In this episode of Cut The Cake, we’re diving into one of our favourite topics—wedding venues across Victoria. With winter in full swing, it felt like the perfect time to chat about some truly standout locations and why this season can actually be ideal for planning your dream day.

We share some of the venue gems we’ve worked at or fallen in love with—from the garden-filled grounds of Mount Mitchell Estate near Ballarat to the clear marquee magic of Glen Fine Weddings and Events in Drouin South. For those leaning more city-side, we also spotlight Chapter Place at Pentridge Prison and The Trust in Melbourne—both spaces full of character, history, and serious style.

Winter doesn’t just offer moody lighting and romantic vibes—it’s also a strategic time to get ahead on your planning. With more vendor availability and breathing room in everyone’s calendars, it’s the perfect season to start securing your dream team and making considered choices.

Mel is also offering two helpful resources this season: a discounted one-on-one planning consultation for July and August, and a free venue guide packed with insider tips for couples looking at regional Victoria. If you’re unsure where to start or just want a little support, now’s the time to jump in.

We talk through how each venue offers something unique—whether it’s access to a clear-roof marquee under the stars or spaces that blend modern sophistication with history. More than anything, we share how thoughtful venue selection can completely elevate your guest experience and set the tone for your entire celebration.

If you’re newly engaged or knee-deep in decision making, this episode is packed with location inspo, planning advice, and a reminder that Victoria is home to some of the most beautiful (and sometimes underrated) places to say “I do.”

About Melanie
Mellyrain Creative is a wedding planning and styling company and we specialize in designing luxe countryside weddings across regional Victoria. As the head wedding planner and stylist at Mellyrain Creative, her team continues to grow and assist in styling design as well as wedding day coordination and execution of styling set ups at weddings all over Victoria. Prior to weddings Mel worked in sport and entertainment events in Melbourne and she is obsessed with her golden retriever pup Duncan who you’ll see on the gram from time to time. Mel love's to call country Victoria her happy place so when she's not working, you’ll still find me exploring new places, mostly something with mountains as a backdrop.

instagram.com/mellyraincreative
Contact Mel: mellyrain.com.au/contact

About Tania
Tania is an award nominated, coffee obsessed lover of love, and all round stationery nerd... & that is why she started the Event Wanderer Co. After years wrangling Ballkids at the Australian Open, she stepped into the world of weddings and turned her hand to design, combining a love of stationery with today's modern design and printing techniques to bring her biz baby to life. Tania's speciality is all things stationery and signage and also understanding the stress that event and wedding planning can bring and she's here to help you navigate the chaos of the journey.

instagram.com/eventwandererco/

In this episode of Cut The Cake, we’re answering your questions and diving into all things wedding planning—from vendor timelines to unexpected budget blowouts and how to keep your guests entertained in ways they’ll actually remember.

We kick things off with a conversation around booking timelines. Once you’ve locked in your venue and date, that’s when it’s time to start securing your vendors. We break down what to prioritise, what often gets overlooked, and how to manage expectations—especially when it comes to popular suppliers and high-demand dates.

We also chat about one of the biggest planning pain points: budgets. We unpack where most of the money really goes (hint: it’s probably your venue and catering), how to approach quotes with confidence, and why it’s worth having open conversations with your florist or stylist about what's actually possible within your price range.

Guest experience is something we’re both passionate about, so we share some of our favourite ways to create interactive, memorable moments—from mini-golf during cocktail hour to hiring a live illustrator or using custom signage as keepsakes. It's all about choosing thoughtful details that reflect you.

And because planning can feel overwhelming, we offer a few of our go-to strategies for staying sane—like setting up a dedicated wedding email, tuning out the noise of unhelpful opinions, and keeping your circle of trusted voices small and supportive.

Whether you’re knee-deep in planning or just getting started, this episode is full of honest insights, practical tips, and a gentle reminder that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to doing your day your way.

About Melanie
Mellyrain Creative is a wedding planning and styling company and we specialize in designing luxe countryside weddings across regional Victoria. As the head wedding planner and stylist at Mellyrain Creative, her team continues to grow and assist in styling design as well as wedding day coordination and execution of styling set ups at weddings all over Victoria. Prior to weddings Mel worked in sport and entertainment events in Melbourne and she is obsessed with her golden retriever pup Duncan who you’ll see on the gram from time to time. Mel love's to call country Victoria her happy place so when she's not working, you’ll still find me exploring new places, mostly something with mountains as a backdrop.

instagram.com/mellyraincreative
Contact Mel: mellyrain.com.au/contact

About Tania
Tania is an award nominated, coffee obsessed lover of love, and all round stationery nerd... & that is why she started the Event Wanderer Co. After years wrangling Ballkids at the Australian Open, she stepped into the world of weddings and turned her hand to design, combining a love of stationery with today's modern design and printing techniques to bring her biz baby to life. Tania's speciality is all things stationery and signage and also understanding the stress that event and wedding planning can bring and she's here to help you navigate the chaos of the journey.

instagram.com/eventwandererco/

In this episode of Cut the Cake, we dive headfirst into the whirlwind world of wedding expos—from both sides of the booth.

We’ve walked the aisles as attendees and stood behind the tables as vendors, so we know exactly how exciting, overwhelming, and wildly inspiring expos can be. In this conversation, we share what we’ve learned from years of being part of the wedding expo scene—our biggest lessons, the surprising things we weren’t prepared for, and the small details that make all the difference.

We talk about how to walk into an expo with a clear plan and realistic expectations, rather than trying to lock in every vendor on the spot. For couples just starting out, expos can be an incredible way to gather ideas, get a feel for different styles, and actually touch things—like paper stock, signage, and fabrics—before making any decisions. But they’re also a lot to take in. That’s why we recommend creating a vendor hit list, checking out the schedule in advance, and pacing your day (snack breaks included).

We also chat about the importance of region-specific expos. Attending events in the area you’re getting married can help you discover local gems and connect with vendors who truly understand your venue, weather, and vibe. And yes—we’ll never stop talking about the importance of bringing extra blank place cards. Because when your cousin shows up with a surprise plus-one? You’ll be glad you had them.

Throughout the episode, we reflect on the tactile magic of expos—especially for things like stationery—and how they can help bring your vision to life when approached with the right mindset. Whether you're newly engaged or deep in planning mode, we hope this episode leaves you feeling more empowered, inspired, and ready to tackle your next expo with confidence.

About Melanie
Mellyrain Creative is a wedding planning and styling company and we specialize in designing luxe countryside weddings across regional Victoria. As the head wedding planner and stylist at Mellyrain Creative, her team continues to grow and assist in styling design as well as wedding day coordination and execution of styling set ups at weddings all over Victoria. Prior to weddings Mel worked in sport and entertainment events in Melbourne and she is obsessed with her golden retriever pup Duncan who you’ll see on the gram from time to time. Mel love's to call country Victoria her happy place so when she's not working, you’ll still find me exploring new places, mostly something with mountains as a backdrop.

instagram.com/mellyraincreative
Contact Mel: mellyrain.com.au/contact

About Tania
Tania is an award nominated, coffee obsessed lover of love, and all round stationery nerd... & that is why she started the Event Wanderer Co. After years wrangling Ballkids at the Australian Open, she stepped into the world of weddings and turned her hand to design, combining a love of stationery with today's modern design and printing techniques to bring her biz baby to life. Tania's speciality is all things stationery and signage and also understanding the stress that event and wedding planning can bring and she's here to help you navigate the chaos of the journey.

instagram.com/eventwandererco/