Frequently Asked Questions
Booking
Let us know your budget and we can help you work out how best to allocate your money.
We have a range of packages, menus and drinks packages to suit every crowd, and plenty of money saving options and tips.
We are here to explain all your options and help you work out the best plan for your wedding and your budget.
All our packages have a suggested number that they are recommended for.
You are welcome to bring smaller numbers but please be aware of minimum bar spends, and the minimum numbers for the catering options.
Min bar spends are:
- Monday to Thursday $500
- Fridays $1,200 peak ($500 Off peak)
- Saturdays $1,500 peak ($500 Off peak)
- The “short and sweet” package includes a drinks package; minimum bar spends to do not apply.
You are very welcome to inspect the venue, in fact we encourage it, nothing beats seeing it in person. Yes, you will need to make an appointment. We are not open to the public, we do not have an open cellar door. So give us a call, or an email, or use the online booking form and book a time that suits you. We can show you around and chat about your wedding or function plans.
Maximums at our venue depend on two things, if your reception is a seated menu or cocktail style and how many marquees you would like to put on the deck, if any.
- For a seated style reception, the maximum seated inside is 60 guests.
- With marquees on the deck you can seat an additional 30 guests, so the maximum seated is 90 guests.
- For a cocktail style reception the maximum would be 70 guests inside the venue.
- With marquees on the deck you could take a cocktail reception to a maximum of 120 guests.
We have furniture, table clothes and glassware for your use.
Black dining chairs, café tables which can be put together to make long tables. White linen table clothes. Wine barrels and black bar stools. An easel for a sign. All glass ware for drinks service. And tea and coffee cups.
Our caterers provide crockery and cutlery for your menu. We put together a floor plan for your event and place the furniture accordingly. If you would like to hire in or bring in other or alternative furniture you are very welcome to do so and we will be there to supervise delivery and placement. We have a sound system and a cordless microphone.
Decorating & Setup
Catering
Every wedding has to have amazing food!
We have a couple of catering companies we work with and highly recommend.
My Little Country Kitchen – a fantastic company located in King Lake. Available for smaller numbers during the week. They do a delicious finger food menu or BBQ. Also available for seated menus.
Essential Catering and Events – a terrific catering company working with both city and Yarra Valley venues. They have a large variety of menus to choose from or they can make a menu to suit your event (100% vegan – yes done that). They will stun you with their amazing food and service – whether you opt for a delicious plated sit-down affair or go for cocktail-style.
We can also recommend local food trucks, just ask us.
Of course you can. We are happy to work with your catering firm and can liaise with them about all the specifications of what we have onsite. If you would like to use your own caterers, there is a venue hire fee and Bulong Estate does the drinks. Get in touch for more details.
Our excellent caterers take care of all dietary requirements. Just provide us with a list of your guests and their dietary needs, which may include allergies, gluten, lactose, fructose, vegetarian or vegan.
All of your guests receive a delicious meal made just for them to meet their needs and all at no additional charge.
Terms
- Friday and Saturday nights: Drinks and music will need to finish up at 10.30pm, with an exit by 11pm.
- Sunday to Thursdays: Daytime wedding or function with a finish time of 5pm.
Check the time for the package you have purchased. The time is measured from your guest arrival time to guest departure time.
Gates open one hour before your ceremony for the arrival of celebrants, musicians, caterers and other deliveries and decorating.
For “the works” package an hour during the morning of your wedding day can also be arranged for florists, decorating and deliveries if required.
We offer additional hours to be purchased should you wish to arrive earlier with your photographer for first look photos or portraits before your ceremony, this time includes use of the couples retreat.
We ask for a $1,200 non-refundable deposit to secure your date. This deposit is non-refundable should you cancel your booking.
We ask for progress payment, 90 days before your event of $1,000. Should you cancel your event at this point, this progress payment is also non-refundable.
