Madison & Owen’s Intimate Melbourne City Wedding at The Hotel Windsor

Some weddings are loud and high-energy. Madison and Owen’s was the opposite — calm, elegant, and full of heart.

From getting ready at the grand Hotel Windsor to their quiet vows across the road at the Victorian Marriage Registry, their day felt like a gentle exhale. Every moment was simple, personal, and deeply meaningful, shared with just 40 of their closest people.

A woman and a man kissing passionately, with the woman holding the man's face and the man's hand resting on her waist.

Getting Ready at The Hotel Windsor

The day started in the heart of the Melbourne CBD, where Madison and Owen got ready in separate rooms at The Hotel Windsor — one of Melbourne’s most iconic heritage hotels.

The morning was slow and unhurried. Soft window light. Vintage details. The kind of quiet energy that suits a small wedding. Madison’s gown hung near the fireplace while Owen straightened his tie just down the hall.

A woman in a white robe applies makeup while looking in a mirror at a wooden dressing table filled with various cosmetics and brushes.
Wedding ring, engagement ring, small decorative tray, vintage postage stamps, lace ribbon, and jewelry box on a cream-colored fabric.
A man in a tuxedo with a black bowtie adjusting his jacket near a window with floral curtains.
A bride in a white wedding dress and wide-brimmed hat stands next to a groom in a navy suit, both looking out the window in a well-lit room with floral curtains and patterned carpet.

First Look in the Windsor Suite

Before the ceremony, Madison and Owen shared a first look in the Windsor Suite — just the two of them.

They read personal vows in private, with the gold chandeliers and velvet drapes of the suite wrapping around them. It was quiet. Real. The kind of moment that doesn’t need an audience to matter.

A bride and groom hugging in a softly lit room, with the bride wearing a white dress and a wide-brimmed hat, and the groom wearing a dark suit.
A bride wearing a white dress, hat, and veil is looking at her groom during a wedding ceremony.

Ceremony at the Victorian Marriage Registry

They walked across Spring Street hand-in-hand to the Victorian Marriage Registry, where they were married in the Margaret Craig Room inside the Old Treasury Building.

The ceremony was short and heartfelt. No elaborate setup, just honest words and a room filled with love. For a lakeside city wedding with a touch of tradition, explore Nora & Martin's celebration at Carousel Albert Park. The historic timber walls made it feel timeless.

Two men dressed in black tuxedos with white shirts and black bow ties, standing indoors during a wedding ceremony, both wearing white boutonnières.
A black-and-white photo of a wedding ceremony with a bride and groom kissing at the altar, while a best man stands nearby smiling. The room is decorated with flowers and has a large window in the background.

Portraits at Parliament House

After the ceremony, we took a short walk uphill to Parliament House — one of the most iconic wedding photo locations in Melbourne. Madison’s veil caught the soft winter light as it moved gently in the breeze, and the long sandstone steps gave everything a quiet sense of grandeur.

It’s a space that feels both open and private. Even in the heart of the city, there’s a stillness to that part of Spring Street. We took our time. No posing. No rushing. Just the two of them walking, pausing, laughing in-between frames.

The symmetry of the columns, the texture of the stone, the soft overcast sky — it all came together to reflect exactly what their day was about: calm, honest, and full of little moments that didn’t need to be staged.

These are the kinds of portraits I love making as a wedding photographer in Melbourne — not just because the location is iconic, but because the energy is real. You can feel the quiet in the photos.

Group of four people smiling and hugging each other at a wedding, including a woman in a white dress and wide-brimmed hat, and three men in suits in a grand, bright location.
A woman in a white sleeveless dress and wide-brimmed hat with a veil, standing outdoors in front of a historic building with stone architecture and intricate tile flooring.
Woman in a white wedding gown holding a bouquet of flowers, wearing a wide-brimmed hat with a veil, standing inside a historic building with ornate tile flooring and large arched doorway in the background.
A happy couple in wedding attire walking hand in hand, with the groom holding a bouquet of white and green flowers, on a city street.

