Inside Danielle & Dean’s Intimate Registry Office Wedding at Melbourne’s Old Treasury Building

An intimate city wedding with a couture mini, a magenta bouquet and a quietly joyful dinner at QT.

Some weddings are about grandeur, sprawling guest lists, and endless traditions.

But Danielle and Dean knew from the very beginning that what they wanted was something different: simple, heartfelt, and true to them.

On a crisp September day, with just twenty of their closest family members, they exchanged vows in the historic Old Treasury Building Melbourne before gathering at QT Melbourne for a stylish, laughter-filled dinner that felt more like a family celebration than a traditional reception.

The result was effortless, personal, and every inch a reflection of them.

“It was really important to us that the day felt close, meaningful, and filled with the people who love and know us best,” Danielle shared. “A big traditional wedding never really felt like us.”

How it began: from the aisles of Target to a Christmas surprise

The couple’s journey began in a very everyday setting — their local Target store, where they both worked as uni students. “We’d chat on shift while working the floor and often hung out with mutual friends outside of work. It didn’t take long before we realised how much we clicked.” Danielle recounts.

Years later, on Christmas Day, Dean nervously pulled out a ring he had hidden under the tree for weeks. “He was so nervous when the moment came that he actually forgot to ask the question,” Danielle laughed. “But of course, I said yes!”

Saying “I Do” at the Old Treasury Building Melbourne

Danielle & Dean’s ceremony took place at the Victorian Marriage Registry Office, inside the historic Old Treasury Building.

The building offers beautifully restored 19th-century rooms with soaring ceilings and an elegant yet intimate atmosphere, perfectly suited to smaller celebrations.

Danielle and Dean’s ceremony was filled with joy, simplicity, and love.

“One of our favourite moments was walking out hand in hand to September by Earth, Wind & Fire. It set the perfect celebratory tone and had everyone smiling and clapping along.”

If you’re planning an intimate wedding in Melbourne, the Old Treasury Building is a beautiful, highly practical option — historic, central and quietly striking.

A First Look in Melbourne’s Treasury Gardens

Before the ceremony, the couple shared a private first look at Melbourne’s Treasury Gardens, located just a short walk from the Registry Office.

“Emma suggested Treasury Gardens for our first look and family portraits, and it was absolutely perfect,” Danielle said. “It gave us such a beautiful, natural backdrop right in the middle of the city, which paired so well with the urban feel of QT.”

The portraits from this moment are some of Danielle and Dean’s most treasured images.

“Our first look photos and couple’s portraits give us goosebumps every time we see them. They take us straight back to that moment of excitement and anticipation before the ceremony.”

Following the ceremony, we moved around the city for portraits: stately shots at Parliament House, a pause at the timeless Hotel Windsor, then later, some playful flash-lit frames at QT Melbourne during their private dinner.

Each location offered a different mood: the gardens for breathless anticipation, Parliament House for a hint of formality, Hotel Windsor for old-world glamour, and QT for the modern, convivial moments of celebration.

A bridal moment with a twist: Maison Oui, magenta blooms and Jimmy Choo heels

Danielle chose a playful, perfectly modern bridal look that nodded to the city-chic mood of their day.

For the ceremony she wore a custom design from Maison Oui — a refined mini-dress idea brought to life with thoughtful couture details.

Danielle worked with the Maison Oui team on the dress journey; you can read the full story of her design process on Maison Oui’s blog here. The result was a confident, joyful dress that paired perfectly with her bold bouquet and those unforgettable Jimmy Choo heels.

The bouquet deserves its own moment in the spotlight too: Pepperberry Flora crafted a bright magenta arrangement that popped against the city’s neutral palette.

It was brave, personal and exactly right, and popped perfectly against Danielle’s Maison Oui mini.

And yes, Danielle’s Jimmy Choo heels made an appearance in a few close-ups. Because sometimes the little details are the moments you keep returning to in the photos.

Celebrating in Style with an Intimate Dinner at QT Melbourne

After the vows, the couple and their families (and me in the back of Danielle’s parents car!) made their way to QT Melbourne for a private dinner celebration.

Known for its chic and modern interior, moody lighting, and eclectic vibe, QT offers a range of post-ceremony options — from intimate private dining rooms to rooftop cocktails with sweeping city views.

For Danielle and Dean, a shared meal with their nearest and dearest was the perfect way to mark the occasion. “The food and wine were amazing, but what stood out most was the laughter, the heartfelt toasts, and the relaxed atmosphere.”

They chose the King private dining room to celebrate with their party of 20.

Why They Chose an Intimate Wedding

“We wanted something simple, relaxed, and true to us,” Danielle explained.

“A big traditional wedding never really felt like ‘us.’” With a carefully chosen guest list and a few unforgettable details — a custom mini by Maison Oui, a molten-bright bouquet by Pepperberry, portraits around the city, and one brilliant dinner — their wedding felt personal at every turn.

Their advice to future couples tossing up ditching a big wedding: “Do what feels right for you, not what’s expected. Keeping it small and personal makes the day so much more meaningful.”

For couples looking for an intimate wedding venue Melbourne has so much to offer — and Danielle and Dean’s day is proof that you don’t need a large guest list for your celebration to feel extraordinary.

What They Love Most About Their Wedding Photos

Danielle and Dean were intentional in choosing someone who could capture their day with elegance and ease.

“We knew Emma was right for us because we loved the classic style of her photography — everything she captures feels so elegant, chic, and romantic. From the very beginning, she made us feel comfortable and at ease. On the day, her calm and supportive presence helped us relax and enjoy ourselves, while she guided us so naturally when we needed it and let everything else unfold authentically.”

Danielle initially had confided in me she was concerned the pair would feel awkward in front of the camera, but their photos are proof that you don’t need years of modelling experience to look incredible on your wedding day – simply a photographer who knows who to pose you naturally.

The suppliers who made it happen

• Photography: Emma Hawkins
  
• Venue & Dinner: QT Melbourne – King Private Dining Room
  
• Ceremony: Old Treasury Building – Victorian Marriage Registry
  
• Dress Designer: Maison Oui — read Danielle’s dress journey on their blog: MaisonOui: Danielle & Dean story
  
• Florals: Pepperberry Flora — bold, considered blooms.
  
• Portrait locations: Treasury Gardens, Parliament House, Hotel Windsor, QT Melbourne
  
• Shoes: Jimmy Choo (bridal heels)

Thinking about an Intimate or Registry Office Wedding in Melbourne?

If you’re imagining a small, stylish day that focuses on presence over production — a quiet ceremony, a handful of family, a meaningful dinner — then Danielle and Dean’s wedding is a great blueprint.

Choose two or three locations that feel like you (a leafy garden for portraits, a stately hall for photos, and a warm restaurant to celebrate), pick a dress that makes you feel unstoppable, and invest in a photographer who knows how to capture feeling, not just faces.