Romance in garden venues
Hank Vankuyk and Margaret Douglas planted their four hectare garden, starring a pond, petanque and native trees, by hand - it is an expensive hobby.
To cover the cost, the couple of 23 years rent their beloved South Auckland land to strangers to get married in.
For them it was not about the money. Douglas said it offered a cost-effective option to New Zealand families who did not have a garden of their own to host an outdoor wedding.
It seems gardens are the latest to meet the market of the Airbnbtype sharing economy.
Douglas and Vankuyk’s property named Ginagin, a play on the words begin again, hosted five weddings last year. They already have some booked-in for this coming summer season.
Couples find them and their property through the website Backyard Weddings.
Tamarin Vermeer created Backyard Weddings when she had to give up on her garden wedding dream, because she could not find an affordable venue to say her vows.
She said during her wedding planning she wished there was a website she could go to to book someone else’s garden, but Airbnb and Bookabach only offered homes to rent.
Her website now has 63 outdoor properties costing between $500 to $3000.
The properties are typically rented out for one weekend, with most offering up only their outdoor area, not their home.
Vermeer said it was a cost effective option for younger couples and gave a ‘‘nice little passive income’’ to the often retired property owners.
Douglas said their garden was one of the cheaper listings.
Vankuyk spends his retired days improving the facilities, while Douglas works full-time.
His latest addition is a permanent marquee structure where a kiwifruit orchard once sat at the back of their property.
He said the interaction with strangers and their friends and family brought a spark to his often monotonous life.
Douglas is about to become a celebrant to offer a seamless service.
Vankuyk and Douglas are not married, but Vankuyk said he could imagine marrying Douglas in their garden.