By Matt Black | 16th June 2025 | 6 min read

Discover some of our state’s hidden gems out West. From pretty Daylesford to the unique Grampians to the scenic Great Ocean Road, this area encompasses some of our favourite wedding venues. Read about the best musicians, bands, and DJs for weddings from Warrnambool to Warracknabeal, Ballarat to the border.

Daylesford Wedding Musician

Winky and Ben hired me as the musician for their wedding at Lake House in Daylesford. This is a pretty spot on a hill overlooking the lake. They lucked in with a perfect late summer’s day, and it was glorious out there. It was to be a short wedding (only 4 hours in total), but at no time did it feel rushed.

I played some pre-ceremony music as the guests arrived. Then Winky walked down the aisle to Can’t Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley. Otherwise the couple weren’t fussy about music and left it largely to me to choose. A group photo and a short canapes session followed, before we moved upstairs for dinner.

The reception was held in the Waterfront Pavilion. This is a dining space in which no amplified music is allowed, so I performed completely acoustic. But it’s such an intimate space that it was fine. The couple insisted that I sit down to eat with the rest of the guests. I found everyone to be delightful – was made to feel like a guest and part of the family. The couple chose Perfect by Ed Sheeran for their first dance. After that things wound up pretty quickly. With Asian weddings it’s more about the food, hospitality, and ceremony than having a big party.

Daylesford Acoustic Duo

Kimberley and Thomas were married at The Convent Daylesford on a stormy day in late Spring. This historic venue mainly functions as an art gallery and cafe. The couple were married in the pretty chapel, with our female soloist providing the music. Kimberley walked down the aisle to A Thousand Years by Christina Perri. The couple chose Can’t Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley and I’m Yours by Jason Mraz for the signing, and they walked back up the aisle to You Got The Love by Florence and the Machine. Our soloist then relocated to the Altar Bar and continued performing for the guests over cocktails.

The couple booked our acoustic duo to play over dinner. They opted for their own MC, Best Man Jackson, who did a stellar job. It was great to catch up with our friend, fellow musician, and photographer par excellence Adam from Journey By Light at this wedding (he took the picture above). As we played the whole venue rattled with thunder and the rain came pouring down. Very dramatic, and glad we were inside for this one!

After the cake cutting and first dance I hit the decks and opened the dance floor. Although Kimberley and Thomas are shy, their guests weren’t, and they kept the floor full right to the end. After I bumped out the wedding continued with an after-party back downstairs in the bar.

Bacchus Marsh Wedding Band

Lyra and Marne hired our four piece band for their Bacchus Marsh wedding. It was held at Camp Sunnystones in Merrimu, a school camp that doubles as a DIY venue. With plenty of (basic) accommodation on site it’s the perfect venue to turn your wedding into a weekend getaway for you and your guests. As I regularly pass the venue on my way back and forth from Melbourne I dropped in a few months ahead of the wedding to check out the room and have a chat with Lyra and Marne. I liked them both immediately, and knew their wedding was going to be one of my favourites.

There were so many interesting and unique things about this wedding. From the “Red Faces” talent show held halfway through the reception (with live musical performances by some of the guests!), and various games, to these fabulous name holders on the tables with a different animal for each guest:

As a DIY wedding everyone pitched in on the day, including helping extricate a lost sparrow from the reception room. Apart from ourselves the only other vendors were the caterers, with amazing Greek food provided by our friends at The Grecian Kitchen, and the photographer, another friend of Matt Black Entertainment: Christopher Winship. One thing we learned about him on the night was that he used to be a professional drummer. So of course we had to get him up to play a song with us:
 

 
 
Lyra and Marne entered the reception to September by Earth, Wind, & Fire, then we launched straight into their first dance, with the band performing the classic Can’t Take My Eyes Off You by Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons. Strong theme of retro party and disco music all night. After that it was non-stop fun until the reception wound up with a sparkler exit. But it didn’t stop there, with the guests gathering around a bonfire until I don’t know when (they were still going when I bumped out). There’s no better way to do a wedding.

Western Victoria Wedding Band

Speaking of weddings at school camps. Kangaroobie is a camp in Princetown near Port Campbell and the Twelve Apostles. Stunning part of Victoria we don’t get out to very often (surprisingly few wedding venues once you get past Lorne). Amanda and Nipuna were married on the lawn outside the venue, with our acoustic duo providing the music. Amanda asked us to learn Forever by Six60 for the procession. For the signing we played Everlong by Foo Fighters and Steal My Kisses by Ben Harper. They asked me to play an instrumental version of Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles as they walked back up the aisle.

I popped on a Spotify playlist for them over cocktails, and went inside to get ready for the reception. Amanda and Nipuna had seen our seven piece wedding band in action at a recent public showcase, and had their hearts set on this lineup. We were happy to oblige. It’s a real treat for us to get out there with the horn section. For this one we had the four piece band plus Cam on trombone, Stu on sax, and Ed on trumpet.

The couple asked us to play Stand By Me by Ben E. King for their first dance. Then we cut loose and the guests were all over the dance floor. They were a rowdy and interactive crowd and clearly the big band was a surprise for many of them. Talk about wow factor. So much fun.
 

 
 
It’s not often we get to stick around after the wedding and hang out as a band, but as we were given accommodation we did just that. Lots of funny stories (and drinks) in front of the fire ensued. I think I finally got to bed around 5AM.

Trentham Wedding DJ

I live just ten minutes down the road from The Cosmopolitan Hotel in Trentham, so a wedding there is super convenient! However I was already booked the day of Carla and Jesse’s wedding. So I sent the Kristen and Paz to take care of things. They nailed it. On a side note, how cute is this cake?

It was an awesome crowd and a full dance floor all night. Paz got smashed with all sorts of requests. Lots of dance floor madness. MC Sally did a rap for the bride to The Real Slim Shady by Eminem. And the bride requested the mic so she could sing Faith by George Michael:

There was a bridesmaid of Amazonian strength who was lifting some of the guests up on her shoulders. She even squatted them!

Oh and a conga line:
 

 
 
Just a perfect little wedding in every way.

Western Victoria Wedding Reviews