In the summertime, Isabella (Is to her people) and Hamish returned to their ol’ stomping ground of Melbourne to get hitched. Hosted at Half Acre restaurant, their soiree had all the warmth of a home dinner party (just refined and supersized). As such, good food was essential, every guest was greeted by a personal note hidden at their reception seat, and the crowd-pleasing cake was baked by none other than the groom.
In summary, the energy was immaculate. So too, the looks. Hamish classy as they come in a P. Johnson and M.J. Bale combo, and the bride: timelessness embodied in a silk Cortana gown, featuring one very very versatile neckline.
Below, the newlyweds offer sage practical advice, fave details and standout moments. And, yes, we’re got plenty of pics for you to pore over too – candid beauty straight from the lens of our friend Kinship by Kristy.
Half Acre restaurant: ceremony and reception in South Melbourne
“We went to a number of venues around Melbourne, looking for somewhere we could host both the ceremony and reception so that we could minimise the movement on the day. Half Acre felt like the perfect fit when we walked in, lots of natural light, a cozy vibe, long tables, the incredible open kitchen and knowing the food is delicious also made it an easy choice. An absolute bonus was the beautiful courtyard which looked incredible as the backdrop to our ceremony.”
Chocolate Guinness wedding cake made by the groom
“Hamish made our wedding cake the day before. This was always the plan, and he did the most amazing job. The recipe used was Nigella Lawson’s Chocolate Guinness Cake with a Swiss Meringue topping. We ended up taking the cake to the after party as a late-night snack which was the perfect finale for the night.”
A quiet moment together before the ceremony
“Before we went down the aisle we spent about 45 minutes tucked away at the venue, during this time we could peep out and see the guests arriving. We spent this time sipping bubbles and doing the Saturday Quiz (something we do every weekend). It was so nice to have a moment before walking down the aisle together. It was a perfectly normal moment against the backdrop of the best day of our lives.”
Wedding advice: do you, bring the extra shirt, and consider pre-ceremony pics
“Go with your gut, everything felt so perfect on the day because we chose to do things that felt completely us… We stuck to what was important and this meant the day felt perfect. Hamish bought a spare shirt for the day, good to have it in case anything happens but was also so good to change into something fresh post ceremony and photos. One last thing was photos before the ceremony. We loved getting to spend the whole cocktail hour with guests and we would not have wanted to step away during this time.”
Standout Melbourne wedding photography, celebrant, MC and DJ
“We found Kinship by Kristy on Instagram and instantly were hooked. The photos were so authentic, and you could feel the life coming out of them. We were determined to find someone who could beautifully document our day, who would make us feel at ease and could capture the rawest moments through a lens. Renée the Celebrant was our celebrant, MC and DJ. For us this made things so much easier planning from interstate, and from our first call we knew she would be incredible. Walking in before our ceremony and seeing Renée in her element made us feel so calm, and to this day our friends and family continue to talk about how fabulous she was!”
More good stuff: Melbourne wedding suppliers
Looking to match with an excellent, candid-style photographer in Melbourne? Get in touch with Kinship by Kristy here. Or, for more wedding fashion moments check out the latest from M.J. Bale and browse new bridal looks we love on the fashion blog. Then, for more inspo, grab a copy of our latest Real Wedding Special; fresh off the press and bursting with ideas for couples who want to do this do their way.
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Kinship by Kristy Florist Meg Kent (Friend) Stationery Canva Printer Vista Print Venue Half Acre Cake Maker Hamish (Groom) Hire Items Rendr, Facebook Marketplace Signage 2OfUsSigns via Etsy Celebrant & Entertainment Renée the Celebrant Rings Blonde. Transport Troy (Friend) Guest Book Playing Cards Third Drawer Down THE BRIDE Bridal Gown Designer Cortana Bridal Boutique Carte Blanche Bride Shoes Zara Accessories Jan Logan Hair Jordan Hallewell Makeup Ashleigh Fenton Fragrance Malin + Goetz via MECCA, The Naxos Apothecary THE GROOM Suit P. Johnson Shirt & Bow Tie M.J. Bale Shoes Hush Puppies Watch Seiko
South Melbourne restaurant wedding FAQs
Restaurants are an increasingly popular choice for couples who want their wedding to feel like an elevated version of their favourite night out. They typically offer an in-house kitchen with a set menu, an existing warm interior that needs minimal styling, and the option to host both ceremony and reception in one location, which cuts down on guest movement and logistics.
Some celebrants also offer MC and DJ services as a bundled package. This means one person handles the ceremony, guides the reception run sheet, and manages the music, which can simplify vendor coordination and is particularly useful for couples planning a wedding from interstate or overseas.
Many couples opt for a “first look,” taking photos together before the ceremony so they can spend the cocktail hour socialising with guests rather than being pulled away for portraits. The trade-off is seeing each other before walking down the aisle, so it comes down to whether that moment matters more to the couple than maximising time with guests later.
A Guinness chocolate cake is a rich chocolate stout cake, most famously popularised by Nigella Lawson’s recipe, often finished with a cream cheese or Swiss meringue topping. It’s grown into a popular wedding cake alternative to traditional tiered designs, as it’s a proven crowd-pleaser, easier to bake ahead, and suits a more casual, home-style celebration.