Dinner Reception in the Winston Room

The day wrapped back at The Hotel Windsor, this time in the Winston Room. The guest list was tight — just 40 close friends and family from all over the world. For another elegant ballroom wedding, explore Cynthia & Peter's celebration at The George Ballroom. The space felt like a private dinner party with candlelight, long tables, and quiet joy.

No big entrances. No wild party. Just connection, great food, and the comfort of knowing everyone in the room.

A happy bride and groom walking into a room, dressed in wedding formalwear. The bride is in a white gown, and the groom is in a dark tuxedo with a bow tie.
A smiling woman in a white dress and a man in a tuxedo with a bow tie holding cookies, standing close together and enjoying a sweet moment.
A white cake decorated with white and purple flowers sitting on a round table next to a multi-tiered tray of cookies decorated with white and blue icing, also adorned with flowers and greenery. The table has a white tablecloth.

A Quiet Break Upstairs

Midway through the reception, Madison and Owen slipped away for a few minutes — just the two of them. We headed back up to the Windsor Suite where they’d shared their first look earlier in the day.

The energy downstairs was warm and joyful, but in that quiet room again, everything softened. No distractions. No schedule. Just a quiet breather, a few slow portraits, and a chance to take it all in before rejoining their guests.

It was a small pause in the day, but one that gave them space to reconnect — and it showed in the photos.

A black-and-white photo of a woman and a man sitting on the floor in a hotel room, with the woman leaning against a bed and the man in a tuxedo. The room has a patterned carpet, a plaid armchair, and a window with curtains. Visible furniture includes a nightstand with a lamp and telephone.
A black and white photo of a woman and a man dressed in formal wedding attire sitting closely, with their hands gently touching and intertwined. The woman is wearing a white dress and earrings, while the man is in a tuxedo with a bowtie and a boutonnière.
A close-up black and white photograph of two women, one with her eyes closed and the other whispering into her ear.
A bride and groom sitting close together, with eyes closed, in a serene moment. The bride wears a white dress and earrings, and the groom wears a tuxedo with a bow tie. The bride is gently touching the groom's hands.

Final Thoughts

Madison and Owen’s wedding was proof that less really can be more. No big productions — just the kind of day that feels honest from beginning to end.

As a Melbourne wedding photographer, days like this remind me why I love what I do — capturing calm, meaningful celebrations that put connection first..

