Melinda and David’s Werribee Mansion wedding at The Refectory

By:
Content Team
/
Updated on: March 16, 2022

They’re aren’t many newlyweds who can say they posed with a polo team on their big day, but it was all part of the celebrations for Melinda Stasiuk and David Dvorscak.

The animal lovers made the most of the location for their Werribee Mansion wedding, heading next door to the National Equestrian Centre for the shoot.

“It was arranged that we had photos with a beautiful local champion horse named Roya and the Werribee Polo team,” Melinda, 27, says.

“Werribee Mansion was the perfect venue for photos and reception with historic elegance complemented by the beautiful surrounds of nature, greenery and gardens.”

The year before, David, 28, popped the question while the Melbourne couple were on a day trip to Lorne with their ‘boy’ Archie, an 18-month-old Weimaraner.

They wed on April 1, 2017 in front of 120 guests at Newman Chapel, The University of Melbourne, before heading to the historic mansion for their reception at The Refectory Werribee Park.

The bride says working well together helped them create their perfect day.

“Together, we designed and hand made the all the decorations including the invites, name menu cards, table chart and decorative signs themselves giving the whole wedding a more personal touch,” Melinda says.

“In just seven months we worked hard as a team and can look back proudly and say our day reflected us in every way. The room was filled with, love, warmth and genuine happiness.”

Photos courtesy of The White Tree.

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_001

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_003

David and his groomsmen were dressed in black tie by Ferrari Formalwear and Bridal.

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_SBS_001 Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_SBS_002

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_005

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_006

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_007

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_008

Having lost her dad to a rare neurodegenerative disease seven weeks after David proposed, Melinda carried a photo of him on her bouquet. “Walking down the aisle without him was a difficult task,” she says. “We were blessed that we could have photos at The Refectory just before he passed so he could see me in my wedding dress.”

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_009

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_SBS_005 Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_SBS_006

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_SBS_007

Melinda wore a stunning long sleeve lace wedding gown from Fairytales Bridal Boutique. “It was carefully redesigned to fit like a glove by a very talented seamstress in the store,” she praises.

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_015

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_014

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_SBS_011 Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_SBS_010

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_018

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_019

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_SBS_015 Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_SBS_014

Elegant floral print invitations and stationery were printed at The Right Invite.

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_022

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_023

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_025

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_027

The animal lovers had some some unique wedding shots with the local polo team. For their bomboniere, they also donated to the RSPCA, where Melinda has volunteered in the past.

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_026

 Melinda_David_HR_Colour-662_sbs Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_SBS_021

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_028

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_032

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_041a

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_029

“With such an emotion-filled day, it was knowing that in this moment, in this day, nothing else mattered but the two of us being happy together and being able to look forward to life’s journey as a family,” Melinda says.

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_030

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_032a

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_033

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_034

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_039

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_036

“He makes me proud every day and constantly inspires me to be a better person,” Melinda says of her new husband.

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_037

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_040

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_SBS_028Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_SBS_029

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_043

Lark Music provided acoustic tunes on the lawn before getting everyone up and dancing later in the evening. “Amazing, amazing, amazing!” comments the bride.

Melinda_David_HR_Colour

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_045

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_052

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_SBS_033 Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_SBS_035

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_046

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_047

“At the end of the night room was filled with amazing food catered by Bursaria; love, laughter, good music, dancing and all the people that mattered most to us.”

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_048

Melinda_David_Werribee-Mansion-Wedding_049

Featured Suppliers:

Bomboniere Bomboniere: RSPCA

Brides Accessories Brides Accessories: Jeanette Maree

Brides Gown Brides Gown: Fairytales Bridal Boutique , Martina Liana

Brides Shoes Brides Shoes: Jeanette Maree

Bridesmaid Shoes Bridesmaid Shoes: Sandler

Bridesmaids Accessories Bridesmaids Accessories: Lovisa

Bridesmaids Dresses Bridesmaids Dresses: Forever New

Caterer Caterer: The Refectory Werribee Park by Bursaria

Celebrant Celebrant: Fr. Ivano

Ceremony Music Ceremony Music: Live cello/piano

Ceremony Venue Ceremony Venue: Newman Chapel

Entertainment Entertainment: Lark Music

Flowergirl Dress Flowergirl Dress: Light in the Box

Flowers Flowers: A Flower Affair

Gift Registry Gift Registry: Wishing well

Grooms Attire Grooms Attire: Ferrari Formalwear & Bridal

Grooms Shoes Grooms Shoes: Aquila

Groomsmen Attire Groomsmen Attire: Ferrari Formalwear & Bridal

Hair Hair: Ella's Bridal Hair

Invitations Invitations: DIY , The Right Invite

Makeup Makeup: Ash Glamour , MNK Makeup

Photographer Photographer: The White Tree

Reception Venue Reception Venue: The Refectory Werribee Park by Bursaria

Rings Rings: Blue Nile , Saleras , Michael Hill Jeweller

Wedding Night Venue Wedding Night Venue: Mansion Hotel & Spa at Werribee Park

Photos courtesy of The White Tree.