The court heard the unprovoked attack "ruined" the brideChr(39)s wedding day and left her needing ongoing medical treatment.

Her attacker, Joseph Michael Gilbert, 20, of Talbot St Nth, Ballarat, pleaded guilty yesterday to one count each of recklessly causing serious injury and common assault.

The court heard the victim was on her hensChr(39) night on February 14, 1999, wearing the traditional hensChr(39) night attire, complete with a mock "ball and chain".

Prosecutor Peter McDermott said the victim was standing at an ATM at the corner of Sturt and Armstrong Sts, in Ballarat, about 4am, with her sister when Gilbert and his girlfriend approached the pair.

The court heard Gilbert made a sarcastic remark about the victimChr(39)s attire. His girlfriend began touching the victimChr(39)s costume, and the women began pushing and shoving.

Another woman tried to separate the women, but Gilbert approached and punched that woman and the bride in the head and upper body.

Mr McDermott said another altercation began, but the bride was standing by herself when she was approached by Gilbert.

"Without warning, he punched her to the right eye, which caused her to spin around and fall to the ground," Mr McDermott said.

He said there was nothing to help break the womanChr(39)s fall and her head struck the road, breaking her nose and a tooth.

When the brideChr(39)s sister went to assist, she was pushed back by Gilbert, the court heard.

Mr McDermott said Gilbert then punched a concerned male onlooker in the eye after he was told to leave the woman alone.

Gilbert was taken into custody and identified as the victimChr(39)s attacker, but denied committing any of the assaults.

Mr McDermott said the victim suffered a broken nose, broken upper tooth, damage to some of her other teeth and facial bruising and tenderness to her neck.

"She is still undergoing long-term dental surgery ... and it ruined a very significant point in her life, which should have been a very happy occasion, that of her wedding and honeymoon," Mr McDermott said.

Defence counsel Paul DChr(39)Arcy said his client acted under the influence of alcohol and his misguided loyalty to his girlfriend, who had been involved in the earlier scuffle.

Mr DChr(39)Arcy said Gilbert realised he went "over the top" and apologised for his actions.

"The prisoner himself has viewed his behaviour abhorrently and understands the community would likewise view it that way."

However Mr DChr(39)Arcy said his client was still young, had been working in the carpentry industry since leaving school and had been in no similar trouble before or since this assault.

Character witnesses gave evidence Gilbert was a "good bloke", a "fantastic worker" and his actions were "completely out of character".

Mr DChr(39)Arcy urged the judge to consider a suspended jail sentence and substantial fine instead of immediate imprisonment to demonstrate general deterrence.

However Judge Crossley noted "these middle-of-the-night brawls, assaults and drunken behaviour are endemic and in my experience sitting in this city fairly often, this city has a lot of these sort of offences and the issue of general deterrence is very important".

"Too much of this goes on in the streets of Ballarat and young people have to realise this is dealt with very seriously," he said.

Judge Crossley remanded Gilbert in custody for sentencing on Thursday.