A golden hour welcome party for Sydney’s newest farm-style wedding venue

We recently hosted an official launch event at The Rise at Canoe Grounds - a new, family-owned Sydney wedding venue that is truly one-of-a-kind. Proudly managed by us (check out Wedshed Managed) it’s a farm-style property with serious scale, a calm countryside feel, and multiple purpose-built spaces designed for weddings that feel both effortless and elevated.

Thanks to an incredible team of vendors, the event was a beautiful, relaxed and joy-filled afternoon that rolled on into the evening and showcased exactly what sets this unique wedding venue apart. Guests arrived in the late afternoon and quickly found their rhythm - grabbing a drink and a seat in the sun, wandering through the grounds, and taking in the sheer size of the property. It’s the kind of place where you can actually explore without it feeling like a hike, and the layout makes it easy for people to move around, mingle, and settle in.

The launch

One of the things we loved most about the evening was how easy and well-paced it all felt. No one was rushing from moment to moment - guests could chat, graze, take photos, and soak up the atmosphere while getting a feel for the different areas of the venue (in no particular order).

And because The Rise at Canoe Grounds has multiple spaces, the event naturally gave guests a sense of how a wedding day could flow. There’s a purpose-built chapel for ceremonies, an all-weather bush pavilion that works beautifully for receptions, plus open lawn areas and pockets of the property that can be styled up or kept simple depending on the kind of celebration you’re planning. It’s flexible without being vague - there’s structure here, but it’s not prescriptive.

Other perks

Another thing guests loved? The fact that The Rise isn’t just a stunning event space, it’s also designed for wedding weekends. The venue sleeps 16 guests on-site across beautifully designed tiny homes, including some with outdoor baths. And for couples with a large guest list or who want to turn it into a multi-day celebration, Petit Nomad Glamping can set up luxury glamping tents on the property too.

A venue with heart (and serious potential)

The Rise at Canoe Grounds is one of those venues that feels both impressive and personal - expansive and well-equipped, but still warm, welcoming, and full of heart. And it's because of the people behind it. The family who own and operate this new venture are also at the helm of Glenorie Bakery (a local institution and - rumour has it - home to Sydney's best meat pies), and there were plenty of moments that made it feel personal - including the owners’ kids offering guests a tour of the property in the golf buggy. Their presence and generous hospitality gave a sense of warmth and familiarity that you can’t really manufacture.

The best kind of catering

Glenorie Bakery handled catering and beverages, and no one left hungry (or even close). In fact, the food was a major highlight (which obviously didn't come as a huge surprise). There was plenty to graze on throughout the evening, plus pizzas making their rounds and disappearing at impressive speed.

It was generous, unfussy, and exactly the kind of crowd-pleasing food you want at an event like this - delicious, easy to eat while chatting, and genuinely abundant.

Styling moments and thoughtful details

Our go-to wedding stylist, Sub Subtle (see more of her work here) brought the entire event to life with styling and florals that felt modern, natural and intentional - the kind of styling that complements the landscape rather than competing with it. Paired with hire pieces from Event Hire Sydney and Lovesick Weddings, the whole setup struck that sweet spot between elevated and approachable.

There were also little details throughout the event that made it feel like more than a venue tour, including a massage offering (slightly unexpected, extremely appreciated), plus plenty of other details and moments all perfectly captured by legends Elliott Karmer (photos), The Jade Loft (video) and By Your Side Socials (one of our favourite wedding content creators).

A magical evening

As everyone enjoyed the most perfect sunset (honestly one of the biggest selling points here in our opinion), Fine Lines Entertainment set the tone with live music that kept the atmosphere feeling upbeat and social without taking over the whole space - the perfect vibe for a launch where people wanted to mix and mingle and enjoy the serenity.

And then came one of the venue’s standout features: 500 metres of festoon lighting, stretching across the property and completely transforming the space as the evening rolled in. Once those lights flicked on, everything felt instantly warmer and more celebratory - the kind of glow that makes guests want to stay for “just one more drink” (and maybe a dance, because weddings with live music are always more fun).

CREDITS: Photos Elliott Karmer // Video The Jade Loft // Venue The Rise at Canoe Grounds // Venue management and coordination Wedshed Managed // Styling and florals Sub Subtle // Content creation By Your Side Socials // Live music Fine Lines Entertainment // Glamping tents Petit Nomad Glamping // Catering and beverages Glenorie Bakery // Hire goods and furniture Event Hire Sydney and Lovesick Weddings.