Should you need to move your wedding date for any reason we can do this. With more than 90 days’ notice, you will pay an additional $1,200 booking fee to secure a new date. Less than 90 days’ notice, you will need to pay additional booking fee and progress payment, a total of $2,200 to secure a new date. If you are rescheduling with less than 21 days’ notice, there will be some costs due to ourselves and the caterers, as work has been done on your wedding. We will endeavour to keep these costs to a minimum.
Your final payment is due 21 working days before your event date. This will be invoiced to you via email and will include all your final decisions and final RSVP’s, less deposit and progress payments. You are required to provide your final RSVP’s and final decisions on your event 28 days before your event date, to allow your final invoice to be prepared for payment. We cannot proceed with your event unless your invoice has been paid prior.
Please refer to our full and details terms and conditions document for further terms.
Venue
We would love to say we can guarantee perfect weather for your wedding day, but that would involve lying to you! What we CAN guarantee is that we will have a great Plan B worked out with you in advance, so that your wedding is stress-free, regardless of the weather.
For each and every function and wedding we host here at Bulong Estate, we draw up two floor-plans: one for fine weather and the other for, well, not-so-fine weather. If Plan A has seating out on the lawn, Plan B seats your guests inside the venue, or has part seating inside the venue as well as under a marquee on the deck. Marquees on the deck are a great backup plan for your outdoor ceremony and reception, as they still give that feeling of being outside and your guests still get to appreciate the tremendous view. If the weather is wet, but still warm, we can remove the marquee walls – giving a lovely tropical feel incorporating both in and outdoors.
With plans in place for ”perfect weather” and a backup plan for not so perfect weather, you can relax knowing everything is taken care off for all eventualities. We will ensure that there is enough dry and warm space for your guests so that everyone is comfortable. And regardless of the weather – it is always an excellent day!
Yes! We host many and varied ceremonies and receptions of all cultural and religious backgrounds and we welcome them all. You are very welcome to setup a Mandap and to have a small fire (subject to Total Fire Ban restrictions in place on the day). Just let us know what you need for your ceremony or reception and I am sure we can make it happen.
You are very welcome to inspect the venue, in fact we encourage it, nothing beats seeing it in person. Yes, you will need to make an appointment. We are not open to the public, we do not have an open cellar door. So give us a call, or an email, or use the online booking form and book a time that suits you. We can show you around and chat about your wedding or function plans.
There is lots of local accommodation – including boutique hotels, motels, caravan parks, holiday rentals, bed and breakfasts and AirBNB. We can supply a list of some recommended options. Much of the accommodation is within 10 minutes drive. There are also local providers of transport such as mini buses or private cars to transport your guests from the accommodation to the wedding and back again. We can also provide you with a list of these providers.
Maximums at our venue depend on two things, if your reception is a seated menu or cocktail style and how many marquees you would like to put on the deck, if any.
- For a seated style reception, the maximum seated inside is 60 guests.
- With marquees on the deck you can seat an additional 30 guests, so the maximum seated is 90 guests.
- For a cocktail style reception the maximum would be 70 guests inside the venue.
- With marquees on the deck you could take a cocktail reception to a maximum of 120 guests.
Yes we have disabled car-parking labelled and we have a ramp up to the deck for access to the deck and venue. We have a wheel chair accessible bathroom. Wheelchairs will need go across lawn if the ceremony is held in the garden.
- Friday and Saturday nights: Drinks and music will need to finish up at 10.30pm, with an exit by 11pm.
- Sunday to Thursdays: Daytime wedding or function with a finish time of 5pm.
Yes, Monica our venue manager is with you every step of the way. You will meet Monica when you view the venue and make your booking. Monica will be your contact for all communications and will work with you to plan your special day. If you have any questions or need a recommended local supplier, Monica can help you with all of that. On the day Monica will ensure the venue is setup as per the plan, receive any deliveries such as furniture, the cake, your celebrants arrival etc. And she will be there during your reception to keep things organised and work with the caterers to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Check the time for the package you have purchased. The time is measured from your guest arrival time to guest departure time.
