The 17 Best Auckland Wedding Venues
As a wedding photographer based in Auckland, I have been in the industry for over 7 years, photographing more than 200 weddings, and have put together a list of Auckland’s best wedding venues to help you out on your search for a venue. I’ll share some key information about each venue and what makes it special. The list is in no particular order but I can guarantee all these venues are awesome in their own way. This list has been updated for 2021.
Auckland spans over an extremely large and diverse region and as a result, it has no shortage of amazing wedding venues. From the wineries and rugged coastline in the west, the happening inner-city spots, the sprawling countryside and rolling hills in the south, the numerous islands in the Hauraki Gulf, to the stretching sunny beaches of the north. Auckland will absolutely have something to suit your taste.
If you have any questions about a specific venue or anything wedding-related at all, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me, I’m always happy to help.
1. Mudbrick
Mudbrick is one of the most popular Auckland wedding venues and for good reason. Located on Waiheke Island, offering stunning views, incredible food and manicured grounds, Mudbrick transports you to a Tuscan paradise. There are plenty of great onsite photo location options and the venue has a perfect view of sunset. Mudbrick has one of the best indoor ceremony options in Auckland, so you don’t have to worry about rainy weather. Only a 5 minute drive from the Waiheke ferry terminal. Mudbrick can seat up to 126 people including a wedding party table and are able to accommodate a variety of wedding sizes from large to intimate. To see more photos and information about Mudbrick you can check out my Mudbrick Venue Review here.
2. Kauri Bay Boomrock
One of the newest additions to the Auckland wedding scene, they have done a great job. This place has it all - situated on top of a hill in Clevedon with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The Lodge is a beautifully designed building that is modern and classy. Indoor and outdoor ceremony options, incredible food, unique entertainment options for your guests including extreme golf right next to the ceremony area. Filled with a bunch of great onsite photo locations, as well as having an incredible sunset lookout spot atop a hill makes this place a photographer’s dream. Boomrock can seat up to 200 guests. To see more photos and learn more about Kauri Bay Boomrock check out my venue review here.
3. The Officers Mess
The Officers Mess is a stunning venue located at Fort Takapuna on Auckland’s North Shore. With an incredible ceremony location that offers views out over the water and of Rangitoto Island. There is also the option to have your ceremony up on top of the Fort Takapuna reserve or the beach below - permits can be acquired through DoC for these spots. The Officers Mess has a very classy yet relaxed feel to it. The nearby gun forts at Takapuna Head and the picturesque Narrow Neck Beach offer some really unique nearby photo locations. The Officers Mess can accommodate up to 160 seated guests. For more information check out their website here.
4. Nocton Woolshed
A restored Woolshed done right, situated on a beautiful property in Clevedon with a stunning view of Maraetai. If you’re wanting a rustic wedding venue without having to DIY everything yourself, Nocton Woolshed the perfect choice. BYO catering let’s you have the freedome to choose what kind of food you’d like to serve your guests - I’ve seen food trucks, buffets, DIY sliders and taco stations - an awesome opportunity to do things your way. Beautiful large reception area with tables and chairs provided that match the building and nail the rustic aesthetic perfectly. A sweet little spot at the top of a hill for sunset seals the deal and makes me want to shoot here again and again. Suitable for weddings with up to 120 people. Check out my venue review to see more photos and information here.
5. Markovina Estate
Markovina Estate is a venue based in Kumeu. The grounds itself have a bunch of different options for photos and are super diverse from long grassy fields to manicured gardens. The ceremony takes place in a lush garden area and has an indoor ceremony space (which is connected to the reception building) so all your guests will stay warm and dry if we’re dealing with some bad weather. The reception space itself is filled with greenery and vines growing through the ceiling - if you love greenery then you’re going to love Markovina. Plenty of great locations nearby but also no need to go off site for photos. Markovina can seat up to 170 guests. To see more photos and information about Markovina you can check out my Markovina Venue Review here.
6. Little Wilderness
Little Wilderness is one of the newest wedding venues in Kumeu, a family run venue that provides an eco-ethical option for your wedding. Looking out to 30 acres of regenerating native bush and orchards, there’s plenty of spots for your ceremony, photos and reception - quite simply this place is a photographer’s playground. They provide far more than a DIY event experience with dedicated catering space, accessible bathrooms, chairs + tables and vintage furniture galore. The modern shed space is full of industrial character and serves as a neutral backdrop that requires minimal decoration. As they are not a winery nor a restaurant, you can bring BYO alcohol, food trucks or your favourite caterers at no extra cost. For more information, pictures and packages check out their website here.
7. Boutique Barn
Boutique barn is a beautiful rustic venue set in the rural backdrop of Puhoi. With two Red old kauri barns joined together, with little pockets of vintage goodness. A long stretch adjoins the two barns and provides the perfect place to set up a long table for a romantic reception setting. The venue is suited to intimate celebrations, catering to weddings 1-50 guests. For more information view their website here.
8. The Stables Matakana
The Stables is a rustic country venue in Matakana. Surrounded by the Matakana countryside and just a short drive away from Omaha and Tawharanui beaches you’ll be feeling relaxed having your wedding here. With the option to have your ceremony on an expansive lawn or at the onsite St Andrews Church (the church seats 100 people with a capacity of 120). The Stables itself is a large red rustic barn like building, the interior is cosy with brushed concrete feature walls and the use of Macrocarpa wood. Two large fireplaces at either end of the reception the atmosphere of the space makes this the perfect venue for a winter wedding. Oh and for the animal lovers, this place is dog friendly and there’s even the option of a horse and carriage if that floats your boat. The Stables can accommodate up to 150 guests. For more information about The Stables check out their website here.
