Thinking about having your wedding in a forest?

There are so many affordable forest wedding venues across Australia – and specifically in my home state of Victoria.

This wonderful state is home to some luscious and incredibly beautiful woodlands that make absolutely gorgeous wedding locations.

How do I know? I’m a wedding photographer! And I’ve shot some pretty amazing photos in a whole raft of natural, woody paradises! Just take a look at some of my photos.

The best forest wedding venues in Victoria are:

• Kinglake Forest
• Poet’s Lane
• Beech Forest
• Cement Creek Redwood Forest

Keep reading below to find out more!

(But before you do, I recommend you read my ultimate guide on choosing the perfect wedding venue!)

So here’s my list of what I think are some places you should certainly considering thinking about when planning your big day.

Best forest wedding venues in Victoria: My favourite four

There are so many forest weddings to choose from in Melbourne but, if I had to choose, I’d probably nail them down to my favourite four.

In these places, you’ll be surrounded by Victoria’s absolute finest.

1. Kinglake Forest

Kinglake Forest is located about an hour north east of Melbourne’s CBD.

If you’re looking to tie the knot in a completely natural, rustic and unforgettable location, you need look no further than Kinglake – where you’ll feel precisely like a king (or queen)!

The forests are part of Kinglake National Park, located at the Great Dividing Range full of breathtaking scenery, with mesmerising views vies of Port Phillip Bay and the Yarra Valley.

You’ll need to keep your eyes out for Aussie native birds as you celebrate in this part of Australia, as rosellas, sulphur-crested cockatoos and lyrebirds may crash your wedding!

Read more at the Kinglake National Park website!

2. Poet’s Lane

Poet’s Lane is basically a fairytale wedding venue in the middle of the gorgeous (and world famous) Dandenong Forest.

You’ll be taken to a mystical and magical outdoor environment only about 50 minutes from Melbourne CBD.

You’ll be exposed to all the amazing elements that make up the perfect forest wedding – a fancy garden gazebo, laneways full of leaves and water features that will absolutely take your breath away.

There’s also an extremely romantic bridge that makes the perfect magical photo. A photo there will create a timeless memory with your loved one.

Read more about Poet’s Lane right here!

3. Beech Forest

Beech Forest is Victoria’s hidden gem along the Great Ocean Road – located around 43 kilometres south of Colac and at the north of the Otway Ranges.

This place is swimming in history, being a post-war settlement and known for its potato farming!

The forest is named after the “Beech” trees that call the area their home and over the years became a major hub for the local timber sector.

And because of its immense beauty, it’s now become a perfect spot to have your wedding.

One thing that makes Beech Forest stand out from the rest – the redwood trees. Californian Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) are the tallest trees in world, and they were planted in this forest in 1939.

There’s just something about having your entire wedding framed in beautiful redwood trees – adding that magical atmosphere that’s sure to make your big day one to remember.

4. Cement Creek Redwood Forest

You can never go wrong if you have your special moment at the Cement Creek Redwood Forest (You can probably tell I like the redwood tree – I love it!)

This forest is located just east of Warburton, and is about one and a half hours’ drive from Melbourne.

The place is full of Californian redwoods – planted in in 1930 and now with over 1,476 trees (the tallest being around 55 metres)!

Being surrounded by those magical redwoods is similar to the feeling of being in an enchanted forest – you’ll literally feel like your getting married in a fairytale. But this will be real!

However, you should also note that you must apply for a permit if you want to hold a wedding ceremony in a Victorian park.

Some more amazing forest wedding photos in Victoria 😉

Need a wedding photographer for your forest wedding?

I’m Shar – a professional wedding photographer who took all the photos you see in this blog!

If you know a little about me, you’ll know I absolutely love taking photos in forests. There’s just something about the trees, leaves, rivers, lakes, waterfalls and the sound of birds that truly make a wedding special.

But there’s so much more than this list!

If you’re keen on learning more about the best forest wedding venues in Victoria from an experienced wedding photographer, get in touch and I’ll be pleased to show you!