RYDGES MELBOURNE WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHY

This was one of the first weddings held at the newly upgraded Rydges Melbourne, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect walking in. As it turned out, that uncertainty came with a silver lining. The staff went above and beyond throughout the day to deliver a smooth experience for the couple, their guests, and even us vendors. From a wedding videographer’s perspective, that kind of support behind the scenes makes a real difference.

What makes Rydges Melbourne unique is how rare it is to find a venue in the middle of the CBD where you can hold the entire wedding from start to finish. The day began with morning prep in the hotel rooms, followed by a rooftop ceremony and canapés, and finally a large reception downstairs in the function space. They’ve even got onsite parking, which in the heart of the city is a luxury on its own.

Venues like Crown are popular for these full-service wedding days, but what Rydges offers is proximity to so many classic Melbourne photo and video locations. The couple chose to do a first look beside the rooftop pool, which felt private and personal without needing to leave the venue. From there, we headed out into the city for couple portraits around the streets. By doing this pre-ceremony, the couple had the freedom to stay present and relaxed with their guests later in the day.

The rooftop ceremony was framed by views of the skyline and wrapped up with a fun bubble exit as the newlyweds walked out. It was one of those moments that translates beautifully into the final wedding film. The guests then moved down to the reception, held in a spacious and well-lit room that gave me everything I needed to cover speeches and the couple’s reactions clearly. The couple were seated on stage next to the speakers, which meant I could frame each toast with both the speaker and the couple’s expressions in one clean shot.

After dinner, the couple delivered a polished first dance before opening up the floor. The energy quickly picked up and the dancefloor was full within minutes. I spent some time capturing all the movement, laughs and music before wrapping up after what had been a smooth and seamless day.

If you’re planning a city wedding and want the convenience of keeping everything in one place without sacrificing photo locations or guest experience, Rydges Melbourne is worth a look. As a wedding videographer, it’s a venue that provides flexibility, clean visuals, and plenty of opportunities to build a dynamic and story-driven wedding film.