Venue Spotlight: Alto at the Royal Botanic Gardens

As a Melbourne wedding photographer and the owner of Ten Acres Agency, I've had the privilege of capturing love stories in some of the most beautiful venues across Victoria. But when I first stepped into Alto at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, I knew I'd discovered something truly special. This isn't just another wedding venue – it's a photographer's dream and a couple's paradise rolled into one breathtaking space.

Let me take you through everything you need to know about Alto, from the perspective of someone who's spent countless hours behind the lens, watching couples create their most cherished memories in this extraordinary setting.

Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

Before we dive into Alto itself, we need to talk about its incredible location. The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne has been woven into the fabric of Melbourne's cultural life for nearly 180 years. Think about that for a moment – generations of Victorians, along with visitors from around the world, have fallen in love with these gardens. As a photographer, I'm constantly seeking locations with character, history, and natural beauty, and the Botanic Gardens delivers on all three fronts.

Situated on the fringe of Melbourne's CBD in the arts district, you're surrounded by iconic landmarks like The Shrine of Remembrance, The Arts Centre, and The National Gallery of Victoria. This means your wedding day isn't just happening at a beautiful venue – it's taking place in the heart of Melbourne's cultural soul.

The gardens themselves sprawl across 38 hectares, housing more than 8,500 species of plants from around the globe. From camellias to rainforest flora, from cacti to roses, the diversity of backdrops available for your wedding photography is simply unmatched. I've photographed couples against the backdrop of Southern China-inspired plantings, among rare and threatened species collections, and beneath the canopy of ancient trees. Each corner of these gardens tells a different story, which means your wedding album will be rich with variety and visual interest.

Alto

Now, let's talk about Alto itself – the star of the show. When Curtis Stone Events designed this space, they created something that feels almost contradictory in the best possible way: it's a temporary structure that feels wonderfully permanent.

The Space

The moment you walk into Alto, your eyes are drawn upward. Soaring ceilings create a sense of grandeur and space that's perfect for those sweeping, dramatic shots I love to capture. The framed glass paneling is a photographer's dream – natural light floods the venue from every angle, creating that soft, flattering illumination that makes everyone look their absolute best.

The design takes inspiration from mid-century modernist architecture, celebrating simplicity and scale. As someone who's constantly working with light and composition, I can't overstate how important this is. The clean lines and minimal aesthetic mean nothing competes with you – the couple – for attention. You're always the focal point, framed beautifully by the architecture and the stunning gardens visible through the glass.

The transparency of the structure creates a seamless connection between the indoor celebration and the natural beauty outside. During golden hour, when that warm, amber light filters through the trees and glass panels, the entire space transforms into something magical. I've captured some of my favorite images during these moments, when the boundary between inside and outside seems to dissolve completely.

Planning Your Alto Wedding

One of the things I always tell my couples is that a great venue isn't just about beautiful spaces – it's about the support you receive throughout the planning process. Alto delivers here too, with a dedicated team of event professionals including an Event Producer and Event Manager who support you from the initial planning stages right through to your wedding day.

Capacity and Layout

Alto can accommodate up to 450 guests for cocktail-style events, but for seated celebrations with a dance floor, the maximum is 250 guests arranged in five rows of 50. From a photography perspective, this layout works beautifully. It creates natural sight lines, ensures everyone can see the important moments, and gives me plenty of space to move around and capture different angles without disrupting the celebration.

Seasonal Availability

Here's an important detail: Alto is available annually from November to March. This seasonal availability means you're guaranteed beautiful summer weather and longer daylight hours – a photographer's dream. Those extended golden hours give us more time to capture stunning outdoor portraits in the gardens, and the warm weather means guests are comfortable moving between the indoor and outdoor spaces.

Dog Flat Lawn

Before your guests even enter Alto, they're treated to something spectacular. Arrival drinks and canapés are served on Dog Flat Lawn, overlooking the ornamental lake. I always encourage couples to build extra time into their schedule for this portion of the day because the photography opportunities are endless.

The lake provides a stunning, reflective backdrop for candid shots of your guests mingling and enjoying the pre-ceremony festivities. The natural setting helps everyone relax, and relaxed guests make for better photographs. There's something about being surrounded by nature that brings out genuine smiles and laughter – the kind of moments I live to capture.

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
Stones of the Yarra Valley
Gardens House, Royal Botanical Gardens
Butler Lane

The Alto Package

Alto comes fully equipped with everything you need, which is another reason I recommend it to my couples. Let me break down what makes this venue so photographer-friendly:

Bridal Suite and Green Room

Having a dedicated bridal suite means I can capture those intimate getting-ready moments in a beautiful, well-lit space. These photos are some of the most treasured images from any wedding day – the nervous excitement, the laughter with bridesmaids, the quiet moments before the ceremony begins.

