Ballara Receptions

5.0  ( 161 reviews ) · 1435 Main Rd, Eltham, Victoria · Show Phone
 SupplierHero Popular Choice 73 +

OVERVIEW

If you’re planning a romantic garden wedding and searching for an elegant all-in-one Melbourne wedding venue, Ballara Receptions is the perfect choice. Set at the foothills of the Yarra Valley, this picturesque estate features six stunning ceremony locations and an enchanting ballroom for unforgettable receptions. With exclusive use of the property, exceptional service, and endless photo opportunities, Ballara Receptions provides everything you need for a seamless and truly magical wedding day.

From the moment you arrive, you’ll be surrounded by the charm and beauty of Ballara Receptions. The estate is home to tranquil lakes, weeping willows, and manicured English gardens that create a breathtaking backdrop for your ceremony and photographs. Choose from six ceremony locations, including a romantic Victorian gazebo, a peaceful lakeside jetty, or the elegant on-site chapel.

Inside the grand ballroom, floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the gardens, while chandeliers cast a soft glow over the dance floor. Whether you’re planning a formal sit-down dinner, a relaxed grazing reception, or a charming high tea celebration, Ballara’s talented team will tailor your package to suit your style, guest numbers, and budget. You’ll also have a dedicated bridal host on the day to ensure everything runs smoothly, allowing you to relax and enjoy every moment.

"My husband and I had our wedding at Ballara Receptions, and it was just perfection. From the initial enquiry right up until the big day, their communication was outstanding. Our wedding went so smoothly, the food was fantastic, and the staff went above and beyond for us. I cannot recommend Ballara Receptions enough." — Olivia C.

What You’ll Love About Working with Ballara Receptions for your wedding:

  • The beautiful setting. Surrounded by picturesque gardens, willow trees, and a tranquil lake, Ballara Receptions is one of Melbourne’s most romantic garden venues.
  • The elegant ballroom. With sparkling chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a spacious dance floor, the ballroom offers a luxurious space for unforgettable receptions.
  • The exceptional service. From your first enquiry to the final farewell, Ballara’s experienced team and dedicated bridal host ensure your day is stress-free and perfectly planned.

Highlights of Working with Ballara Receptions:

  • Stunning location at the foothills of the Yarra Valley
  • Exclusive use of the estate for your wedding day
  • Six unique ceremony locations, including a chapel and gazebo
  • Elegant ballroom with neutral décor and garden views
  • Bespoke wedding packages to suit your vision and budget
  • Menu options include sit-down, cocktail, grazing, or high tea
  • Dedicated in-house wedding planning team and bridal host
  • Accommodation, parking, and transport options nearby
  • Endless photo opportunities around the lake and gardens
  • Winter and large guest number specials available

"Ballara is such a magical, memorable place to get married. The grounds are stunning, the food was spectacular, and the staff and planners were amazing. Everything ran so smoothly, and we can’t thank the team enough for bringing our day to life." — Tori M.

About

Hello, I'm Christine, the venue manager at Ballara. With over 37 years in Eltham, Ballara has been a cornerstone of unforgettable weddings. I am passionate about events and thoroughly enjoy overseeing them and working with an amazing team. At Ballara, we take pride in bringing couples' visions to life on their special day. Our small team ensures personalised attention and trust as we focus solely on one wedding at a time, taking care of every detail seamlessly.

Christine Taylor

Venue Manager

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Venue Features

Indoor Ceremony

Min 60 / Max 160 Reception guests

Price per head: Low $190 / High $ 227

Min 1 / Max 160 Ceremony Guests

Time restrictions: 1:00 AM

In-house catering

5.00 hours Event time included

Additional Hours $10 Per Head

Music must end by 12:30 AM

Easy Weddings Special Offer

Four-Tier Champagne Tower valued at $350

Introducing our stunning four-tier champagne tower—a sparkling showstopper sure to elevate your celebration. Whether kicking off the dancefloor or making a grand entrance, this glamorous feature adds a touch of sophistication and sets the tone for an unforgettable event. Cheers to making memories that sparkle!


Minimum numbers apply. No additional discounts or promotions can be used in conjunction.

