per guest: $295
Minimum spend: $19,175 (plus venue hire fee)
Example 3: Wednesday Dinner Wedding in The Stables (2027)
Minimum guests required: 40
Cost per guest: $320
Minimum spend: $12,800 (plus venue hire fee)
My Recommendation
From a photographer's perspective, I always encourage couples to choose a day that aligns naturally with their guest count rather than stretching to meet a higher minimum. A Wednesday dinner wedding for 50 people in The Stables will feel perfectly intimate and special. A Saturday dinner wedding for 150 in The Barn will feel appropriately grand. Both create beautiful imagery, but they're different experiences.
The value proposition at Stones is strong—you're not just paying for a venue, but for a complete experience with premium food and beverage, professional coordination, beautiful styling, and a property that's maintained to the highest standards. When you factor in what's included versus what you'd need to source separately at other venues, the numbers often work out quite favorably.
A Photographer's Final Thoughts
Having photographed countless weddings at Stones of the Yarra Valley, I can confidently say it's one of the most versatile and photogenic venues in the region. The combination of historic charm, modern luxury, stunning natural surroundings, and thoughtful inclusions creates the perfect canvas for your wedding day.
Whether you choose The Barn's grandeur or The Stables' intimacy, whether you say your vows in The Chapel or under open sky, whether your celebration is an intimate gathering of forty or a grand affair of two hundred—Stones provides the setting, and you provide the love story. My job is simply to capture the magic that unfolds when the two come together.
If you're considering Stones of the Yarra Valley for your wedding and want to discuss how to make the most of this incredible venue from a photography perspective, I'd love to chat. At Ten Acres Agency, we specialize in understanding venues as well as we understand light, composition, and those fleeting moments that become treasured memories.
Your wedding day will be filled with laughter, tears, dancing, and joy. Stones of the Yarra Valley ensures it will also be filled with breathtaking beauty at every turn. And I'll be there, camera ready, to make sure none of it is forgotten.
Contact Ten Acres Agency to discuss your Stones of the Yarra Valley wedding photography.
