REAL WEDDING: A European-Italien-inspired Summer Wedding at Mewburn Park

Written by Adam Vardy

Emily & Liam, 22.2.2025

Butter-yellow bridesmaids, lemons and grapes, wildflower meadows and a sun-soaked February afternoon. Emily and Liam’s wedding was the kind of summer celebration that made us feel as though we’d been whisked away to the Italian island of Capri.

Some weddings just have a feeling about them. The kind that makes you want to linger a little longer, pour another drink and soak up every last moment of the afternoon. Emily and Liam’s February wedding was exactly that.

With warm sunshine, beautiful pastel styling and the relaxed elegance of a European country estate, their cocktail-style celebration was filled with thoughtful details, gorgeous florals and those little moments that made the day entirely their own. And honestly? We could have happily stayed in this little slice of summer forever.

A Relaxed Morning in the Day Suite

The celebrations began in our Day Suite, where Emily and her bridesmaids enjoyed a relaxed morning getting ready together.

Freshly baked croissants, juicy strawberries and a glass or two of champagne set the tone for a wonderfully relaxed start to the day. Because really, who doesn't love being pampered with hair and makeup, bubbles in hand, surrounded by their favourite people? There was something so fitting about the easy, unhurried feel of the day. No need to rush. Just a beautiful summer morning, the girls getting ready and the excitement building as the first moments of the celebration drew closer.

Emily's bridal look was the definition of understated elegance. Her simple silk halter-neck dress had a beautiful, effortless silhouette, with a leg-baring detail adding a little modern flair. Finished with a stunning veil, it was a look that felt timeless without trying too hard. Her bridesmaids complemented the summer palette in soft, light yellow dresses, bringing a little sunshine of their own to the day.

A Ceremony in a Meadow of Flowers

With 120+ guests ready to celebrate, Emily and Liam kicked things off the European way — with peach Bellinis, Limoncello Spritzes and a whole lot of summer-soirée vibes! 🍋🥂

For their ceremony, Emily and Liam chose the beautiful Tennis Court Tree - we know you can’t see a tennis court, but that’s only because it is over 130+ years old... The tree is a perfect spot, as it provides shade for everyone. Surrounded by the greenery of the estate and the soft warmth of the February sunshine, it was a setting that felt wonderfully natural and romantic. The ceremony had the feeling of a little meadow in bloom — a moment to pause, take it all in and watch two people make their promises to one another.

There was no need to overcomplicate the setting. The beauty of the trees, the surrounding landscape and the atmosphere of the day did what they do best: create a space that feels both intimate and special. And then, with their vows spoken and their commitment made official, it was time to celebrate.

A summer dream Ceremony - all photos by @samanthaelizabethphotography

Aperitivo Under the Old Oak and Elm Trees

If we could bottle the feeling of a European summer afternoon, this might just be it.

Following the ceremony, guests gathered beneath the old oak and elm trees for cocktail hour. Dappled sunshine, the gentle shade of the trees, a drink in hand and the sound of loved ones catching up — it was everything we love about a relaxed, European-inspired estate wedding.

The styling brought a playful Mediterranean touch to the celebration, with butter-yellow details, fresh lemons, grapes and limes adding colour and character.

It felt a little like Capri and Tuscany all in one place, with the added charm of an old country estate in the heart of Gippsland.

And that's the beauty of a cocktail-style wedding. Rather than moving guests straight into a formal reception, the celebration can unfold naturally, with plenty of opportunities to mingle, explore and enjoy the different spaces around the property.

At Mewburn Park, our gardens and historic trees lend themselves beautifully to this kind of celebration. Each setting offers a slightly different atmosphere, allowing the day to flow while still feeling connected.

An Oyster Bar
and a Little Moment Just for Two

Of course, a beautiful wedding isn't just about how everything looks. It's about how it feels, too.

Emily and Liam added a wonderful touch to their celebration by organising an oyster bar for their guests. It was a lovely way to bring something a little unexpected to the cocktail-style reception and perfectly suited the European summer atmosphere.

But one of our favourite details was something much quieter. Among all the celebrations, conversations and excitement, Emily and Liam made time for a ten-minute moment just for the two of them. No guests, no schedule to follow, no one else to think about. Just a little breathing space to pause, take in the day and enjoy the fact that they were finally married. It's such a simple idea, but one we love seeing couples embrace.

Wedding days can fly by in a blur of hugs, happy tears, photographs and conversations. Creating a little pocket of time together gives you the chance to step away from it all and really take it in. Because while the flowers will eventually fade and the last glass will be cleared away, those moments are the ones you'll carry with you.

