A wedding venue unlike anywhere else
Hunter Valley Wedding Venue | Elopements, Micro & Bespoke Weddings | DIY weddings
Tucked away in Lovedale, in the heart of the Hunter Valley, our secluded estate spans 20 acres of native bushland and tropical rainforest gardens - a place where no two weddings look quite the same.
Whether you're dreaming of an intimate wedding, an elopement, a laid-back DIY celebration, or a fully tailored bespoke wedding, you can create a day that feels completely your own. Exclusively yours, bring the people you love, the suppliers you trust and the details that matter to you. We’ll give you an extraordinary place to bring it all together.
Does this sound familiar?
You’ve spent hours scrolling wedding venues. Manicured lawns, identical arbours, the same white chair set-up in a different paddock. The same ceremony, over and over. You want something that feels like a discovery. A place that feels like you.
A place to gather and celebrate, surrounded by nature. Maybe it’s the lily-covered ponds, the rainforest paths or the kangaroos wandering through the gardens.
Or perhaps it’s simply the feeling of arriving somewhere that doesn’t feel like a wedding venue at all. Somewhere your day can unfold slowly without the need to leave at the end of it all.
If you’ve been searching for a Hunter Valley wedding venue that feels like somewhere you actually want to be, rather than somewhere you simply need to get married - perhaps you’ve found it.
See it for yourself
Some places you just have to see to believe. Take a walk through the estate with Kristy - past the lotus pond, through the rainforest, across the overwater pavilion - and get a feel for what your day here could look and feel like.
This tour was created by one of our brides to be, Karelle, who fell so in love with Leaves & Fishes during her planning process that she wanted to share it with the world before she’d even said her vows.
We think that says everything.
Seen enough to start imagining your own day here? We’d love to show you around.
Which wedding experience suits you?
One very special place. Two ways to celebrate.
We offer two distinct ways to celebrate at our Hunter Valley wedding venue - each designed for couples who value experience over convention and who know that the best days feel personal, unhurried and completely their own.
Intimate elopements, micro & all inclusive wedding packages
2–55 Guests
For couples who want something personal, unhurried and completely their own.
Our intimate wedding experience includes elopements, ceremony only and micro weddings. Choose to DIY or for those seeking extra guidance our all-inclusive packages are designed exclusively for those who want to take the overwhelm out of planning — complete with our hand-picked list of trusted vendors and exclusive discounts.
Starting from $2,600 for ceremony only.
The whole estate. Yours to make your own.
For couples who want the freedom to create a wedding that feels completely personal, Entire Estate Hire opens up the entire property - more spaces, more possibilities and one extraordinary setting to bring it all together.
There is no standard Leaves & Fishes wedding.
You can bring the caterer you love, the florist who understands your style, the photographer you’ve been waiting to work with and the details that make the day yours.
Choose DIY and bring your own suppliers, or let us introduce you to our trusted creative partners and help as much, or as little, as you’d like.
Your wedding can move through the estate as the day unfolds - ceremony in the gardens, cocktails in the rainforest and dinner and dancing late into the evening.
Exclusive venue hire from $10,450 (varies by date, guest numbers and inclusions).
Entire Estate & bespoke wedding packages
50 - 150 Guests
Whatever your wedding looks like, the important things are taken care of:
Exclusive access to the property
Two nights accommodation for up to 12 guests, package dependent
Three day venue access
Freedom to choose your own styling and catering partners
Freedom to BYO beverages
A wedding weekend, for the people you love the most.
Your wedding doesn’t have to begin when the ceremony starts. Surround yourself with loved ones for the whole weekend, not just the day.
One of the most special things about getting married at Leaves & Fishes is that your closest people don’t have to leave.
Our four overwater Boathouses and The Villa sleep up to 12 guests, giving you somewhere to gather, stay and slow down together across the wedding weekend.
Arrive the day before. Settle in. Have a drink by the water. Wander the gardens. Wake slowly on the morning of your wedding. And when the last song has played, there’s no need to say goodbye just yet.
The next morning is part of it too - coffee on the deck, breakfast together, stories from the night before and a little more time with the people who travelled to be here.
For couples planning a destination wedding in the Hunter Valley, it means something more than having accommodation onsite. For a few days the estate becomes yours - and your wedding becomes a shared experience rather than simple a single day.
You’re not just booking a venue - you’re booking an experience your guests will talk about for years.
Hunter Valley wedding venue with accommodation.
Twenty acres. Endless possibility.
From water and rainforest to gardens, old architecture and open lawns, the estate gives you somewhere different to gather at every stage of the day. Ceremony in front of the colonnade. Drinks by the water. Long table dining beneath the rainforest. The whole day can unfold naturally across the property.
the COLONNADE
40 Seated dining / 90 Cocktail / 150 Ceremony
The European inspired colonnade provides the perfect backdrop for your intimate dining experience, cocktail hour or wedding ceremony.
the COMMONS
40 Seated dining / 60 Cocktail / 90 Ceremony
This intimate space is the perfect all weather option for reciting your vows or dining with your closest family and friends.
The Commons is the perfect place to host those smaller yet intimate dinners. Also great for recovery brunch or rehearsal dinner.
the OVERWATER PAVILION
55 Seated dining / 90 Cocktail + Ceremony
Perched above tranquil waters, our Overwater Pavilion is one of the most distinctive wedding settings in the Hunter Valley.
Perfect for smaller formal receptions or cocktail hour for those larger celebrations.
the LAWN
80 Seated dining / 150 Cocktail + Ceremony
Open, relaxed and beautiful in every season.
