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Venues we Love – Summerfields Country House & Estate, Mornington

Country and garden weddings are always in style.  Summerfields Country House and Estate is a simply stunning property based on a large olive grove on the Mornington Peninsula.  Only a short hour’s drive from Melbourne, the style and elegance of the venue is typical of the Cape Cod style architecture reminiscent of the East Coast of America. The team at Complete Function Hire were thrilled to speak to Tania Ng, Event Coordinator of this unique hidden gem to find out why Summerfields is the ultimate destination for beautiful weddings and stand out business events.

The lush surrounds of the Olive Grove are tranquil and green and feature a picture perfect ornamental lake. 

What kind of events do you host at Summerfields and what makes these stand out for clients and guests?

Summerfields is the perfect destination for all kinds of events and our multiple event spaces allow us to cater for large events and more intimate events too. We are perfectly suited to business events including conferences and meetings through to large scale family days, team building days and VIP business retreats. Automotive events are also popular due to the long driveway and wide open spaces.

Wedding and event planners enjoy the versatility of the venue which includes multiple spaces for ceremonies or break out areas.

Really anything is possible at Summerfields!  I think what makes the venue so memorable is the stunning surrounds, the unique opportunities to include experiences (such as Olive Picking or a traditional High Tea) and the high quality catering. We are really committed to working closely with event planners to ensure that their wedding, celebration or business event is just perfect.

What makes Summerfields such a special destination for beautiful weddings?

Instagram-worthy ceremony spots and photo backdrops are abundant at Summerfields. 

 

Summerfields  is set on beautiful grounds surrounded by a delightful semi-formal garden, an enchanted grove of 2000 olive trees and an ornamental lake where our family of resident geese make their home.  Our unique venue provides many photography opportunities with many beautiful backdrops (and ceremony spots) as well as a private place for the wedding party to relax and stay in afterwards – everything you need for your special day is all under the one roof.  We are so proud of our wedding and event menus which are all hand crafted with love by our dedicated chef and kitchen team.

For something different – event planners can incorporate an olive picking or olive oil tasting session into their event. Image by Shot From The Heart Photography.

Tell us about the accommodation on site?

Our boutique onsite accommodation is a real feature of the property and enjoyed by couples after their special day or used for events such as family reunions and special milestones. We have 6 individually styled suites and each is a haven for rest and relaxation. We love cooking up a big home style breakfast for our visitors the day after their wedding or event! Corporate retreats are also perfectly suited to the venue and event planners love incorporating outdoor team building experiences into their conference.

Speak to the friendly team at Summerfields about your upcoming wedding or event today.

 

For all your event hire needs, Complete Function Hire are here to help. 

 

 

*Feature image by Tim Drum Photography

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Tips on How to Create Awesome Events – Roquette Catering

Roquette Catering have been creating unforgettable culinary experiences for over 12 years. Using only the best seasonal ingredients, the innovative team at Roquette Catering are renown for creating beautiful Kosher menus and for delivering the most memorable events in Melbourne.

Attention to detail is their happy place and the team at Roquette Catering know just how to throw parties that are talked about for years to come. We were thrilled this month to speak to the team at Roquette Catering to find out about their favourite flavours for winter PLUS some expert tips for event planners.

Innovative menus using only the freshest ingredients.

What are the team at Roquette Catering’s favourite flavours for the cooler months ahead?

We are loving Middle Eastern cuisine at the moment. With its hearty flavours, slow cooked and braised offerings and traditionally served in a family style manner, what is there not to love!

What advice would you give event planners on how to choose the perfect venue?

Awareness of the potential venue challenges is essential for creating a successful event, but only half the battle. How do you avoid these challenges or tackle them as they come up? Simple: you need a game-plan.

Roquette Catering create mouthwatering Kosher menus that party guests talk about for years to come. Image credit Jeremy Blode.

Roquette Catering’s 4-Step Game Plan to Manage any Challenge and Create and Awesome Event

1. Collate all your questions into a single document and bring it with you when assessing venues. Simply present it to the venue when you arrive and tick off all questions, to make sure you learn everything you need to know about the venue.

2. Invite your caterer along to view the kitchen. It’s important they know what facilities are available before selecting your menu!

3. Obtain costs for any additional equipment that may be needed in the kitchen or elsewhere as early as possible, so you can assess and budget them into the venue price.

4. For destination events, your best bet is to hire a coordinator who has experience in planning events at your destination.

A magnificent feast by Roquette Catering. Image credit Jeremy Blode.

Food trends for 2018 – what are the ‘must have’ menu choices for 2018?

Back to basics – good, nutritious and real food rather than over complicated dishes.

Homemade everything from dips, condiments, pickled and kimchi. Ethical and sustainable food is a highlight.

