When I got married, one of the first things decided on was the venue.
It has often been said that any truly memorable event starts with the space – not only is it the first thing your guests will see when they arrive, but the atmosphere you choose will be a direct reflection of what you like and love. It will also serve as the backdrop for many of your wedding photos, so you really want to choose a space that you’ll love to look at for years to come.
Season is also a significant consideration – if you’re looking for hot, sunny days and an outdoor location, you really have to plan in advance, especially if you’re looking to secure an in-demand wedding venue on popular weekends. You can save a substantial amount by having an off-peak or winter wedding, just make sure the venue you select has a great indoor vibe, or that you have a rainy day plan in place if not.
If you’re in the market for a special venue for your big day, here’s a selection of some of the best that Auckland has to offer:
Auckland Museum
Auckland Museum bills itself as ‘the city’s most prestigious venue’, and you have to admit that it does make quite the impressive backdrop! With its striking neo-classical architecture and majestic columns, the museum provides an elegant scene in which to set your wedding ceremony and reception, and superb photo opportunities are a given. You can hold your wedding within the splendour of the marbled Grand Foyer with its dramatic columns and spectacular stained-glass ceiling soaring three floors above. Or wow your guests in the Event Centre, with its stunning copper dome and breathtaking, 360-degree views across the city.
Mantell’s Mount Eden
Located in the heart of Mount Eden Village, inside a building once used by the Auckland telephone exchange, Mantell’s really is something special. And despite it making such an architectural statement, it is surprisingly easy to tailor to your personal style and works at any time of year. The interior, with its high ceilings and chandeliers, is just one of its many charms — there’s also the beautiful outdoor courtyard, reminiscent of a villa in Tuscany with its hidden corners, carefully considered landscaping and fireplace. Owner Annette Mantell (who ran the acclaimed French Cafe for 16 years), ensures that the fare on offer is fine dining standard and plentiful, which was key for my own wedding where I definitely didn’t want people to go hungry.
The Sapphire Room at Ponsonby Central
Masquerade balls, weddings, private parties, conferences, art exhibitions, awards dinners, markets, Bar Mitzvahs and fashion shows – it’s safe to say that at Ponsonby Central’s Sapphire Room, they’ve seen it all. With its high ceilings and air of industrial chic, it is a venue that can be dressed for any occasion, whether small and intimate or stylish and grand. The perfect venue for an intimate urban wedding, the recycled wooden floors give The Sapphire Room the feel of a cool urban loft and you can choose from one or two rooms depending on the size of your guest list. The main area is divided by giant, barn-style sliding doors into two significantly sized rooms, with one featuring a huge kitchen bench that doubles as a bar complete with bar stools. There is also a hidden room which can serve as a cloakroom, hair and makeup room, as a place to tuck away any technical equipment or as a quiet retreat away from the party.
Mudbrick Vineyard & Restaurant
Located on gorgeous Waiheke Island, Mudbrick Vineyard & Restaurant has been chosen as the perfect ‘destination’ wedding location by thousands of couples over the years – and with good reason. Truly picturesque and again lending a Tuscany-meets-Aotearoa vibe, Mudbrick is found nestled amongst manicured, aromatic potager gardens and acres of established vines. The first thing your guests will see are breathtaking views across the Hauraki Gulf, and you can choose from several spots around the property for your ceremony depending on what you’d like your chosen backdrop to be. It goes without saying that the vineyard’s Gold Medal award-winning wines are there to be enjoyed, whilst the fare on offer features freshly picked, seasonal produce straight from the gardens.
Orphans Kitchen
Ponsonby favourite Orphans Kitchen is another great wedding venue that I hadn’t previously known was available as such until I started asking around, and I’ve heard only amazing things. A truly unique space – the restaurant is inside a narrow Victorian villa built in 1912 – it has white washed walls, long, rustic, macrocarpa dining tables and a winding stairway to the second story, making it perfectly suited to those who are after an intimate city wedding with style. As well as truly inspired cuisine, they have three separate dining spaces to choose from: a private dining room, courtyard and main dining room.
Augustus Bistro
Helmed by the same team as Mudbrick, but at a much closer to our neighbourhood locale, Augustus Bistro is situated in the historic Ponsonby Post Office building and is the perfect spot to relax and celebrate your wedding day. The private outdoor courtyard is seated, planted and has a beautiful awning for sun cover, making it a great place for your ceremony, arrival drinks, canapés, mixing and mingling and boasts a beautiful outdoor fireplace.
The elegant garden room and dining areas are adorned with thriving indoor plants, including huge indoor palms, hanging baskets, high ceilings and indulgent fabrics that provide the perfect backdrop for celebrations. They can seat up to 95 people for a wedding comfortably, or 150 for canapé-style standing reception.
(HELENE RAVLICH)