A newlywed couple dressed in wedding attire embracing and smiling at night outside a building with ornate architectural details and a lantern. The bride is in a white wedding gown with an off-the-shoulder design, and the groom is in a dark suit with a bow tie.
A joyful group of three people, including a bride holding a bouquet, laughing and celebrating outside a historic stone building of Parliament Building, Melbourne.
Group of five diverse friends hugging and smiling at a wedding, holding a large bouquet of white flowers, outside Parliament House, Melbourne
A black and white photo of a happy group of four people embracing, with a woman in a wedding dress holding a bouquet of flowers, surrounded by three men in suits, standing in front of a large building with columns.
Group of three people celebrating a wedding outdoors, standing in front of a historic building with large columns, two women holding bouquets of white roses, and a man in the middle wearing a dark blazer and light-colored pleated trousers.
A bride dressed in white holding a bouquet of white roses and greenery, standing outside on steps in front of a large building, wearing a wide-brimmed hat with netting and elegant earrings.
Black and white photo of a bride and groom standing on city steps, looking into each other's eyes. The bride is holding a bouquet and wearing a large hat, and the groom is wearing a tuxedo with a boutonniere, with tall buildings in the background.
A man and woman sharing a kiss outdoors, dressed in formal attire, with the woman wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a stylish coat.
A bride in a white wedding dress walking with her dad in a blue suit through a doorway in an indoor.
A bride and groom kiss during their wedding ceremony in a formal room, surrounded by seated guests taking photos, with a woman holding a bouquet of flowers and two men, one in a light-colored suit, present.
A black-and-white photo of a wedding ceremony with a couple kissing at the altar, a woman in a wedding dress and a man in a suit, with a man in a suit standing to the side, all in a decorated room with flowers and a chandelier.
Black and white photo of a bride and groom walking down the steps outside a building, smiling and holding hands, at their wedding celebration.
A woman in a white coat and wide-brimmed hat is hugging an elderly man in a black suit outside a historic building with large columns. The woman is smiling with her eyes closed, holding a bouquet of white flowers, and appears happy. Another man in a
Two men in suits embracing in a heartfelt hug outside a building, with several people standing nearby on a city sidewalk.
A bride in a white dress and large hat smiling and a groom in a dark suit crossing the street in the Melbourne cityscape with tall buildings and traffic lights.
Group of five people walking on sidewalk outside Hotel Windsor, dressed in formal wear, with two women holding bouquets, smiling and enjoying a celebratory moment.
A couple dressed in formal attire, with the woman in a white coat and wide-brimmed hat, walking up the steps of a large neoclassical building with tall columns.
A woman in a backless white wedding dress holding a bouquet, wearing a wide-brimmed hat with a veil, standing in an ornate, classical-style indoor setting with tall columns, decorative flooring, and an arched doorway.
A woman in a white dress and wide-brimmed hat with a birdcage veil standing outside a building with classical architecture of Parliament Building, Melbourne.
Four people, two men and two women, celebrating inside a grand building. One woman is being lifted, all are smiling and appear joyful. One woman holds a bouquet of white roses, and the woman being lifted is wearing a white dress and hat. The scene su
Group of four people smiling and hugging at a wedding, with a woman in a white dress and hat at the center, holding a bouquet of white flowers. Two men and another woman are embracing her in a joyful celebration.
Black and white photo of a man in a tuxedo with a bow tie and boutonniere, leaning against a large stone column on a decorative tiled floor.
A woman in a white dress and wide-brimmed hat with a veil, smiling at a man in a tuxedo during a wedding ceremony inside a grand building.
A bride in a white wedding gown and large hat with netting, and a groom in a black tuxedo with a bow tie, sharing a close moment on their wedding day.
A bride and groom holding hands in front of a historic building, with the bride turning her head to look at the camera. The bride is wearing a white sleeveless wedding gown, and the groom is dressed in a navy blue suit. Tall buildings are visible in
A black and white photo of a woman and a man embracing. The woman has dark hair, is wearing earrings and a sleeveless dress, and is resting her head on the man's shoulder. The man has short hair, is dressed in a suit, and looks down at the woman with
Black and white photo of a bride wearing a sleeveless wedding dress, holding hands with someone, standing on steps outside a building with columns.
A newlywed couple walking hand-in-hand outdoors, the bride in a white dress and the groom in a tuxedo holding a bouquet of flowers, both smiling.
A bride and groom sharing a kiss outside a building with the partially visible sign reading 'Windsor'.
A young couple, a man in a suit and a woman in a white dress with a veil, smiling as they pose in front of the Hotel Windsor in an urban setting.
