THE TOP VENUES
Waikato and Bay of Plenty
Check out my favoutie Things about these wedding venues in the waikato and bay of plenty
I've done this wedding thing just a couple of hundreds times and I can definitely share what I love about the places I've been lucky to get to shoot at!
Te Puke, Bay of Plenty
Old Forest School
If you wanted a venue that has it all and so many different photo options, this is it. Forest. Donkeys. Paddock. Indoor ceremony & Photo options. outdoor dance floor.
THINGS I LIKE ABOUT THIS VENUE
The outdoor dancefloor is amazing
The gardens are so stunning with so many options for beautiful photo backdrops.
Gorgeous indoor ceremony options
Cool and quirky photo opportunities like visiting and feeding the donkeys or playing some tennis.
A drop dead gorgeous vine covered barn as your first dance backdrop.
Plenty of space for outdoor mixing and mingling during the cocktail hour as well as space for lawn games and of course the tennis courts which are always a great attraction to keep your guests entertained.
An epic venue owner, full of helpful hints and amazing advice.
Little to no reception. Now you might not see this as a good thing but if you ever wanted your guests to pay attention and be in the moment with you on your wedding day. This is a great way to encourage that, no reception means no checking those phones!
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Only a 30 minute drive from Papamoa and 40 minutes from Tauranga.
Hamilton, Waikato
Narrows Landing
15 minutes south of Hamilton city, The narrows landing wedding venue is definitely one to check out. with everything taking place on site it's perfect for those wanting less travel!
THINGS I LIKE ABOUT THIS VENUE
Gorgeous getting ready on location suites for the guys and for the girls!
The corn field where the sunsets.
Plenty of guest parking on site, no need to organize buses to the venue for your guests!
The spacious reception room, perfect for entrances and performances.
A drop dead gorgeous vine covered barn as your first dance backdrop.
An indoor and outdoor cocktail hour space, with lots of options for things like a ice cream truck!
The stair case entrance to the reception. Plus the staircases in the venue itself make for great photo opportunities!
An indoor dance floor space in the reception area, meaning no stressing about your first dance and whether it's going to rain or that your DJ or band worrying that their equipment will get soaked in the weather.
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Literally 15 minutes from Hamilton City so plenty of close accommodation options for your guests from out of town!
Ohaupo, Waikato
Vilagrad Winery
With hamilton city just 16 minutes away vilgrads is an awesome and close choice for beautiful weddings where you two don't want to have travel anyway on your big day!
THINGS I LIKE ABOUT THIS VENUE
On location bridal suite and home for plenty of space for both of the couple to get ready at the venue.
Sunsets in the vines, obviously. Or the corn.
Cool backdrop areas around the venue like the old concrete building.
Spacious reception area, with a stage for the band or DJ to be set up above the crowd.
Always yum food, and a buffet line area that is hidden away from the reception area.
Lovely staff, every time I've been here they're all so lovely.
An under cover ceremony location that still feels like you're outside, but you never have to worry about rain for your ceremony because of.
Grape vines in the reception area. Everywhere!
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An awesome outdoor mingling space for your guests before they enter the reception area for dinner.
Plenty of onsite space for your guests to park, meaning you don't have to worry about organising a bus to the venue. The accommodation is on the other side of the property so any early arrivals won't get in the way of your finishing touches if you choose to get ready onsite too!
Te Miro, Waikato
Te Miro Woolshed
26 minutes from matamata and 40 minutes from hamilton city, te miro woolshed is perfect for those that want a backyard garden feel with food trucks and forest & lake vibes for their photos.
THINGS I LIKE ABOUT THIS VENUE
A gorgeous ceremony spot with a stunning tree backdrop and a pretty aisle walk in.
Photos in the nearby pine trees, obviously
Room for your favourite food or ice cream truck to keep all your guests happy!
A indoor outdoor style reception area with a less formal style set up.
A covered option for your ceremony, incase the weather does decide to gift you a little good luck rain!
The easiest driveway option with gorgeous garden vibes for your family and group photos.
You can watch the sunset right from the reception area, while your guests hang out on the lawn playing lawn games or roasting marsh mellows.
Plenty of parking at the venue for your guests.
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Nice and close to Matamata and plenty or air bnb's in the area so you don't have to travel to far on the day.
Not only have you got the nearby pine trees at the mountain bike park and the lake there as a photoshoot location, you've also got the paddock on site at the venue for sunset AND, if you want, some epic sunset views on the side of the road within a few minutes drive.
Cambridge, Waikato
The Henley Hotel
just 30 minutes from hamilton, the henley hotel is one of the most elegant wedding venue options in the waikato.
THINGS I LIKE ABOUT THIS VENUE
All the beautiful brick architecture, I mean just look at this place!
Beautiful driveways and pathways for photos.
Beautiful on site getting ready accommodation. Always a bonus.
Room for the most stunning marquee set ups, check out the blog to see!
Ceremony locations that are so dreamy and nice and shady for your guests in Summer!
The hotel backdrop with the lamp posts for sunset and blue over photos. Because just look!
Plenty of parking on site for your guests and vendors throughout the wedding!
So much room for outdoor mixing and mingling.
VISIT The Website
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Super close to Hamilton and even closer to Cambridge with a less than 10 minute drive so your guests can easily stay locally to the venue!
Tamahere, Waikato
Woodside Estate
Woodside estate is just 20 minutes south of hamilton and features so many options for your wedding photos along with a stunning ceremony spot!
THINGS I LIKE ABOUT THIS VENUE
The stunning ceremony spot with the seating already taken care of for you!
The outdoor mingling area for cocktail hour.
Lots of different backdrop options for your photos including a gas station and multiple bridges.
One of my favourite shaded first look locations, on the wooden bridge with the detailed railing!
