FIVE-MINUTE GUIDE TO VENUES

We weigh up the pros and cons of different wedding venues so you can make the choice that’s right for you.

We weigh up the pros and cons of each

IN A RELIGIOUS SETTING

The pros: If your religious beliefs are important to you as a couple, holding your ceremony in a place of worship is an obvious way to tie the knot. Settings such as this can also evoke a more sacred atmosphere and feeling surrounding your ceremony.

The cons: While a religious setting makes for a wonderful ceremony site, unless your chosen venue has an additional space to host your reception festivities, you may have to look elsewhere (and therefore fork out more) for a suitable reception venue, ideally in relatively close proximity to your ceremony location.

IN YOUR HOME

The pros: For the ultimate intimate and personal affair, a wedding at home provides complete control over your day. The cons: You’ll need to think about factors such as whether you’ll be able to accommodate all the guests in wet weather, whether there are enough toilets on site, and if the space needs more lighting.

IN A VINEYARD

The pros: With the backdrop of flourishing lush vines, vineyards provide a naturally beautiful setting for your wedding. Add to this the fact that you’ll have access to delicious wines and it’s a match made in heaven.

The cons: You may have to look for a wet weather option if your vineyard of choice doesn’t have an indoor reception and ceremony space available.

AT A RESTAURANT

The pros: Good food is an essential element of any wedding, so a venue that’s all about cuisine can make an ideal setting for foodie couples. It’s likely you’ll pay less for hireage and décor too, as a restaurant will typically have its own setup as a permanent fixture.

The cons: Depending on the size of your guest list it’s likely you’ll have to book out the entire restaurant, which can really hike up the price. Restaurants are also less likely to have a designated dance floor area, so you may find space quite restricting.

AT THE BEACH

The pros: If you love the ocean and sand between your toes in the great outdoors, a beach wedding is a wonderful choice, especially here in Godzone – think the wild black sand beaches of Auckland’s West Coast or twinkling clear waters in the Coromandel. Beaches also make an incredible backdrop for wedding portraits, whether it’s the azure blues of an ocean scene, or dusky sunset skies. The cons: While it’s fairly fuss-free to hold your ceremony on a beach (weather permitting – a wet weather option is a must), your reception is a whole different story. In most cases you’ll need to find an additional venue nearby to host your reception. If your beach of choice is in a remote spot, you’d need to have transport organised to get guests to and from the ceremony and reception.

IN A HOTEL OR FUNCTION CENTRE

The pros: With a hotel or function centre as your wedding venue you’re guaranteed a stress-free, seamless experience. These venues are well-versed in hosting large events; their staff will be professional, and furniture, cutlery and glassware are readily available. Many hotels will have their own wedding coordinator at your disposal who will help you organise all the details, big and small.

The cons: The downside of having everything provided in a package is there may not be a lot of flexibility if you’re wanting to add personalised touches, particularly if the fine print requires you to only use the vendors the hotel or function centre provides. If you’re after a blank canvas to work your creative magic, a hotel or function centre may not be your best option.

Tailored to suit

This is only a generic guide, so don’t let our cons influence you if you have the perfect hotel in mind. Some boutique accommodations will be happy to make tweaks to suit.