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A Romantic Garden Wedding in the Australian Countryside

A Romantic Garden Wedding in the Australian Countryside

Bride Georgia Hayes weds in new season Kyha Studios at a dreamy pink villa dotted in elegant red roses and dramatic drapery

A Romantic Garden Affair in the Australian Countryside

Inspired by the charm of an Italian countryside estate, Georgia and Max tied the knot at the romantic Redleaf in Wollombi, New South Wales. The ceremony unfolded against the villa’s dreamy dusty pink walls as the couples said their vows and were framed by deep red roses and flowing silk installations. Following the ceremony, guests sipped cocktails and champagne in the enchanting garden before moving into a Hampton-style marquee adorned with candlelight, scalloped umbrellas, and vintage candelabras hand-collected by the bride. An intimate mood and personal touches—like handwritten letters at each place setting—made the evening feel deeply intentional. As night fell, tambourines shook, music swelled, and the dance floor became the heart of the reception, capturing the energy and joy that defined the day.

A Romantic Garden Affair in the Australian Countryside

Our Love Story

^{The Day We Met}

Max and I first met on a summer evening in 2019 at the iconic Esplanade Hotel. Our eyes met across the courtyard, and in that moment, it felt like we had known each other forever. The following week, I returned to the Esplanade with a few girlfriends, hoping to run into Max again and actually get the chance to meet him. It felt like fate when, within minutes of arriving, I spotted his handsome smile in the crowd. We were introduced by mutual friends, and it happened so naturally. We spent hours at the bar, completely immersed in conversation, laughing, and sharing stories. By the end of the night, we had already agreed to meet again the next day for a date at Marion Wine Bar—and, well, the rest is history.

^{The Proposal}

The proposal came five years later, and it was a moment so perfect it felt like something straight out of a fairytale. We had just arrived in Positano on the fifth week of our European adventure. On our third afternoon on the Amalfi Coast, we had planned a sunset cruise around the islands, followed by dinner at the Le Sirenuse Hotel. As we made our way back into Positano's port, Max asked me to be his forever with the sun setting behind us. It felt like time stood still as I said yes, knowing our love story was only just beginning. We ran through the streets of Positano, laughing, kissing, and dancing, completely lost in the moment. After our intimate candlelit dinner at Le Sirenuse Hotel, we FaceTimed our closest friends and family back in Australia. We spent the next five days exploring Italy in our own little love bubble.

^{The Engagement Ring}

Our engagement ring is a one-of-a-kind, custom design crafted by a local jeweler in Melbourne. Max and I had been shopping together when I stumbled upon my dream ring—a modern twist on a classic design, which we affectionately call the "East West Oval." I had gathered inspiration images from Pinterest (since no stores in Melbourne carried East-West designs at the time), and that's when Max took these ideas to our jeweler. I entrusted him with the finer details and the overall design while sharing my vision for the perfect combination: the iconic East West Oval paired with gold hardware.

Our Wedding

^{The Vision}

The vision for our wedding was to create a romantic, fresh, and clean atmosphere that felt deeply personal. I wanted our guests to feel as though they were in our home or backyard—comfortable and at ease. Redleaf in Wollombi was the perfect venue, and we carefully selected every styling element to complement the already romantic, Italian-inspired setting. Our goal was for our guests to feel appreciated and relaxed, which was reflected in the personal touches we incorporated, such as custom stationery, handwritten letters, and photo frames displayed during cocktail hour.

^{Our Team of Vendors}

It was crucial for Max and me to surround ourselves with a team of vendors we trusted and felt comfortable accepting help from. I spent a lot of time researching local vendors in the Hunter Valley, Newcastle, Sydney, and Melbourne to ensure we found the best fit. As the big day approached, Max and I felt completely at ease and in control, thanks to the support of our creative and meticulous wedding planner and stylist, Chloe. The day itself ran seamlessly, and all of our local and interstate vendors worked together effortlessly, supporting us throughout the entire planning process.

^{The Location}

Our venue, Redleaf in Wollombi, NSW, is a truly magical and iconic private property. It was the only venue we visited in person, and we ended up booking it the very next morning. Matt, the owner of Redleaf, is incredibly passionate about guest experience, and that passion shines through in every detail, from the beautiful gardens and landscaping to the carefully chosen furniture and décor. It was a dream experience, and I’m so glad we chose this stunning interstate destination for our nuptials.

