Our top Wellington wedding venues

Wellington and the Kapiti Coast has a range of wedding venues for your ceremony and reception. This list showcases different venues with links to their websites where you can access more information!

Anam Cara Gardens

Anam Cara Gardens offers 10 acres of serene garden settings, an indoor venue and two separate spaces for getting ready making it the perfect venue for your day. Their venue has capacity for up to 120 guests, includes a modern commercial kitchen for caterers and a bar for BYO. Pick from 6 different ceremony locations and many areas for photos, including the beach which is only a short drive away for sunset photos.

BOOMROCK

Boomrock Lodge is an out of city experience with panoramic views across the Tasman sea. The clifftops are a perfect spot for your outdoor wedding ceremony and The Lodge can comfortably seat up to 120 guests or 140 cocktail style. Their resident chef Warren Maddox will design a menu to suit your requirements and budget. Boomrock is a 30 minute bus ride from the CBD or a 6 minute helicopter transfer. They also offer fun activities for guests during cocktail hour like clay bird shooting and golf.

SUDBURY

Sudbury is a Kapiti Coast wedding venue set on a ridge overlooking a valley in Peka Peka, 40 minutes north of Wellington City. Dinner in the stables can seat up to 150 guests and their catering partner Mark Harman brings a delicious dining experience while you provide BYO alcohol with no corkage fee. The venue offers a range a stunning photo backdrops and is only a short drive from the beach if couples would like sunset photos. The onsite accommodation Cottage 103 is the perfect spot for getting ready.

OHARIU FARM

Ohariu Farm is a countryside venue found only 20 minutes outside of Wellington CBD. Their in-house catering team will cater for weddings with up to 230 guests seated and 450 standing. Their menu is prepared on-site using fresh and organic ingredients. Their wedding packages can include lawn games, a prosecco wall, a mobile gin bar and a golf driving range.

DOCKSIDE

Dockside is a venue and restaurant located on the edge of the Wellington waterfront. The Main Deck downstairs can seat 140 guests and features an opening roof, so it’s perfect for any weather and large enough to host your ceremony and reception.

Lighting tips for your Wedding Reception

Wedding receptions can be a challenging environment for photographers. Most venues will have low light conditions once it gets dark and artificial lighting from the dance floor can mean there are a lot of uncontrollable variables. A good photographer will be able to adapt on the spot to any lighting condition, but there are a few things we can prepare for in order to get better photos. Putting more thought into the design of your wedding lighting can add a lot to the atmosphere of your reception.

LIGHTING TERMS

Here are a couple of lighting terms that you’ll want to know before asking your vendors for quotes:

Uplighting – lights that are placed on the floor and shine up the walls in various colors
Gobo light – a template that light shines through to create a pattern, monogram, or motif on the floor, ceiling, or wall
Texture lighting – the same as a Gobo light but with a preset pattern, such as leaves or a starry night sky
Spotlight – a lamp that projects a narrow beam of light on one particular area or object
Pinspot – a tiny light used to illuminate a small area, such as a centerpiece on a table
String lights – also referred to as twinkle, fairy, bistro, or cafe lights, these strands of lights are the most versatile and cost-effective way to light up any space
Pendants – also known as drop or suspender lights, these are single fixtures that hang from the ceiling
LED light – type of bulb that is cost-effective, long-lasting, and provides more vibrant color than a traditional bulb
Color wash – a general fill of color used throughout an entire room that doesn’t highlight any particular area
(Information sourced via: Junebug weddings)

DECIDE ON A STYLE

Decide on the atmosphere and style that best suits your ideas and venue. Candlelight and fairy lights work great for romantic and classic lighting. If your style is glamourous, look for more dramatic lighting sources and add sparkly details so the light glows around the room. For a rustic look use antique lanterns and bulb pendant lights for a raw and natural look.

MATCH THE COLOUR OF LIGHT

Only add in light if it’s the right colour for the occasion. If you use different colours and shades the lighting can start to look very unnatural and it can make people’s skin tones look unflattering. I prefer photographing in warm tungsten lighting, as opposed to purple and green spotlights.

SPEECHES

Plan where your guests will stand when they make speeches. Avoid having guests stand in front of large windows, this can make it tricky for your photographer as the light will be brighter than the rest of the room and it can make images look hazy and less detailed.

LOW LIGHT

Discuss with your photographer what will happen to your lighting during your reception. Communicate with your DJ about which lights will stay consistent and if any lights, like a strobe, will be added later for your dancing. Your photographer will appreciate knowing in advance so they can plan without any surprises and know to bring additional lighting if needed. If there is limited light at your venue and it’s too dark, your photographer will need to use a flash to capture your first dance and speeches.

Foxglove Venue Wellington - Winter Bridal Shoot

I teamed up with some incredible Wellington wedding vendors to create a winter themed styled shoot. This was something we shot during the winter season as it was the perfect time to team up and do something creative and fun. We wanted to create an atmosphere of love and warmth, to show couples that winter weddings can be really beautiful too.     

Our theme was 'Enchanted Romance'. The 'Enchanted' theme was carried throughout our locations and venue, using continuous rich colours and earthy textures.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the day. You are all so wonderful and generous! A special thank you to Melissa for all of your ideas and support during the planning process.

Photographer: Jaymee Photography
Photographic Assistant: Samantha Hamilton Photography
Model/Talent: Voda Model Management (Olga and Kyle)
Florist and venue styling: Melissa Jane Flower Studio
MUA/Hair: Rebecca Connor Makeup and Spraytan Artist
Dress: Sally Eagle Bridal (Marie dress)
Suit: Frank Casey, Wellington
Cake: Sweet Bakery & Cakery
Venue: Foxglove
Stationary: The Wild Ones
White Chairs: Enchante Wedding Design Ltd

I'm really excited to finally show you these images! I hope you enjoy!