Church of the Bang Bang Boogaloo

“This isn’t a regular church, it’s a chapel of luuuuurve” drawls a gent who looks suspiciously like Elvis Presley incarnate as he toasts the opening of The Church of Bang Bang Boogaloo, while simultaneously mourning the lack of fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches. He’ll have to settle for an all-white candy bar brimming with sweet marshmallows, alabaster freckles and tiny milk bottles for now.

Church of the Bang Bang Boogaloo

Bang Bang Boogaloo is the latest addition to Jerome Borazio’s Get Notorious empire. And an unexpected one, considering Jerome is most known for founding or reinvigorating some of the grittier drinking establishments around town such as Ponyfish Island, Sister Bella, the Kelvin Club, £1000 Bend and the late, great St Jerome’s bar as well as the Intercontinental laneway music festival of the same name. As such, this new space is a little more rock ‘n’ roll than your average wedding venue with subtle nods to Las Vegas (sans most of the tack and morning-after regrets).

Church of the Bang Bang Boogaloo

Hidden down a cobbled blue-stone laneway, complete with street art and paste-ups in the Melbourne CBD, Bang Bang Boogaloo has variously been a farrier, a Cobb & Co. stage coach factory and a motorcycle mechanic in past lives. Now it hopes to play host to engagement parties, vow renewals and commitment ceremonies with a good times vibe amid unpolished concrete floors, exposed rafters and charming crumbling walls.

Church of the Bang Bang Boogaloo

While the space could easily encompass a completely sophisticated affair, the chapel lends itself to more irreverent celebrations. Not surprisingly music is an important factor here, with a Sonos sound system ready to blast couples’ custom playlists. There’s permanent space reserved for an instant photo-booth and even a general store for last-minute gifts, cards or forgotten essentials like flat shoes, bow ties or hangover remedies. The store can even be stocked with customised bridal merchandise; think ironic tote bags emblazoned with “totes getting married” or stubby holders starring the newly-wed couple.

Church of the Bang Bang Boogaloo

Both the ceremony and the reception can be held within the chapel (which comfortably houses 150 guests) itself. Or, there is also the option of moving the party into the cavernous warehouse-cum-gallery behind £1000 Bend, which adjoins Bang Bang Boogaloo, after vows are exchanged. Individuality and personalisation are encouraged and couples aren’t restricted to sticking with the venue’s preferred suppliers like Create Catering, Pomp and Splendour, White Luxe and Dann Event Hire. Apart from the chapel itself, nothing is set in stone when it comes to the big day.

Church of the Bang Bang Boogaloo

Though in true Vegas tradition, they do support you get hitched by The King of Rock and Roll (or one of their other youthfully exuberant celebrants). It seems as if Melbourne weddings are about to get, as Elvis himself might croon, all shook up.

Church of the Bang Bang Boogaloo

Church of the Bang Bang Boogaloo

Church of the Bang Bang Boogaloo

Church of the Bang Bang Boogaloo

Church of the Bang Bang Boogaloo

Church of the Bang Bang Boogaloo

Church of the Bang Bang Boogaloo

Church of the Bang Bang Boogaloo

Photos by The Church of Bang Bang Boogaloo