For new bookings only. Terms and conditions may apply

Enquire to claim offer Enquire to claim offer

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Nearby Accommodation


FAQ

At Ballara we can seat up to 160-170 guests in our Ballroom. 

Yes! You can get married in our gorgeous chapel or in the beautiful grounds - so its just a matter of which backdrop you prefer!
The authentic chapel seats 100 people and has standing room to up to 160-170, it comes decorated and has a built in sound system and microphone to make it nice and easy plus it has heating and air-conditioning for year round comfort! 
Alternatively the gazebo and lake make for a breathtaking setting, 60 white garden americana chairs are provided along with plenty more standing space. Sound system and microphones plus your decorations are all taken care of again! 

There is accommodation just across the road, plus another one just down the road so rooms are plentiful in the area! 

Definitely not! Ballara is specifically designed for weddings! We have spent a lot of time designing the gardens to ensure they are immaculate and that they give a multitude of spots to capture amazing shots - from the gazebo, swing, love seats, jetty, waterfall, fairylight garden, giant LOVE letters, rustic deck and more, there is just no need for you to have to spend the time and money on the day rushing around to other places. Ballara truly is a one-stop-shop, as you can hold your ceremony, photos and reception all in the one place! 

No way! At Ballara we give you our undivided attention! The venue and grounds are exclusively yours for your time with us so that you and your guests can enjoy everything and not feel rushed or mixed up with another crowd. 


Reviews

5.0 out of 5.0
161 reviews
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AI Summary Review Summary
This is an AI generated summary of this supplier's rating and feedback.
Ballara Receptions creates a calm, one-stop wedding experience that lets couples enjoy every moment. From the first enquiry through post-wedding follow-up, the team is responsive, organised and genuinely invested, guiding you with practical advice and adapting to your every idea. On the day, a dedicated coordinator and attentive staff manage every detail so you can immerse yourself in the celebration. The venue itself is stunning—lush gardens, a lakefront ceremony, and a modern, flexible ballroom—plus in-house packages that combine food, drinks, florals, and coordination. Guests consistently praise the food, service, and atmosphere; couples note how the process felt stress-free, supported, and truly magical, even through postponements.

September 2025

We can't say enough about how wonderful Ballara Reception was as our wedding venue. Not only is it a stunning location for both the ceremony and reception, but the team's support and service were simply outstanding. From the moment we first toured the property, Popy has been incredibly professional and responsive, ensuring every detail was perfect. I love having her as our function coordinator. She has truly made the planning process stress-free and handled everything on the day, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the celebration. You also see a familiar face from day 1, which definitely help ease my nerve on the day. The staff on the day has been amazing as well. The food were served as per instructions, they taste great and service has been top notch. Our guests were so impressed with the beautiful setting and seamless flow of the day, and we've been receiving compliments ever since. Also - plenty of great places for photos too!!

Zoe L.

Ballara Receptions

Thank you so much for your beautiful review! Everything came together perfectly, from your heartfelt vows to your magical first dance with fireworks, dry ice and that incredible lift by Jake, what a moment! And Zoe, both of your dresses were just stunning - such a showstopper! We are so happy to hear that your experience with Ballara was everything you hoped for on your special day! It was an absolute pleasure working with you to bring your wedding vision to life, and we are so glad we could help make the planning process stress-free. We’re so pleased everyone enjoyed the food, service and stunning gardens and that you now have so many wonderful memories (and photos!) to treasure. Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness together, and thank you again for allowing us to be part of your special day! 💕

June 2025

We had our wedding at Ballara Receptions in March 2025. My husband and I couldn't thank the staff at Ballara enough. The day went perfect, with even the smallest details taken care of. The small details just took the stress way from me, when the staff were there from the second I arrived in the limo to take me through the ceremony process and when there to help with my dress. The reception went so smooth - the guests couldn't stop raving about the food :) And the bridal table really appreciate the service catered to us with drinks. In the lead up, we had help the whole way, details we hadn't even thought of the team were there to help. It made the whole process so smooth and whenever we needed help, they were always only a phone call away.

Natasha O.