Bar and Dance Floor

The included bar and dance floor setup means the party can flow naturally throughout the evening. Dance floor shots capture some of the most joyful, uninhibited moments of any wedding, and Alto's space is perfectly configured for this.

Furniture and Styling

Alto provides an exclusive furniture hire range including white bentwood chairs, customizable linens, high tables and chairs, and soft furnishings. The cohesive aesthetic means your photos will have a polished, editorial quality without you having to coordinate multiple vendors.

Technical Amenities

From a practical standpoint, Alto includes crockery, cutlery, glassware, PA system, wireless microphones, heating and cooling, and even ceiling installation opportunities. The PA system is particularly important for photographers – clear audio for speeches means guests aren't straining to hear, which leads to more natural, engaged expressions in photos.

The Curtis Stone Events Experience

I need to take a moment to talk about Curtis Stone Events because the culinary experience at Alto is far more than just catering – it's an integral part of your wedding story.

Curtis Stone is a Michelin-starred chef who began his career in Melbourne before training under Marco Pierre White in Europe and eventually opening the acclaimed Maude restaurant in Beverly Hills. The fact that he's brought this level of expertise back to his hometown of Melbourne, partnering with his brother Luke Stone and Chris Sheldon, means you're getting world-class culinary artistry at your wedding.

Menu and Beverages

Executive Chef Travis McAuley works under Curtis's direction to create abundant menu selections, and couples even have the opportunity for menu tastings. As a photographer, I love when couples invest in excellent food because it shows in the photos. Guests enjoying exceptional cuisine photograph beautifully – you can see the pleasure and satisfaction in their expressions.

Alto offers three beverage packages to suit different preferences and budgets:

The Ava Package (included in your booking) features Seppelt Prosecco, quality wines from Hartogs Plate, and a selection of beers including Furphy Original, Peroni Red, and 150 Lashes, plus Capi waters.

The Alice Package (additional $15 per person) upgrades to T'Gallant wines, 821 South Sauvignon Blanc, and St Huberts The Stag Rosé, among others.

The Reese Package (additional $30 per person) elevates the experience further with Cav D'oro Prosecco, Squealing Pig, Penfolds Max's range, and Coldstream Hills Pinot Noir.

All packages include a generous five-hour service window, which aligns perfectly with the natural flow of a wedding day from ceremony through dinner and into dancing.

Why Alto Works

After photographing numerous weddings at Alto, I can tell you exactly why this venue delivers extraordinary images every single time:

Natural Light: The abundance of natural light means I rarely need to rely heavily on artificial lighting. Your photos will have that soft, romantic quality that only natural light can provide.

Versatile Backdrops: Between the modern architecture of Alto and the diverse plantings throughout the Royal Botanic Gardens, we can create an entire album that feels like it was shot across multiple locations.

Flow and Space: The layout of Alto encourages natural movement and interaction. Guests don't feel cramped, which means more genuine, unforced moments to photograph.

Year-Round Beauty: The seasonal availability (November to March) means you're guaranteed lush, vibrant gardens as your backdrop. The Australian summer provides that golden, warm light that makes every image glow.

Attention to Detail: From the furniture to the table settings to the ceiling installations, every element of Alto is designed with aesthetics in mind. This cohesive vision means your photos will look intentional and beautiful from every angle.

Final Thoughts

As a wedding photographer, I've learned that the venue sets the tone for the entire day. It influences how couples feel, how guests interact, and ultimately, what stories I'm able to tell through my lens. Alto at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne is one of those rare venues that elevates every aspect of the wedding experience.

The combination of historical significance, natural beauty, modern architecture, world-class catering, and thoughtful amenities creates an environment where love stories unfold beautifully. Whether you're planning an intimate celebration or a grand affair with hundreds of guests, Alto provides the canvas upon which your unique story can be painted.

From my perspective behind the camera, I know that when couples choose Alto, they're not just selecting a venue – they're investing in memories captured in one of Melbourne's most stunning settings. The photos we create together in this space will be treasured for generations, just as the Royal Botanic Gardens themselves have been treasured for nearly 180 years.

If you're considering Alto for your wedding, I'd love to chat about how we can work together to capture your day in this remarkable space. Because at Ten Acres Agency, we believe that the right venue combined with thoughtful photography creates something truly timeless.