Frequently Asked Questions

Ceremony start time

We usually suggest a 4pm ceremony start time, and recommend you put a start time of 3:30pm on your invitations. This will ensure that guests have arrived and we are ready to start your ceremony on time. YVE staff are onsite to assist with coordinating your wedding ceremony.

Included for the ceremony (Open Air Chapel)

• 60 x white padded chairs set by YVE staff

• White wrought iron signing table (clothed) with 2 x chairs

• Power source available

Included for the ceremony (Inside)

• 60 x white padded chairs set by YVE staff

• White wrought iron signing table (clothed) with 2 x chairs

• Portable white chapel windows can be provided

• Power source available

Welcome signs / flowers or decorations

We do not move any items from the ceremony location to the reception room, including flowers. If that is something you require, please ask for a quote.

Confetti Rules

We are a sustainable venue committed to looking after the environment. We only allow fresh/dried petals or leaves to be used as confetti during ceremony. Paper, rice and biodegradable confetti are not allowed. Any use of fake or plastic petals is not permitted and will result in a $250 clean up fee, deducted from your bond.

Dogs Rule

We would love for your special fur-baby to be a part of your wedding ceremony. There are two dog kennels located just near us on Melba Hwy, we do not allow dogs to stay on site.

http://pawsandclawsresort.com.au/ – offer a drop off and pick up service for your ceremony

https://www.adogsdomain.com.au/

Wax Rule

Absolutely no wax candles are permitted at YVE, due to fire safety and our sustainability philosophy.

Reception room capacity

120 guests seated or 170 guests cocktail style

Included for reception 

• All fairy lights are included and will be turned on for your wedding

• Setting of tables set with crockery, cutlery and glassware

• Table numbers

• Menus

• Use of our vases, gold pots and glass jars available for hire and flowers are left up to the couple to arrange

• Hessian runners

• White napkins

What you need to arrange

• Place cards

• Seating chart

• Wishing well

• Centrepieces / table decorations – please ensure that your centrepieces are placed, so YVE staff can serve platters in the middle of the table. We suggest small vases or greenery along the table.

We can place your decorations, please request a quote.

• Tables are wood rustic theme look – if you would prefer white tablecloths, please request a quote.

Neon Sign

Hire of our neon sign for pallet wall only – ‘Crazy in Love’ – $100.00

Wax Rule

Absolutely no wax candles are permitted at YVE, due to fire safety and our sustainability philosophy.

Access to set for your wedding

Provided there are no events the day prior to your wedding we allow you to come and set place cards and any DIY decorations strictly between the hours of 2:30pm-5:00pm. This will be confirmed two weeks out from the wedding. We can place your decorations, please request a quote.

Cake / cake cutting

We set your wedding cake on our wine barrel, and we provide a cake knife. There is no fee for cake cutting services. If you are having a dessert buffet, we will cut and serve.

Sparklers

Please note, we do not allow sparklers inside the reception room. Sparklers can be used for your farewell outside, except when there is a total fire ban.

Supplier meals

All photographers, video operators and band members will be supplied with a main meal, charged at $45.00 per person. The main meal is served to the suppliers at the end of the guest’s main meal service, unless otherwise agreed prior. Suppliers will not be served alcohol unless the wedding couple has approved and accepts the charges.

Yarra Valley Estate has 48 accommodation rooms onsite for you and your guests to stay.

• Check in is strictly from 2 pm, we will not guarantee the rooms will be ready prior to 2 pm
• Check out 10am – sharp, if guests check out later there will be additional charges (we need to get rooms ready for the next group)
• You are required to book a minimum of 14 accommodation rooms (any vacant rooms will be charged at $100.00 per room)
• 1 x cottage is available to book for your wedding night
• 1 x cottage is available to book the night prior to your wedding
• Each accommodation block has full kitchen and BBQ facilities, Cottages have kitchen only suitable for your catering needs.

Your guests will contact YVE directly to secure their accommodation booking, booking is only confirmed once payment is received.

Accommodation notes for invitations

We do suggest including the following accommodation information on your wedding invitations

Accommodation is available at Yarra Valley Estate (room only)

Room Rate $209.00 per night (some rooms can sleep up to 3 guests)

Please contact directly via email enquiries@yarravalleyestate.com.au or phone 03 5965 2397, payment to be made upon booking.

Breakfast 

Breakfast is not included at YVE, unless a minimum number of 40 wish to dine together, please request a quote.

