Posted on

Venues We Love – The Albion, South Melbourne

Conveniently located in South Melbourne and sprawling across 3 stunning levels, The Albion is Melbourne’s newest event space. Perfectly suited to private and corporate events alike, The Albion’s various, luxe function spaces can accommodate intimate soirees or large, lavish cocktail parties for up to 600 guests across the entire venue. Whilst The Albion is known for it’s cocktail parties, the venue has been designed to adapt to any occasion from product launches, engagement dinners and large scale corporate celebrations of all kinds. On this month’s ‘Venues We Love’, we were thrilled to catch up with the team of event professionals at The Albion to get the low down on their magnificent venue and to get their top tips for event planners this winter.

What makes events at The Albion so memorable?

We pride ourselves on our service and always ensure every guest leaves our venue happy and well fed. Food and beverage is at the heart and soul of what we do and we always deliver this to the highest quality. Your guests can except to leave an event at The Albion on a first name basis with our amazing front of house team who strive to ensure every guest has been incredibly well looked after.

Winter events are perfectly suited at The Albion because…

We have all the provisions to keep guests comfortable no matter the weather. The Lounge boasts leather booths creating a cosy and intimate setting.

The Rooftop is completely enclosed with heating and louvered roof to accommodate Melbourne’s notoriously fickle weather.

We enjoyed being a part of this awesome event at The Albion Rooftop – styled by Miss Carter Style, photographed by Prue Aja Photography

Our function menu features hearty and wholesome, substantial items like our Moroccan Chickpea Tagine with Pomegranate Cous Cous which pairs perfectly with a big bold Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Shiraz from the Barossa Valley, a perfect winter warmer.

What are your team’s top tips for event planners this winter and how can event planners create an event at The Albion that everyone will talk about for years to come?

Being Melbourne’s newest lifestyle venue, we are sure guests will be impressed by our beautiful venue which will provide enough talking points on its own… however you will find everything you need for a memorable event at The Albion, including in house AV, beautiful décor and design, carefully curate food and beverage menus … and of course access to Melbourne’s best event suppliers.

We enjoyed being a part of this awesome event at The Albion Rooftop – styled by Miss Carter Style, photographed by Prue Aja Photography

When hosting a function or event in winter there are a few key items every event planner will have on their checklist:

1. A cloak room is essential and often overlooked.

2. An adaptable menu that features seasonal local produce.

3. Climate controlled spaces and a dry, enclosed, heated space for the smokers to congregate.

If you are looking for a stunning Melbourne event space that ticks all the boxes, contact the friendly team at The Albion.  

For all your event hire needs, speak to the team of event professionals at Complete Function Hire today. 

Posted on

Venues We Love – 40 Rd, Highett

On this month’s Venues We Love, we were thrilled to chat to the creative team of event experts at Fourside Events about their chic new space, 40 Rd.

Simplistic industrial design features including polished concrete floors are complemented by abundant natural light in this ultra cool, pillar less space.

Comfortably hosting events for up to 200 guests (stand up), 40 Rd provides superior flexibility for wedding and event planners who like to think outside the box.

Why is 40 Rd the best place to party?

40 Rd is fresh on the Melbourne event scene. One of the best things about our space is that it can be anything you want it to be – from a glamourous fashion catwalk to an intimate wedding soirée or VIP management meeting… the possibilities at 40 Rd really are endless.

What kinds of events do you host at 40 Rd?

Everything!

From weddings and celebrations through to business events of all kinds (including working days, product launches, photoshoot and wellness retreats), 40 Rd is a modern blank canvas space that transforms to suit your style.

What are your team’s tips for making an event really special?

Find suppliers who get you.

This is the day to change it up and show your guests who you really are. Be you not them!

Fourside Events manage some of Melbourne’s coolest event spaces – tell us why your team are so great at what you do?

We know how to party!!

We handcraft menus and source the freshest local produce.

We approach each event with a customised catering experience tailored just for our clients.

And…. we are excited to announce another cool new venue very soon – watch this space!

