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A Sydney couple is facing an unthinkable reality after a massive blaze destroyed their wedding venue two weeks ahead of their special day.
Fire services worked to extinguish the blaze; however, the main building was destroyed, with nearby buildings also damaged.
Mitch Wildman and Lisa Perry, who were due to be the next couple to get married at the heritage venue, have been left scrambling to find a new venue.
“It’s horrible, there’s no other way to describe it,” the groom-to-be told Today.
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“We picked up the wedding dress, we picked up the suit.”
Later that day, the couple received a text message from Wildman’s nephew with the bad news.
“He happens to live out there,” Wildman said.
“He said ‘have you heard? Loxley is on fire’. I don’t know how to describe it, my heart just dropped, horrible.”
The fire has been a double blow for Perry, who lost her father a few weeks ago.
“It’s been really overwhelming, with dad passing away eight weeks ago, it’s been a lot to get through,” the bride-to-be said.
“Putting the wedding in front of my mind and my family’s mind is something we’ve been looking forward to.
“It’s like another thing has been ripped away, not just for me but for everybody.”
The couple has received an outpoouring of support from family, friends and wedding venues.
“That’s what really makes a difference,” Perry said.
“It’s something you don’t imagine going like this.
“It takes a lot of money and a lot of hard work to get a wedding, it’s extremely emotional.
“All we can do now is hope the money that’s tied up in the venue eventually comes back.
“With 13 days to go, it’s a big adventure and a big task we’re taking on to try and make it happen.”
Firefighters had the fire under control by 10.30pm but remained on scene into the morning to control spot fires in the debris.
Police are still investigating the cause, although it is not currently being treated as suspicious.
A 40-year-old man is currently in hospital after suffering burns to his face while attempting to extinguish the fire.
The Loxley on Bellbird Hill in Kurrajong has been the place where countless couples have tied the knot for decades.