Gates open one hour before your ceremony for the arrival of celebrants, musicians, caterers and other deliveries and decorating.
For “the works” package an hour during the morning of your wedding day can also be arranged for florists, decorating and deliveries if required.
We offer additional hours to be purchased should you wish to arrive earlier with your photographer for first look photos or portraits before your ceremony, this time includes use of the couples retreat.
Yes we allow pets and animals to attend your ceremony and/or reception. Your pets will need to be secure, such as on a lead as the property is not securely fenced. And of course our priority and yours is for the safety and well being of both your human and animal guests.
Our space is perfect for an outdoor ceremony and reception, with our lawn and garden area, big outdoor deck and spectacular views of vineyard and mountains. You can have your ceremony in the garden using our outdoor stage or arbor, or anywhere else you would like to have it. Your guests can enjoy the lawn and big outdoor deck with drinks and canapes. Or plan a full outdoor menu with a range of seating options such as wine barrels and stools, picnic rugs or full seating on the lawn. Perhaps you want to bring food trucks or have a big grazing platter on the deck. Either way your guests will relax with the greenery and spectacular mountains all around them.
There is lots of beautiful vineyard and views very close to the venue for photos. You may want to have family photos there or in the garden around the venue. We can then take you both and your photographer, videographer and anyone else you want such as your wedding party for a drive around the vineyard for more photos. To the rustic front gate. Our big dam, which on a still day has lovely water reflections. And up to the highest point on the property for a huge vista of Mount Donna Buang. We have 120 acres of property and 80 acres of grapes, so plenty of options for amazing photos.
Ceremony & Reception
We would love to say we can guarantee perfect weather for your wedding day, but that would involve lying to you! What we CAN guarantee is that we will have a great Plan B worked out with you in advance, so that your wedding is stress-free, regardless of the weather.
For each and every function and wedding we host here at Bulong Estate, we draw up two floor-plans: one for fine weather and the other for, well, not-so-fine weather. If Plan A has seating out on the lawn, Plan B seats your guests inside the venue, or has part seating inside the venue as well as under a marquee on the deck. Marquees on the deck are a great backup plan for your outdoor ceremony and reception, as they still give that feeling of being outside and your guests still get to appreciate the tremendous view. If the weather is wet, but still warm, we can remove the marquee walls – giving a lovely tropical feel incorporating both in and outdoors.
With plans in place for ”perfect weather” and a backup plan for not so perfect weather, you can relax knowing everything is taken care off for all eventualities. We will ensure that there is enough dry and warm space for your guests so that everyone is comfortable. And regardless of the weather – it is always an excellent day!
Yes! We host many and varied ceremonies and receptions of all cultural and religious backgrounds and we welcome them all. You are very welcome to setup a Mandap and to have a small fire (subject to Total Fire Ban restrictions in place on the day). Just let us know what you need for your ceremony or reception and I am sure we can make it happen.
Our space is perfect for an outdoor ceremony and reception, with our lawn and garden area, big outdoor deck and spectacular views of vineyard and mountains. You can have your ceremony in the garden using our outdoor stage or arbor, or anywhere else you would like to have it. Your guests can enjoy the lawn and big outdoor deck with drinks and canapes. Or plan a full outdoor menu with a range of seating options such as wine barrels and stools, picnic rugs or full seating on the lawn. Perhaps you want to bring food trucks or have a big grazing platter on the deck. Either way your guests will relax with the greenery and spectacular mountains all around them.
There is lots of beautiful vineyard and views very close to the venue for photos. You may want to have family photos there or in the garden around the venue. We can then take you both and your photographer, videographer and anyone else you want such as your wedding party for a drive around the vineyard for more photos. To the rustic front gate. Our big dam, which on a still day has lovely water reflections. And up to the highest point on the property for a huge vista of Mount Donna Buang. We have 120 acres of property and 80 acres of grapes, so plenty of options for amazing photos.