10/09/2026
**So… what’s taking so long? 👀💕
If you’re following Ivory Barn Cafe & Wedding Venue, thank you! Here’s a little catch-up on what’s happening behind the scenes.
Our cafe requires a council application, so this part of the process can take some time — lots of meetings, emails, reports and paperwork. Depending on how excited our neighbouring properties are, there can also be further legal stages involved. Here’s hoping 🙏 we can avoid mediation!
The really lovely part so far? We’ve already met quite a few of our neighbours and the feedback has been incredibly positive. There’s lots of excitement about having somewhere nearby to grab a coffee and breakfast, bring the dogs and kids, catch up with family and friends, and simply connect and relax. ☕️🐶💕
And even though the cafe isn’t open yet, we’re already referring business and putting money back into the local community through our wedding side.
Here’s just a little snapshot:
☕️ We’re hiring a local neighbouring resident as our full-time cafe manager & wedding venue assistant.
🚌 We’ve already referred and booked three local bus/transfer services for weddings — literally across the road from us!
🏡 We’re referring guests to a local Airbnb literally on Hardings Road.
🌿 Our next-door neighbour is our groundskeeper.
🍻 We’re sending after-party guests to the Barwon Heads Hotel following weddings.
💐 And then there are the countless local florists, photographers, celebrants, Airbnb hosts, hotels, cake makers, dessert trucks/carts, dress stores and so many more businesses we work with and refer to.
This is something that genuinely fills our cup. ❤️
We don’t take those relationships lightly. Being able to put food on the table for other local businesses and families is a huge part of why we love what we do.
And what about the weddings? 💍
The wedding venue itself is already permitted and ready to operate.
There were two weddings booked with the previous owners before we took over management, and we’ve made the decision to honour those bookings under the previous owners’ original offering.
So just to make it super clear:
19 September & 30 October are NOT weddings being run by Ivory Barn under our business, staff or management.
We have never met the couples and have absolutely no involvement in these two weddings — they are DIY weddings being handled directly with the previous owners. 😊
Because we’re allowing those two weddings to go ahead, we’ve also been thoughtful about what we remove from the barn.
We’ve cleared out the old, broken, dirty and worn furniture, but have left the usable chairs, trestles, couches, barrels and other items in place for those couples before we refresh everything to our furniture and add in all our kids, teens items.
The October wedding may even be lucky enough to have our fairy-light installation above them, as we’re getting everything ready for our first event on 6th Nov & 14 November — a 60th birthday celebration — followed by our first Ivory Barn wedding with our own couple on 28 November! 💕😍
We are a inclusive wedding package not a DIY-STYLE venue we do and take care of everything with & for our couples.
So, if you’re wondering why there haven’t been heaps of updates lately…
We’re busy!
We’re recruiting, training staff at our other venue so they’re polished and ready for Ivory Barn, working through council, coordinating trades, reports and applications, planning the cafe, preparing the venue and getting everything ready for what’s coming next.
And on a VERY fun note…
THE SHIPPING CONTAINER ARRIVES THIS WEEK! 🎉🎉💃💃
Which means we can finally start ordering all of the NEW furniture!!! 🙌
There is so much happening behind the scenes that you just can’t see yet but its all happening.
To all the couples who have already chosen Ivory Barn and put your trust in us — thank you. ❤️
We cannot wait to see you all beaming, celebrating and completely in love at Ivory Barn.
There are still a few 2027 spots available, but they’re going quickly. If your heart is set on Ivory Barn, reach out and let’s get you in for a viewing. 💕✨
