Feathertop Retreat for Wedding Professionals in Australia
A rejuvenating escape for wedding professionals to connect, recharge, and elevate their business.
Dates to be confirmed (June or July 2025)
Feathertop Estate, Porepunkah
Pause, Connect, & Recharge
As a fellow wedding professional, Melanie of Mellyrain Creative knows how exhilarating (and exhausting) wedding season can be. From the first planning meeting to the final send-off with our clients, we pour our hearts into our work.
But by the end of the season, we’re often running on empty. We all love what we do, but we often don't take the time we need to hit pause and recharge. Let alone have time to connect with other wedding industry professionals outside of wedding days.
Melanie has seen firsthand how busy and overwhelming the wedding season can be, and I want to provide a peaceful space where we can recharge while gaining valuable insights for both our personal and professional lives.
That’s why Melanie has partnered with us to create a retreat for wedding professionals at Feathertop Estate. Open to all wedding industry professionals. planners, photographers, celebrants, florists, you’re all invited!
It’s a chance to take a well-deserved break and join a community of like-minded professionals who truly understand the demands of our industry.
What to expect at Feathertop Retreat
At Feathertop Retreat, you’ll experience the perfect blend of relaxation, learning, and connection. With all-inclusive accommodation and meals, inspiring workshops, and a mix of leisure and adventure activities, this retreat is designed to help you reset and refocus. Gain valuable insights on work-life balance and enjoy time to unwind in a stunning location. Most importantly, you’ll connect with like-minded wedding professionals who truly understand the highs and challenges of the industry.
Here’s what you can expect:
ALL INCLUSIVE ACCOMMODATION & MEALS
Enjoy a comfortable and private stay, with all your accommodation and most meals* included. Choose from private rooms with either a shared or private bathroom, ensuring a retreat that suits your preference. Meals will be crafted by private chefs and also include casual dining at local restaurants, ensuring you're well-nourished throughout your stay.
WORK-LIFE BALANCE & WELLNESS WORKSHOP
Dive into a workshop with Rachel Hines of Wedding Ready Co focused on balancing your work and personal life. You’ll learn practical strategies to avoid burnout, manage stress during peak season, and maintain mental health while running a busy wedding business. This session is designed to help you feel recharged and ready to take on the next season with clarity.
LEISURE & ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES
Whether you're looking to unwind or seek adventure, this retreat has something for everyone. Enjoy a scenic hike, a bike ride through the countryside and an artistic afternoon. For a more laid-back experience, relax with a massage* or join a morning yoga* session. Take this time to recharge and connect with others in a way that suits you best.
OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT
This retreat isn’t just about recharging, it’s about building meaningful connections with other wedding professionals. Share ideas, brainstorm, and build relationships that can support you both professionally and personally.
The Schedule
Day 1
3:00pm: Arrive and settle in with bubbles while taking in the views of Mt Buffalo, followed by a relaxed meet and greet.
3:30pm: Connect with fellow attendees over a fun ice-breaker before enjoying a wine tasting with cheese platters.
4:00pm: Explore Feathertop Estate on a guided tour, then settle into your accommodation with time to unwind.
6:30pm: The day concludes with a private dinner featuring seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
Day 2
7:00am: Begin the day with a self-guided walk or a well-earned sleep-in
8:00am: Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the Estate.
9:30am: Join Rachel Hines from Wedding Ready Co for a workshop on work-life balance.
12:00pm: Enjoy a scenic bike ride to Bright for lunch* and exploration.
2:00pm: Spend the afternoon unwinding with a massage, facial, or free time.
4:00pm. Return to Feathertop Estate and participate in an Art Bar session overlooking the sunset.
7:00pm: End the day with a three-course meal at Porepunkah Pub
Day 3
7:00am: Begin the morning your way. Enjoy coffee in the fresh air or indulge in a well-earned sleep-in.
8:00am: Start your day with a yoga session in Bright (optional)
9:00am: Enjoy a final breakfast at the Estate taking time to reflect, set goals, and soak in the last moments of the retreat.
12:00pm: Check out of room and bid farewell to your fellow attendees before heading home feeling refreshed and recharged.
Breaking the Overwork Cycle: Creating boundaries and balance as premium wedding professional
Workshop Host: Rachel Hines | Certified Coach & Hypnosis Practitioner
Having been in the premium wedding industry for almost two decades, I know firsthand how incredibly rewarding, fulfilling AND high demand/pressure the industry can be. When you have high standards, truly care about your clients and your work - it’s so easy to neglect your personal life, family/friends - and yourself.
Now as a Certified Coach and Hypnosis Practitioner, I help passionate, ambitious wedding professionals to stress less and enjoy life more, whilst still being successful. Why? Because you and your loved ones also deserve the best of you, not what’s left of you.
Workshop Overview:
Defining what work life balance means to you personally
Strategies to start implementing work life balance now AND during peak wedding season
Being aware of what external factors and internal factors need to be in place - and why you need both
Surprising factors that can stop you from having work life balance - and how to both recognise and manage them.