The Beauty of a Summer Cocktail Wedding

There is something particularly special about a summer wedding at Mewburn Park. The long afternoons, the shade of our established trees, the gardens and historic buildings, and the opportunity to move between different spaces throughout the day all lend themselves to a celebration that feels relaxed yet considered.

A cocktail-style wedding is a beautiful option for couples who want their guests to mingle, enjoy delicious food and drinks, and experience the property rather than spend the entire reception seated at tables. But in our experience, this only works if the crowd it in fact a ‘mingling crowd’. It allows for a different kind of atmosphere — one that feels sociable, easygoing and a little more European.

And with thoughtful styling, beautiful seasonal florals and a few personal touches, it can be every bit as elegant as a traditional seated reception.

Emily and Liam's wedding captured that balance perfectly. It was sophisticated without feeling stiff, beautifully styled without feeling overdone, and full of personality from the first moments of the morning to the celebrations beneath the trees.

A Marquee Filled With Summer Florals

As guests moved into the marquee, the Mediterranean-inspired palette continued, this time with a floral installation that brought the whole look together.

Think a summer meadow in full bloom, with cheerful daisies, delicate chrysanthemums, blue hydrangeas and delphiniums creating a beautiful mix of colour and texture. The florals were abundant without feeling overly formal. Soft pastels met vibrant summer details, while lemons, grapes and little daisies brought a playful nod to the Italian-inspired aesthetic.The butter-yellow tones tied everything together, balanced by the blues of the hydrangeas and delphiniums and the natural beauty of the flowers themselves.

It was romantic, fresh and full of personality — proof that an elegant wedding doesn't need to feel overly polished or perfectly symmetrical to be beautiful.

We love seeing couples bring their own ideas to our clear-view marquee, using flowers, colour and thoughtful styling to create a space that feels entirely theirs.Emily and Liam's reception was the perfect example: a beautiful setting, a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of little details for guests to discover.

A Beautiful Team Behind the Day

A wedding like this is always a team effort, and we're so grateful to the wonderful suppliers who helped bring Emily and Liam's vision to life.

The dream team:

Country hospitality that genuinely looks after you

To Emily and Liam, thank you for sharing your beautiful summer celebration with us. Your day was a reminder that the best weddings aren't necessarily the ones with the most elaborate details, but the ones that feel completely true to the people at the heart of them.

We wish you both a lifetime of sunshine, long lunches, beautiful adventures and plenty of reasons to raise a glass together.

And if your dream wedding looks a little like a European summer escape, with the charm of a country estate and the freedom to celebrate your own way, we'd love to show you around Mewburn Park.

A little Italian summer, a little Gippsland country charm, and a whole lot of love.

What's not to love?

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Mewburn Park?

Mewburn Park is a country wedding venue in Gippsland, Victoria, approximately 2.5 hours east of Melbourne. Its location makes it an ideal destination for couples looking for a country wedding weekend without travelling too far from Melbourne.

Is Mewburn Park a luxury wedding venue?

Mewburn Park is a relaxed country luxe wedding venue. Rather than formal or traditional luxury, the focus is on beautiful surroundings, excellent food and wine, thoughtful details, personal hospitality and creating a wedding that feels elevated while still relaxed.

How much space does Mewburn Park have?

Mewburn Park sits across approximately 23 acres of private country estate, including gardens, historic buildings, paddocks, lagoons and numerous wedding and photography locations.

Can we have our ceremony and reception at Mewburn Park?

Yes. Mewburn Park offers multiple ceremony locations across the property, followed by drinks, photographs, dinner and dancing in the clear-view marquee.

Is there accommodation at Mewburn Park?

Yes. Mewburn Park offers onsite accommodation, making it possible to extend your wedding celebration into a country getaway and stay on the property.

Is Mewburn Park suitable for a relaxed wedding?

Absolutely. Mewburn Park is particularly suited to couples who want an elegant wedding that still feels relaxed, personal and fun. There is plenty of space to move around the property, enjoy your guests and bring your own personality into the day.

Your country wedding, your way

Ultimately, that's what we're here for.

Not to create a wedding that looks exactly like every other wedding at Mewburn Park.

But to give you a beautiful place, an experienced team and enough space and flexibility to create something that feels like you.

A little country.

A little luxe.

A whole lot of good food, good people and good times.

And 23 acres of Gippsland countryside to make it all happen.

Welcome to Mewburn Park.

Adam Vardy
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