Fire destroys the Baths restaurant in Sorrento

A couple due to marry in Sorrento on Friday have watched their wedding venue burn to the ground five days before they exchanged vows.

Photographer Shannon Pawsey, who had been booked to document the event, said the couple was already staying at Sorrento and joined crowds of onlookers watching fire crews battle the blaze at the Baths on Sunday night.

Devastated brides-to-be posted on social media on Monday, desperate to find alternate venues for their special days.

Sarah Waterman told Fairfax her cousin was due to get married at the Baths this Saturday and 100 guests had already booked accommodation for the event.

"Absolutely shattered right now," she posted on The Age's Facebook page.

Waterman said the couple had experienced a tough time recently, with the groom's father passing away.

"This was meant to be the height of their relationship," she said.

The devastated owner of the Mornington Peninsula restaurant said he was relieved no customers or staff were injured in the fire.

The Baths in Sorrento - a popular venue for weddings - was gutted in the blaze, which was not believed to be suspicious.

Country Fire Authority crews were called to the restaurant about 8.15pm.

Desperate efforts by at least 11 CFA crews failed to save the Port Nepean Road restaurant, which overlooks Port Phillip Bay.

Jenny Burkitt, from Glen Iris, was married at The Baths on Saturday. She woke her children to tell them the news on Sunday night.

"I'm just so sad. I just cannot believe that beautiful place has gone," she told Fairfax on Monday.

Burkitt said she had "no doubt" that The Baths would rebuild and she hoped to return to the restaurant for her first wedding anniversary.

She said she felt for the brides who had booked the venue in the near future.

"I hope the brides that are having their wedding down there this week find another venue ... my heart goes out to them."

Owner and manager James Gibson said on Facebook on Monday that the restaurant was thankfully closed at the time of the fire.

Customers with weddings booked were urged to contact the venue for assistance with alternate arrangements.

"We are devastated that The Baths restaurant has burnt down," he said.

"Thankfully no customers or staff have been injured, as it was a Sunday evening and the restaurant was closed."

Distraught followers posted messages of support for The Baths, encouraging staff to rebuild a "very special place".

"So sorry to hear James. I have many fond memories of so many lovely times spent here. Hopefully you can rebuild. The community is behind you and all the staff at The Baths Restaurant. Much love sent from Paris xx," Pam Bélorgey wrote.

"Oh no, that is devastating news. I'm so sad to read this, my daughter enjoyed the most wonderful wedding at your stunning venue in March and we are sad to hear others won't be able to do so too now. I do hope you rebuild as The Baths is iconic," Julie Camm posted.

Suzanne Newton had booked The Baths for her wedding in March and said she still hoped to get married there.

Newton said she wanted her venue close to the Portsea lookout where her fiance proposed.

"I don't want any other venue," she said.

Newton said she had not yet heard from the Baths but would speak with her wedding planner on Monday.

Lauren Muir from Mentone in Melbourne's south-east, said she had spoken with the Baths and was happy to marry in April in a pop-up venue planned for the site.

"I have no doubt it will be a gorgeous alternative and to be honest, even if it's a tent on the beach, if we're surrounded by family and friends we will be happy," she said.

Muir said her father rang with the news on Monday morning and she was just relieved no one was hurt.

Civil celebrant Kate Haley said she cried when she heard the news.

"As I'm sure it was for many, a feeling of complete devastation," she wrote on Facebook.

The Baths is about 1.5 hours' drive from Melbourne.

It was named after the Sorrento Sea Baths, which were located on the same site in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The cause of the blaze is not yet known but a CFA spokeswoman said on Monday morning the fire is not believed to be suspicious.

Georgie Owen, who saw the fire, told the ABC she smelled smoke about 8pm then saw the venue "completely up in flames" about 9pm.

"Bits of the roof were falling in, you would hear pieces of glass smashing inside the building," she said.

"The facade was fine at the time, but the inside was definitely fully up in flames."

A crime scene guard was in place overnight before fire investigators attend the property on Monday.

The CFA's Arthur Haynes said it took an hour to control the fire, with specialist crews called from Frankston and Mount Martha.

"The original crews had trouble gaining access and had low water pressure to fight the fire in the first instance," he told the ABC.

Point Nepean Road remains closed.

With Benjamin Millar