Oh hey there excited event-planner! You’ve probably seen us on socials right? And that’s why you’re here? If not, we’re so glad you found us! Like everything at Sunnymead Hotel, events should be fun and full of colour. We’ve put together a little help article to share some event planning ideas for the most unique and colourful celebration of love.
We’ve worked with some pretty incredible local vendors that would love to help you have the most epic party at Sunnymead! Be inspired by what your event could look like…
Images: Seaside Daisy Photography for Geelong Wedding Guide
Bachelorette party by the pool...
Take your "girls weekend" to the next level with poolside hangs and cocktails from Sunnies Pool Bar. For an afternoon soiree celebrating a bachelorette, our Palm Springs-style outdoor area should be top of your list for venues to check out - even rivalling a Barbie pool party! You know what a lovely little add-on would be - your very own private chef making pizzas by the firepit!
The epic afterparty for epic couples...
This one is for our brides and grooms… or bride and bride, or groom and groom. Whoever is tying the knot – we don’t judge because we’re here for it! Sunnymead Hotel in Aireys Inlet was designed to be inclusive, so if you’re both fun seekers then you’re at the right place.
After saying ‘I do’ on one of the Surf Coast’s beautiful beaches, bring the party back to Sunnymead. Sunnies Bar is the best spot to soak up the afternoon sun, drink and be merry! Celebrate the biggest occasion of your lives in retro style with poolside cocktails.
Our outdoor entertaining space can cater for up to 70 guests cocktail-style. With white breeze blocks, sun loungers and our sunny umbrellas, it’s oozing Slim Aarons California vibes. The connecting space is a sunken firepit area with pizza oven and seating, making Sunnymead THE place for your ‘unique’ wedding reception or the epic afterparty!
There’s no raining on your parade...
We know the weather doesn’t always live up to our sunny name, so if this is the case on your special day, we’ll just move the party inside! Don’t worry, our indoor space can be just as lively and colourful as out.
Santara Restaurant is completely flexible, and we can style it up for your event. Yes, we may have a very distinctive style, but we’re happy to work with you to create something unique to your occasion. So, if our sunny colour palette isn’t quite for you, we won’t be offended!
Which brings us to our next topic… styling!
Décor to match your day...
Our Event Coordinator is more than happy to troll through your Pinterest inspo boards to bring your vision to life. And if that’s not your thing, we also have our own – saves you time and we’d love to make it happen. We have three beautiful and very different options to choose from, should you need any help with your styling. Browse our Pinterest boards for a little teaser of our space all decked out. We also want to make sure your event looks incredible because as we know from past experience, people LOVE to take photos at our venue. And your event is bound to end up on socials at some point!
Incorporating sustainability with style...
Events don’t always get a great wrap from a sustainability perspective. We’d love to turn that around! If you’ve ever stayed at Sunnymead, you’ll know we take our local sustainable approach seriously, but we make it look stylish of course. We prioritise reusable products including pool safe glassware for around Sunnies Bar, keeping our property plastic-free! You can expect care and quality for your event as well.
For floral displays, our two favourite local suppliers have everything covered to avoid breaking the bank or creating waste. If beautiful locally sourced natives are your ideal choice, you can’t go past Joycelyn at A Flourish of Flowers. For something a little bit bigger and bolder, and reusable (but in a cool way), we’d love to introduce you to a lovely local. Delaney from Big Blooms Co. has floral installations that match our Sunnymead style and will make your event pop! Want to see them in action? We’ve got all the inspo you need here. Paired with The Whole Bride biodegradable confetti, you can have the most stylish special day while still ticking the sustainability box!
The important pre-party pampering...
Before you get glammed up for your extra special occasion, get your skin glowing and find relaxation at our onsite day spa, Indie. With a bathhouse for up to 4 people, a steam room, and three beautiful treatment rooms, there’s plenty of space (and treatment options) to pamper your bride tribe or wedding party!
Choose to get steamy in the Rasul while applying your own body muds and scrubs, soak it up in our light-filled bathhouse, receive individual pampering in one of three themed treatment rooms, or sip cocktails in a funky lounge. Our team can help you put together a package to suit your party.
If you think a day spa is just for the girls, absolutely not – the groomsmen deserve to be treated too! Let us know who’s coming and our team will recommend the best package for your guests.
Image: Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism
Food fit for a fusion feast...
And by feast, we can’t quite cater to 200 of your extended family and friends… but however many guests you invite, consider them fed! Our onsite restaurant Santara has fusion flavours that easily suit a standing cocktail or sit-down affair, with space for up to 40 cocktail-style or 30 seated guests. Indian fusion doesn’t have to be spicy, so you can dial the spice level up or down depending on your guests’ preference. Think street style snacks like pani puri, momos, baos or sliders that are big on flavour. Or go bigger with a banquet-style table lined with our crowd-pleasing butter chicken makhani and colourful curries with an array of sides. But if your inner child is screaming for shared pizzas and hot chips, again… no judgement here, we’ll make it happen!
Start the conversation... or lock in your date!
Have we convinced you that we know how to host epic parties + events? If you still need a little more convincing and you're ready with a line-up of questions and ideas - hit up our enquiry form and our Event Coordinator will get in touch.
Let's turn your dream event into a reality. We like to party, and we'd love to host your hen's day, birthday party, wedding reception AKA the afterparty, or any other special occasion you think Sunnymead is perfect for!
Check out our Parties + Events info here.