Weddings at Sunnyside Events – Your Guide to the Mornington Peninsula’s Hottest New Wedding Venue

If you’re after a wedding day that’s part garden party, part seaside soiree, and part modern-Mediterranean vibe, then Sunnyside Events on the Mornington Peninsula deserves top-spot on your shortlist.

This one-of-a-kind venue offers timeless architecture with a stately home in the background, manicured gardens that tumble toward the bay, and a modern mediterranean courtyard that give this place the rare mix of modern romantic and loose editorial style I live for as a wedding photographer. 

It’s the kind of property that produces family-heirloom images.

Golden hour portraits that feel cinematic, sun-kissed ceremonies that are full of vibrant colour, and a signature style that sits perfectly between documentary and editorial.

Two Beautiful Ceremony Options 

Sunnyside gives you two distinctly beautiful ceremony canvases.

Whilst both feel perfectly suited to an intimate, romantic aesthetic, they photograph very differently (which is exactly what I love about it!)

1. Sunken Garden with a Grand Vine-Covered Arbor

A sunken, terraced garden with sandstone walls and a grand staircase leading up to an even grander arbour, wrapped with vines. 

Behind the sandstone walls is a lush garden filled with all different varieties of flowers and manicured trees. So even if you aren’t planning on having an elaborate floral installation for your ceremony, you’ll still benefit from the surrounding natural beauty of this colourful garden, full of life.

The ceremony space is elevated at the top of the stairs under the grand arbour so every one of your guests will be able to see you clearly, as you’ll be able to see all of them – as well as sweeping views over Port Philip Bay. 

This spot is also literal heaven for golden-hour portraits as the sun sets over the ocean! 

It’s the ideal if you want that classic garden-party romance with an abundance of florals and relaxed editorial posing opportunities. Then during golden hour, the look becomes cinematic as the sun sets over the horizon. 

2. Ocean-Facing Platforms (Coastal Ceremony)

If you’re dreaming of vows with the bay as your backdrop, Sunnyside’s platforms that overlook the ocean are sublime. 

The historic mansion sits behind you, the sea ahead and a vineyard flanks the right-hand side.

These platforms give a modern and minimalistic, coastal feeling – when I saw these I immediately thought this is soooo Mornington Peninsula, blending that modern style with the coastline and rolling hills seamlessly!

This option is ideal for intimate ceremonies with smaller numbers of guests, comfortably seating 50-80 guests.

The reception: modern, minimal, and oh-so Mornington-Peninsula-Meditteranean-esque

(or whatever it is that means)

Inside, Sunnyside’s reception space is EXPANSIVE with a truly soaring ceiling, accompanying floor-to-ceiling windows draped with invisibly-hung S-wave sheer curtains that filter the bay’s light spilling in, creating a soft but dramatic effect as the late afternoon sun hits. 

The floorplan is spacious and the clean colour palate screams Australian Coastal Chic, and will suit any colour scheme imaginable. 

The space comfortably seats larger celebrations. 

Talking with one of the venue coordinators, Emily, she tells me Sunnyside Events accommodates parties of 150-200 guests, making it ideal for couples who want a big reception that still feels thoughtfully styled. 

Even with 200 guests, there’s still room for a bridal table as well as a generous sized dancefloor. 

A few features I adore as an editorial wedding photographer:

• Intimate alcove seating adorned in teal velvet — these alcoves are perfect for striking, sexy flash portraits during the reception, or for creating small private pockets for guests to mingle in and take a break from the dancefloor.
  

• Clean lines and dramatic light— styling looks luxe with simple choices: white linens, layered candles, warm florals. The space gives you a high-end editorial look without fuss. I especially love the pockets of light that stream through the tall windows. 

Canapes in “The Secret Garden” (think Puglia!)

Sunnyside’s canapés and cocktail area—nicknamed the Secret Garden—feels intentionally pared back and Mediterranean. 

The crushed-rock surfaces, taupe walls and minimal finishes give off a distinctly Italian (think Puglia) holiday vibe: it’s warm, it’s textural, and it’s effortlessly chic. 

The secret garden is a gorgeous area for pre-dinner drinks, casual portraits (think full sun and harsh shadows or the soft lighting right at the start of blue hour), and candid documentary moments of guests enjoying the evening. 

If you’re dreaming of a pared back European vibe, this spot totally nails it.

This space photographs beautifully in late afternoon light and makes styling with olive branches, terracotta and soft linens feel right at home.

Emily gave us an update as we toured the venue that a permanent clear marquee is going to be added to one side of the Secret Garden to make this space an all-weather solution.

So whether you want an alfresco vibe or a weather-proof cocktail hour, you’ll have the best of both worlds—clean, Mediterranean styling with the security of covered space for rainy days or extra-long evenings. The marquee should be installed by December 2025. 

Booking Your Wedding at Sunnyside Events & Contact Details

• Venue Address: 1 Sunnyside Rd, Mount Eliza VIC 3930
• Phone: (03) 8646 6000 (Food & Desire)
• Email: info@foodanddesire.com.au
• Website: https://foodanddesire.com.au/venues/sunnyside/

Nestled between rows of vineyards with sweeping views of the bay and only about 50 minutes from Melbourne (depending on traffic).

It’s close enough to Melbourne for easy travel (by car), but far enough away to feel like you’ve escaped. 

The estate sits within a large, manicured property—156 hectares of gardens—so you quickly feel a world away from the city, and of course, the bay is almost always in sight. 

When you tour the property (and I strongly recommend you do!) you’ll immediately feel how private and curated the place is. 

But I warn you, once you’ve visited Sunnyside Estate you’ll find it to be the perfect venue for a wedding weekend that has your guests gushing over how insanely, incredibly, picture-perfect  your wedding is!