Let your imagination run wild at 40 Rd – the ultimate blank canvas venue. Contact the team at Fourside Events to find out more about this fabulous space and their range of unique Melbourne venues.

The team at Complete Function Hire cannot wait to discuss your special day or dream event with you! Click here to enquire today.

Images provided by Fourside Events -photo credits: Ben Potter Photography, Kas Richards, Ksenia Belova Photography

Posted on

Food Trends & Expert Tips For Event Planners – White Card Food & Events

The team at Complete Function Hire enjoys working with Melbourne’s most talented event planners and incredible venues.

On this week’s blog, we were delighted to speak to the team of foodies at White Card Food & Events to get their food trend predictions for the year ahead and some great tips on how to create an event that your guests will remember for years to come.

What are the White Card team’s catering trend predictions for 2018?

Wedding and event planners are going to continue to opt for shared menus and grazing stations this year. This style of catering is so wonderful for all kinds of events as it allows people to explore new flavours in a fun way and it also creates a visual experience too.

Grazing stations create a real wow factor!

We love featuring local produce through our menus and another food trend for this year will be around creating innovative ways of healthy eating including Buddha Bowls and really gorgeous mocktails.

White Card  manage events at some of Melbourne’s most unique spaces. Tell us why weddings and events at The Immigration Museum and Scienceworks are always so memorable?

Our spaces vary so much – from the elegance of the Immigration Museum to the rustic industrial feel of the Pumping Station .

Our Pumping station is so full of history with unique design features such as beautiful red bricks and metal engines. Minimal effort is needed to turn the space into your own to create your dream event. We have also enhanced the space with rows of Edison festoon lights which creates a gorgeous ambience for parties.

The Immigration Museum is conveniently located in Melbourne’s CBD and is the perfect location for summer cocktail parties.

The Immigration Museum is so elegant and full of light. The gorgeous urban courtyard is perfect for a summer cocktail party or end of year event. The Immigration Museum is conveniently located in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD so it is a very popular choice for business events of all kinds.

We love our unique event spaces and work closely with our brides and corporate event clients to ensure we create extraordinary event experiences that incorporates their own personal style.

What are your team’s top tips for organising memorable events this year?

  • Try and find spaces that offer an experience for your guests. We can organise for your guests to view one of our original steam pumps in action or to lie back and enjoy a planetarium show before a cocktail or dinner event. Incorporating one of these special experiences will leave a lasting impression on your guests
  • Guests love a grazing table with an interesting selection of tasty bites. We find that grazing stations enhances the event space and creates a real wow factor when guests arrive
  • Get in early if you have your heart set on a special event space for end of year events!

What’s new at White Card Food & Events?

We are currently finalising our end of year packages so stay tuned to White Card & Museum Spaces for more details very soon! Baja was a huge success in 2017 and we are working on something very special for the end of this year which we can’t wait to share.

If you are looking for a unique Melbourne venue to create your dream event, speak to the team at White Card Food & Events today.

 

For all your wedding and event hire needs, click here to contact the team of event experts at Complete Function Hire.

 

Posted on

Complete Function Hire Venues We Love – Melbourne Zoo & Werribee Open Range Zoo

The team at Complete Function Hire always enjoys being a part of amazing events and incredible weddings at Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo. Every event is so different and every occasion is always so special.

With its beautiful natural surrounds, manicured centuries-old gardens and different habitats each designed to reflect native home of animal communities, the Melbourne & Werribee Open Range Zoos provides a magnificent setting for truly memorable weddings and events.

With world class food, flexible event spaces and a range of cool experiences to incorporate into your event, the team of event experts at Melbourne & Werribee Open Range Zoos are at your disposal, ready to make anything possible. On this week’s blog, we spoke to the awesome events team from Restaurant Associates about what makes weddings and events at the Zoo’s so spectacular.

The unique backdrops at both Werribee Open Range and Melbourne Zoo make for incredible photo opportunities.

Why are weddings at Melbourne and Werribee Open Range Zoo so amazing?

