Autumn Weddings: My ULTIMATE Guide To Getting Married On The Mornington Peninsula

Autumn is a beautiful time of year all over the world, and that’s no different on the Mornington Peninsula. The leaves are changing colour, the mornings become fresher and you can feel the seasons changing before your eyes. Visually spectacular scenery is what sets this season apart from the rest and makes getting married on the Mornington Peninsula so special. So if you’re looking for a dramatic backdrop with a beautiful colour pallet and crunchy leaves under your feet, Autumn weddings on the Mornington Peninsula might just be what you’re after.

I know how breathtakingly beautiful these occasions can be, which is why I’ve put together this guide to autumn weddings on the Mornington Peninsula. Hopefully, by the end of it you’ll understand why I’m so in love with this time of year, and perhaps consider having your big day in this season too!

Mornington Peninsula In Autumn

I can’t stress how stunning this region is during the autumn. If you’re lucky enough to have your wedding during this time, I know you’ll love it. However, there are a few things you should know before you make that decision, so let’s get to it!

The Weather

Likely the biggest deciding factor for a lot of weddings is the weather. We’ve just passed the hottest month, but that doesn’t mean the temperature will be instantly unbearable. In fact, it can still be lovely and warm. On average, you can expect temperatures from around 8-23 degrees depending on what time of the season your wedding falls.

If it’s closer to winter, you’ll want to make sure you have a venue with a great indoor option too. All of the venues mentioned later in the article have that, so I’ve got you covered! If it’s closer to summer, the temperature will be quite pleasant and that opens up a whole host of options for your big day.

In terms of rain, you can expect about a third of the days in May to have some sort of rain. March and April are about half that, but of course, there’s still always a chance it might fall on your day. Once again, it pays to be prepared with a wet weather option. Speak to your event manager at your venue with any questions you might have – all of them should likely have a plan B!

Golden Hour

Golden hour is the ideal time to take wedding photographs during your day, especially the couple portraits. This occurs twice a day – once just after sunrise and another just before sunset.

The reason that wedding photographers love this time so much is that the sunlight is softer and more golden than at other points during the day. This makes for some of the most romantic, intimate and timeless photographs possible – perfect for long-lasting memories and for doing your day justice.

In Autumn on the Mornington Peninsula, the sun rises between 7:08 and 7:27, and sets between 17:15 and 20:08 (remember daylight saving is in April!). That should give us plenty of time to get those all-important couple photos in despite the time of your ceremony. However, if you’d prefer, we have the option to go for a ‘first look’ if that’s something you’re open to.

Aesthetic & Vibe

For me, it’s all about the wineries in Autumn. These locations look incredible all year round, but there’s something extra special about them in the Autumn.

A lot of them tend to be renovated barns or older buildings. That means reclaimed wood, stripped beams, dark wooden accents, rustic architecture and a beautiful blend of old and new – everything that fits well with the changing of the leaves.

It really is the stuff dreams are made of when shooting Autumn wedding videography in Mornington Peninsula. We’ll explore that in a little more depth further on in the article when we take a look at the winery venues.

Before And After The Wedding Day

Mornington Peninsula is famous for its wine, and for great reason. As such, it seems only fitting to make as much of this occasion as possible and explore the region and sample its offerings.

My recommendation is that you head out to some of the spectacular wineries for dinner or lunch. It’s a great way to ground yourself in the Mornington Peninsula area and micro-culture – there’s a huge amount of options to choose from. Whether you decide to visit with a group of family and friends before the wedding, or save it for the two of you in the days that follow, is completely up to you!

As a side note, if you’re visiting earlier in the season, make sure to take a trip to the beach during the day. Sure, it’s not going to be as hot as it is in the summer, but that actually makes things more pleasant if you aren’t a fan of really hot weather. Go and take a dip and have some fun! It is your wedding after all!

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Best Autumn Wedding Venues on the Mornington Peninsula

As I’ve previously mentioned, wineries are the place to be in Autumn on the Mornington Peninsula. The landscapes around these venues are always impressive, but in Autumn they’re truly breathtaking. Couple that with a well-thought-out wedding style (more on that in a bit!) and you have the makings of an unforgettable day.

Tanglewood Estate

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Tanglewood Estate is like a real-life secret garden. Perhaps most notably, it has a 110-year-old chapel with a capacity for up to 90 people seated and 40 standing. Rustic vibes, stripped-back wood and a large gathering of ancient eucalyptus trees make this venue shine in Autumn. They also have a winery with a capacity for up to 130 guests, so they’re able to accommodate most guest list sizes. If you’re looking for the venue with the most aesthetically pleasing vibe in Autumn, this might well just be that.

