Navigating Wedding Planning in Melbourne: Essential Questions for Couples to ask their Prospective Wedding Venues
When it comes to designing, styling and pulling off an unforgettably breathtaking wedding or event, every intricate detail matters. From the flowers and signage to the lighting and table settings, the perfect event styling transforms a venue into something truly magical, creating lasting memories for everyone involved. As Melbourne’s wedding and event industry continues to evolve, some event stylists are pushing the boundaries of creativity, blending classic elegance with unique, modern touches that make each celebration stand out.
One such talented duo is Sarah and Kayla, the dynamic sisters-in-law behind SAK Events. With their passion for creativity and personalised approach, they have become renowned for their ability to transform event spaces, including some of the most iconic Melbourne wedding venues. Whether it’s a grand ballroom wedding or a more intimate affair, their expertise in luxurious event styling and decor brings each couple’s unique vision to life.
We absolutely love collaborating with Sarah and Kayla; their creativity brings an unmatched magic to our ballroom. They have an incredible ability to transform our venue into a breathtaking space, personalising every detail to each couple’s unique love story and style. With limitless possibilities for what they can bring to life, their work truly elevates any event, creating stand out celebrations in our elegant Melbourne venue.
We’re thrilled to feature SAK Events in this supplier spotlight and take you behind the scenes of their business and an insight into their personal lives, creative minds and wedding styling trends to look out for.
Questionnaire
Getting to know the faces behind SAK Events: Share with us a bit about yourselves… how you met, your interests and hobbies outside of work, etc.
We both married into the family, which is how we became sisters-in-law and eventually started SAK Events together. Our shared love for creativity made it feel like the perfect partnership from the start. What began as a small idea has now turned into the business we have today, and we’re so glad we get to work together every day! It’s been such a rewarding experience, and we’re excited to see where it takes us next.
Sarah: I’m a proud mum of two boys who keep me on my toes. Outside of work, my favourite thing is spending quality time with my little family, whether it’s a day at home or exploring new places together.
Kayla: I enjoy catching up with family and spending time with my three cheeky nephews. I also love trying new restaurants, indulging in great food with my hubby, and treating myself to relaxing staycations whenever I get the chance.
Stylish beginnings: Can you share with us how your passion for event styling began and what led you to specialise in weddings, faux florals, and event hire?
During COVID, we came up with the idea to do something creative on the side of our other jobs. Sarah was planning her mum’s 60th birthday at the time, and what started as a small passion project quickly grew into something more. Weddings, faux florals, and prop hire felt like a natural fit because we love the creativity and detail that goes into making each event unique and unforgettable.
SAK Events Signature Style: Can you describe your unique approach to styling and designing events. Do you have a signature style and how does this set you apart in the wedding and events industry?
We focus on timeless, elegant designs using beautiful faux florals and versatile props. Our attention to detail and personal touch make every event unique.
2025 Trends in Weddings & Event Styling: As experts in this field, what are some of the key trends you’ve seen recently that you anticipate will dominate in 2025? How do these trends influence your design choices?
Bold colours are definitely going to be a big trend for 2025! We’re seeing more couples opting for vibrant palettes to make their events stand out. At the same time, many are embracing a “less is more” approach, focusing on sleek, clean designs paired with statement decor pieces. This trend leans toward simplicity, using fewer but more impactful elements to create a stunning and memorable atmosphere. The emphasis is on creating visual interest through colour, texture, and design without overwhelming the space.
Faux Florals and Floral Installations: Talk to us about the noticeable rise in the popularity of faux florals and extravagant floral installations. How has this evolved over the years since you started your business? How do you integrate these popular elements to create a unique and memorable atmosphere for each different wedding or event?
Faux florals have become much more popular over the years due to their durability and realistic look. Since we started, we’ve seen them evolve from simple decor to extravagant installations. Unlike fresh flowers, faux florals remain vibrant and flawless for the entire duration of an event. They can be tailored to any colour palette or style, regardless of seasonal availability.
Experience at San Remo Ballroom: Having styled events at San Remo Ballroom, what aspects of the venue do you find most inspiring and complementing to your work when designing your setups?
San Remo Ballroom has such a beautiful, grand space that naturally complements our style. The high ceilings and elegant architecture provide the perfect backdrop for our floral installations and stylish setups. Plus, the staff are so easy to work with, making the whole experience seamless and enjoyable.
Client interactions and Styling Advice: What advice would you give to engaged couples when choosing decor and styling for their wedding to ensure it reflects their personalities and preferences while staying on trend? How do you work closely with them to bring their unique visions to life?
When choosing decor, we advise couples to focus on what feels true to them, whether it’s a specific colour, theme, or personal detail. We work closely with each couple to understand their vision and preferences, then help bring it to life by blending their ideas with current trends for a look that’s both personal and stylish.
Favourite Type of Event to Style: From private events such as bridal showers and christenings, to extravagant weddings and corporate events, which type of event do you enjoy styling the most and why?
Each event is special, but we absolutely love styling weddings. There’s something so meaningful about creating a beautiful, memorable atmosphere for such an important day. From the initial warehouse consultation where we get to know the couple’s vision, to the final touches on the big day, we’re involved every step of the way. We love seeing how our designs come to life and how they add to the joy and emotion of the occasion. It’s always an honour to play a part in such a significant moment in our clients’ lives!
