Collingwood Children’s Farm Photos with Liliana & Ryland

Not all weddings hum with the kind of quiet magic that sneaks up on you—but Liliana and Ryland’s day at Collingwood Children’s Farm did exactly that. It wasn’t about spectacle or grandeur. It was the soft breeze through the trees, the way they looked at each other beneath that enormous oak, and the low buzz of laughter from friends sprawled across picnic rugs. It felt like a memory before it was even over.

A man and woman dressed in wedding attire, standing outdoors among greenery, holding hands and smiling at each other.

A Rustic Melbourne Wedding That Felt Like Home

Nestled just 5km from the Melbourne CBD, Collingwood Children’s Farm is already known as one of the most charming, rustic venues for a countryside celebration in Victoria. But on this warm spring afternoon, it transformed into something even more magical. Liliana and Ryland wanted a day that felt relaxed, heartfelt, and grounded in nature—and they got it, wrapped in sunlight and eucalyptus.

A man with a top knot hairstyle, glasses, white shirt, navy suit pants, and a patterned tie stands in a doorway, smiling as he looks into a room. Inside the room, two women are smiling and laughing, one with dark hair and glasses, the other with curly hair. The room has a small bar cart with bottles and glassware, a framed picture of a bird on the wall, and a window with blinds.
A map and informational sign for Collinwood Children's Farm, showing the layout of animal paddocks, pathways, and farm areas, with handwritten notes and small illustrations.
A woman in a white dress touching a man's face, who is dressed in a gray blazer and dark pants, on a cobblestone alleyway with brick walls and green foliage.

The Intimate First Look


Before guests even arrived, Liliana and Ryland carved out a quiet moment just for themselves. They met in the alleyway out front of their Carlton North home—a place full of quiet morning rituals, bike rides, and shared coffees. It was an unassuming backdrop, but completely them. Liliana touched Ryland's shoulder, and as he turned, the air thickened with emotion.

With the hum of the neighbourhood in the background and eucalyptus lining the lane, they read personal vows aloud—tender, sometimes cheeky, and wholly theirs. These weren’t vows written for show, but for truth. Promises whispered through laughter and tears, held between two people who’ve grown side by side.

It was a grounding ritual before the rhythm of the day swept them away—a pause to remind them what this whole celebration was really about.

The Ceremony: Beneath the Oak Tree

The couple exchanged vows under the farm’s iconic century-old oak tree. Liliana, barefoot and radiant in her Grace Loves Lace gown, stood surrounded by native florals and soft morning light. Ryland waited beneath the branches in his tailored P. Johnson suit, visibly moved as Liliana approached.

Chickens scratched nearby, cows watched from across the paddock, and the rustling leaves overhead whispered through the quiet. This wasn’t just a wedding ceremony—it was a moment suspended in time, intimate and real.

A wedding ceremony taking place outdoors under a large leafy tree in Collinwood. The bride and groom are holding hands in front of an officiant, surrounded by guests. The scene is bright and festive, with various people dressed in formal attire.
A rustic outdoor scene featuring a small cream-colored wooden table with chipped paint, surrounded by two white wooden chairs. A glass vase with a bouquet of colorful flowers, including red, yellow, and purple blooms, is placed on the table. The background shows a large leafy tree providing shade, a wooden fence, and blurred greenery.
A couple kissing during a wedding ceremony outdoors under a large tree, surrounded by friends and family clapping and taking photos.

The Details: Thoughtful, Textured, and Timeless

A metal cooler filled with ice and bottles of champagne, with the bottles upside down and wrapped in gold foil.

What stood out about Liliana and Ryland’s farm wedding wasn’t extravagance—it was intention. Each detail was chosen with care. Their florals by Flos Botanical Studio brought soft, sculptural movement to the ceremony space. The reception barn was styled simply with hanging lights, local blooms, and earthy linen textures that felt effortless but warm.