A Romantic Garden Affair in the Australian Countryside

^{The Ceremony}

Our ceremony took place in front of the iconic dusty pink villa, beautifully framed by vines and roses. We chose this location on the property for its stunning oak tree, which cast a gentle shade over the pebble-strewn ground, creating an intimate, cozy atmosphere—almost like being in a friend's Tuscan backyard farm.

We infused our ceremony with romantic touches, including a towering arrangement of deep red roses cascading into the ground, perfectly complemented by our elegant ivory silk draping backdrop. These two elements harmonized beautifully with each other and with the villa, creating a breathtaking and unforgettable setting.

^{The Cocktail Hour}

Our cocktail hour took place in the enchanting champagne garden, a space that felt truly magical. We had carefully curated styling moments in every corner, offering our guests a chance to indulge in a Veuve champagne tower, Aperol spritz, live jazz music, and a saxophonist, all while enjoying a wide range of delicious canapés from Pepi’s. The space was thoughtfully designed by Matt, featuring a flowing water fountain and hedges that lined the area, creating a serene and elegant atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.

^{The Reception}

Our reception was held under a beautiful Hampton marquee, adorned with scalloped umbrellas and cocktail lounges, offering our guests comfort throughout the night. The marquee featured a stylish Hampton bar and a matching DJ booth, with three long banquet tables surrounding the space. The flowers reflected our romantic Valentine’s Day weekend theme, with rich deep reds, soft blush pinks, and creamy whites. Over the course of twelve months, I curated a collection of organic, secondhand candelabras to complement our sand-colored and white French linen tablecloths. As the sun set, the marquee was illuminated by hundreds of ivory single-point candles, creating a warm, intimate glow.

^{The Special Touches}

Max and I spent months curating the perfect wedding favors, and we were so excited to share them with each of our 110 guests. We wrote a heartfelt, handwritten letter to every guest, sealed with a personalized wax stamp, and placed them on their plates as they arrived at our sit-down reception. It was truly magical watching our guests open their letters once seated—the emotions on their faces were priceless as they read the memories, moments, and love we poured into every word. Max and I have always cherished letters, so we also incorporated this sentiment into our cocktail decorations. Five years ago, Max wrote me a letter and signed off with, "I can't wait to marry you, I love you so much <3 Maxy." I kept that letter, scanned it, and had his words printed on our cocktail napkins for our guests to enjoy with Pepi’s catering. These small, personal touches are what our guests still can’t stop talking about.

^{Our Favorite Moment}

It truly felt like we were living out a romantic comedy. Max and I were overjoyed as we entered our reception in our custom second looks, overwhelmed by every emotion imaginable. We galloped into the Hampton-style marquee, shaking tambourines to the upbeat tune of Young Hearts Run Free. Once we hit the dance floor with our bridal parties, the DJ, Seani, played Freed From Desire, and our saxophonist, Dave, added the perfect magical touch. Surrounding us were 110 of our favorite people, dancing, shaking personalized tambourines, Aperol spritz in hand, singing their hearts out, while Max lifted me up and spun me around. It was all captured effortlessly by our photographer, videographer, and content creator, preserving the pure joy and magic of the moment.

Our Style

^{The Bridal Looks}

I wanted every part of my bridal wardrobe to reflect different aspects of my personality. It all started at our welcome drinks, where I embraced my everyday style in a cream, relaxed silhouette by Henne, featuring a high side split. For our rehearsal dinner at Redleaf on Valentine’s Day, I opted for something flirty— a handmade Raphaella Santana dress from Barcelona.

On the morning of my wedding, I roamed around in a silky lace ivory slip from Maison Essentiele, setting the perfect tone before I later laced up my custom Kyha Studios wedding gown. In April 2024, I met with Kyha to discuss every detail of my dream dress, The Winton, and she hand-sketched my vision with meticulous care. The result was everything I had hoped for: a drop waist with effortless draping that cascaded into a train. The hero of the gown was the lace-up corset, which hugged and tapered down, adding an intimate twist to the already timeless design— the perfect balance of classic elegance and modern edge.