An awesome and close sunset spot on site, where the sun comes through the trees.
Parking for your guests and a drop off point in front of the venue's front doors.
The field of long grass for sunset photos or blue hour photos to create something a bit different.
Umbrellas in the outdoor mingling area, these are key.
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Photo locations that aren't right next to your guests, so that you can have some privacy while having your photos taken.
Ohaupo, Waikato
The Tree Church
An easy 20 minute drive from Hamilton, the tree church is one of the most stunning and unique venues in the waikato with both an Indoor and outdoor reception area.
THINGS I LIKE ABOUT THIS VENUE
The tree church, because how could you not be impressed with this beautiful church.
The grounds themselves are stunning.
Both an indoor and outdoor reception area, allowing for a wet weather option.
On site accommodation for both of the couple to get ready at the venue.
The selection of photo backdrop options from both driveway areas, the birch trees, the church itself, the road outside at sunset, the pond, the various areas of the flowering gardens and so much more.
Parking for your guests and a drop off right in front of the church when you arrive to the ceremony.
The mixing and mingling parachute area is a great meeting space pre-ceremony or for cocktail hour.
The lovely, lovely owners are so amazing.
VISIT The Website
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A truly unique venue, I haven't seen anything quite like The Tree Church in all my weddings in New Zealand.
Lake Ōkāreka, Rotorua
Longfords
Less than 20 minutes from Rotorua, Longfords Lake Okareka wedding venue combines elegance with beautiful rual backdrops and a stunning drive way feature!
ThINGS I LIKE ABOUT this Venue
Easy close paddocks for photographs along with the stunning driveway and lake in the background.
The ceremony lake backdrop.
For walking down the aisle brick garden entrance for the bride is stunning.
Multiple options for sunset or blue hour that look all look epic and give different vibes.
The mixing and mingling area for the cocktail hour is perfect for your guests to take selfies, have something to eat and just generally have a great time before the reception starts.
Parking onsite for your guests. Bonus it is out of sight of the ceremony photos.
The staff are so incredibly lovely and professional every time I visit this venue.
A private drop off point for the bride when she arrives.
VISIT The Website
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Shaded locations for family photos and perfect spots for earlier in the day first looks and photos if you wanted to have less interuptions to your schedule.
Taupiri, Waikato
Woodlands Estate
Just 20 minutes out of hamilton city, woodlands is a stunning venue with so many photography spots and a beautiful vibe all year round.
ThINGS I LIKE ABOUT this Venue
Varied photo spots from driveways, gardens, flowers, mature trees and the buildings themselves.
Plenty of guest parking.
The option for indoor and outdoor reception areas which can both be dressed amazingly.
An awesome wedding coordinator and staff, always super friendly and easy to work alongside.
Covered (for the couple) ceremony locations as well as exposed to nature along with varying backdrops for your ceremony.
Super close to Air bnb's and Hamilton itself for guest accommodation.
Has a cute little getting ready suite for the bride or groom on the day of the wedding.
The villa looks stunning in night photos as an epic backdrop.
VISIT The Website
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Shaded areas which work perfectly for first looks as well as earlier sunset photos where the sun comes through the trees beautifully.
Gordonton, Hamilton
Zealong Estate
17 minutes from the Hamilton cbd, Zealong estate is perfect for those that want a venue that offers a beautiful ceremony option, reception space and awesome photo spots too!
ThINGS I LIKE ABOUT this Venue
A beautiful venue that's super close to Hamilton, with plenty of accommodation options nearby.
Plenty of guest parking.
Variation in the photo locations from the drive ways, pathways, pagoda, tea fields and the building exterior.
An onsite accommodation venue for getting ready in, perfect for couples that don't want to travel far.
A covered (for the couple) ceremony location with a beautiful backdrop at the venue for those wanting to get married onsite.
An outdoor space perfect for mixing and mingling before the reception starts.
An indoor reception area, perfect for small to medium weddings.
An impressive building exterior, making it feel like a gorgeous and fancy venue.
VISIT The Website
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A driveway for photos that is large enough to fit big wedding parties without cramming you all in!
Cambridge, Waikato
Kaipiro Boatshed
Only 15 minutes from cambridge, the kaipiro boatshed looks stunning at all times of year with it's gorgeous drive way photo locations.
ThINGS I LIKE ABOUT this Venue
A beautiful garden venue with lots of onsite photo locations.
Guest parking onsite.
Photo locations include a waterview, multiple spots along the drive way and a field.
A gorgeous indoor reception area with an indoor outdoor feel.
A gorgeous outdoor ceremony location that looks gorgeous at all times of year with a backup indoors for wet weather in the reception area.
Super close to Hamilton and Cambridge for plenty of accommodation options.
An airbnb right next door for the bride and groom to get ready or to stay the night of the wedding.
Extremely lovely staff onsite, with delicious food options too.
VISIT The Website
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Most importantly, Duck Island ice-cream.
Waihi, Waikato
Waterlily Gardens
Just over an hour from hamilton and 30 minutes from waihi, the waterlily gardens is a beautiful garden venue in waikato!
ThINGS I LIKE ABOUT this Venue
The stunning ponds, pathways and gardens are perfect for your photographs!
Multiple ceremony locations onsite.
On site accommodation for the bride or groom to get ready for the weddding.
The water lily ponds allow for cool drone photo backdrop opportunities!
Only 15 minutes from Waihi there are lots of accommodation options for guests staying in the area for the wedding.
A beautiful indoor reception area as well as the mixing and mingling area outside.
Plenty of lawn for mixing and mingling as well as lawn games.
Onsite parking for your guests.
VISIT The Website
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Manicured garden areas as well as more wild settings and the drive way to create a beautiful variety of images.