We recommend the below local eateries:

https://www.heartswood.com.au/
https://www.frank1964.com.au/about-frank

Local eateries for night prior dinner / wedding day lunch

Close by options that we suggest:

https://www.yarravalleygrand.com.au/ (Lunch & Dinner)

https://steelsgate.com.au/ (Lunch only)

https://www.yarrawood.com.au/ (Breakfast weekends only / Lunch & Dinner)

https://www.heartswood.com.au/ (Breakfast / Lunch & Dinner)

https://www.mandalawines.com.au/ (Lunch & Dinner)

We include a menu tasting for our wedding couples at no charge, if you would like any family members to join you it is at an additional cost of $95.00 per person, with numbers capped at 4 additional guests. We run 2 menu tastings a year and will contact you with the date to confirm your attendance.

 

Included in menu tasting:

 

Our signature canapes, with wine tasting from both our standard and upgraded wine ranges.

 

Menu tasting will included a selection of our entrées, main courses and dessert options. Please note all other beverages are at bar prices.

 

Our signature canapes, with wine tasting from both our standard and upgraded wine ranges.

 

Menu tasting will included a selection of our entrées, main courses and dessert options. Please note all other beverages are at bar prices.

Prior to the planning meeting we will email you our wedding requirements form, floor plan and other documents that you will need to complete and bring along to our meeting so that we can start to finalise your wedding day. At your planning meeting we will go over the order of your wedding and all the requirements. At the end of this meeting, you will sign off on those requirements. Any further changes will incur additional charges.

We would love to be able to share your photos on social media (in particular Instagram) and with your permission we would love to receive some photos from your wedding. Of course, we will tag all your suppliers!

Feedback is very important to us, and we would love for you to leave a review on Facebook, Google, Easy Weddings or Trip Advisor after your wedding, or even a testimonial for our website as this is very useful for future YVE couples.

Sunset Photos

The airstrip is the best spot for sunset shots on the property, the sun sets in the west over to Melba Hwy side.

Easel

We can supply 2 x wooden easels for use at ceremony for welcome sign and reception for seating chart

Baby Sitting

We welcome children to YVE although they must always be supervised. We recommend a babysitter is hired for a large group of children attending your wedding.

We recommend Event Nannies; they can babysit children within the accommodation areas.

Please be aware that if the children are unsupervised, we will ask the parents to take the children away to their accommodation block. We are not responsible for any accidents.

https://www.eventnannies.com.au/

Bonbonniere

We have never heard a guest leave the wedding wondering where there gift from the couple is, BUT here are a few ideas

• Donation to your chosen charity

• Luggage tag place cards

• Plant your own seed – ‘let love grow’

• Small succulent pots

• Edible gift, house made salts, teas, preserves

Sound System

We provide a microphone for speeches and the MC, our sound system is only suitable for background music so the DJ / band must supply all their own equipment.

Parking

We have plenty of free parking available onsite, we also have disabled car parking.

Disabled Access

We have disabled car parking, some accommodation rooms are wheelchair accessible, and we have a golf cart that we can use to ferry guests from the chapel to pre-dinner drinks and to the reception room.

Children’s meals

Children’s meals are charged at $35.00 per children includes main course and dessert – chicken, chips and salad and ice cream.

Teen Meals

Teen meals are charged at $95.00 per teen they have the full adult meal just no alcoholic beverages.

Wedding Pack Down

At the end of the wedding night YVE staff pack down all table decorations, flowers, lost property, and any items you supplied. These items will be left for collection the day following your wedding, to be collected by 10 am sharp.

Bar closes strictly at 10.30 pm, and your beverage package concludes. You will be charged for additional time, per 15 minutes increments at $250.00 plus alcohol consumed.

Wet Weather Plan

We always order the weather to be beautiful and sunny here at YVE, however, should we need to we have a plan B indoor option. In the week of the wedding, we will discuss plans for the ceremony location with you, a decision can be made on the day of the wedding.

Curfew

Noise curfew is 12.30 am, please don’t disturb the native animals.

Rubbish in Accommodation Areas

Please note we supply rubbish and recycling bins within the accommodation’s kitchens, there is also additional bins outside the accommodation blocks. Please make sure you follow our sustainability procedures.

Public Liability Insurance

Yes YVE does have public liability insurance, we do recommend that your suppliers have their own.

Smoking Policy

We allow smoking at YVE outside in designated areas only. Please do not leave your cigarette butts on the ground for wildlife to be impacted or that could cause bush fires. Please use cigarette pots provided in designated areas for cigarette butt disposal.