The Hunting Lodge - Wedding Venue Review
The Hunting Lodge is a newly launched Kumeu wedding venue. Just a 35 minute drive from Auckland CBD and only a a 15 drive to the stunning Muriwai Beach! A serene venue located in the wine countryside capital of Auckland.
The team at The Hunting Lodge work together to help you coordinate and host your dream wedding day!
Ceremony Locations
The Hunting Lodge gives you the option to have your wedding ceremony anywhere you’d like on their 80 acre property. The two most popular locations are down in front of the vineyards, or in front of the black barn for a modern ceremony. There is also a wet weather ceremony option, with series of awnings that run alongside the black barn.
Photo Locations
In terms of photo locations there are options on site that you can get amongst and enjoy the golf carting experience to get around (always a blast). There are also a huge variety of stunning locations available off site which I’m always a sucker for. There’s an amazing forest only a 5 minute drive away, a stunning nearby private property which I have a relationship with the owners for, and of course the stunning west coast landscapes and forest down at Muriwai Beach.
The Reception
The reception building is freshly built and they have done such a great job. The interior is refined and clean. With a polished cement floor, white tongue and groove timber walls, and modern geometric light fittings. The provided grey wash timber tables and matching chairs fill the space beautifully. This is the kind of space that quite simply always looks good. Go crazy with the styling, or keep it simple, either way is a win. The Hunting Lodge provides the perfect canvas.
There are a handful of different ways the tables can be arranged to your preference. The weddings I’ve photographed here have been 80-130 guests and there was always room for the dancefloor without having to move tables. The lighting is also sufficient for photography, which is always appreciated.
Food
The food at The Hunting Lodge is awesome. They have the best at grazing tables, regularly putting together a grazing table overflowing with goodness. The presentation of everything is stunning and of course delicious.
The Hunting Lodge is all about the sharing is caring philosophy. Offering a shared menu, where all your guests enjoy a unique dining experience and get to try all the delicious foods. Besides the food, The Hunting Lodge of course offer their own range of wines to your guests. For dessert you have the choice of plated desserts or platters of sweet treats.
All refreshments are served via ‘Jerry’ a renovated 1975 caravan, situated in the courtyard. People love it and the fact that this is included with the venue is a real bonus.
Dancefloor
The outdoor space next to the black barn is the perfect place for a fireside first dance. If you’d prefer to kick of the dancefloor inside too that’s also an option available to you and might make sense if you have a live band setup inside. The wooden pillars inside the reception building are also a useful feature on the dance floor that guests love to use.
Night-time Vibes
The indoor outdoor flow between the barn and outside area is really good, with a bunch of seating that is available to all your guests to sit outside for an evening breather. The fire is kept crackling for some fireside chats, and the caravan continues to serve refreshments into the night. As you can see below one of my couples setup a photobooth here too.
Getting to the Venue
Travel to The Hunting Lodge is easy. Only a 35 minute drive from Auckland Central. There is a large an accomodating carpark right next to the reception building which provides plenty of parking and easy accessibility for guests.
More Information
Getting Ready: In terms of accomodation for getting ready locations there is a place right next door called The Vineyard Cottages. They actually back onto The Hunting Lodge property which makes them a really hand place to get ready. They have multiple cottages too. Check them out here.
Capacity: The Hunting Lodge can accomodate up to 250 people.
You can check out The Hunting Lodge’s website here to learn more about their packages and pricing. www.thehuntinglodge.com/weddings
Email: events@thehuntinglodge.com
Physical Address: 305/307 Waikoukou Valley Road, Waimauku, Auckland 0882
If you have any questions for me about The Hunting Lodge or anything wedding related feel free to shoot me an email: jonathan@jonathansuckling.com
Or if you’re interested in having me as your wedding photographer then hit that contact button below!