Everything for an Engagement Party
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Getting engaged in the Hunter tends to set two plans moving at once: a party to share the news, and a wedding that many of the same suppliers may end up working on. Plenty of the photographers, florists and caterers who take engagement bookings here are wedding specialists, so the party doubles as a chance to see how they work before committing to the bigger day.
Choose the room by how the two families will mix. Ben Ean in Pokolbin takes up to 450 standing in its heritage-listed Courtyard, with packages from $80 per person including venue hire. Krinklewood Estate near Broke spreads events over lawns, gardens and a pool loggia, with woodfired pizza from $50 per person. For a seated meal with parents and siblings, Bistro Molines opens outside trading hours, and Boydell's in Morpeth is hired whole for up to 50. For a bigger pub-style party, Hunter River Hotel in East Maitland and Club Singleton both have private function rooms and a bar tab. If the two families are meeting for the first time, a hosted tasting at Wine House Hunter Valley on McDonalds Road can break the ice beforehand, with sparkling on arrival for groups of eight or more.
Photos count for more than people expect, since this may be the first picture of both families together. Mr Hendrix Photography offers engagement sessions as well as weddings, Leighsa Cox Photographer covers surprise proposals and engagement portraits, and Thierry Boudan Photography adds next-day social content. Gez Xavier Mansfield Photography includes a 45-minute sunset engagement shoot with its eight-hour Candid collection.
Food and flowers for a party on a vineyard or a hired property:
Once a date is pencilled in, compare wedding reception venues or browse the photographers who travel across the valley.
Mr Hendrix Photography offers engagement sessions alongside wedding coverage, and Leighsa Cox Photographer covers surprise proposals and engagement portraits. Gez Xavier Mansfield Photography includes a 45-minute sunset engagement shoot with its eight-hour Candid collection. To arrive in style, Classic Limousines Newcastle runs ivory 1950s and 60s limousines, serving bubbles, lemonade, strawberries and nibbles while the photos are taken.
The Wilderness Chef brings its own self-contained kitchen to vineyard estates, paddocks and marquees. Hunter Valley Catering also cooks in-accommodation chef dinners, setting the table, serving and doing the washing up.
Commercial Hotel Morpeth's two-course menus start from $40 per person for groups over 20, Krinklewood Estate's woodfired pizza from $50 per person, and Ben Ean's packages from $80 per person including venue hire. Boydell's exclusive hire is from $7,000 minimum spend. Club Singleton's canapés start from $20 per person, and Hunter River Hotel's upstairs Hunter Room, with its own bar and balcony, is from $2,000 minimum spend.
Hunter Valley Bouquets takes smaller orders from $350 for studio collection, with on-site setups from $1,500. MeOhMy Flowers works from a $2,500 minimum, which suits a larger styled party or the wedding itself.
Avid Entertainment's DJs can take on MC duties for $500, covering introductions and formalities. Mane Events and Mobilistic DJs both offer MC services alongside the music. If you would rather have a live band than a DJ, Colour Theory, The Verweys and Duality all take engagement parties, and hearing them play now is a good test before booking music for the wedding.
Amanda's on the Edge has two private dining rooms and a set menu with a bottle of wine for every two guests. Twine Restaurant's Private Dining Room seats 20, or 35 casually.
Wine House Hunter Valley runs a Private Wine Tasting for groups of eight or more, from $45 per person. A dedicated host pours two flights of eight wines from more than 20 independent Hunter makers, with a cheese and charcuterie plate in the lounge or Barrel Room.