Guests sipped cocktails near the stables, wandered the farm, and basked in the slow, golden afternoon light. It was a candid photographer’s dream—everywhere I looked, there was laughter, joy, and soft connection, captured by a Melbourne wedding photographer.

A couple is sharing a kiss at their wedding reception in a rustic venue with wooden walls and ceiling, and a wedding cake with flowers on a wooden barrel nearby at Collingwood Children's Farm.
People gathered in a rustic barn-style venue, raising glasses in a toast, celebrating and smiling at a festive event.
People gathered indoors at night, seen through an open barn door, illuminated by bright lights, with the dark sky and trees in the background.
People gathered inside a rustic barn for a celebration, with two individuals standing at a microphone speaking, surrounded by seated attendees at wooden tables, warm lighting, and wooden beams overhead.

Reception in the Barn: Golden Hour and Big Feelings

A couple dressed in formal attire holding hands on outdoor stairs surrounded by greenery, with the woman in a white dress and the man in a gray blazer and dark pants at Abbotsford Convent.
A wedding reception dance floor with a couple dancing closely together, a woman in a white lace dress and a man in a gray blazer and black pants, surrounded by smiling guests inside a rustic wooden venue.

As the sun set over the farm, the celebration moved into the barn—twinkling with fairy lights and filled with long timber tables and shared feasting platters. The Farm Café delivered a stunning menu of seasonal, local produce, paired with wines that flowed all evening. Liliana and Ryland’s first dance was tender, framed by the glow of lanterns and the sounds of a live acoustic set.

One of my favorite images? The two of them stealing away to Abbotsford Convent just before dusk, stepping briefly outside the orbit of speeches and shared platters, finding that rare hush as the light softened. It wasn’t far—just a short stroll from the barn to the edge of the Yarra—but it felt worlds away from the buzz of the reception.

They wandered the laneways, paused by ivy-wrapped brick walls, and soaked in the golden stillness that only Abbotsford’s backstreets can offer. Those images—just the two of them, hand in hand, breathing in the moment—became some of the most meaningful of the day. Not staged, not posed—just deeply present.

Why Collingwood Children’s Farm is a Perfect Melbourne Wedding Venue

Liliana and Ryland’s day is the perfect example of what this venue does best. It invites a celebration that’s both grounding and whimsical. From the ceremony beneath native trees to dancing under the stars, Collingwood Children’s Farm gives you:

  • A unique Melbourne wedding venue that feels like a countryside escape

  • Flexible ceremony and reception locations, including the oak tree, paddock, barn, and café

  • Exclusive farm-to-table catering by the Farm Café

  • Natural, candid photo opportunities everywhere you turn

  • A warm, inclusive energy that welcomes every guest

Final Thoughts

If you’re planning a candid, intimate wedding in Melbourne, Collingwood Children’s Farm is a venue that deserves your heart. Liliana and Ryland’s wedding was full of joy, tenderness, and authentic moments—proof that the best wedding days don’t need to be flashy, just full of feeling.

Curious about farm weddings in Melbourne? Let’s chat. Whether you’re dreaming up something barefoot and boho, or laidback and full of flavour, I’d love to hear your vision.

Explore more from Liliana & Ryland’s wedding here where it was featured on Together Journal.

FAQs

1. How many guests can Collingwood Children’s Farm accommodate?
Up to 150 guests comfortably, with flexible spaces for intimate weddings or larger celebrations.

2. What are the ceremony and reception location options?
Couples can choose from the oak tree, stables paddock, barn, or Farm Café garden.

3. Is the venue weatherproof?
Yes. The barn and café offer sheltered options, and the staff help coordinate weather contingency plans.

4. Can we bring our own vendors?
While catering is handled in-house by the Farm Café, most other vendors (like florists, celebrants, musicians) are flexible.

5. Is the venue kid-friendly?
Absolutely. The farm is interactive and fun for children, making it a great choice for family-focused celebrations.