Mornington Peninsula Accommodation Perfect for Bridal Prep

If you want to keep the whole wedding weekend feeling seamless and relaxed, here are some perfect accommodation options on the Mornington Peninsula large enough for bridal parties to get ready at (and of course, capture some beautiful photos!):

• The Hull | Luxury Mount Martha home complete with pool, sauna and tennis court
  • Sleeps 10, 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
  • Features: pool, sauna, tennis court, modern interiors with a coastal feel, giant outdoor chess board, outdoor kitchen
    
    
• Muskoka Luxe Retreat in Mount Martha with pool and fire pit
  • Sleeps 8, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
  • Features: Pool, fire pit, hamptons-inspired interiors
    
    
• Blanc de Noir, modern and minimalist Mount Martha home with views of the bay
  • Sleeps 8, 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms 
  • Features: pool, views over the bay, modern interiors, beautiful sleek design

• Vineyard Lane, surrounded on all four sides by acres of vines!
  • Sleeps 14, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms 
  • Features: large interiors and large gardens (plus the vineyards), perfect for bridal party photos 

Whilst there are countless beautiful accommodation options on the Mornington Peninsula, I do recommend choosing a getting ready location nearby to avoid long drives or getting stuck in traffic on the big day. We want to be celebrating, not stuck in a car in the heat of Summer!

Mornington Peninsula Accommodation Perfect for Your Wedding Guests

Mornington has plenty of accommodation options and is very close by.

I recommend organising a shuttle bus for your guests to transport them from Sunnyside back to Mornington after the wedding so they can enjoy the night and don’t need to think about organising taxis/ubers or a designated driver. 

Some larger options include:

• Brooklands of Mornington, located just off the main street this is a central location, walkable to cafes and restaurants so your guests can make a weekend away
  

• Jackalope Hotel in Merricks North, this is about a 30 mins drive from Sunnyside Events in Mount Eliza, however, is famous for its unique sculptures and beautiful wine. It’s a luxury escape for certain and had to make its way onto this list somewhere!
  

• Quest Frankston on the Bay, located just off the beach in Frankston this is a central location and has plenty of rooms that are modern, clean and conveniently located

Travelling to Sunnyside Events & Logistics

• Car: Driving is the most common option. The property is accessible by road and there’s plenty of on-site parking for guests and suppliers.
  
• From Melbourne: Expect roughly a 45–60 minute drive depending on the time of day; allow extra time around peak hour.
  
• Shuttles or buses: Many couples opt for private shuttle transfers for guests between nearby accommodation and the venue, especially if you have a late finish.

Real Weddings at Sunnyside Events

Upcoming weddings at Sunnyside Events: Shanai & Joshua, December 2025. 

Why Couples Fall in Love with Sunnyside

• Versatile ceremony backdrops: whimsical garden florals or modern ocean-facing platforms give you two very different moods in the same venue.
  

• Editorial + timeless visuals: modern mediterranean spaces, rows of vineyards, and manicured gardens with vistas over the ocean, make for a good variety of portraits and a backdrop for the perfect, sophisticated garden soiree. It’s perfect for couples who want a modern romantic-aesthetic, and a combination of editorial and cinematic sunset-drenched gallery.
  

• Seamless indoor/outdoor flow: transitions between ceremony, canapés, and reception are intuitive and photograph beautifully. The spaces themselves differ and provide varied looks for each new chapter of the wedding day, yet tie together seamlessly.
  

• Room for celebrations both intimate and grand: with capacities that support mid-sized to large guest lists, Sunnyside Events works whether you’re planning an intimate garden party or a full evening feast and celebration for the ages.
  

What Style of Weddings suit Sunnyside Events best?

• Timeless garden party weddings: florals, paper parasols, whimsical and colourful styling. Think flowy-dresses with a pastel colour palette.
  

• Editorial, romantic receptions — minimalist styling, luxe finishes, and a bold bridal table moment. Think black-tie dress code.
  

• Seaside & vineyard celebrations — if you love coastal light and rolling vines, this venue gives you both. A hamptons-inspired wedding would be perfect for this venue.
  

• Full wedding weekends – dreaming of your celebration lasting more than the typical 8-hour wedding day? Why not have a welcome party the night before your wedding in Mornington, then a boozy-afternoon tea the following day at The Conti in Sorrento and turn your wedding into a full weekend affair.

Why Sunnyside Events is Perfect for Full Wedding Weekends

Turn your wedding into a full wedding weekend and host a welcome party the night before your wedding and/or a recovery brunch (let’s be honest, recovery afternoon sips is more realistic after your EPIC dancefloor!) by the beach? 

Below are my top locations to continue the party on the Mornington Peninsula:

• The Conti in Sorrento 
• Casa de Playa in Mornington 
• Hotel Sorrento
• Trofeo Estate in Dromana 
• Pier10 Winery
• Portsea Hotel

How to Book your Dream Wedding at Sunnyside Events

If Sunnyside feels like your kind of venue – and I could TOTALLY understand why – Food & Desire run bookings and enquiries for the estate. 

Reach out through their weddings enquiry form here to request availability, the available packages and to organise a site tour.

Planning a Sunnyside Wedding? I’d Love to Photograph It.

I think I’ve said a hundred times already in this blog, but Sunnyside Events is an absolute dream for portraits at golden hour! 

Whether we’re using the sunken garden’s terraces or stealing a few minutes under the arbor, or striking some editorial poses in the Puglian-esque secret garden, the light here sculpts faces beautifully and creates that warm, dreamy, cinematic look.

As a destination wedding and elopement photographer who adores editorial frames and totally candid moments, I’d encourage you to consider a private first look, a late-afternoon ceremony, mingling with your guests during canapes and a second portrait window just before sunset to make images that feel truly warm and personal.