Parliament House in Melbourne is one of the city’s most iconic and visually striking locations for wedding photography. With its grand columns, elegant archways, and perfect symmetry, it’s no surprise it’s one of Melbourne’s most popular photo locations. Here is a guide to capturing memorable wedding photos at Parliament House.
Parliament's Archways and Columns
One of the most compelling ways to compose a shot at Parliament House is by using its iconic Roman/Greek inspired archways. To get to this area, you need to head to the top of the stairs. These archways create a subtle and natural way to frame your couple by either placing them in front of the grand wooden doorways or between the columns. In the late afternoon, the light filters in between the columns, creating natural illumination on your subject, further adding depth to the image.
The massive neoclassical columns that define the façade of Parliament House offer a perfect opportunity to use symmetry and leading lines in your composition. You can change the mood of your shot drastically, depending on where you place your subject. By moving your subject against the columns, you also create a more intimate shot, while centring them between the columns can create one that’s a lot more drama, especially with direct light.
The Staircase
The staircase at the front of Parliament House is a fantastic composition tool, adding grandeur to your wedding shots. Have your couple walk up or down the stairs naturally for a relaxed, candid feel, or pose them at different levels to create depth in the frame. The stairs also provide a great opportunity for dramatic, wide-angle shots that capture the full grandeur of the location. The columns in the back of the staircase add a level of elegance to the photograph.
The Gardens
For a contrast to the classic city-style architecture, take a short walk to the Parliament Gardens Reserve, located just next to Parliament House.
This beautiful green space offers a softer, more romantic setting with trees, and seasonal florals—perfect for spring and summer wedding portraits. The combination of classic urban backdrops and fresh, floral surroundings gives couples a diverse wedding album with both regal and natural elements.
Best Time of Day for Photography
Lighting plays a crucial role in achieving breathtaking images at Parliament House. The best time to shoot is in the late afternoon when the sun sits in the western sky, sitting on the front side of the building. As you can see from the images below, the time of day and lighting can create drastically different images. The first was taken in direct, golden light- around an hour before the sun set. The second image was taken in diffused, overcast midday light. The sun was still able to filter into the columns, but was much softer and less contrast than the direct golden light. The last image was also taken at around midday in direct daylight. Again, some light was still able to filter through but it had a lot more contrast and required a bit more editing to bring out the shadows. All three lighting scenarios are beautiful but quite different. Sometimes you can’t control the time of day you’re shooting, so understanding how to compose your subject in the light and constantly thinking about post-processing is important to consider when shooting.
Key Information
Location: Spring Street, Melbourne VIC 3002
Public Access: Parliament House is open to the public, and the front steps and exterior are available for photography.
Permits:
- For casual wedding and portrait photography, no permit is required for external shots.
- For commercial shoots or videography, it’s best to check with the Parliament House administration for any special requirements.
Restrictions:
- The inside of the building requires special permission for photography.
- Avoid obstructing entrances or walkways, especially during busy hours.
- Tripods and light stands may attract attention from security, so it’s best to keep your setup minimal
Please note that Parliament building is a government house and protests can commonly occur on the front steps. It’s best to check if there are any planned protests and avoid this area during these times.
