When Suppliers Come Together: The Wedding Planner Dinner at Domaine 1196

An Invitation to Southern Styria

Verena Kindermann is one of Austria's best-known wedding planners. She has been planning weddings in Austria and beyond for over 15 years, and through her Academy she passes her knowledge on to the next generation. All the lovelier, then, that she invited colleagues from the industry to an evening that was not about business, but about coming together.

The theme: 6 Stories Down. Six floors built deep into the rock, and six stories about the vineyard. Even the drive there in the autumn light – past golden vines, cypresses and a Klapotetz, the traditional Styrian wind rattle – set the mood for the evening.

Six Stories, One Evening

The stories accompanied us throughout the evening: the Story of the Land on a fabric banner, the Story of the Rock on an inscribed stone, and the Story of Hands in invisible ink that only became legible under a small UV lamp.

The way these stories were told was created by Nicole of Feuer & Flamme. Stationery you don't just look at, but experience – and a beautiful example of how much personality can live in the details.

A Young Venue with Character

Over the course of the evening, we learnt a great deal about Domaine 1196. Alongside Verena, Thomas Locker, Managing Director of Gastronomy & Events, showed us around and explained what makes the Domaine special. The concept brings together modern wine production, award-winning winemakers, architecture, fine dining and a versatile event destination.

The winery opened in 2025, so it is still very young, yet it already has an impressive presence. Set high above the surrounding countryside, it offers a beautiful view over the vineyards of southern Styria. Above all, the architecture is remarkable: the building spans six levels and lies largely within the hill. As we learnt on site, the hill was first removed, the building constructed and then covered with earth again. The result is a variety of spaces that offer the right setting for events of very different sizes.

The Table

A long table was laid in an open room with high ceilings, dressed in dark green velvet and candlelight. Wild autumn flowers, grapes and ivy, a stone urn and a statue as a true eye-catcher – lovingly designed by Floristik Obendrauf. Opulent yet natural: exactly the balance I love at weddings, too.

The chandeliers by Niefergall Leuchtenmanufaktur added a special touch, giving the modern space a festive warmth.

The menu was framed by the line “The best memories are made around the table” – and so it was. We began with beetroot tartare with Styrian prawn, followed by a Styrian wine foam soup with crackling dumplings, poured at the table. Several wonderful courses followed. Personal preferences and intolerances were handled discreetly yet very attentively. My personal highlight was the pear sorbet served with the brownie.

The culinary heart of the Domaine is the restaurant Das Steinbach: modern, regionally focused and refined. We also had the chance to meet head chef Sabrina, and you can taste the dedication that goes into this kitchen.

Music in the Wine Cellar

After dinner, a tour took us down into the wine cellar, where a surprise awaited. Among the wine barrels, surrounded by countless candles, Deborah Posadas sang for us. It was one of those moments when a whole room falls silent, you get goosebumps and tears well up because a voice simply moves you. For me, the highlight of the evening.

What impressed me most as a planner: everything came together seamlessly. There were so many lovely surprises, and still enough space for conversation and genuine networking.

Through a Planner's Eyes: Domaine 1196 as a Wedding Venue in Southern Styria

On an evening like this, I'm never just a guest. I immediately picture the wedding that could take place here: a ceremony among the vines, aperitifs on the terrace, dinner with panoramic views over the vineyards and a party late into the night. The modern, clean aesthetic combined with the southern Styrian landscape sets the Domaine apart from many other venues and leaves plenty of creative freedom, from minimalist elegance to lush, romantic florals.

At the same time, with a venue like this I think about the things that make the day feel complete:

The view is part of the programme. With sunsets like these, I can already see the couple portraits taken here, and guests letting their gaze wander over the landscape, glass in hand. That needs a place in the timeline.

Outdoors always needs an indoors. A ceremony among the vines is a dream – as long as there is a thoughtful wet-weather plan, and the house offers wonderful options for one.

Southern Styria needs to be reached. For guests from Graz, Vienna or abroad, a shuttle is worthwhile so that nobody has to drive after a long evening. There is accommodation nearby, so your guests can stay relaxed.

This is exactly where my work begins: the organisation stays in the background, so you can experience the place just as we did that evening.

Why Networking Is Never a Chore for Me

My network has grown over 13 years, long before I specialised in weddings. It began during my studies in event management and through a lot of volunteering. Later, at major international events such as Formula 1, the Special Olympics World Games and WorldSkills, I worked with people from all over the world: production teams, caterers, technicians, hotels and authorities. That experience still shapes the way I plan today.

In recent years, I have deliberately expanded my network among wedding suppliers in Styria and beyond – not only, but also through evenings like Verena's Wedding Planner Dinner or the Wedding Meet-ups in Styria. There you meet new people and deepen connections made at your own events.

Above all, you get to know the personalities behind the businesses. You learn how someone works, what matters to them and what they are truly passionate about. Conversations become shared projects, and shared projects become trust. That trust can't be built through a website, and in my view it is invaluable.

What It Means for You as a Couple

For you, it means one thing above all: I don't recommend suppliers from a list, but people I know. I have already worked with many of them, and I know who suits your style, your budget and the way you like to celebrate. Who photographs in a calm, documentary way, which florist is just as comfortable with meadow flowers as with grand arrangements, who has a plan B when it rains.

I also know how someone works during set-up, what I can trust a team with and where extra helping hands are needed for a concept to truly come together. And if someone does have to drop out at short notice, I have a network that can step in.

I know the personalities behind the services, and they are the ones who shape your wedding day. That's why evenings like this matter so much to me – not just for the inspiration. They give you the reassurance that the people working together on your day are the right fit for you. Whether with Full Planning or Partial Planning with a curated choice of suppliers – my network is always part of it.

Thank You

Dear Verena, dear Line, thank you for this special evening, for your hospitality and for the feeling that colleagues in this industry see each other not as competition, but as a community. I'm already looking forward to seeing you again.

Thank you also to Katja of Wenola Weddings, who captured the evening with such a feel for light and the little moments, from the sunset over the vineyards to the candles in the wine cellar. All photos in this post are hers.

The People Behind the Evening

Planning & Concept: Verena Kindermann (@verena.kindermann)

Photo & Video: Wenola Weddings (@wenolaweddings)

Florals: Floristik Obendrauf (@floristikobendrauf)

Chandeliers: Niefergall Leuchtenmanufaktur (@niefergall.leuchtenmanufaktur)

Stationery: Feuer & Flamme (@feuerundflamme.wedding)

Vocals: Deborah Posadas (@deborahposadaswedding)

Venue: Domaine 1196 (@domaine1196)

I attended this evening as an invited guest. This post was neither commissioned nor paid for and reflects my personal impressions.