A man in a dark suit lifting a woman in a white dress and veil, both smiling, in an outdoor street setting with people walking in the background.
Close-up of two women in an intimate embrace, showing parts of their faces and bodies in a passionate moment.
A smiling bride and groom in wedding attire sharing a joyful moment outdoors.
A close-up black and white photo of a woman in a sleeveless dress, with a man partially visible behind her, with his hand around her waist.
A couple is dancing and kissing on the sidewalk in front of Hotel Windsor, with a blurred background of other pedestrians and parked cars.
A three-tiered glass dessert stand filled with frosted cookies, macarons, and white flowers on a white tablecloth.
Close-up of a bride and groom holding hands, with the groom wrapping his arms around the bride, dressed in wedding attire.
A couple in wedding attire embracing, with the man hugging the woman from behind. The woman is wearing a white dress and pearl jewelry, and the man is dressed in a dark suit. Both are smiling and appear joyful.
A woman wearing a dress with her arm across her body, hugging another person from behind. The person behind is wearing a dark suit and has their arms around her. Both are smiling subtly in an intimate pose.
A woman in a white wedding dress and a man in a black tuxedo with a bow tie are posing together, smiling and embracing each other in a warmly lit room.
Close-up of two people, one appears to be whispering or kissing the other on the cheek, both with their eyes closed, in black and white.
A bride and groom kissing and holding each other's faces, sitting on the floor in a hotel room with a bed and nightstand in the background.
A bride and groom sitting closely on a bed, with eyes closed, holding hands in a prayer-like position.
Close-up black and white photo of a wedding couple, with the bride in a sleeveless dress and the groom in a tuxedo, holding hands and sitting on a sofa.
A black-and-white photo of a couple sitting on the floor of a hotel room, seen through a partially opened door. The woman is dressed in a white gown, and the man is in a tuxedo. They are sitting close together, facing each other, with soft lighting a
A bride and groom walking arm in arm into a room, smiling happily. The bride wears a white sleeveless wedding dress and heels, and the groom wears a dark tuxedo with a bow tie.
Guests at a formal event, seated at decorated tables with floral centerpieces, applauding and smiling in a banquet hall with chandeliers and a large projection screen.
A newlywed couple shares a kiss during their wedding reception at The Windsor Hotel, surrounded by seated guests in a decorated banquet hall with warm lighting.
People at a celebratory event, smiling and clapping, with one woman taking a photo of the scene.
Two women embracing and smiling at a formal event, one with curly hair and the other with straight dark hair, with a man in a gray suit nearby, in a decorated banquet hall with tables, white tablecloths, and floral centerpieces.
A wedding dessert table with a white cake decorated with flowers next to a multi-tiered stand of blue and white cookies and macarons, all on a white-clothed round table.
Bride in a white gown and groom in a black vest and bowtie standing together near a wedding cake of donuts and flowers on a table.
A bride and groom kissing at their wedding reception, standing beside a table with a wedding cake made of donuts and a tower of decorated cookies in the Hotel Windsor high tea room.
A bride in a white dress and a man in a tuxedo with bow tie, both smiling, holding donuts, standing close together in a warmly lit room of their wedding reception.
Two women embracing and smiling at a gathering, one wearing a dark blazer and the other in a white dress. In the background, a man is sitting at a table with a surprised or happy expression.
A couple dressed in formal attire sharing a kiss on the stairs outside Hotel Windsor, with the bride wearing heels and a white dress, and the groom wearing a tuxedo with a hat.
A newlywed couple celebrating outside at night, spraying champagne with snow falling around them.
Black and white photo of a woman in a hat and a man in a tuxedo celebrating with a bottle of champagne at a party, with festive lighting and bubbles in the air.
A man and a woman smiling and dancing at a formal event. The woman is wearing a white outfit with embellished shoulders and a wide-brimmed hat, while the man is dressed in a tuxedo with a bow tie and boutonniere.
A man in a dark suit is carrying a woman in a white dress and hat, both smiling and laughing, in front of a dark building with some decorative elements and a large planter with red flowers.
A groom in a dark suit lifts and kisses a bride in a white dress and large white hat outside The Windsor Hotel at night.
A groom in a tuxedo dancing with a bride in a white wedding dress outside a building at night.
A bride in a white dress and hat and a man in a dark tuxedo are smiling and standing close together, sharing a joyful moment outside at night.
Bride and groom dressed in wedding attire smiling and embracing outside a building at night.
A woman and a man dressed in formal attire sharing a kiss, with the woman holding the man's face and the man with one hand in his pocket, outside Hotel Windsor in Melbourne.
