Wandin Valley Estate

Mel was such a star throughout our wedding day. She kept everything running smoothly, looked after us so well, calmed my nerves before I walked down the aisle, and even helped me swap into comfortable shoes after photos. The food was delicious and our guests loved it. Wandin Estate’s beautiful grounds made a lovely setting for the ceremony and photos, and the whole day felt magical. We’re so grateful to Mel and the team for making it everything we hoped for and more. We’d highly recommend Wandin to couples looking for a wedding venue.

The grounds and the view from my room were beautiful, the restaurant food was amazing, and the staff were friendly and helpful. I was there for a wedding, and the people organising it were lovely and very organised. It was a lovely weekend, and I would come back, but I want to be honest about Oliver's Cottage. My room’s blinds were broken, the bathroom light was in poor shape, and there was rust on the bin lid, mould on the ceiling, and bugs in the lights. There was nowhere to put soap or shampoo in the shower, so I had to leave them on the floor. For a place with such a high rating, I expected better maintained rooms. It would also help to consider older guests, since there are only steps and no railings to make getting into the rooms easier.

The evening had a lovely atmosphere, with great music, enjoyable food and rosé, and most of the staff were friendly and professional. I came with my husband and our three young boys for the last Fire Night of the year, and the venue itself was beautiful. But one encounter really changed how the night felt. After waiting about 15 minutes in a food line behind a large group, I got to the front and was told to join the queue, even though I’d already been standing in it. I explained calmly more than once, but one staff member wouldn’t listen or acknowledge that I’d been waiting. She kept telling me to go to the back, so I reluctantly did, rather than make a scene. The queue had grown, and I waited another 15 minutes to order because my family needed food. The kids were already restless from the wait. I left feeling humiliated and confused. I couldn’t help wondering whether it was because of my race, since I seemed to be the only non-Caucasian person there, or whether she was trying not to disrupt the order of the large group that had been ahead of and behind me the first time, since they were together. Either possibility is disgraceful. It’s a real shame, because every other part of the evening made me want to return. I hope management takes this seriously and makes sure every guest is treated fairly and respectfully.

Rain meant we had to move both the ceremony and cocktail hour on the morning of the wedding, but the team adapted so smoothly that our guests didn’t even notice the last-minute changes. The reception service was exceptional, and our guests still rave about everything. The welcome barbecue the day before and recovery brunch the day after also ran perfectly and were a great part of the weekend. We booked all the on-site accommodation for our family. Check-in was seamless, and we could get into the rooms early to leave gifts before everyone arrived. We first found Wandin while looking for a wedding venue, and fell in love as soon as we drove through the gates. Meeting Mel sealed it for us. She cared about all the little details just as much as we did, and she and the team went above and beyond to make the weekend so special. We’ll always be grateful we found her and Wandin Estate. It was the most incredible time, and we’ll never forget our magical day. Thank you so much, Mel and team, for all your effort ❤️