Perfect for ceremonies, long table dining and celebrations beneath the ornamental pear tree.
the RAINFOREST WALK
100 Seated dining / 100 Cocktail / 50 Ceremony
Celebrate beneath the lush rainforest canopy with a starlit long-table dinner or a relaxed cocktail gathering. Enveloped in vibrant greenery, this unique outdoor space offers a magical, nature-immersed atmosphere - ideal for a twilight affair.
the ASSEMBLY
90 Seated dining / 120 Cocktail + Ceremony
Set amid tropical gardens, The Assembly blends indoor elegance with outdoor charm. Ideal for formal receptions or relaxed cocktail events, this space features grand doorways that open to a spacious deck, manicured lawns, and the glow of a candlelit sunken Roman bath—creating a timeless, romantic backdrop.
the SUNKEN GARDEN
150 Seated / 150 Cocktail + Ceremony
Tucked into lush hedging and native bushland, the Sunken Garden is perfect for a Tuscan-inspired alfresco feast or a stylish marquee celebration. This expansive, versatile venue invites you to dine under the stars, surrounded by nature’s beauty.
Why couples choose Leaves & Fishes
More than a venue
The setting already has a story. You don’t need to create the backdrop from scratch. The ponds, rainforest, gardens, water, architecture and collected details are already part of the place.
Your people can stay. Your closest people don’t have to disappear into different hotels when the celebration ends. They can arrive, stay and experience the estate together.
You have freedom. DIY, BYO, all inclusive or somewhere in between. Choose the suppliers you love and create a wedding around what’s important to you.
You can actually be here. We’ll be thinking about what’s happening behind the scenes so you can stop thinking about logistics and start experiencing your wedding.
Planning a wedding should feel supported, calm and personal. That’s what we pride ourselves on.
What does your Leaves & Fishes wedding actually cost?
We don’t think you should have to enquire just to discover whether a wedding is within reach. No waiting around for a response, our interactive calculator shows you a full breakdown — venue, catering, florals, styling, photography and more — adjusted to your guest count, season and priorities.
It’s just a guide, not a commitment - built to allow you to add and remove options that fit within your budget.
A wedding you can be truly present for
Your wedding day will go quickly. We want you to actually remember it. The people you were surrounded by. The moment you walked down the aisle. The dinner. The speeches. The dancing. The little things you didn’t plan for.
Our role is to take care of what’s happening behind the scenes, so you can be completely present for what’s happening in front of you.
‘On our wedding day, Kristy anticipated things before we even thought of them and kept everything running seamlessly behind the scenes. Knowing she was there allowed us to fully relax and soak in every moment - which is the greatest gift you can give a couple.’
If you’re considering Leaves & Fishes, know that you’re choosing more than a beautiful venue. You’re choosing an experience built with heart and delivered by a team who truly care.
Could this be your venue?
If you’ve found yourself imagining your own wedding here, we’d love to hear about it. Tell us who you’re bringing, what you’re dreaming about and what matters most to you. We’ll help you find the right way to celebrate at Leaves & Fishes.
Complete the form below for instant access to our Wedding Guide - full inclusions, detailed pricing, and accommodation details
Or, if you’d rather just have a conversation first, reach out directly at hello@leavesandfishes.com.au - we’re real humans and we love a good chat.
As featured in
FAQs
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Yes, once you’re ready to book, we’ll issue a deposit invoice (25% venue hire & 50% planning fee) to confirm your date and begin the planning process.
The remaining payments are staggered across agreed milestones
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Absolutely. Every element from the vendor team to styling, ceremony flow, and catering is customisable. We’ll guide you through the process, so your day reflects your values, energy, and priorities.
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Yes, from our covered deck to the rustic Store or overwater restaurant, we have beautiful wet-weather options that require zero compromise on style or atmosphere.
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We require anyone not staying to be off the property by 11pm for weekend weddings and 10pm midweek.
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Yes, always and wholeheartedly. LGBTQIA+ couples, elopements, micro weddings, unconventional ceremonies — we're here for all of it. Love is love and Leaves & Fishes is a place for every kind of couple.
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Organise your guest list, a vision board, your wedding attire, alcohol and we will walk you through the rest!
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Absolutely! Please email us at stay@leavesandfishes.com.au to apply your voucher to your booking.
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Absolutely. Our BYO and DIY packages are designed for couples who want complete creative freedom. Bring your own caterer, alcohol, florist and suppliers — we provide the estate, the spaces and the support.
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We have two different room types, Boathouse 2, 3, 4 have a stone bath and overhead shower and Boathouse 1, our accessible boathouse with a double shower.
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Our double shower room (Boathouse 1) is fully accessible with ramp entry, close parking and bathroom supports. Please let us know in your booking if any further assistance is required and we will do our absolute best to accommodate.
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Each boathouse has a single parking spot directly beside it. More parking is also available adjacent to the boathouses.
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Once checked in, the boathouses are not serviced during your stay. Each boathouse is supplied with linens, toiletries and supplies for the length of your stay however if you need any top ups at all during your stay please feel free to contact us. For stays longer than 3 nights an appropriate day and time to provide an included service will be organised with you on the day of check-in.
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The lotus typically bloom from November through to March. The water lilies, closer to the edge and underneath each boathouse deck usually flower from September to May.
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We allow small pooches (up to 11kg) in Boathouse 1, our accessible shower boathouse. Please contact us to introduce your pooch and for more information.
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By Car
• From Sydney: Take the M1 north towards Newcastle, then follow signs to the Hunter Expressway (M15) and take the Lovedale Road exit. The drive takes around 2 hours.
• From Newcastle: Take the Hunter Expressway (M15) west and exit at Lovedale Road. We’re about 50 minutes from Newcastle.
• From Cessnock: Head north on Wine Country Drive, then turn right onto Lovedale Road. We’re about 10 minutes away.
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Yes. Wedding viewings can be arranged for couples considering Leaves & Fishes for their celebration.