By JESSE GRAHAM
A YARRA Valley venue has been inducted into the Australian Bridal Industry Academy Hall of Fame following years of back-to-back awards.
On Tuesday, 17 May, Yarra Glen’s Zonzo Estate was inducted into the ABIA’s Hall of Fame at the academy’s Victorian awards night, after being named as the winner of the Restaurant Reception award for the sixth year running.
Crissy Micallef, who works at Zonzo with husband and owner, Rod, said the win was a “huge surprise”, and acknowledged years of hard work by the staff.
“It feels surreal,” she said.
“I’m speechless about it. We’re both thrilled.”
The ABIA awards are decided based on votes from the bride and groom following a wedding – they evaluate the business on the quality of their products, their service, value for money and the attitude of the staff.
Crissy said that she appreciated the feedback from the wedded couples who put their votes forward, which won them the Restaurant Reception award for six years.
“It’s a lot more rewarding, I suppose, because you’re contributing to people’s biggest days of their lives,” she said.
“It means more to be voted for by them – so that’s why we appreciate this award so much.”
She said that couples who married at the estate often visited in later years, for anniversaries or just to say hello.
Crissy said that she met Rod at the venue about six years ago, when she was attending a function, and that the couple got married on the grounds in 2014.
The “military precision” of the staff, she said, contributed to their success.
“We’ve done so many weddings now, it’s a well-oiled machine,” she said.
