Esplanade Events Wedding & Events Open Day

On 9 August, Cronulla RSL & Esplanade Events hosted the Esplanade Events Wedding & Events Open Day, welcoming couples, families and celebration planners to explore our event spaces and discover what is possible for their special day.

The day provided an opportunity for Cronulla RSL to showcase not only our beautiful function spaces, but also the hospitality, creativity and attention to detail that goes into bringing each celebration to life. From cocktails and wine to canapés, champagne towers and bespoke beverage experiences, guests were able to experience the range of options available when planning a wedding or special event at Cronulla RSL.

With the Event Bar and Esplanade Events teams working alongside our wonderful event suppliers, the day was a great showcase of the people behind the experience.

Below, Shevaun Lambert, Cronulla RSL’s Functions Beverage Manager, takes us behind the scenes of the day and shares how the team helped bring the event to life.

Raise Your Glass: Behind the Scenes at the Esplanade Events Expo

A celebration of cocktails, wine, canapés, beautiful spaces — and the people who make every event memorable.

There’s something pretty special about seeing an event come together — especially when the drinks are flowing, the cocktails are shaking and the team is ready to help couples start imagining their big day.

Recently, the Esplanade Events Wedding and Event Expo brought future brides, grooms, families and celebration planners through our spaces for a taste of what’s possible — and the Event Bar team was there to make sure the beverage experience was impossible to miss.

First impressions start at the door

Before guests even reached the bars, Brielle was there at the Purcell registration desk, welcoming guests as they arrived.

From checking guests in and getting them settled to answering those first questions and helping point them in the right direction, Brielle set the tone from the moment guests walked through the door.

Because a great event experience doesn't start with the first cocktail. It starts with the first hello. And with Brielle on the registration desk, guests were greeted with a smile and made to feel welcome from the very beginning.

Cocktails, conversations & a little bit of theatre

Over in Purcell, Luke P was bringing the cocktail experience to life.

With cocktails being shaken, served and showcased, guests could get a real feel for how we can transform the beverage experience from simply what's on the bar to something that becomes part of the celebration.

It was all about fun, flavour and a little bit of theatre — because let's be honest, watching a cocktail being created is much more exciting than reading about one on a package sheet!

From signature cocktails to our pop-up bar concepts, guests could see just how much personality can be added to their event.

Soldiers was all about the wine

Meanwhile, Alex and Alysiah were holding court in Soldiers, taking guests on a journey through the wines included across our beverage packages.

Rather than simply saying “you get wine”, guests could see it, talk about it and taste the difference between the package options.

From approachable favourites through to our premium selections, the team was there to answer questions, make recommendations and help couples understand what would work best for their celebration.

And yes… there may have been a few Aperols making an appearance too!

More than just a beverage package

One of the biggest things we wanted to showcase was that our beverage offering is about creating an experience, not simply selecting a package.

Guests could explore:

· ✨ Beverage Packages

· 🍸 Signature Cocktails

· 🥂 Champagne Towers

· 🍹 Cocktail Trees

· 🍾 Pop-Up Bars

· 🍷 Wine Experiences

· 🎉 Bespoke beverage upgrades

And behind all of it was one very important question:

“What do YOU want your celebration to feel like?”

That's where your Event Bar Manager, Shev, came in.

From “What's the difference between the packages?” to “Can we have this cocktail?”, “What wine would you recommend?” and “How does a Champagne Tower actually work?” — Shev was on hand to answer all the questions and help couples navigate the options.

Because sometimes you don't know what you want until someone shows you what's possible.

A little bit of Esplanade magic

We were also lucky enough to have Alex and Tahli from Esplanade Events joining us on the day.

Their knowledge of the spaces, packages and wedding experience helped bring the bigger picture together — showing guests that planning a celebration isn't just about choosing a room.

And of course… you can't plan a wedding on an empty stomach!

Our guests were treated to a delicious selection of canapés throughout the Expo, including:

Lasagne Bites: comfort food, but make it canapé. Bruschetta: fresh, colourful and the perfect match for a glass of wine and Prawn Skewers: a little coastal flair — and very on-brand for the Esplanade.

Because the best beverage experience is one that works hand-in-hand with the food, the atmosphere and the occasion.

A huge cheers to the team

The Expo was a fantastic example of what happens when events, beverage and hospitality work together.

And of course, a big cheers to all of the wonderful suppliers who helped us bring such a diverse range of products and experiences to our couples.

· Cronulla RSL

· Catering HQ

· The Wedding Nanny by Courtesy Care

· Balloon Couture

· The Wedding Whisperer

· Elite Digital Solutions

· Still Magnets

· Floral Fix

· Kelly Jade Photography

· Illustrated By Sun

· Kat-Cha

· Elimilio Play Events

· Simple Booth

· Prestige Higher, A1 Limousines, Luxe Autodrive

· Barefaced Bridal

· Ferrari Formal Wear

· Production and Tech

· Showstopper Event Styling

· White Cherry Invitations

· The Love Edit Ceremonies

· Koek Bakehouse

· By Shay Gittany

· The Callie Corp

Whether you're dreaming of a relaxed coastal celebration, a cocktail-filled party, a classic wedding reception or something completely unique, our Event Bar team can help you build the beverage experience around your celebration.

Because your event shouldn't just be remembered for the dress, the decor or the venue.

It should be remembered for how it felt.

And sometimes… that's as simple as the perfect drink in your hand, surrounded by the people you love.

Enquire with our Events Team to start creating your perfect celebration.

Shevaun Lambert - Functions Beverage Manager