Meat alternatives such as our kale and quinoa patties rather than your traditional burger.

Roquette Catering’s Confit Salmon dish is not only beautiful, it is bursting with fresh flavours.

What can event planners incorporate as an exciting point of difference for their Bat Mitzvah or Bar Mitzvah?

Personalisation – with so many celebrations it is easy to mixed up into what everyone else is doing. By adding a level of personalisation from menu design and concepts to styling, printing and entertainment, guests will feel like they are celebrating the individual.

To celebrate your next event in style, contact the team of catering and event experts at Roquette Catering today.

*Feature image credit – Charlene Miller. Styled in conjunction with The Style Shed

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For all your event hire needs – the team at Complete Function Hire are on hand to help ensure your upcoming event is perfect.

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Venues We Love – No.1, Malvern

Hot off the press this week and much to the excitement of event planners all over Melbourne, was the news that an exciting new event space is opening in Malvern.

Set in the lush surrounds of Malvern Valley Golf Course, No.1 is set to open its doors this June.

This modern new event space has been designed as a blank canvas for event planners to let their imaginations run wild in. The venue’s multiple pillar less spaces, operable walls and multitude of break out areas, outdoor terraces and courtyards will allow for total flexibility for both wedding and corporate event planners alike.

No.1 is a blank canvas style event space with modern design elements and loads of natural light.

Managed by highly experienced local caterers – Harvest & Soul – Catering & Events, No.1 has been purpose built to host a range of events – from intimate board meetings through to lavish Gala events for up to 400 guests.

No.1 is the perfect venue for beautiful weddings of all sizes and styles.

Saxon Mitchell, Managing Director of Harvest & Soul – Catering & Events was excited to report that, “No 1 is a fantastic new Melbourne venue perfect for all manner of corporate and private occasions. The venue boasts generous spaces with an abundance of natural light, in a gorgeous golf course setting. Exclusive on-site catering is provided by Harvest & Soul – Catering & Events, a leading Australian family owned catering business that focuses on fresh locally sourced and environmentally sustainable menus”.

Fancy a spot of golf? Event planners can incorporate either a golf based or outdoor team building activity to add an awesome point of difference for conferences and events.

Speak to the friendly team at Harvest & Soul – Catering & Events about your special day or upcoming event.

For all your wedding and event hire needs, we are here to help. 

 

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Who’s Who at Complete Function Hire – Cam Munro, General Manager

The team at Complete Function Hire are a bunch of experienced and passionate event industry professionals. Led by our fearless General Manager Cam Munro, we are all about going that extra mile for our clients and event partners!

On this month’s Who’s Who, we spoke to Cam about what it’s like to work at Complete Function Hire and to find out what makes him tick. When he is not managing our busy operation, he is kicking back with family and friends over a nice Shiraz or jumping in the car with the camping gear to see where the road takes him.

Cam Munro, General Manager, has enjoyed working with Complete Function Hire for the last 10 years.

How long have you been involved in the wedding and events industry?

I have been around the traps for 20 years in one way or another, that’s a scary realisation! I have been working for Complete Function Hire for 10 years. I was recommended by some friends in the industry who had worked with Complete Function Hire – they told me to give the boys a call as it was a great place to work.

First gig?

My first gig at Complete Function Hire was an audiovisual setup for a corporate client in South Melbourne. I still enjoy doing a bit of tech work when I can get away from driving the desk!

Most memorable event you have worked on at Complete Function Hire and why?

Over the last 10 years, I have been really lucky to be a part of so many amazing events here in Melbourne. One of the recent stand outs is this weekend’s huge event for 850 guests at the Royal Exhibition Building for the Australian Republican Movement 2017 Gala Dinner. We are providing equipment and furniture hire for this big event and it’s all hands on deck for a mammoth bump out!

events, weddings, hire
The Complete Function Hire team are committed to providing the best event hire products and customer service to our wedding and event clients.

What do you enjoy best about working at Complete Function Hire?

The best part about working at Complete Function Hire is the people – clients and staff alike. We work with some very talented people and have been a part so many amazing events and special occasions over the years.

It has been great to see people succeed and watch the businesses grow from strength to strength. I get to meet new people all the time which I really enjoy and no day is the same.

Favourite AFL or sports team?

I’m born and bred in Hawthorn so am a keen supporter of the Hawks. It has been so exciting to partner with the Essendon Football Club this year and be a part of their return to success! I’m also a recent convert to Super Rugby due to our partnership with the Melbourne Rebels – it has been a real pleasure to work with the team there and cheers to a bigger and better 2018!

If you want to work with an event supplier that is committed to making every event outstanding, contact the team at Complete Function Hire today.