waiheke weddings

The top 15 best wedding venues in New Zealand

Here’s my unofficial list of the best Wedding Venues in little old New Zealand

Here’s my unofficial list of the best Wedding Venues in little old New Zealand

The Best Wedding Venues in New Zealand

Having shot over 200 weddings, I’ve been to my fair share of locations and venues throughout New Zealand. Here’s my unofficial list of the best wedding venues for your wedding day.

Whether you’re looking for a some minimalistic, italian inspired architecture, a beautiful winery or a place with a bit of soul and rustic charm. Check out the list below.

Feel free to get in touch if you’re after more info and drop me a line at hello@davidle.co.nz

Kauri Bay Boomrock | Auckland

Set on a stunning private 500 acre Clevedon property with expansive coastal views over the Hauraki Gulf. Each venue has been specifically designed to suit unique requirements. It is one of Aucklands premiere wedding venues, with stunning views and a top class team who help run your day.

Featured wedding Chelsea + Brad featured on Together Journal | Website Kauri Bay Boomrock

Old Forest School | Tauranga

The name of the venue says it all. It’s the Old forest School. A school that has been converted into a little hipster boho wedding venue settled in the forests of the Bay of Plenty.

A school hall, a tennis court and a few wooden sheds - it’s a hipsters paradise.

Featured wedding Ash + Darcy featured on Wild Hearts | Website Old Forest School

Black Barn Vineyards | Hawke’s Bay

Set just around the corner from the spectacular Te Mata Peak. Black Barn is a multi function venue which can hold multiple weddings on the same day. With a number of different ceremony spots available and the plus side of the sunny Hawke’s Bay weather, its a great place to get hitched.

Featured wedding Rebecca + Callum featured on NZ Weddings | Website Black Barn

The Milk Station | Otaki

The Milk Station is one of my favourite venues not only in Wellington but in New Zealand. Situated a hour between Wellington and Palmerston North in the small beach town of Otaki. Italian inspired architecture, beautiful gardens and plenty of onsite accommodation and parking - it’s the total package.

Featured wedding Polly + Rhys on Together Journal | Website The Milk Station

Tarureka Estate | Featherston

After a venue with a bit more soul and that rustic charm. Tarureka Estate location in Featherston in the Wairarapa is the perfect venue. With onsite homestead and cottage for you and the family to get ready and a handful of options to hold your ceremony from out on the tennis court law or upstairs in the loft, this place is truly special.

Featured wedding Amanda + Ryan on Together Journal | Website Tarureka Estate

Poppies | Martinborough

A classy, modern and minimalistic winery found in the heart of Martinborough. The crew here run a tight ship and if you’re after a team to provide you with a structured day, the team at Poppies deliver. Concrete walls and floors and plenty of sweeping winery views are close by in the Wairarapa.

Featured wedding Ryan + Charlotte featured at Sink or Surface | Website Poppies

Orlando Country | Palmerston North

Orlando Country is one of the premiere wedding venues in the Manawatu. Situated just over hour and a half from Wellington and a couple minutes from Palmerston North city. If you’re after a venue with a great team, good food and a driving range, look no further than this gem in Palmerston North.

Featured wedding Alana + Rob featured at NZ Weddings Mag | Website Orlando Country

Cossars Wineshed | Christchurch

Cossars Wineshed has a nice relaxed feel about it. A bit of romantic French Provincial style thrown together with some Kiwi country flavour. It’s not fussy but it’s not too rustic either. A casual sophistication is what we’re going for.

Family-owned business with a professional team who are dedicated to creating wonderful experiences for you from beginning to end.  We make sure that our newlyweds are wanting for nothing, that guests feel pampered and every celebration flows beautifully. 

Featured wedding Amy + Joel featured on Christchurch Weddings | Website Cossars Wineshed

Sudbury | Te Horo

Sudbury is a 40 min drive up from Wellington City and around a hour from Palmerston North. A old horse stable turned into an all in one wedding venue with a ceremony area overlooking farmland of Kapiti and a beautiful rustic clean space with concrete floors give a rustic feel with a modern and minimalistic twist. The option to BYO alcohol without any corkage charge is also a big drawcard. Shoutout for the designated photographer car park too, brownie points.

Featured wedding Ben + Jessica at Sudbury | Website Sudbury NZ

Dekens Barn | Taranaki

Dekens Barn is a rustic farm located in the Oakura township, with views of the Taranaki coastline and the Timaru Stream. If you’re after a rustic feel to your wedding day and a beautiful blank canvas to work from, Dekens Barn is the perfect venue.

Featured wedding Mark + Ellen at Dekens Barn

St George’s Restaurant | Hawke’s Bay

Catering from 30 guests up to 300, With its multipurpose, beautiful spaces exchange your vows in their secluded grape vine patio, mingle around the outdoor bar, utilise natural foliage and settings for keepsake photographs of those special to you.

Seat your guests for a formal meal, walk and fork, or graze and sip before the arrival of your wedding band.

Featured wedding St George's Restaurant featured on Wild Hearts | Website St George's Restaurant

Nocton Woolshed | Clevedon

This rustic event venue - it is a converted sheep shearing shed (woolshed), with an amazing view and beautiful bush surrounds. Nocton Woolshed is designed for events up to 120 people and provides a great space for special occasions - in particular weddings.

Featured wedding Lisa + John at Nocton Woolshed | Website Nocton Woolshed

The Red Barn | Waikato

The Red Barn was originally built in the 1860’s as a livery stable. stagecoaches & traders would exchange their horses for the long journeys across the Waikato that today we take for granted.

Now converted into a modern rustic wedding venue in the heart of the Waikato.

Featured wedding Emily + Rhys featured on Paper & Lace | Website The Red Barn

Meadowood House | Hawke’s Bay

Meadowood is ideally situated off State Highway 50, between Napier and Hastings, and only 15 minutes from Hawke’s Bay airport. The wonderful wineries of Hawke’s Bay are on our doorstep, as are cycle trails, golf courses, markets, galleries, and so many more recreational options. Or simply stay on site and ramble across to Zeffer Cidery and sample some of their award-winning ciders on a typical hot Hawke’s Bay day. 

Featured Wedding Sarah + Kieran at Meadowood House | Website Meadowood House

Chelsea and Brad at Kauri Bay Boomrock

Chelsea and Brad and a little choas and harmony during the sparkler photo, yeeeow!

February is always coming into the most hectic time of year and I started off my 1800km North Island road trip with Chelsea and Brad’s wedding at Kauri Bay Boomrock whose wedding was first of 3 for little old Dave.

If you could do the perfect wedding and mix in plenty of banters, the perfect amount of tears, special guest appearances from Sonny Bill Williams, Christian Cullen, Reuben Wiki and Steve Hansen and mix it with the most epic day, this would be it.

My heart was full and over flowing from this one - cant wait to share more, but for now here’s heaps.

www.davidle.co.nz

Venue Kauri Bay Boomrock City Clevedon, Auckland, New Zealand | Wedding Dress Made with Love Bridal | Rings / Bride The Village Goldsmith, Groom Paul Taylor Jewellers | Bridesmaid dresses  The Stockroom | Band Mixtape Brothers | Florist Lila Rose Floral Co | Lighting La Lumiere | Dessert (Gelato Cart) Mister Gelato | Signage/Place names Moxi Designs | Hair Styled by Ashlee | MUA Shannon Simons (friend and Bridesmaid) | Celebrant Martin Mackenzie (family friend) | Cake Rachel Wilcox (family friend) | Co Shooter cowgirl Andrea Stephens