9. Tūranga Creek
Tūranga Creek is a modern rustic vineyard venue located in Whitford - 30 minutes from the CBD. The reception building is a room filled with warmth and light, lots of windows offer views out to the vineyard. If you want to see a buffet menu done right, this is the place to go - quite possibly my favourite buffet menu out there. Outdoor ceremony spot with a backdrop that gives you Tuscan vibes. Lots of amazing onsite locations for photos. The reception space comfortably seats between 30 and 130 guests, with the option to extend the space for more people with a marquee. To get more details about pricing and the venue visit their website here.
10. The Barn Waimauku
The Barn in Waimauku is the ultimate DIY wedding opportunity. A rustic old corrugated iron barn in the countryside of Waimauku - this place is the perfect canvas for all your DIY decorating ideas. If you’ve always dreamt of a whimsical forest wedding then this place will make your dreams come true, as they have the most stunning forest ceremony location on site. So many great nearby photo locations too - just a hop and a skip away from Muriwai or Woodhill Forest. Catering is totally BYO, so you can do whatever food your heart desires - if you ask me though, a spit roast or a low and slow barbeque is quite well suited to the vibe here. For more information check out their Instagram (preferred contact channel) here. To check out more photos from a wedding here, check out this blog post.
11. Kumeu Valley Estate
Kumeu Valley Estate is a rustic barnhouse style wedding venue in Kumeu. They have beautiful outdoor and indoor ceremony options. The outdoor ceremony space is in some really nice even shade which means beautiful clean light even on a sunny day and nobody will be staring into the sun. The indoor ceremony spot is set in front of a fireplace which makes it perfect for a cosy winter wedding or rainy day. The venue itself is warm and inviting with high timber ceilings and they offer really great buffet style food for receptions. For more information check out their website here.
12. The Boat House - at The Riverhead
The Boat House is located on the banks of the Rangitopuni Stream in Riverhead and is the site of New Zealand’s oldest Riverside Tavern. The ceremony spot is right under a huge historic Oak tree, overlooking the river. They also have a permanent marquee which can been used as a wet weather ceremony option or for a canapes and seating area during the mingling hour. There is no shortage of places for your guests to sit down and enjoy themselves in this little slice of paradise. The reception building is large and filled with three long tables which looks great! The Boat House can seat up to 140 guests. For more information check out their website here.
13. The Hunting Lodge
The Hunting Lodge is located in Waimauku and can accomodate 60-250 guests, depending on what kind of wedding day you have in mind. A modern custom-built black barn, situated on an 80 acre winery. The team at The Hunting Lodge work hard to make sure you have the day you want. Something unique they offer is the option to choose where you’d like to have your ceremony - I’ve photographed several weddings here and each ceremony was at a different spot. They also have a restored 1975 vintage caravan that they serve drinks from, and a wet weather ceremony option both right next to the reception building. Only a 15 minute drive from Muriwai means you have some incredible photography locations just down the road. Oh and did I mention golf carts? To see more photos and information about The Hunting Lodge you can check out my Venue Review here.
14. Mantells Tamaki Drive
Mantells Tamaki Drive is a venue that embodies elegance. They have transformed what was once an old Navy League building in Orakei into a venue that is modern and minimalist. The space is filled with light and is a joy shoot in. If you know the name Mantells you already know they do great food - the wedding I shot here recently has a 9 course menu and it was amazing. With an indoor ceremony space you don’t need to stress about rain. The venue is positioned across the road from the ocean and boasts views of the water with Auckland city in the background. Centrally located with a bunch of nearby photo locations, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Check out my venue review to see more photos and information here.
15. Morningside Glasshouse
This new venue is centrally located in the cool kids suburb that is Morningside. If you want the best of both worlds - urban/industrial and an abundance of greenery, then this stunning huge glasshouse is the answer. Such a unique space that offers a lot of flexibility and options in how you choose to set it up for your wedding. No need to worry about what the weather is doing with the indoor ceremony space. A variety of catering options available to you means more options to suit your taste. The Glasshouse can seat up to 180 but there is no minimum requirement of people. To get more details about pricing and the venue visit their website here.
16. Jonkers Farm
The ultimate slice of paradise, 540 acres of incredible landscapes, located on the West Coast of Auckland. If you want to do a DIY wedding properly this is the place to do it. I mean, does arriving at your wedding in a vintage Land Rover truck sound good to you? Jonkers Farm has been used as a filming location for a bunch of commercials, TV shows and movies and it’s no surprise why - rolling hills of beautiful countryside in every direction. Basically, if you want your wedding to be an adventure in the most epic of places then you’ve found the venue for you. With BYO catering available you can really customise your wedding day by bringing in any kind of catering, from all your favourite food trucks, to low and slow barbeque, or degustation style, and how about some Smores by the fireside to finish up the night! The Farm is your canvas and there are so many different ways to set up your wedding. Definitely get in touch with Jo and she’ll have plenty of recommendations for caterers and reception tents etc. For more information, you can check out the Jonkers Farm website here.
17. Abel Estate
Formerly Gracehill Vineyard, now Abel Estate, this venue has undergone some serious renovations & upgrades, elevating the venue to something new entirely. The lush grounds give plenty of options for photos, including a lake with jetty. The ceremony space is in front of a white Rotunda, with lovely light pavers that bounce light perfectly. The reception space looks fantastic and modern, a light filled space. Abel Estate can seat 100 guests. For more information about the venue you can view their website here.
If you have any questions or would like to know my thoughts on a particular venue, please get in touch - I’m always happy to help out!
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