We can provide a truly unique event with the number of beautiful reception rooms and stunning outdoor ceremony sites to choose from, each with their own different atmosphere at the Zoo. You can do it all at the Zoo – ceremony, pre drinks before reception at a special location and of course our amazing Zoo grounds provide the perfect backdrop to beautiful wedding photography. Couples are escorted around the Zoo to take photos in the award winning gardens, interacting with animals and also just around the exhibits such as the stunning bamboo forest and famous carousal.


Tell us about some of the unique event experiences at the Zoos?

We can provide unique animal experiences or have the function set up overlooking various exhibits and different animals. Our special encounters such as feeding the giraffe, having a kiss by a seal, meeting our meerkats and keeper talks are very popular and bring that extra level excitement to the event and make it truly unique.

Are there any stand out events at the Zoos that stand out for your team and why?

We run Murder Mystery Dinners at both Melbourne and Werribee Zoo throughout the year, which is quite an unusual event but always such fun. People come as couples, groups of friends and even work groups to solve the mystery whilst dining on a two course meal and unlimited drinks. Everyone gets in the spirit by dressing up in the theme of the night and has fun with the photo booth and actors activities.

The spectacular scenery at the Zoos help create magical moments.

What’s on the menu at Zoos?

With the many types of events available at the Zoo, we have a huge variety of menus and packages – from gourmet gala lunches and dinners, innovative canapés to high tea styled bakery treats, classic breakfasts and family favourites. We also have our own onsite Zoo Bakery (the only Zoo in the world to have its own bakery) with our Pastry Chef making amazing wedding cakes and treats. Our food philosophy includes a commitment to sustainability and sourcing local and ethical produce (including all our seafood being MSC certified).

The Zoo’s in-house Pastry Chef at the onsite bakery creates stop shopping cakes.

What special offers are available at the Zoos?

During the winter months (June to August) we offer significant discounts for weddings at Werribee Open Range Zoo. Couples can save more than 25% off our standard wedding packages.

Contact the team at Melbourne and Werribee Open Range Zoos today about your upcoming wedding or event. 

For all your wedding and event hire needs, click here to enquire with the team at Complete Function Hire. 

Posted on

Complete Function Hire Venues We Love – SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

Fancy partying with some adorable penguins this Christmas? The team at Complete Function Hire were thrilled to talk to Kate Stevenson, Event Manager at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium recently to find out about their super cool shared Christmas Party event experience, “Christmas with the Penguins” and to find out what makes SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium such an iconic Melbourne function space. If you are after an event experience that your guests will remember forever, this is the venue for you this event season.

Why are events at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium so unique?

Guests experience a special combination of nostalgia from having visited the aquarium as a child and the excitement of seeing the space transformed into a sophisticated event venue.

Whilst at most venues your biggest decision is picking a theme, our clients can choose between a back drop of King and Gentoo Penguins or a 5m Salt Water Crocodile! Our Fish Bowl event space in particular, is a pretty surreal experience, everyone enjoys fine dining, but fine dining at the centre of a shark tank, with a 360 degree view of the ocean’s most impressive creatures ensures a pretty memorable night.

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium offers an experience that can’t be recreated anywhere else. As well as the obvious unique feature of viewing the cast of finding nemo as you sip a cocktail, we also offer amazing experiences such as diving. It’s not every day a corporate function begins with the CEO greeting their employees from inside a shark tank.

What is the most amazing / unusual event that you have hosted at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium and why?

We recently hosted a drag night called ‘Dragged Under’. It was incredible to see such an avant-garde performance in an equally dramatic space. In terms of creating an atmosphere for your guests, drag queens and stingrays are a winning combination.

What’s new at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium?

We are hosting a Shared Christmas Party Event called “Christmas with the Penguins”. It is ideal for those looking for a more informal work Christmas party or as an opportunity to enjoy the aquarium child-free with a cocktail in hand. The penguins themselves are of course adorable and with our fun additions including a gourmet BBQ in the adjoining courtyard, Christmas dessert bar and interactive photo booth, it’s going to be a very memorable night!

Thank you to Kate and the team of event experts at the spectacular SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium! We can’t wait to visit again very soon.

For all your event hire needs, contact the friendly team at Complete Function Hire today.