Eliza and John’s whimsical, cocktail-style celebration at Yering Farm Winery

Many couples we see want a wedding day that prioritises connection over rigid structure, and Eliza and John executed that vision flawlessly.

The couple reconnected online years after their paths had loosely crossed in their teens, eventually leading to a thoughtful proposal at the Healesville Dam lookout. When it came to planning their January wedding, they envisioned a day that felt warm, natural, and completely personal. Choosing a cocktail-style format with 120 guests allowed the afternoon to remain social and easy, trading a traditional sit-down dinner for roaming canapés and plenty of mingling under the Yarra Valley sun.

The celebration took place entirely at Yering Farm Winery, a venue that held special family ties for Eliza and had always been where she pictured herself getting married. The afternoon ceremony was held outside on the lawn, framed by rolling green hills and the vineyard, before guests moved to the front of the shed for cocktails, including custom limoncello spritzes, while Danika from Little Wolf Entertainment provided live acoustic music. The couple spent the entire weekend on-site, using the property’s stunning Airbnb, The George, to get ready and host their families.

Every detail of the day felt intentional and beautifully integrated, from Eliza’s structured, strapless Karen Willis Holmes gown to the classic Peter Jackson tuxedo worn by John. While Floral Alchemy created the fresh white and green bridal bouquets, Eliza hand-crafted the remaining arrangements using hydrangeas as the hero flower. The seamless nature of the evening extended to the catering by Essential Catering, who kept the couple well-fed with their standout fried chicken and slow-braised beef while they chatted with guests. Instead of a traditional cake, the couple opted for a large tiramisu made by bridesmaid Courtney, which they playfully scooped with glasses. As the night moved into the cellar door, Billy from Little Wolf Entertainment took over the decks, blending a pre-made playlist with live saxophone to keep the dance floor packed, capping off a weekend that felt less like a rigid event and more like a true, heartfelt celebration.

"If we could recommend one vendor to every couple, it would be Yering Farm Winery. They were incredibly accommodating and genuinely supportive of our vision from the very beginning. Nothing ever felt too hard, too particular, or too detailed, they gave us the freedom to create the exact atmosphere we imagined, while still guiding us with their experience."

Eliza

This stunning celebration was captured by Meg Anderson.