February 12 2026

Gemma & Martin’s Epic Friday Celebration: Laughter, Love and Late-Night Snacks

GEMMA & MARTIN

Gemma and Martin’s story began on New Year’s Eve in 2015, through a simple swipe on Tinder that changed everything. Fast forward to their proposal, and it wasn’t a grand, cinematic production—Martin popped the question right in the kitchen, keeping things real and intimate.

When it came time to plan their big day, their vision was clear: they wanted a chilled yet epic party! They found their perfect match right here at Rocklea Farm on our 80-acre farm in Stonehaven, just a short 15-minute drive from Geelong AND 60-minute drive from Melbourne.

A Chilled Party Vibe & Tree Ceremony

The couple was all about an atmosphere that was relaxed and celebratory. Our venue served as the perfect backdrop because of its versatile spaces that let couples design their special day, their way. Gemma and Martin embraced the flexibility of our DIY venue to create a celebration for their 100 guests that was fun and lively with their band Chokolate.

For their ceremony, they chose the iconic 600-year-old River Red Gum nestled within our paddocks. Gemma arrived in style with Ben from Coastal Kombi , while Martin and his party made their way from Geelong. “The favourite moment was getting to be married under the tree!” Gemma shared, reflecting on the magic of the outdoor setting as they celebrated walking out with fresh rose petals.

Cocktail Style and Standout Dishes

One of the best parts of a Rocklea wedding is the flexible catering. You aren’t stuck with one specific menu; you have the freedom to choose a caterer that fits your budget and style. Gemma and Martin opted for a relaxed cocktail-style mains menu with the team from Happy Camper Pizza, who also supplied the lawn games.

The food was a highlight of the night, with the pizzas and canapés receiving rave reviews from everyone in attendance. To keep the ‘spirits’ high, Havana Caravan Bar managed the beverage service, offering a selection of beer, wine, cider, and bubbles. It was the perfect fuel to keep the party moving, topped off with a late-night snack for a dancefloor break.

Planning Without the Stress

Even though we are a DIY-friendly venue, we don’t believe you should have to do it all alone. Our team works with you from the first planning conversation to the final farewell to ensure no detail is left behind – including one to two planning meetings, coordinating your vendors/suppliers arrival times, drop off days with optional rehearsal coordination, on-day-coordination of guest arrival, ceremony, canape hour, reception and farewell.

The day wasn’t without its quirks, though! In a funny twist that the couple took in stride, Marty’s wedding ring didn’t quite fit on the day—and according to Gemma, it still doesn’t! It just added to the authentic, lighthearted spirit of the celebration. Gemma’s feedback for the experience was simple: “BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!”

As the night drew to a close at 11:00pm, guests departed via Murrell Group and My Bus hire , while some lucky friends stayed back to enjoy the ten glamping tents on-site with included breakfast boxes in the morning.

Gemma’s Words of Wisdom:

Gemma’s best advice for anyone currently in the planning trenches is to keep perspective on what truly matters. “Don’t sweat the small stuff!!!! No one remembers the colour schemes, the flowers, the tiny little details—everything falls into place.”

LITTLE DETAILS

The Wedding Soundtrack: From soulful classics to high-energy dance tracks, the music set the tone for the entire night, with Weddings By Ryal capturing all the big moments.

Walking down the aisle: Stand By Me.
Reception entry: Will Sparks/John Course – Love Like This.
First dance: Dancing – Kelli Holiday.
Evening Music: Provided by Chokolate, who kept the barn dance floor moving from 6pm until the final bar service concluded.

Shout Out to the Incredible Vendor Team: A huge thank you to the talented team of suppliers who helped bring Gemma and Martin’s vision to life:

Venue: Rocklea Farm
Photography: Weddings By Ryal
Florist: Blooms by Till
Catering: Happy Camper Pizza
Beverage Service: Havana Caravan Bar
Transport: Murrell Group and My Bus hire
Entertainment: Chokolate
Planning & Coordination: Rocklea Farm Team

Personalised. Unforgettable. Yours. That’s what a Rocklea Farm wedding is all about.

