Wellington Wedding Venues
- elodiebridal
- Nov 29, 2023
- 3 min read
It is difficult to choose a wedding venue sometimes, but a good starting point is to have a go at your guest list first. If you are having a wedding on the larger side, then this will automatically rule out the smaller, more intimate venues.
Once you have a rough idea of attendee numbers, you can then think about if you want a venue that uses their own caterers or do you want to choose your own? Choosing a caterer, or doing a DIY is a whole other topic!
Wellington, as a region in terms of wedding venues, covers 3 main areas: Wellington & Hutt Valley, the Kapiti Coast/Horowhenua, and the Wairarapa. Most couples tend to choose a venue closer to where they live, but others see this as an opportunity to travel an hour or 2 to have a perfect location.
There are, of course, other factors to consider too. Do you want to have the ceremony at the same location? Will the time of the year be a factor? Nearby locations for photographs? Accommodation nearby for those travelling? Indoors vs outdoors or a combination of both? As well as considering access for those less mobile.
Some venues are very popular, and these will book up quickly - especially for summer Saturdays! But if you have more flexibility, consider a week day, or other time of the year. Winter (off season), and midweek, can also mean that a lot of venues will offer a cheaper rate - so this is worth exploring too.
Wellington/Hutt valley Venues:
Foxglove https://foxglovebar.co.nz/functions/
Ohariu Hills https://www.ohariuhills.nz/
Zealandia https://www.visitzealandia.com
Whisky & Wood https://www.whiskyandwood.co.nz/
The Pines https://www.thepines.biz/
Dowse Art Museum https://dowse.org.nz/venue-hire
Wallaceville House https://www.wallacevillehouse.co.nz/wellington-wedding-venues/
Silverstream Retreat https://www.silverstreamretreat.co.nz/weddings
Lower Hutt Events Centre https://lowerhutteventscentre.co.nz
Aston Norwood Gardens https://www.astonnorwood.co.nz/weddings-events
NGĀ HAU E WHĀ O PAPARĀRANGI https://nhewop.org.nz/202-205.html
Erskine Chapel https://www.erskinechapel.co.nz/spaces-for-hire
Gear Homestead https://www.gearhomestead.co.nz/venue-hire
Boulcott's Farm Golf Club https://www.boulcottsfarmhgc.co.nz/functions
Angus Hotel https://theangus.co.nz/ currently renovating to become a wedding venue
As well as these mentioned, it is well to remember that various restaurants, bars, hotels etc will happily host a wedding reception.
Also worthy of a mention are the various community type halls dotted around Wellington, i.e Khandallah Town Hall, Seatoun Village Hall, Breaker Bay Community Hall, and also the likes of Surf Clubs etc
This is also a useful website: https://wellington.govt.nz/.../cou.../weddings-and-functions
Wairarapa Venues:
Lacewood https://lacewood.co.nz/weddings/ is now on the market to be sold - check carefully
Tarureka Estate https://www.tarureka.co.nz/wedding-packages
Rose & Smith https://www.tarureka.co.nz/wedding-packages
Landing at Homebush https://www.landingathomebush.co.nz/wellington-weddings
Lake Ferry Hotel https://www.lakeferryhotel.co.nz/wairarapa-wedding-venue
Castle Point Wool Shed contact = https://castlepoint.co.nz/?fbclid=IwAR3GZ1waaQJ2NgBPC90nVOWiPfl7uPS2gJ2RUOvCrpcIZzyB2HHCL32fzi4
Martinborough Tree Church https://www.martinboroughtreechurch.co.nz/
The Claremont Motel & Apartments https://www.theclaremont.co.nz/weddings
Burnside Church Email burnsideweddings@hotmail.com to receive your Welcome Guide
Lansdowne House https://www.lansdownehouse.co.nz/Weddings.htm
Weddings in Greytown https://www.greytownvillage.com/weddings
And LOTS of the vineyards will also host a wedding i.e. Parehua, Ata Rangi, Coney Wines, etc
Kapiti Venues:
The Milk Station https://themilkstation.co.nz/weddings/
Sudbury https://sudbury.co.nz/
Anam Cara Gardens https://www.anamcaragardens.co.nz/wedding-package-pricing-and-info-copy
Paraparaumu Golf Club https://www.paraparaumubeachgolfclub.co.nz/weddings-and-function-hire?ComeFromCat=1441
Waihoanga River Lodge https://waihoanga.co.nz/2019/10/25/planning-your-wedding/
Atwood Gardens https://www.atwoodgardens.co.nz/
Plimmerton Boating Club https://www.plimmertonboatingclub.org.nz/venue
Toi Toi at Waikawa Beach https://toitoivenue.co.nz/
Tatum Park https://www.tatum.co.nz/services/weddings
Some of these venues will supply absolutely everything! Or you may choose a venue where you have to do/organise absolutely everything!
Or you may choose a venue that combines a mix of the two.
Many couples are also keen on a very outdoor space and have opted to use the likes of Kaitoke or Belmont Regional Parks. These are public parks and so you cannot ‘reserve’ an actual area. However, it is generally accepted that if you and/or your caterer puts up a marquee or whatever, that the public will give you the space to yourselves.
Whichever venue you choose, always be clear from the beginning what your budget is; stick to your budget and don’t let it spiral out of control.
And before you commit, make sure all your other vendors can accommodate your chosen venue (location) and date; ie, hair & make up, caterer, celebrant, band/DJ, photographer, etc
Happy venue hunting!
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