A black and white photo of a man and woman kissing. The woman has long dark hair, wears earrings, and an embellished dress. The man is dressed in a tuxedo.
A woman in a white dress holding hands with a man in a dark suit, both standing indoors.
Black and white photo of a man in a suit holding a woman in a white dress in an affectionate embrace.
A bride and groom in wedding attire outdoors at night, ticketing in a playful pose, standing back to back and holding hands while smiling and laughing.
Cityscape with historic building, modern skyscrapers, and a tall palm tree against a clear blue sky in Melbourne, Victoria.
A young man dressed in a white shirt, black vest, and bow tie stands indoors next to floral curtains, looking over his shoulder with a slight smile.
Painting of a colorful bouquet of various flowers including daisies, roses, and other blossoms in pink, white, yellow, orange, and purple, with green leaves.
A man dressed in a navy blue tuxedo with black satin lapels, a white shirt, and a black bow tie, standing indoors near a window with floral and reddish-orange curtains, smiling slightly.
A bride and groom during their wedding vows, with the bride wearing a hat with a veil and the groom in a suit, reading from a note.
A bride and groom during their wedding ceremony, with the bride wearing a hat with a veil and the groom in a tuxedo, standing by a window with patterned curtains.
Two men in plaid pajamas playing on leather chairs in a brightly lit living room with floral curtains, an area rug, a side table with a lamp, and an upholstered armchair.
A black and white photo of a groom in a tuxedo smiling while looking at a woman in a hat, celebrating a special occasion.
A man in a white shirt and black pants sitting on a sofa, bending down to tie his black shoes in a bright room with patterned carpet and curtains.
A bride walking down the aisle with her father, holding a bouquet of white roses and greenery. They are indoors, in the Margaret Craig Room with wooden trim and a patterned red carpet.
A woman sitting at a cluttered table, applying makeup while holding a makeup palette, with various products and cameras on the table, in a room with patterned carpet and open doors in the background.
Two men in tuxedos with boutonnières, one in the foreground and one in the background waiting for bride at the Victoria Marriage Registry building
A bride smiling and holding a bouquet of flowers walking down the aisle with a man, likely her father, in a suit.
A woman wearing a white gown holding a bouquet of white roses at a formal event.
Two men, dressed in formal white shirts and dark pants, getting ready and adjusting their appearance in a well-decorated living room with patterned curtains and a vintage-style sofa.
Man wearing a tuxedo and bow tie standing indoors. He is adjusting his jacket and looking out a window with floral curtains.
A bride in a white dress holding hands with a man in a black suit during a wedding ceremony, with a bridesmaid holding a bouquet in the background.
A man in a black tuxedo smiling as another man in a brown suit pins a boutonniere onto his lapel inside a decorated room.
A bride in a long white dress and wide-brimmed hat stands outdoors in front of an ornate doorway, holding a bouquet of flowers at the terrace of the Parliament Building.
Two men dressed in formal suits, standing back to back with arms raised in a pose, in a living room with floral curtains, a leather sofa, a plaid armchair, and a patterned rug.
Bride in a white wedding gown holding a bouquet of white roses and greenery, adjusting a wide-brimmed hat with a veil in an elegant historical building exterior of Parliament Building.
A bride in a white wedding dress holding a bouquet of white flowers and greenery, standing inside a grand, classical-style building with arches and ornate tile floors, wearing a wide-brimmed white hat with a veil.
Young man in formal tuxedo with a bow tie and white boutonniere on lapel, standing indoors with wooden decor in background.
Wedding or engagement invitation suite surrounded by rings, stamps, and decorative items. There are envelopes, a gold ring, a hexagonal jewelry box with engagement rings, a vintage-style ornate tray with wedding bands, a small envelope with a brown w
A wedding invitation decorated with vintage US postage stamps, surrounded by wedding rings and a cream-colored fabric backdrop.
Woman in white robe applying makeup at a vanity mirror in a bedroom.
A collection of wedding-themed items on a cream-colored fabric. Includes wedding rings, vintage postage stamps, a small ornate tray with candles, a ring box with wedding bands, a vintage-style envelope with a wax seal, and a ribbon.
A woman in a white satin robe sitting on a wooden chair, smiling and holding a glass, next to a dressing table with a bouquet of flowers and a mirror reflecting her back.
A gold jewelry tray with pearl necklace and earrings, vintage-style postage stamps, sealing wax, handwritten notes, and decorative items for a wedding or special occasion.
Two women standing close together, smiling, holding glasses of orange juice in a bedroom with a bed and mirror in the background. Both are wearing pajamas, one in white satin and the other in blue and white stripes.
A woman in a white wedding dress is being helped by two women, one adjusting the dress while the other dabs or folds the fabric, in a room with patterned carpet, off-white walls, and simple furniture.