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4.9 Over 155 Reviews

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Grier Morris-Obst 11 months ago

It’s hard to put into words just how thankful we are to Dave, Glen, Angela, and the entire Rocklea Farm team!

From the moment we stepped out of the car at the open day, we knew this was the place for us. The passion, dedication, and genuine care that Dave, Glen, and Angela have—not just for the couples and guests walking through their doors, but for the property itself—is truly something special. Angela was so attentive and helpful during our planning process, Dave was absolutely on the ball for making sure everything run exactly to plan and Glen was such a hit that our friends tried to adopt him into our group! The level of hospitality at Rocklea Farm is unmatched. No other wedding venue is cooking you and your guests cheese toasties at 11:30 pm!

At every step of the way, they went above and beyond to make our wedding dreams come to life. No request was too big, no question too silly, and every interaction with them was met with warmth, enthusiasm, and an unwavering commitment to making our day perfect. They are true professionals with hearts of gold, and their attention to detail and love for what they do shines through in every aspect of the venue and experience.

Our family and friends are still raving about Rocklea Farm! They couldn’t stop talking about how stunning the space was, how seamlessly it allowed everyone to mingle, and just how good the vibes were throughout the entire day and night. The layout, the atmosphere, the relaxed yet beautifully curated rustic / natural setting made for the most magical experience. The glamping tents were another huge highlight. Our guests couldn’t believe how comfortable and luxurious they were—several of them even said it was the best night’s sleep they’d had in ages! Having that cozy retreat right on-site just made the whole experience even more special.

We truly hope we get the chance to return to this magical place again in the future as guests so we can fully soak in the experience from the other side! From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for making our wedding day beyond extraordinary. It was everything we dreamed of and more, and we feel so lucky to have celebrated our big day at Rocklea Farm!

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Rosemarie Cauchi 11 months ago

Just celebrated my daughter’s wedding here. It was an absolute pleasure to be there and enjoy what it has to offer!

scotti reed 11 months ago

Matt Civelle 11 months ago

Lauren Wards 1 year ago

Rocklea Farm is truly the most magical wedding venue, and we couldn’t have imagined a more perfect place to celebrate our special day. From the stunning rustic charm of the property to the beautifully maintained grounds, every inch of Rocklea Farm provided the ideal backdrop for our wedding.

What made the experience even more extraordinary was the incredible support from Dave and Glenn. From start to finish, they went above and beyond to ensure everything ran smoothly. Their attention to detail, flexibility, and genuine care for making our day perfect were unmatched. No request was too big or too small, and they were always there with a solution, a laugh, and calm reassurance.

The venue itself is breathtaking, but it’s Dave and Glenn’s dedication that truly sets Rocklea Farm apart. They made the planning process stress-free and enjoyable, offering expert advice and working tirelessly behind the scenes on the day to ensure everything was flawless. Their passion for what they do shines through in every aspect, and it’s clear they genuinely care about making every couple’s wedding day unforgettable.

Our guests couldn’t stop raving about the beautiful setting, and we’ll treasure the memories of our day forever. If you’re looking for a venue that combines stunning beauty, exceptional service, and the kindest, most hardworking team, Rocklea Farm is it. Thank you, Dave and Glenn, for making our wedding day everything we dreamed of and more—you are simply the best!

Billy Bennett 1 year ago

Highly recommend. Incredible venue and location for a wedding.

Belinda Kovos 1 year ago

Beautiful location for my son's wedding. Staff attentive and professional. Ran like a dream

Kristen Daly 1 year ago

Amazing venue. Definitely the best venue if you are looking for a bit of a DYI theme for your wedding. Dave, Glen and Angela are very attentive and their service is amazing

Meg Pethybridge 1 year ago

I was MC for a wedding this week and involved in bump in/out as well. Dave, Glen, Jasmine and Sarah were fantastic to work with on the day. Nothing was too much trouble, they were lovely and calm and constantly asked me if they could help with anything. I even saw Dave blowing leaves off the courtyard twice during setup! They did a fantastic job managing the bridal party on the day so I didn't have to worry about their whereabouts or timing. And of course, the property is stunning and so versatile to meet a couple's preferences. Thank you so much. I would recommend Rocklea Farm to anyone.