Alyssia and Jono’s summer wedding at Sunnyside, Mornington was one of those rare celebrations where everything came together effortlessly. From the warmth of the season to the generosity of the floral design, the day felt deeply personal and quietly confident. It was a wedding defined not by excess, but by intention, care, and a shared sense of joy that carried through every moment.
As a Melbourne wedding florist who has been designing weddings at Sunnyside for over fifteen years, I know how special this venue can be. With its recent renovations now complete, Sunnyside has reached a new level. The gardens feel even more expansive, the reception spaces more refined, and when paired with the exceptional catering team at food&desire, the experience is truly world class.
From the very beginning, this wedding felt considered. Every decision was made with intention, and that care was felt throughout the entire day.
A Bride Who Knew What She Loved
Some brides arrive with mood boards and long lists. Alyssia arrived with clarity.
From our very first conversation, she knew exactly what she loved. Green hydrangeas, en masse. They were her favourite flower, and she wanted them to be the heart of her wedding styling. There was no hesitation, no second guessing. Just trust and excitement.
For her bridal bouquet, Alyssia carried a statement arrangement of pure white hydrangeas. A classic hand tied natural dome, with the stems wrapped simply in satin. Against her gown, it was striking in its simplicity and completely timeless.
Her bridesmaids carried lush green hydrangea bouquets, creating a cohesive and elegant look across the bridal party. The boys wore mini hydrangea buttonholes, thoughtfully styled to complement their partners rather than compete.
It was refined, confident, and unmistakably Alyssia.
Working with Hydrangeas in the Height of Summer
Hydrangeas are often described as temperamental, particularly in the summer months. This is not entirely untrue, but it is often misunderstood.
For Alyssia and Jono’s wedding, we sourced over 500 bunches of green hydrangeas and 200 bunches of white hydrangeas, all locally grown and selected for quality. These were premium blooms, chosen specifically for a warm February wedding.
The ceremony took place under full sun on a hot summer’s day. Despite the conditions, Alyssia’s bouquet looked as fresh at the reception as it did that morning. The flowers lasted through the day, the night, and days beyond.
Knowing the reputation hydrangeas have, I designed a second bridal bouquet and extra buttonholes for the bridal party, just in case. Experience teaches you to prepare. In the end, they were never needed.
After more than 27 years as a luxury florist, I know my hydrangeas well! When hydrangeas are of exceptional quality and handled with care, they are far more resilient than they are given credit for.
Hydrangea care insight:
Hydrangeas wilt when stems are out of water or when quality is compromised. With professional handling and premium stems, hydrangea bouquets can last ten hours or more without water and still look flawless. For more on hydrangea care, please see our blog Tips for Caring for Hydrangea
A Family Connection That Made This Wedding Personal
This wedding held a special place in my heart for more than a couple of reasons.
I have known Alyssia for over three years, having designed her sister Amelia’s wedding a couple of years earlier. To be invited back into the family’s lives for another milestone was an honour I did not take lightly.
On the morning of the wedding, I personally delivered Alyssia’s bridal flowers. It was an emotional moment. These quiet exchanges, away from guests and schedules, are often the most meaningful.
Later that day, during the room reveal, I crossed paths with the family again. Watching their faces light up, and tears flow, as they stepped into the newly styled reception space is something I will never forget.
These are the moments that remind me why being a wedding florist in Melbourne is such a privilege.
A Ceremony Set Among the Gardens of Sunnyside
The ceremony was held within the picturesque gardens of Sunnyside, one of the great joys of working at this Mornington Peninsula venue.
Guests were guided along floral pathways that softened the space and gently framed the ceremony setting. The atmosphere was relaxed and joyful, filled with anticipation rather than formality.
Summer light filtered through the gardens, creating a natural warmth that cannot be replicated indoors. The hydrangeas felt perfectly at home here. Abundant but not overwhelming. Natural, generous, and elegant.
This is where Sunnyside truly shines. The gardens do not compete with the florals. They support them.
A Reception Transformed with Hydrangeas
The reception, held in Sunnyside’s newly finished space, was nothing short of magnificent.
Long dining tables were dressed with natural, overflowing rows of hydrangeas that created a sense of abundance without excess. Statement floral installations flowed onto the floor, softening the architecture and creating movement throughout the room.
The styling felt refined and chic, a celebration of colour and texture that honoured Alyssia’s vision. Every element worked together, from the florals to the space itself.
One of the great pleasures of working at Sunnyside is collaborating with the team at food&desire. We have worked together for over seventeen years across their venues, including Carousel and Half Acre, and their reputation as leaders in Melbourne fine dining catering is well deserved.
Their professionalism, creativity, and seamless delivery elevate every celebration. Bringing our florals into their beautifully curated spaces is always a joy.
A Luxury Summer Wedding, Done with Heart
Alyssia and Jono’s wedding was everything a luxury Melbourne wedding should be. Personal. Timeless. Natural. Breathtaking.
It was an incredible privilege to be part of their day and to create florals that reflected Alyssia’s personality and her love for her favourite blooms. This wedding will quietly influence summer weddings for years to come, not through trend, but through confidence.
To Alyssia and Jono, thank you for trusting me once again with such an important moment. To the entire Sunnyside and food&desire team, it is always a pleasure to collaborate and bring something truly special to life together.
If you are planning your own hydrangea inspired wedding, or dreaming of bespoke florals designed just for you, I would love to help. With over 27 years of experience as a luxury wedding florist in Melbourne, and more than 15 years designing weddings at Sunnyside, Mornington, Kate Hill Flowers creates wedding flowers that honour your story with care and intention.
Kate x