Black and white photo of a bride in a sleeveless wedding gown holding a bouquet of white roses, standing next to a groom in a tuxedo with a boutonniere.
A woman in a white dress is fixing her hair in front of a mirror as another woman assists her. There are glasses of champagne and a bouquet of flowers on the dresser.
A newlywed couple shares a kiss during their wedding ceremony indoors. The woman has dark hair, earrings, and is wearing a white dress, while the man has dark hair and is dressed in a tuxedo with a boutonniere.
A bride in a white dress sits on a bed, adjusting her pearl-embellished high heels in a well-lit hotel room of The Windsor Hotel.
A bride in a white dress sitting on a hotel bed with two bedside lamps and framed artwork behind her.
A bride in a white dress sitting on a bed in a hotel room with two framed pictures and a lamp in the background.
A bride in a white dress and wide-brimmed hat smiling as she adjusts her earring in a well-decorated room of the Windsor Hotel.
Bride in a white wedding dress holding a bouquet of white flowers, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, standing in a bright room with a patterned carpet and vintage furniture.
A bride in a white dress and wide-brimmed hat holding a bouquet of flowers standing in a room with vintage furniture and patterned carpet.
A woman dressed in a white gown with a high neckline, holding a bouquet of white roses and greenery, wearing pearl earrings, a pearl bracelet, and a wide-brimmed hat with a net veil, standing indoors with a neutral background.
Black and white photo of a woman in a sleeveless, form-fitting wedding dress, wearing a large brimmed hat, standing by a window with floral curtains in a well-lit room.
A man wearing a suit and a woman wearing a dress are hugging in a hotel room, with the woman's face partially visible as she hugs the man.
Black and white photo of two people at a formal event, laughing, sitting at a round table with floral centerpiece, glasses, and tableware, with a decorative mirror on the wall in the background.
A bride laughing and holding a bouquet of white roses, standing between her mother and father, both smiling at her, during a wedding celebration.
Two women, one holding a large bouquet of white and purple flowers, embracing and smiling at a wedding or special event indoors.
A groom in a dark suit stands by a large window with floral curtains, looking outside in a well-decorated room with patterned carpet and armchairs. Small items are on a table next to him.
Close-up of a bride in a white wedding dress and a groom in a black suit, standing indoors near a window.
A bride in a white wedding gown and wide-brimmed hat standing beside a groom in a dark suit, both looking out a large window with floral curtains in a well-lit room of The Windsor Hotel.
A groom and bride embrace during a wedding, with the bride wearing a white dress and hat, and the groom wearing a dark suit. They are inside a room with floral curtains and a checkered armchair.
Black and white photo of a bride with a veil and wide-brimmed hat, being assisted by a man in formal attire, likely during a wedding or special event.
A groom in a dark suit kissing a bride in a white dress and large hat on the shoulder inside a room with floral curtains and patterned carpet of The Windsor Hotel suite.
A man in a brown plaid suit is wiping his face with a napkin at a formal event or wedding reception, sitting at a table with drinks, while other guests are seated or standing in the background in a decorated banquet hall.
A couple is having a private moment indoors, with the man reading from a piece of paper while the woman, dressed in a white gown and wide-brimmed hat, listens. The room is bright with natural light coming through the windows, and the decor includes f
A groom and a bride exchanging vows, with the groom reading from a letter or note, standing by a window with natural light.
A black and white photo of a bride and groom during a wedding ceremony. The groom, dressed in a tuxedo, is reading vows from a paper, while the bride, wearing a wide-brimmed hat with a veil and elegant dress, looks at him emotionally.
A couple is standing indoors in front of a window with floral valances and curtains. The woman is wearing a white dress and large hat, while the man is in a navy suit. They are reading from a piece of paper together, likely during a wedding or specia
A bride in a white dress and wide-brimmed hat reads a paper, standing next to a man in a tuxedo, near a window with light filtering in.
Night view of the entrance to the Hotel Windsor, a historic building with classical architecture, illuminated lamps, and a glimpse of the lobby through glass doors.
A woman in a white dress and pearl bracelet holding a handwritten letter, standing close to a man in a dark suit.
Black and white photo of a groom in a tuxedo with a bow tie, standing with a woman who is reading from a piece of paper. The groom has a boutonniere on his lapel. The background shows a window with natural light.
Three happy women, including a young woman in a wedding dress and a hat, and an elderly woman with glasses, all smiling outdoors in front of a building.
A woman dressed in a white wedding gown, white coat draped over her shoulders, and a wide-brimmed hat, holding a bouquet of white flowers, standing outdoors near a historic building with stone steps and ornate iron street lamps.