Rusty Gate - Bellarine Peninsula Wedding Venue

October 20, 2016 In Vendor Vibes By Natalie Drum

Rusty Gate – Bellarine Peninsula Wedding Venue

It’s no secret that the Bellarine Peninsula plays host to some of Victoria’s best wedding venues. Sweeping bay views, a fabulous fresh food offering and many a blank, but beautiful canvas to style a wedding to your personal taste.

Rusty Gate is no exception. This gorgeous gem is an Ivory Tribe venue favourite, set among an award-winning olive grove and offering all that a bride and groom-to-be need. We enlisted Tribe stylist Laura Harvey of Weddings of Desire to create a beautiful backdrop to bring this venue to life.

We caught up with the Rusty Gate’s Athena Heater, who tells us all about what this bayside beauty has to offer.

How did weddings at Rusty Gate come about?

Rusty Gate started life 15 years ago as a paddock! No trees, lawn or gardens. My parents are hard workers and had a grand vision for what that blank slate could become. It is now alive with amazing lawns, gardens, Olive trees and Wagyu cattle. Because of its amazing views we would get people drive in and ask if they could have their wedding there, so after this happened a few times Rusty Gate Weddings was born.

What’s the history/background and some special features of the property?

The amazing views are the main draw card, of course! Beautiful lush lawns (we have a bore and large water tanks) and very eclectic gardens as well as the beautiful Olive Grove make Rusty Gate unique and special!

What kind of weddings are you able to cater for?

At present, we focus on wedding ceremonies and marquee receptions. We’ve had Marquees, Tipis, small ceremonies and large receptions! We are focused on individual service and try to work with the couple to provide a unique and special day.

What is your capacity?

We can cater up to 150 people.

What does a wedding at Rusty Gate include?

Individual, boutique weddings. We like to work with couples who are looking for something a little bit unique. We can help source the right people to help make this happen. We have 2 different styles of arches and 50 chairs that couples are welcome to use if it suits their taste. Oh yeah, and AMAZING views!!

Your property boasts the most incredible views – talk us through the various photo and ceremony locations you can offer a couple on their wedding day.

We have the main formal lawns where the majority of ceremonies take place. This features unobstructed views across Port Phillip Bay to the You Yangs – spectacular on a clear day, but even when it is cloudy or overcast the view is lovely. It changes every day! We also have a more relaxed, casual feel ceremony location under the Willow and Olive trees – still with amazing views, just a more intimate feel. Another smaller ceremony location is in the formal gardens to suit a small ceremony up to 40 people – a shaded spot amongst the garden, established trees, still with lovely views. We are really excited as this year we are launching our brand new dedicated marquee area. Beautiful lawns stretching out overlooking the bay.

Are you open to all sorts of styles and styling set ups at the venue?

Yes, we like to help create a personalised day. We love it when couples have their own ideas for ideas. The only caveat is that we are focused on providing a high quality venue so don’t really allow self catering.

Are you able to host marquee weddings?

You bet! Thats what we love to do! Marquees, Tipis and Gazeebos are our thing. The great thing about this style of reception is that it is so unique to the individual – it can be styled to suit what ever taste the couple has. And of course, when the summer gives us perfect weather on those balmy summer evenings people are out on the lawns enjoying the fresh air and views across the water!

What’s the best part about working with couples to plan their special day?

I love chatting with couples about their ideas and what they want to make their special day special for them. Finding unique ways to ensure they have the best day possible is so rewarding.