22. Is there disability access?
San Remo Ballroom is fully equipped to ensure accessibility for all our guests. We have ramp and disability access into the Ballroom from Lee Street, Carlton North, which is located to the side of the Ballroom. Additionally, we have disability ramps available within the venue to ensure all guests can move around comfortably.
23. Do we have to set up our own name/place cards and bonbonnieres?
Setup for these items can be handled by our friendly staff if provided in advance in your coordination meeting along with any other personalised items you would like to add to our day.
24. Do you organise my flowers/centrepieces and styling?
SRB has some wonderfully curated event styling packages that we have developed with our event partner Abra events, please chat with our events team for more details on inclusions and style.
25. How far from the venue are nearby popular ceremony locations such as churches and gardens?
SRB is conveniently located in Carlton, just 2 kilometers from Melbourne’s CBD, and is surrounded by a variety of stunning ceremony locations. St Patrick’s Cathedral, State Library Victoria, Carlton Gardens and Fitzroy Gardens Conservatory.
26. Do you offer shared style for entrees and main meals or are they served alternating? Can I choose for the dessert to be roving if I don’t want guests sitting down that long?
We have a number of catering options from sit down to cocktail, roving desserts, stations and more. Our talented and award winning catering was named best event catering in Vic in 2024.
27. Can we include spirits in our beverage package? Do you allow BYO spirits for the table?
Yes, at San Remo Ballroom, you have the flexibility to include spirits in your beverage package. We offer premium spirits as an optional upgrade to enhance your event experience. This allows you to tailor the beverage selection to suit your preferences and those of your guests.
Additionally, we do allow BYO spirits for your tables with complimentary corkage. This option provides you with the opportunity to bring your preferred spirits, ensuring a personalized touch to your celebration.
28. Is there a menu tasting night? Is this charged?
SRB holds a menu tasting experience, allowing booked couples to sample our dishes and make informed decisions for your event menu. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the quality and presentation of our cuisine firsthand.The menu tasting is $500 for a table of 6.
29. Are you able to customise your wedding packages to suit our budget/ requests?
Yes, we can customise wedding packages to meet your specific needs and budget. At San Remo Ballroom, we understand that every wedding is unique, and we pride ourselves on bringing your dream to life. Please feel free to discuss with us how we can tailor a package just for you.
30. Do you have any deals with local accommodation suppliers?
SRB have partnerships with local hotels to provide discounted rates for your guests. Once you are booked, chat with your wedding coordinator who can help provide you further details and introductions to ensure you are looked after.
Career Challenges: Have you had any specific challenging events, clients or weddings you’ve had to overcome? And do you find the ever-changing fast paced nature of the industry difficult to keep up with?
Because we’re a two-person show, balancing the demands of running SAK Events with our personal commitments is definitely a challenge. Both of us have busy lives outside of the business, and finding that work-life balance isn’t always easy. Sometimes, it feels like time is the hardest thing to manage! But we make it work because of our passion for what we do, and we’re always finding ways to adjust and keep moving forward. Despite the challenges, we truly love what we do and the opportunity to create memorable moments for our clients. It’s the passion and the satisfaction of seeing a vision come to life that keeps us motivated!
Memorable Moment: Can you share a career highlight or particular memorable experience over the years?
Styling the ABIA Wedding Awards in 2023 was an absolute dream and one of our biggest career highlights to date. It’s not every day that you get the opportunity to work on an event that celebrates the very best in the wedding industry. From the moment we were approached, we felt a mix of excitement and responsibility to make it truly special. The event itself was unforgettable & being surrounded by so many talented vendors and witnessing their incredible work made it even more special. It was one of those moments that reminded us why we started SAK Events and how much we love what we do.
Future Aspirations: Looking forward, what is one dream event setup or styling concept you’d love to execute?
One dream event setup we’d love to execute is a stunning outdoor wedding with large floral installations and a mix of elegant, bold colours.
Dream Client: If you could style an event for any celebrity in the world, who would it be and why?
We don’t really have a specific dream client, but something we’d both love to work on is a big event at the Melbourne Cup. The atmosphere, the glamour, and the chance to design something truly spectacular for such an iconic event would be an amazing experience.
And anything else you would like to include about your work, experiences, and what’s in store for SAK in the future!!
As we look ahead, we’re excited for what the future holds. We’re working on adding even more unique, high-quality props and decor pieces to our collection, giving our clients endless options for customization. We want to continue evolving, stay inspired by the latest trends, and keep pushing ourselves to create unforgettable experiences. Our goal is to make every wedding and event even more personalized, stylish, and unique than the last, and we can’t wait to see where this journey takes us next!
At SAK Events, Sarah and Kayla’s shared vision for creativity, elegance, and detail transforms every event into something extraordinary. Whether styling a luxurious Melbourne wedding, crafting bespoke floral installations, or curating standout décor for private events, their commitment to making each client’s vision a reality shines through. From stunning ballroom weddings at San Remo Ballroom to custom bespoke event design, SAK Events continues to raise the bar for event styling in Melbourne. We can’t wait to see what’s next for this talented duo!
For more stunning event styling inspiration or to book SAK Events for your wedding or event, visit SAK Event’s instagram page: @sak.events.