Venue Spotlight: Sunnyside

As a Melbourne wedding photographer, I've had the privilege of capturing love stories across some truly spectacular venues. But there's something about Sunnyside Estate that makes my creative heart skip a beat every single time I arrive through those gates. After shooting numerous weddings at this Mornington Peninsula treasure, I wanted to share why this venue continues to captivate me—and why it might just be the perfect canvas for your wedding day.

A Venue Steeped in 150 Years of History

Let me paint you a picture. It's 1867, and some visionary with exceptional taste decides to create a grand summer retreat overlooking Port Phillip Bay. Fast forward over 150 years, and that same property has evolved into one of the peninsula's most sought-after wedding destinations. There's something profoundly moving about celebrating your marriage in a place where people have been gathering for celebrations across three centuries.

The estate sits on 157 acres of coastal splendour, just 50 minutes from Melbourne's CBD. From a photographer's perspective, this means you're close enough for city guests to reach easily, but far enough to feel like you've escaped to another world entirely. And what a world it is—sun-kissed vineyards, manicured gardens that could rival European estates, and those bay views that literally make couples stop mid-sentence and just stare.

More Than a Location

What sets Sunnyside apart from other venues I've photographed is how it guides your guests through the day with an element of discovery. This isn't just a beautiful backdrop—it's a carefully orchestrated experience where each transition creates a fresh moment of delight.

As a photographer, I live for these transitions. The way your guests' faces light up when they round a corner and discover the next beautiful space, the collective gasp when they first glimpse the ceremony location, the intimate conversations that happen in unexpected pockets of the estate—these are the moments that make wedding albums come alive.

The Manor Gardens

The Manor Gardens are where many couples choose to say their vows, and honestly, I understand why. Picture this: you're standing on a grand terrace, arbours cascading with greenery overhead, creating natural frames that any photographer dreams of. Your guests are seated before you, and beyond them, the vines stretch toward Port Phillip Bay, which shimmers in the distance like it's been lit specifically for your ceremony.

I've shot ceremonies here in every season, and each brings its own magic. Spring brings soft light and fresh blooms. Summer offers those long, golden hours that seem to stretch forever. Autumn paints the vines in warm amber tones. Winter provides dramatic skies and crisp, clear air that makes the bay views even more spectacular.

From a technical standpoint, the natural light here is a photographer's dream. The way it filters through the arbours during late afternoon creates this soft, romantic glow that needs minimal editing. It's the kind of light that makes everyone look like they're starring in a film.

The Ocean Walk

If the Manor Gardens don't steal your heart, the Ocean Walk certainly will. These winding pathways lead to even more bay views, and I'm not exaggerating when I say the sunsets here perform nightly. I've built entire portrait sessions around the Ocean Walk's golden hour potential.

This is where I love to steal couples away for 15 minutes during reception drinks. The soft, fading light, the wind gently moving through the coastal vegetation, the complete sense of privacy despite being surrounded by celebration—it creates images that couples treasure for decades. Some of my most awarded images have been captured along these very paths.

Whether you use the Ocean Walk for your ceremony, celebratory drinks with guests, or intimate sunset portraits (my personal recommendation: all three), it delivers consistently breathtaking moments.

The Piazza and Secret Garden

Here's where Sunnyside really shows its personality. A short stroll from the formal gardens, you'll discover sun-dappled courtyards that feel like they've been transported directly from Tuscany. Large, ancient-looking olive trees cast dappled shadows across stone paving, creating this play of light and shadow that changes throughout the day.

I always encourage couples to plan some time in the Piazza and Secret Garden, even if their main events are elsewhere. The textures here—weathered stone, silvery olive leaves, the interplay of architecture and nature—add such beautiful variety to wedding galleries. These are the images that break up the flow of your album, that create visual interest and tell the story of the venue's many personalities.

There's something about this space that whispers of unhurried, timeless elegance. Guests naturally slow down here, savour their drinks, engage in deeper conversations. And for a photographer, these unguarded moments of genuine connection are absolute gold.

The Grand Hall

Now, let's talk about where you'll likely spend your reception—The Grand Hall. Designed by Powell & Glenn architects, this space represents everything I love about contemporary venue design. It's impressively scaled—large enough to feel grand and celebratory—yet somehow remains intimately welcoming.

The genius of The Grand Hall is how it flows between spaces. On one side, you have peaceful vineyard panoramas framing your dinner. On the other, the Piazza beckons for those who want to step outside between courses. This indoor-outdoor connection means your photographer (that's me) can capture both the elegance of your reception and the natural beauty of the estate without your guests ever feeling disconnected from either.

The natural light flooding through the hall during daytime receptions is spectacular. And come evening, the way the interior lighting complements the architectural lines creates such a warm, sophisticated atmosphere. I've shot first dances here that look like they belong in magazines, not because of any clever lighting tricks on my part, but because the space itself is designed so beautifully.

Take a look at some of my other favorite venues:
State Library Victoria
Sophia at The Prahran Arcade
Coombe Yarra Valley
The Terrace
The Trust
Stones of the Yarra Valley
Gardens House, Royal Botanical Gardens
Alto, Royal Botanical Gardens
Butler Lane
Barragunda Estate

The Food & Desire Difference

I'd be remiss not to mention the team behind the exceptional hospitality at Sunnyside. Food & Desire aren't just caterers—they're seasoned perfectionists who orchestrate every delicious detail of your celebration. I've watched them work magic at countless weddings here, and their approach aligns perfectly with how I think about my own photography: thoughtful, generous, flawlessly executed, with just enough magic to make it unforgettable.

Their event menus blend European coastal elegance with Australian confidence. Whether you're envisioning precise plated courses, abundant sharing platters, or sophisticated canapés during cocktail hour, they deliver with consistent excellence. From a photographer's perspective, beautifully presented food is another story element worth capturing, and Food & Desire gives me plenty to work with.

Why Sunnyside Works So Well for Wedding Photography

Let me be completely transparent about why I love shooting at Sunnyside from a purely professional standpoint. This venue offers what we photographers call "variety within cohesion." Every space has its own distinct character and visual appeal, yet they all flow together harmoniously. This means your wedding album will have incredible visual diversity without feeling disjointed.

The natural light across the property is consistently beautiful. The architecture provides both drama and elegance. The landscapes offer everything from intimate garden corners to sweeping vistas. And perhaps most importantly, the flow of the estate means I can capture your story as it naturally unfolds, without constantly herding people from location to location.

I've shot weddings where we've spent half the day transporting guests between ceremony and reception locations. At Sunnyside, everything feels connected and intentional. Your guests move through the day experiencing fresh perspectives and beautiful moments, and I get to document all of it without anyone feeling like they're on a forced march.

Creating Your Sunnyside Story

Every wedding I photograph at Sunnyside is different because every couple brings their own vision, their own energy, their own love story. But what remains constant is how this venue elevates whatever you bring to it. The timeless architecture, the natural beauty, the thoughtful design—it all works together to create not just an event, but a journey worth remembering.

Whether you're drawn to the romance of the Manor Gardens, the drama of the Ocean Walk sunsets, the Tuscan charm of the Piazza, or the modern elegance of the Grand Hall, Sunnyside provides the canvas. You provide the love story. And together with my camera, we'll create images that do justice to both.

If you're considering Sunnyside Estate for your wedding and want to chat about how we can make the most of this spectacular property, I'd love to hear from you. After all these years and all these weddings, I'm still discovering new perspectives and possibilities here—and that's exactly the kind of venue where magic happens.