A Canadian-Australian Fusion | Intimate Summer Wedding at Leaves & Fishes, Lovedale

January 5th, 2026

When planning a destination wedding in the Hunter Valley, few venues capture the region's relaxed luxury quite like Leaves & Fishes in Lovedale. With its iconic boathouses floating over the lotus lake and sunken rainforest gardens, it is usually the outdoor scenery that steals the show.

But as any good wedding vendor knows, you have to plan for the variables.

For Ernest and Andrew, who traveled all the way from Canada with their nearest and dearest, the Australian summer decided to turn up the volume. With the mercury rising, we made the call to pivot from the outdoor rainforest ceremony to the cool, architectural beauty of the restaurant space.

The Pivot - Beating the Heat with a Reverse Altar Walk

The original plan was an outdoor ceremony, but the heatwave had other ideas. This is where choosing a versatile venue like Leaves & Fishes pays off.

Instead of forcing 40 guests to melt in the sun, the couple and their team executed a brilliant reverse altar walk. The guests were seated comfortably inside the air-conditioned timber space under a canopy of fairy lights. Ernest and Andrew greeted their guests with high energy in a space that felt intimate, cool, and exclusive.

It wasn’t just a "Plan B"; it was a masterclass in reading the room. The energy was electric, lively, and completely focused on the couple rather than the temperature.

The Styling - Ethereal Australian Natives

The brief for the day was Ethereal Australian Natives, a perfect homage to the location for a couple visiting from overseas.

House of Hydrangeas brought this vision to life spectacularly. Stepping away from the traditional soft pastels, the floral design embraced the bold, architectural shapes of Australian flora. We saw deep reds, vibrant greens, and structural King Proteas framing the timber doors.

The styling didn't just look good, it felt grounded. It anchored the Canadian couple in the Australian landscape, even while indoors. The contrast of the grooms’ crisp cream ilk tuxedo and pineapple silk traditional Filo barong against the dark, moody reds of the native arrangements created a cinematic look that was a dream to capture. Well done to House of Hydrangeas and Bay Window Events!

The Atmosphere - A Lively Micro-Wedding

With a guest list of just 40 people, Ernie and Andrew’s celebration proved that micro-weddings often hold the most energy. The smaller numbers meant every single person in that room was a core part of their story. The energy was HIGH and it was clear this couple came from Tinder to Down Under to slayyyyy and slayyyy they did!

The ceremony, led by the incomparable Marry Me Zoe, was far from a stiff formality. It was full of laughter, storytelling and a genuine celebration of their journey from Canada to the Hunter Valley. We had feet stomps, cheers and so much laughter!!! See the video below to view the ceremony.

As a content creator, these are the weddings I live for. The structure was there (thanks to Bay Window Events keeping the logistics tight), but the moments were spontaneous and real. From the emotional vows to the champagne tower that kicked off the party, the day was a perfect example of how to host a destination wedding that feels effortless.

The Takeaway

If you are considering a Leaves & Fishes wedding, let this be your permission slip to embrace the indoor options. Whether it’s 40 degrees or raining, the venue’s interior offers a textured, warm and cinematic backdrop that requires very little dressing to look incredible.

Ernie and Andrew came for the Australian sun, but they stayed for the warmth of the people, the place and a party that didn't stop.