Introducing simple hypnotherapy techniques to help you relax, reduce stress and manage feelings of anxiety during the wedding season and when dealing with challenging clients/scenarios.
Follow Rachel on socials at @weddingreadyco
The SEO Compass:
AKA your website SEO Audit
Optional Retreat Bonus: Rcahel Jane | Website Developer
I’m an SEO-savvy web designer and after years of working with small business owners, I know what is and isn’t working for your website. Maybe you bravely DIY’d it yourself, but totally winged the SEO. Or perhaps you hired a pro designer to build your website but you’re not sure if SEO was even on their radar and don't know how to check it yourself.
Do you want to make sure your website is performing at its best? We’ll, it’s time to give it a good health check.
With my value-packed Website Audits, I'll check through your SEO, design and user experience (how your customer goes from browsing to buying!). SEO gets people to your website, but you want them to stay on there, get to know you and buy your service once they’re on there!
Website Audit Inclusions:
Your current keywords and where you have opportunities for improvement.
What you need to fix from a technical SEO perspective including broken links, low content pages, page indexing, image issues and any missing header tags, page titles and descriptions.
Your website page speed and what you might need to do to resolve this.
On-page SEO recommendations to optimise your target keywords
What is and isn’t working with your user experience and design.
You receive a comprehensive report that becomes a step by step to-do list for you to work through and fix up your website to make sure your dream humans AND google can find you.
Follow Rachel on socials at @racheljane_design
VALUED AT $770
ONLY $300
Packages & Prices
Every package includes:
2 nights accomodation at Feathertop Estate.
Main meals and drinks provided.
Private bedroom with private or shared bathroom (you choose).
Daily breakfast including delicious locale coffee.
Arrival bubbles with guest meet & greet.
Wine tasting experience with delicious cheese platter.
Guided tour of Feathertop Estate.
Private dinner on arrival night with local chef featuring seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
3 course meal at Porepunkah Pub with transfers on Saturday night.
Workshop with Rachel Hines: Breaking the Overwork Cycle: Creating boundaries and balance as premium wedding professional
Art Bar session overlooking Mount Buffalo.
Breathtaking local walks or hikes.
Opportunity to reflect and set goals for upcoming wedding season.
Unlimited ability to connect with like-minded wedding vendors
*Meals not included in package: Saturday and Sunday lunch.
*Optional activities not included in package price but can be added to your package: 1 hour massage or 1 hour facial on Friday 20th. Yoga session on Sunday 22nd.
Option to add on SEO Website Audit deal by Rachel Jane Designs for $300. Valued at $770.
Simply choose your room option
Private Room & Private Bathroom
3 SPOTS AVAILABLE
Inclusions: Attendees will have their own bedroom and private bathroom facilities.
Pay In Full
$2900
Payment Plan
3 X $1090
Private Room & Shared Bathroom
4 SPOTS AVAILABLE
Inclusions: Attendees will have their own bedroom and shared bathroom facilities.
Pay In Full
$2600
Payment Plan
3 X $990
Frequently Asked Questions
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You’re welcome to come solo and connect with other wedding professionals, or bring a fellow industry friend and opt for a shared accommodation experience.
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Yes! Our retreat is designed as a fully immersive experience, carefully curated to foster connection, growth, and relaxation. Each activity is an important part of the journey, helping you recharge, gain new insights, and build meaningful relationships with other wedding industry professionals. Other than the optional extras (massage, facial and yoga) participants are encouraged to participate in fully to get the most out of this unique retreat experience.
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Feathertop is located 10 minutes out of Bright, in an area called Porepunkah in Victoria's North East. Feathertop Estate is best accessible by car, and we recommend driving or carpooling with fellow attendees. The nearest major airport is Albury, with transport options available from there.
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The tickets to the retreat are non-refundable. If you find yourself in a situation where you can't make it to the retreat you can transfer your ticket to a friend.
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This retreat is designed for wedding industry professionals, including planners, photographers, celebrants, florists, and anyone working within the wedding space. If you’re looking to recharge, connect with like-minded professionals, and gain insights to grow your business, this retreat is for you.
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June can get quite chilly in Porepunkah. Pack comfortable warm clothing for workshops and outdoor activities, activewear for optional hikes or yoga, and something cozy for relaxing by the fire. A good pair of walking shoes is also recommended.
Liz | Wedding By E
"‘I loved the chance to step away for the weekend and connect with likeminded professionals in such a relaxing, beautiful place. The retreat really helped me set some new goals for my business and gave me the tools I needed to return refreshed and ready for another wedding season. I also met some amazing people and made new connections that I am so grateful for’'
Secure your spot at Feathertop Retreat
Once your form is submitted, we will check the retreat availability and be in touch with next steps to secure your spot. You will be required to secure your spot with payment within 48 hours of submitted your form.
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