McGuigan House Open Day

McGuigan House recently marked a milestone moment: its very first wedding open day. Having watched the property evolve over the years from a much-loved family home into one of the Hunter Valley’s most beautiful wedding venues, it was a genuinely special day.

Set in the heart of wine country, McGuigan House embodies understated luxury. It’s elegant without feeling too formal, polished without losing its warmth. History and modern hospitality coexist effortlessly here, and seeing engaged couples wander through the gates of this Wedshed Managed property - imagining ceremonies on the lawn, sipping wine in the marble-clad Conservatory Bar and chatting with the vendors who could bring their day to life - felt for us like a proud parent moment.

This open day wasn’t just about showing off a beautiful venue (though McGuigan House certainly did that). It was a celebration of a journey years in the making. Owners Meg and Luke have invested immense care, time and heart into restoring and reimagining the property, transforming it into a refined, one-of-a-kind Hunter Valley wedding venue designed to hold love stories of every shape and size.

A house with history and a future full of weddings

One of the things couples comment on most when they visit McGuigan House is how it feels. There’s a sense of calm here. Of intention. Set on 10 picturesque acres, the original home has been lovingly restored, with its bones respected and its details elevated. Light pours through the rooms and the Conservatory Bar invites lingering conversations. The lawns have been purpose-built for stunning outdoor ceremonies, champagne toasts and golden-hour strolls.

For the open day, guests flowed easily between indoor and outdoor spaces, getting a true sense of how a wedding day might unfold - from ceremony to canapé hour, from long lunch to dancing under the stars. A marquee on the lawn demonstrated how McGuigan House effortlessly accommodates larger guest lists while still feeling intimate and cohesive.

The power of collaboration

An open day is only ever as good as the people behind it and this one was a true celebration of creative collaboration. Managed by our sister business Wedshed Managed, the day brought together some of the industry’s most respected and genuinely lovely vendors. The energy was warm, relaxed and generous - no hard selling, no pressure, just honest conversations and shared excitement.

Styling across the ceremony and marquee spaces by Lovers Lane Weddings and Events struck a perfect balance between romance and restraint, allowing the venue’s natural elegance and incredible landscaping to shine. Florals by Petal Bang complemented the setting beautifully, while additional floral moments throughout the house and canapé areas by The Wilds added softness and texture at every turn. Stationery by Designs to Adore tied it all together with thoughtful, tactile details.

Inside the dining room, Studio Arden reimagined the space with a refined, editorial eye, showing couples how versatile and atmospheric the interiors can be. Outside, the marquee by Katalane felt anything but temporary, thanks to layered linen, furniture and thoughtful styling that transformed it into a true extension of the home.

Food, wine and the joy of lingering

If there’s one thing that brings people together, it’s good food and the open day delivered in spades. Catering and beverages by Gallivant and Aplenty gave guests a taste of what wedding dining at McGuigan House can be: generous, seasonal and genuinely delicious. Add a cake by Butter Bakery, gelato by Spoon Bay Gelato and coffee by Cohort Coffee Roasters, and suddenly “just popping in” turned into a leisurely afternoon.

Wine flowed courtesy of Lisa McGuigan Wines, grounding the experience firmly in its Hunter Valley setting. Guests sipped, chatted and lingered, exactly as you’d hope they would on a wedding day.

Music, moments and memory-making

Live music by The White Tree and Fine Lines Entertainment provided the soundtrack to the day while celebrants Stand by Jaime and Married by Adam were on hand, chatting through ceremony ideas and reminding couples that the words spoken on the day matter just as much as the setting.

Photographers Alex Marks Photography and Jason Corroto Photo captured the atmosphere beautifully, while Cut and Carried documented the day on video. Offset Portraits added a playful twist with live photo portraits, giving couples a keepsake from the day itself.

Behind the scenes, Capture the Love and Veiled Socials were creating real-time content, ensuring the magic extended well beyond the gates of McGuigan House. Even the practicalities were elevated, with Luxury Loos NSW proving that yes, even the bathrooms can be beautiful.

More than an open day

What made this open day feel different was that it never felt transactional. It felt celebratory. Acknowledging not just where McGuigan House is now, but everything that led it here. The years of planning. The restoration. The decisions made with care and long-term vision in mind.

For couples, it offered clarity - a chance to walk through a space and feel how their wedding might unfold. To meet the people who could help bring it to life, ask questions, gather ideas and leave feeling inspired rather than overwhelmed.

For us, it was a reminder of why McGuigan House belongs in the spotlight. It’s a venue with soul and substance and a sprinkling of fancy.

To every couple who came along, connected and celebrated with us - thank you. And to the incredible vendors who poured their creativity and energy into the day: this one was something special. McGuigan House is ready for its next chapter, and if this open day was anything to go by, it’s going to be a beautiful one.

CREDITS: Venue - McGuigan House // Planning and management - Wedshed Managed // Photos - Alex Marks Photography and Jason Corroto // Video - Cut and Carried // Live photo portraits Offset Portraits // Design and styling Lovers Lane Weddings and Events and Studio Arden // Florist - Petal Bang and The Wilds // Stationery - Designs to Adore // Catering and beverages Gallivant and Aplenty Food // Cake Butter Bakery // Linen and furniture hire Gallivant // Music The White Tree and Fine Lines Entertainment // Content Capture The Love and Veiled Socials // Beverages Lisa McGuigan Wines // Marquee Katalane // Celebrant Stand by Jaime and Married by Adam // Bathrooms Luxury Loos // Gelato Spoon Bay Gelato // Coffee Cohort Coffee Roasters.