WELCOME TO THE STUNNING IVORY PAVILION

The Story Behind Ivory Pavilion ✨

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People often ask Alyssa how she came up with the design, look, and layout of Ivory Pavilion.
As a creative, it was a natural progression — but every detail has a story. Each element was thoughtfully considered, shaped by years of vision, experience, and a deep passion for creating a space that feels both timeless and deeply personal.

“I grew up in hospitality — surrounded by venues, atmosphere, and people. I’ve worked every role imaginable, from barista and waiter to bar staff and even door person ticking off names. I’ve poured beers for the rich circles of the Packer family on their private golf course, rubbed shoulders with Shane Warne at his poker nights, and served bottle service to VIP guests in Melbourne’s most exclusive bars and clubs.

The story really began when I moved from New Zealand to follow my dream of becoming an actress. After completing three years in drama school, I was ready for my big break — convinced my path would lead me to NIDA in Sydney. But when I landed in Melbourne, I fell completely in love with the city’s creative, artistic, and edgy hospitality scene.

The venues in Melbourne evoke so many emotions and experiences. They build memories that stay in your heart for a lifetime. I still remember the Sunday sessions on St Kilda Beach — salsa music playing in the beer gardens, dimly lit clubs filled with energy and laughter, the rhythm of music, the smell of good food, and the faces of friends. Melbourne was social, alive, and inspiring.

When it came time to create Ivory Pavilion, those memories came flooding back. Every corner, every texture, and every light in the venue draws from that energy — the feeling of connection, of celebration, of moments that stay with you forever.”

The Creative Journey

After years in hospitality, Alyssa launched her first film agency — focused entirely on Melbourne’s vibrant food and venue scene. The concept was unique: presenter-backed videos that showcased restaurants, cafés, bars, and bistros — highlighting what to wear, who was behind the food, and what guests could expect.

That agency was called Hospohype, and it was Alyssa’s first business venture at just 24 years old. As an actor, presenter, and hospitality professional, it combined her greatest passions — storytelling and connection. But along the way, Alyssa discovered another side of her creativity: not just in front of the camera, but behind it.

She picked up a camera herself, filming events, corporate videos, and hospitality stories. It wasn’t long before she met her now-husband, Travis, and together they began travelling for filming work — exploring both the hospitality and corporate worlds.

When they married, their own wedding videography experience left a lasting impression — and not for the best reasons. It inspired them to build something better. After the birth of their two children, they decided to reimagine their business, stepping away from corporate videos and website work (which had grown under the new name Angry Chicken Media) and instead, turning their focus to weddings.

“I’ll never forget the excitement after we booked out solid for three to four months ahead — before we’d even officially launched,” Alyssa recalls. “The demand was huge, especially when brides learned they could have a female videographer on their side. We couldn’t keep up!”

Angry Chicken Media quickly became one of the most in-demand creative agencies in the wedding space — until the world changed. When COVID hit, weddings shut down. Deposits were refunded, dates postponed, and the next year’s Saturdays were already filled with rescheduled events.

“People didn’t realise — we weren’t earning that money again. We were filming weddings that had been paid for 12 months earlier, just trying to stay afloat. It was the hardest time — not just for us, but for so many small creative businesses.”

A New Dream

Out of that challenge came a new dream — one that had always quietly lived in Alyssa and Travis’s hearts: to create their own wedding venue. A place that reflected everything they had learned from years in the industry — what truly makes a day unforgettable, what staff and structure are essential, and how to make couples feel supported and celebrated from start to finish.

The search took more than three years — a journey of determination, persistence, and faith. And finally, in 2023, the dream came to life with the opening of Ivory Pavilion.

Now, only two years on, Ivory Pavilion is fast becoming one of the most sought-after wedding venues for couples across nearby regional towns like Geelong, Ballarat, and Ballan. The venue has also become a favourite for milestone celebrations, corporate events, and private functions — each ending in unforgettable success.

Like all great businesses, Ivory Pavilion continues to grow, evolve, and refine — always with couples’ and clients’ best interests at heart. When you look around the venue, you can see how Alyssa’s three worlds — Hospitality, Performing, and Weddings — come together in perfect harmony.

The artificial grass on the balconies hints at her beer garden days in Melbourne’s bars. The antique lounges in soft, mixed tones celebrate country weddings and rustic charm. The beer garden picnic tables and wine barrels on the lawn evoke sunny afternoons outside cafés. The café tables and velvet stools are inspired by the city’s buzzing nightlife, while the large stage and dance floor reflect Alyssa’s performing roots.

Chandeliers hanging from the ceiling recall the elegance of fine restaurants, and the slightly edgy artwork in the Cocktail Lounge nods to her favourite Brunswick bars — arty, bold, and full of soul.

Alyssa and Travis are still young, ambitious, and deeply passionate about their craft. They’re far from the end of their journey — and each year brings new dreams, new ideas, and new celebrations. Together, they look forward to bringing more magic, memories, and meaning to families and loved ones for years and years to come.

Would you like me to create a shortened “About” version (approx. 250–300 words) drawn from this — ideal for your Ivory Pavilion website homepage or wedding brochure? It would keep the story essence but be formatted for quick, emotional impact.