From childhood holidays to I Do: Stephanie and David’s Ocean Grove wedding at The Dunes

Having spent a decade of childhood holidays at Ocean Grove, Stephanie always harboured a soft spot for the coast. When she and David decided to tie the knot, returning to the Bellarine Peninsula felt like a natural choice. For their 130 guests, it was a chance to enjoy a weekend getaway, while for the couple, it was about celebrating somewhere deeply personal that felt modern, beautiful, and completely removed from a traditional function room.

 

The day kicked off with an outdoor ceremony on the lush lawn directly outside The Dunes. Under clear skies, Lisa Brown Celebrant guided the pair through their vows, incorporating their personal love story. With the ceremony footprint set right next to the venue, guests enjoyed a seamless two-minute stroll straight onto the deck for cocktails and canapes. Eliminating travel between locations stripped away any potential schedule stress, allowing everyone to sink into the atmosphere immediately.

Inside, SAK Events delivered the ceremony and reception floral styling alongside custom signage, complementing the sleek aesthetic of the venue. Food and drink were top priorities for Stephanie and David, and The Dunes delivered. “We already loved the food at The Dunes as we go for dinner and lunch all the time, so we knew it was going to be good food,” Stephanie shares.

"The Dunes was a bit more on the expensive side compared to other traditional venues, but the food, service, drinks and venue was worth it in our opinion."

Stephanie

The feeling was mutual for the team on the ground.

"Steph and David were such an organised couple who stayed true to their vision throughout the planning process. Working with them was an absolute delight, and I honestly wish I could do their wedding all over again!" 

Daisy Eichler, The Dunes

From the initial site inspection, the couple knew they wanted a high-energy reception that gave them maximum time on the floor. The Dunes team helped structure a timing schedule to make that happen, starting the night with an unforgettable entrance that transitioned straight into twenty minutes of immediate dancing. Guests spent the rest of the evening on the floor to a mix of Greek, Assyrian, and contemporary tracks spun by MG Entertainment, fueled by cannoli from Cannoli Bar.

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This celebration was beautifully captured by APL Photography.