A Melbourne hospitality scion has celebrated his nuptials in grand style at his illustrious family’s countryside estate on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. The lavish affair, which drew the crème de la crème of the social scene, marked a significant milestone for the Keebaugh family.
Ben ‘BJ’ Keebaugh, son of renowned hospitality magnates Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh, exchanged vows with his partner, Abbie Greene, in a ceremony that was as star-studded as it was opulent. The couple’s union took place last weekend amidst the elegant backdrop of his parents’ Barragunda estate, which they transformed into a verdant wonderland for the occasion.
As founders of the international events powerhouse, The Big Group, the Keebaughs are well-versed in hosting spectacular events. For their only son’s wedding, they welcomed 180 guests to their expansive property, ensuring the celebration was nothing short of magical. Industry insiders estimate the cost of this weekend-long festivity to be around $500,000, although it’s likely that numerous deals were struck to mitigate the expenses.
Adding to the day’s splendor, the bride dazzled in a strapless, floral-print gown complemented by a matching veil, while the groom epitomized classic style in a white dinner jacket paired with a black bow tie. The event was a testament to the Keebaughs’ flair for combining elegance with extravagance.
‘But I imagine many complementary deals were made,’ the expert said.
The bride stunned in a strapless floral-print gown paired with a matching veil, while the groom looked timeless in a crisp white dinner jacket and black bow tie.
The bridal party made a statement arriving in forest-green Range Rovers, complete with custom ‘Mr & Mrs K’ number plates.
Abbie was flanked by five bridesmaids and one bridesman, while BJ stood alongside seven groomsmen.
The consummate entertainers left no stone unturned day with bespoke ‘B and A’ monogramming details scattered throughout the wedding, floral arrangements by designer Joost Bakker, a seven-tier wedding cake and fireworks display.
Melbourne hospitality heir Ben ‘BJ’ Keebaugh has tied the knot with bride Abbie Greene in an extravagant wedding at his parents’ country estate on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula
Former Real Housewives of Melbourne star Chyka Keebaugh and her husband Bruce
The consummate entertainers left no stone left unturned day with bespoke ‘B and A’ monogramming details scattered throughout the wedding, floral arrangements by designer Joost Bakker, a seven-tier wedding cake and fireworks display
The event gurus also hosted a recovery party at the ‘Keebaugh ranch’ for a poolside afternoon which also doubled as a celebration of BJ’s 30th birthday.
Guests – which included influencer Lila Holbrook, Carman’s muesli tycoon Carolyn Cresswell, restaurant royalty Holly Lucas and Decjuba founder Tania Austin – were asked to dress in white western outfits for an American-style barbecue.
BJ, who works as Chief of Staff at United Business Development Services, and his PWC marketing-lead wife have been based in London since 2023.
Days after the knees-up, Bruce took to social media to welcome his new daughter-in-law to the family and joked about his post-wedding come-down.
‘Well, that was one hell of a wedding weekend – so, so many people to thank, and I promise we will do that properly, but for now a few special pics of our beautiful new daughter and our magnificent son, who left today for their honeymoon,’ he said.
‘It’s one thing creating moments and memories for others – it’s a totally different experience when you’re the ones in the middle of the moment!
‘It takes a village and I promise the village will be recognised – but the mother and father of the groom are just still recovering from the “recovery”!’
The bridal party made a statement arriving in forest-green Range Rovers, complete with custom ‘Mr & Mrs K’ number plates
The event gurus also hosted a recovery party at the ‘Keebaugh ranch’ for a poolside afternoon which also doubled as a celebration of BJ’s 30th birthday
In their 25 years in business, The Big Group have evolved into a one-stop shop for luxury events, seamlessly overseeing everything from catering and styling to florals, venue sourcing and staffing.
They’re understood to be worth upwards of $40million.
Their client list includes the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, the Australian Open, as well as events crafted for Louis Vuitton, Lexus, Emirates and Dior across Australia, the Middle East, South America, Italy, France and Vietnam.
