Casa de Playa Wedding Photos
A glass roof over an 1800s shopfront on Main Street, paella downstairs and a balcony above the crowd
Casa de Playa was a Spanish tapas restaurant and cocktail bar in an 1800s building on Main Street, Mornington, a short walk up from the bay. Its main room, the Gran Fiesta, sat under a glass ceiling and could hold up to 120 for a ceremony and reception, with a balcony over the street, bright artwork on the walls and industrial fittings. In-house catering ran to paella and chargrilled meats. The restaurant has since closed; its booking page was marked permanently closed in early 2026.
Veri photographed Steff and Nathan’s wedding here while it was trading, with the ceremony, portraits and reception all under the one roof. It was a town wedding rather than a vineyard one: the couple could walk out the front door for portraits on Main Street and down to Mornington’s foreshore and pier, then be back before the first course.
How to prepare for your wedding photos (without overthinking it)
Seven small things that make a real difference on the day — learned across hundreds of weddings. None of them involve practising poses.
In motion, unposed · FR 15A1. Be yourselves — that's where the magic is
You don't need to perform or worry about what you look like. The best photos come from real moments: a glance, a laugh, a shared breath. Let go a little — we'll guide when needed, and the best unfolds naturally.
2. Build buffer time into your timeline
A little breathing room between getting ready, the ceremony and couple portraits makes all the difference. It gives us space for spontaneous shots — and gives you time to soak it all in.
3. Choose locations that feel like you
A quiet lane, an open field, a textured wall — we love meaningful or interesting spots. Trust us to find great light, but if you've got a place you love, let's work it in.
4. Consider an unplugged ceremony
Phones can distract from the emotion (and your photos). Asking guests to be fully present makes for cleaner frames and a more heartfelt atmosphere.
5. Get ready in calm, light-filled spaces
Clutter-free rooms with natural light are a photographer's dream, and calm energy in the morning sets the tone for the day. Keep the space tidy — or assign a friend to do a quick sweep before we arrive.
6. Keep a drink and snacks nearby
Especially during portraits — hydration and a little sugar go a long way in keeping energy and moods high.
7. Trust the process
We've worked at hundreds of weddings and we're here to make you look and feel amazing. Trust us with the light, the angles, the pace — we've got you.
Photographing a wedding at Casa de Playa
The glass roof did the heavy lifting: soft top light through the afternoon, then the room went warm as the sun dropped and the street lights came on. Main Street is busy on a Saturday, so early-evening portraits worked best once the shops closed, and the beach at the bottom of the hill gave a west-facing sunset. For couples looking at Mornington now, the same walk between Main Street and the foreshore still holds. The gallery below is Steff and Nathan’s wedding at the restaurant.