Trofeo Estate

Trofeo Estate, now a family-owned boutique winery, was once a passion fruit cannery. Whilst it still retains the charm and character from all those years ago, it also has the space to accommodate 150 people. A great choice for most weddings! In terms of aesthetics, you can expect exposed brick, high ceilings and rustic interiors – all of which perfectly compliment autumn. If you do choose this venue or happen to visit it, make sure to try their terracotta amphora wine – they’re the largest producer in the southern hemisphere that still uses this technique.

Port Phillip Estate

Port Phillip Estate has some of the most incredible views of any winery venue on the peninsula. Not only that, but its building is an architectural masterpiece just waiting to host your elegant or luxury wedding. You can have your ceremony on the timber deck outside and retreat to the dining room afterwards where you’ll find timber beams and polished concrete floors. If ever there was a venue that exudes luxury, this is it.

Polperro

If you’re after a wedding location where you can feel like you’re the only couple in the world, this is the place. Set upon a hill, Polperro Winery is surrounded by nature, has beautiful views of its vineyard down below and benefits from many ancient angophora trees. It’s the closest thing to a forest wedding Mornington Peninsula has to offer in terms of a winery venue. You can (and should!) have your ceremony outside on the lawn if the weather conditions are good enough. In my opinion, this is one of the most stunning locations to get married in Autumn. Understated, personal and at one with nature.

Montalto

If you want to celebrate your love for food as well as that of your future partner, then Montalto absolutely needs to be a consideration. All their food is locally sourced or grown in their very own estate garden, so you know the meals you’re getting are of the utmost quality. Their menu changes every day which means the food reflects both you and the season it’s been grown in. If that wasn’t enough, the restaurant where you’ll have your reception is littered with floor-to-ceiling windows, giving you some incredible views out onto the estate and beyond.

Dromana Estate

Last but not least we have Dromana Estate – the perfect choice for those who have a big wedding party. Set within 140 acres of Mornington Peninsula countryside and with space for up to 500 guests, the grandeur of this venue has to be seen to be believed. You have the choice of three areas in Dromana Estate – one is an original horse stable, the other is a homestead, and the final one is an outside deck. As you can imagine, all have all the vibes and aesthetics you could want from an Autumn wedding venue, and they make for some incredible wedding photos!

Accomodation Options

It’s important to have some consideration for the accommodation options around your venue where the guests can stay. Close accommodation means people can party longer and enjoy their day with you whilst being more relaxed about getting back in the evening.

Dromana

A seaside suburb on the Mornington Peninsula that is very close to a number of wineries.

Main Ridge

Not only is this area close to a lot of wineries, but it’s also in the hinterland area. That means stunning landscapes are at pretty much every single turn.

Shoreham & Balnarring

Both are coastal towns that are again very close to a number of wineries. It’s also close to Merricks General Wine Store which is worth a visit wherever you’re staying – cute and full of history in the community!

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Our Favourite Autumn Wedding Vendors on The Mornington Peninsula

No wedding is complete without an epic set of vendors to compliment your day! Most of the venues here will have a great network of these to tap into, so make sure you ask if there’s something specific you’re after.

Florists

Whether you’re after a beautifully embellished pergola or complete venue makeover, florists will add that little extra touch that makes the difference on the day. There’s no shortage of flower options in the Autumn, but we love the work that Kate from Millicent Green does. She’ll create a mood board with the colours and styles she’s proposing, and then the three of you can decide what you like best or let her take the reins. This is exactly the kind of styling you need in Autumn to make the most out of your day.

Music

If you don’t have great music, is it even a wedding!? Nights are getting a little cooler around this time of year which means it’s time to get on the dance floor and get that heart pumping. Fiction Cover Band and Kellie Anne Music are a great place to start. With years of experience and a huge repertoire, they’ll find a way to get people up and dancing! If you’re after more of a singer-songwriter vibe, Andrew Loadsman is someone you’ll want to take a look at. For bespoke arrangements and those that can do a bit of everything, take a look at Like This.

Styling

Looking for someone to help you plan and style everything on your big day? Look no further than Popup With Style. Whether you’re after table decorations, furniture or just a bit of extra help on the day, they’ll be able to make sure all of it compliments the season of Autumn perfectly.

I hope this guide on how to plan an Autumn wedding on the Mornington Peninsula has given you a good place to start and has shown you how perfect this region could be for you! Winery weddings on the Mornington Peninsula truly are something special, and Autumn is perhaps the best time to appreciate them.

We’ve shot lots of autumn wedding photography and videography on the Mornington Peninsula and would be honoured to do the same for you. Send me a message, and let’s get started on creating the best freaking wedding day possible!

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