Kyha and I also created another custom gown for my second look— a piece I could slip into effortlessly, like a silky lace slip. It featured a deep plunge back, draped lace, a bold neckline, and a striking split. Kyha flawlessly blended the fabrics, and I felt nothing short of stunning in this design, which will be released alongside The Winton in the April 2025 collection. Choosing my party look was an absolute no-brainer— it had to be a strapless corset paired with a sheer sequin maxi skirt. This dynamic duo was sexy, comfortable, and perfect for the dance floor. Lastly, for our Slim Aarons-inspired recovery afternoon at Redleaf the following day, I wore a poolside lace maxi from Lovers and Friends by Revolve, topped with a Vernon silk headscarf— the perfect nod to the effortlessly glamorous theme.

^{The Groom Looks}

Max designed a custom tuxedo with YSG Tailors in Melbourne, striking the perfect balance between timeless, modern, and subtly traditional. His tuxedo featured a single-breasted design with exaggerated silk peak lapels, combining classic elegance with a contemporary edge. He paired it with a crisp white shirt with a hidden placket, tailored black trousers with a 6cm high silk waistband and side tabs, and a velvet oversized bow tie to tie it all together in the most sophisticated way. For the reception, Max switched into a fresh white shirt with black metal studs and a cream tuxedo jacket, adding a stylish and refined contrast. YSG Tailors also created bespoke tuxedos for the entire groom’s party and our fathers, ensuring that each look was tailored to perfection.

^{Our Bridesmaid’s Looks}

My five bridesmaids and I were drawn to earthy-toned gowns, as they perfectly complemented the venue, our styling vision, and—most importantly—made everyone feel comfortable. I searched high and low for the perfect never-seen-before bridesmaid dress and finally discovered Grace Loves Lace’s bridesmaid collection. We instantly fell in love with the Dillon Dress in espresso brown— it felt effortlessly chic and just right for the occasion. The deep espresso shade paired beautifully with petite blush pink bouquets accented with a touch of deep red— a color palette my florist, Gabby, brought to life so beautifully. To complete the look, the bridesmaids wore bone-colored pointed heels and silver accessories, adding the perfect finishing touches to their elegant ensembles. A Romantic Garden Affair in the Australian Countryside

Our Advice

^{For The Planning Process}

Surround yourself with a team you trust. Do your research to find vendors who not only align with your budget, vision, and overall vibe, but also take the time to get to know them through coffee dates, Zoom calls, texts, and phone chats. Having a team you’re comfortable with will ensure that when the big day arrives, you'll have familiar faces around you, putting your mind at ease. Secondly, the planning process can be challenging, especially when it comes to committing to briefs and styles. But remember, the team you choose is there to help and guide you. Don’t be afraid to speak up and create as many mood boards as you need to communicate your vision clearly. This will help you feel more relaxed in the lead-up, knowing that you’ve left the details to the professionals who understand exactly what you want.

^{For On The Day}

It’s easier said than done, but if you follow the advice above, your morning will be calm and relaxed. Take the time to enjoy every moment from having breakfast, to showering, dancing around the kitchen, watching your best friends get glammed, opening heartfelt letters, and capturing photos. Relish in the excitement of getting glammed up, popping that first bottle of champagne, slipping into your gown, seeing your parents, and then waiting to walk down the aisle. It’s the little moments that stick with you the most. Don’t sweat the small stuff, and remember, you have an entire tribe of people supporting you, so lean on them when needed! Stand by your partner's side throughout the day because it goes by so quickly. I promise, if you do that, you’ll never forget holding hands, kissing, and cherishing those sweet moments together as core memories. A Romantic Garden Affair in the Australian Countryside

^{For Post-Wedding}

Just like the post-engagement period, make sure you enjoy the time after the wedding too! Enjoy being married, opening letters together, having your first date as a married couple, and introducing your partner as your husband or wife to everyone. Relish in the joy of re-living your special day by sharing your favourite memories through photos and videos. The wedding planning process can be stressful, so after the big day, make sure you both take moments to reflect, de-stress, and ease back into reality. It can be a bit of an adjustment once all the celebrations are over, but taking time to reconnect and enjoy each other’s company is so important.