A new wedding ceremony venue and celebrant service has arrived in Melbourne with a bang. Well, with blazing neon lights and rock ‘n’ roll vibes at least! The Altar Electric is offering a real alternative to cookie-cutter registry office weddings and the many little white chapels of Las Vegas elopements (these guys give Elvis a run for his “hunk a burning love”).


The trio behind the Altar are experienced Melbourne celebrants Dee Brinsmead, Anthony Cribbes and Sarah Dobson. They’ve popped-up at laneway bar Ferdydurke until December (with more bars in their future sights) for couples that baulk at the idea of a big white wedding or simply can’t comprehend spending the average $30,000 to get hitched. But they sure don’t sacrifice any on a swaggeringly cool brand of panache.


“More and more we are seeing couples who don’t want a big shindig but they’re also not after a ceremony performed by a public servant at the registry office,” says Anthony, “at the moment there’s not much on offer in between. We’re targeting couples who want to celebrate their commitment with a ceremony that’s fun, meaningful and reflective of their lifestyle but without the fuss and stress of a big wedding.”


Ceremonies are short and sweet but still creative and impactful. You can invite up to 20 guests (or as few as you can get away with, without making the next family reunion awkward) to witness the official proceedings and have a quick glass of bubbles before you’re off to begin your new life together. Of course, they love commitment ceremonies too – even going so far as to offer to do any future paperwork on the house for their current LGBTIQ couples once marriage equality becomes legal.


While The Altar Electric team highlight that Ferdydurke is a ceremony-only venue, Boilermaker House, The Emerald Peacock, Section 8, Cookie and Rooftop Bar are mere steps away for all your wedding reception and after party location needs. Though, we certainly wouldn’t blame you if you skipped the fuss and headed straight for all-you-can-eat-dumplings at Hutong after putting a ring on it.

Photography by Ali Bailey

Ms Zigzag says: A big white wedding is certainly not the only way to lock your relationship down. A wedding with The Altar Electric is outside the box of the norm. A guaranteed good time, I say!