This session was shot by GMP founder and Principal Photographer Elizabeth Millar
Alesha & Brett’s rooftop wedding during golden hour at the Hotel Melby was soft and perfect
Some weddings just fall into place, and this one — up on the rooftop at Hotel Melby as the light went golden over downtown Melbourne — was exactly that kind of day. Soft blue sky, pastel everything, about thirty of their favorite people, and a couple who were clearly just so happy to be getting married. I couldn’t have asked for a prettier evening.
Alesha & Brett got married on 6/26/26 which was a day that was nothing short of a feat of military precision that saw me starting the day with a Kraft Azalea Garden elopement, then heading to the Orange County Courthouse, then doing a wedding at Celebration Gardens in Orlando and heading to Melbourne to end the day capturing this absolutely stunning rooftop micro wedding.
Here’s a fun bit of backstory: Alesha & Brett originally hired me for something completely different. The plan was a tiny beach wedding, and I was actually going to be the one to marry them. But as these things sometimes go, the vision shifted along the way, and it grew into a more traditional ceremony with an officiant and a proper guest list. I love when a couple gives themselves permission to let the day become what it wants to be — and honestly, watching them up on that rooftop, it was clear they’d landed exactly where they were meant to.
Why the Hotel Melby Rooftop Is Perfect for a Micro Wedding
If you’re planning an intimate wedding and you want to keep things simple without sacrificing an ounce of style, this venue is worth a serious look. The rooftop ceremony space sits right off the event room where the reception happens, which means the whole celebration lives in one beautiful spot. No shuttling guests around, no travel time between ceremony and party — you say your vows with the skyline behind you, then step right inside for dinner.
For a group of around thirty, it’s just right. Big enough to feel like a real celebration, small enough that every single person there is someone who truly matters to you. They dressed the rooftop beautifully — candles lining the aisle, greenery and blush roses, gold candelabras catching the last of the light.
Golden Hour and a Sky Made for Photos
I talk about light a lot, because it’s everything — and this evening handed us the good stuff. That soft, hazy blue sky and the warm wash of golden hour made everything glow. The pastel palette the couple chose leaned right into it: blush, cream, soft coral, touches of gold. It all felt cohesive and calm and romantic, which is exactly the mood you want when the sun’s going down and everyone’s a little misty-eyed.
Downtown Melbourne Is a Hidden Gem for Wedding Portraits
This was actually my second wedding at Hotel Melby, and I love that the two have given me such different looks at the same beautiful venue. My first wedding here was in the middle of the day, with that bright, high-sun light — a completely different feel from this soft golden-hour glow. If you’re trying to picture what your own day might look like, it’s worth clicking over to see the two side by side; the same rooftop can feel airy and sun-drenched at midday or cool and romantic as the sun goes down, and neither is better — it just depends on the mood you’re after (and your ceremony time).
One of the things I love most about shooting here is the neighborhood. Downtown Melbourne is full of character — vibrant street art, colorful murals, palm trees, and pretty building facades around nearly every corner. We took a little walk before the light faded and used one of those big abstract murals as a backdrop, all cool blues and warm corals that happened to echo their palette perfectly.
There’s something I really believe in about pairing a polished venue with a bit of real-world texture — the smooth rooftop elegance against the grit and color of a downtown street. It gives a gallery range, and it keeps things feeling like now, like a real place on a real evening, not a set.
Thinking About a Rooftop Micro Wedding in Melbourne?
If you’re dreaming of an intimate wedding with a view — somewhere you can say your vows at golden hour and celebrate all in one gorgeous spot — Hotel Melby is one of my favorites on the Space Coast, and I’d love to be there for it. Browse more weddings here and reach out so we can start planning yours.
Supporting Cast:
- Dress: Nicole Maree Bridal, Melbourne
- Hair & Makeup: Glam Culture