Ballara Receptions

Thank you so much for sharing such a thoughtful review! We are overjoyed to hear that your wedding day at Ballara was everything you dreamed of and more. Our team takes pride in looking after all the little details so you can simply relax and enjoy every moment. It’s wonderful to know this helped ease your stress from start to finish. We’re so glad your guests loved the food and that you and your bridal table felt well taken care of throughout the celebration. It was truly our pleasure to be by your side in the lead up and on the day itself, making sure everything flowed smoothly. Wishing you both a lifetime filled with love and happiness, and thank you again for letting us be part of such a special chapter in your lives!

November 2023

Would highly recommend Ballara Receptions! Excellent customer service- always accommodating, easy to communicate with and incredibly professional. The venue itself is beautiful and well maintained. Food was excellent with very generous portion sizes. My husband and I are very grateful to the Ballara team for helping to make our day so wonderful!

Athena D.

Ballara Receptions

Thank you for your review! We're thrilled that you had such a memorable experience at Ballara and to hear you enjoyed your time with us. It was a magical day, from the stunning red tea ceremony dress and lovely princess white dress to your hubby's sharp tuxedo. Your heartfelt vows under the sunny sky created a touching moment for all. We're delighted that your guests from interstate and regional Victoria could join in the celebration and that everyone had a fantastic time dancing the night away. Your kind words about our customer service mean a lot to us. We strive to provide excellent service, and we're glad that you found us accommodating, easy to communicate with, and professional throughout the planning process. Thank you for recommending Ballara Receptions, and we wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness!

October 2025

Ballara Receptions Team were AMAZING. They made the wedding planning process easy, were available for advice and ideas and absolutely pampered us on the Wedding Day. So so happy we chose Ballara Receptions.

Amy C.

September 2025

From the serene lake ceremony to the elegant ballroom, every detail was exquisite. Excellent food and personal attention made the day perfect.

Christopher A.


Expert Advice

expert advice

As a wedding professional, Ballara Receptions offers expert advice to help couples plan their perfect day. Ask a question or read their expert advice.

Get Expert Advice

Any cute chapels in victoria to get married in?

Ballara Receptions

Here at Ballara we have a gorgeous chapel on-site for your ceremony! We can seat 100-110 within the seats and then up to 160 with the standing room at the back too. We have decorations, signing table & chairs, microphones & sound system plus air con/heating to keep you and your guests comfortable no matter what weather Melbourne decides to give you on the day! You have a function co-ordinator to make sure everything runs smoothly and as per your wishes on the day and we have beautiful gardens to then take all your photos in - your choice if  you would like to hold the reception here too or head off to another location. Happy wedding planning! 

How many people classifies a wedding as a large wedding?

Ballara Receptions

Hi there :) It is honestly relative to the venue. Some venues can only host intimate weddings of 50, some venues host very big groups of 350-500+! On average we find most people tend to have around 100-140 people at our venue and we can seat up to 170. Good luck! 

Why doesn't any wedding venues/reception website state how much it is per head food wise?

I have looked at so many sites to potentially book for my wedding and none have provided the cost per head... I dont understand why even If the can offer different type like for example cocktail menu, buffet etc.... why they cant even give a rough idea?

Ballara Receptions

Hi there :) We honestly find that every couple is looking for something slightly different. It can be quite hard to label just a rough price as this can sometimes include way too many things that some couples don't want (so then they can rule out a place that actually is in their budget) or on the flip slide can not be covering enough for other couples (so then they are shocked when they realise the extra bits and pieces are missing). We try to give people a price range straight off the bat, but then we customise quotes and packages to suit couples from there. You also might find that some venues dont offer certain types of package e.g. buffet or self cater/venue hire etc. And another factor can be guest numbers e.g. a minimum spend or discounts once you hit a certain number of poeple. 
I'd suggest touching base with a few places you like the look of and ask for a rough price based on when you are looking at (as the year, month and day of the week can massively change the price per person e.g. by $50+), and also let them know what kind of catering you are after (sit down, cocktail etc) and the number of people. As these few dot points can definitely help to get the ball rolling...Good Luck! 

Shonnaye V

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