The stylists behind Prunella are already known for their lush floral installations. But despite their success with bold, beautiful botanicals, the Kyneton-based team weren’t content to stop at styling. Enter Churchill: a boutique event space in the heart of country Victoria that offers more than your average wedding venue.
“We have always wanted to extend our service to clients,” says Vanessa Partridge, who founded Prunella with business partner Caris Haughan. Vanessa dreamed of expanding Prunella’s services to incorporate other event details alongside their signature floral arrangements. Venue, food and wine, styling, special touches: Prunella wanted to offer it all. And so Vanessa and the team partnered with a selection of leading vendors to create a whole new kind of wedding experience.
Located in Taradale, Churchill comprises a 150-year-old church, an intimate hall and a gorgeous garden. But Churchill doesn’t just refer to the venue. It’s all about the whole experience: lush florals and styling from Prunella paired with Melly’s simple yet delicious seasonal menu. Each meticulously designed detail combines to create a complete and unique celebration. In a Churchill wedding, the ceremony and reception flow on naturally; it’s a progressive experience throughout the whole stunning property. The Prunella team works with each couple to determine exactly how they want their event to ‘flow’. What results is a truly memorable occasion that allows the couple to relax and enjoy their day, knowing everything is taken care of.
How did your new venture, Churchill, come about?
The time seemed right to broaden the Prunella offering. We had often thought what a Prunella event space might look like, and the idea of creating a complete experience beyond just the botanical had always fascinated us. The answer came with the opportunity to transform a beautiful old country church and accompanying Sunday school hall into a unique event space, and the first Prunella venue, Churchill, was created.
What kind of services do you provide for couples?
We offer a tailored approach to the venue set-up, catering and drinks, preferring to customise our offering to our client’s vision. The best bit is that we organise everything! Churchill enables us to fully design events for our clients, from flowers and styling elements through to wine and food, the flow of the event, and anything else that is required.
We have beautiful sample menus and drink options that can be chosen from and tweaked to suit. We use all the beautiful furniture, linen and tableware, and also take care of flowers and styling to create a gorgeous event.
Tell us about Churchill as a wedding venue.
The 1858 church boasts grand timber ceilings, detailed stained-glass windows, a carved wooden pulpit, and even a choir-loft. The church and the charming, whitewashed wooden hall are set in two acres of garden, with spectacular views over the surrounding countryside and town. Blending relaxed European rural charm with luxe interior detailing, the buildings provide the perfect frame for a stylish soiree that will feel both classic and fresh.
How does Churchill differ from other wedding venues?
Where else can you have your wedding ceremony in a country hall followed by dinner in a church? And, of course, Churchill’s interiors provide the perfect backdrop for Prunella’s beautiful floral designs.
What do you love most about what you do?
Every client is different and we love working with them and inspiring them, helping them to take their ideas to the next level. Seeing it all come together after all the hard work is pretty magical. Our favourite thing is hearing from our couples about what a brilliant time they had at their wedding, that it was everything they imagined and more. After working with us, we hope our couples have been inspired, and that the final event surpasses all of their expectations.
Tell us what’s coming up in the future for Prunella.
With any luck, another “Prunella-esque” venue to add to our stable!
