Congratulations on your Waiheke wedding! So here is what you need to know about holding a wedding on Waiheke Island.
Waiheke Island is a fantastic location, it is, after all, an island getaway whilst only being 35 minutes away from Auckland City. There is much on offer with beautiful vineyards, luxury lodges and a multitude of stunning beaches. It is then, of no wonder that Waiheke Island has been a popular choice for many couples wishing to get married. The options are endless.
Your Waiheke Wedding – Don’t call it a dream, call it a plan.
Planning for a wedding can be a lot of hard work and planning, however, a wedding on beautiful Waiheke makes it all worth it! Waiheke Local has all the information on all the local businesses for you to research and help make your day special. You are at the right place to begin your research…let’s start.
Wedding Planners on Waiheke.
If planning it all yourself seems daunting there are of course some fantastic wedding planners located on Waiheke with the local knowledge and attention to detail that will help and guide you through the process leaving you stress-free and allowing you to focus on the big stuff. The level of such involvement can often be negotiated.
So get in contact with one of the wedding planners if you don’t fancy the job yourself.
What’s your budget?
It’s always a good idea to have a budget in mind from the start when looking for wedding vendors. How much are you willing to spend in total? Have a maximum spend and stick to it throughout your planning process.
Travelling to Waiheke.
Getting here, away and around Waiheke island is easy. Waiheke Island ferry services are run by both Fullers Ferries who operate a regular Waiheke passenger ferry timetable between Auckland City and Matiatia and SeaLink who operate the Waiheke Car Ferry service between Kennedy Point and Half Moon Bay with some additional sailings into Wynward Wharf in Auckland City.
Are you looking for something different? Perhaps arrive on Waiheke in style with Auckland Sea Planes. They provide service from Auckland to Waiheke, with the seaplane landing on many of the local bays including Oneroa and Onetangi. Alternatively, you could arrive by helicopter as well as be taken to some stunning photo locations before arriving back at your reception.
For your wedding guests, however, there are plenty of travel options once on the island e.g. chartering a coach / bus, rental vehicles and of course the taxi, though currently there is no uber on Waiheke as yet.
Waiheke Wedding Venues
There are so many stunning wedding venues to choose from on Waiheke, whether you’re looking for a stunning winery/vineyard, barn, a cosy restaurant or a quiet beach you are really are spoilt for choice. Our advice would be to consider your budget, the number of guests and to make sure that the venue aligns well with who you both are and the vision you both hold for your special day.
The Finer Details
Once you have a venue in mind, you will need to consider and ask questions such as;
- What is included? What do you need to hire?
- What is not permitted? E.g. For example, can you light several candles?
- Do they have an adequate sound system?
- Is there room for a band?
- Do they have a liquor license? – Can you bring your own wine? – Is there a corkage fee?
- Are there any hidden costs? – Payment Schedule? deposit required?
- If an outdoor venue – is there a plan B for severe weather? Room for a tent/marquee?
Waiheke Vineyards & Wineries
The first thing that comes to mind for many when talking of Waiheke is the wine, and so the obvious choice would be to choose from one of the many vineyards dotted around the island. With some offering spacious grounds and sunset views over their vineyards and beyond, a vineyard is truly a great wedding venue option.
Restaurants on Waiheke
The advantage of considering a restaurant is that there is no need to rent furniture, tableware, linens and of course a caterer. Many Vineyards will also have a restaurant on site.
Beaches on Waiheke
Getting married on the beach is not for everyone and whilst it may seem simple there is still a number of things to consider. What kind of beach wedding are you asking for? There is, of course, a huge difference between a ceremony on the beach and holding a reception. Permits may be required if food and drink (alcohol) is involved and especially if you are wanting to rope off certain areas. As such, most couples keep it simple with a ceremony on the beach and the reception elsewhere.
Another important point to remember is the tide, it is always a good idea to make sure there is a beach at your preferred time of day. Some beaches are also more accessible than others, and more popular. It may be worth looking at the different seasons as you try to balance the number of visitors to the beach, the cost of accommodation and the weather.
Review all of the local beaches
Alcohol and Catering
Both alcohol and catering decisions will be determined by the venue you choose, as the type of environment you are hoping to have will be a major influencer in the amount and types of alcohol you supply as well as the style of the catering.
Alcohol
Does the venue have a full liquor license? Many venues will require you to coordinate alcohol through them. Couples often consider three types of bars at their chosen venue;
The open bar – is the most expensive option as the bride and groom prepay for their guests to enjoy unlimited drinks for a set period of time.
The cash bar – is often provided on top of providing champagne and wine. The cash bar is a fully hosted bar but instead of you paying for the drinks, the guests pay for the drinks as they consume them.
The limited bar – Similar to the open bar though limiting certain types of drinks. For example, choosing not to pay for liquor.
Bring your own Alcohol
If your venue allows you to supply your own you will need to spend some time doing the calculations and deciding what types of alcohol you want to have. Some venues will charge a corkage fee, which is a flat rate fee per bottle opened, but if you are able to purchase your alcohol at a wholesale price you will still save an incredible amount. It’s worth checking out the differences between the liquor stores and the supermarkets, some may even buy back unopened bottles. On Waiheke, Countdown is the main supermarket located in Ostend and there are three wine and liquor stores in Oneroa, Ostend, and Onetangi.
Catering
As previously mentioned the style of your wedding catering will be determined by your choice of venue and the facilities on offer. Some venues will have on-site catering in which you can then count on their professional service and will be easier to budget as it would be often included in the venue package.
Catering options can range from;
- Table Service – The traditional option. Normally consisting of two – three-course meal served by waiters at the table
- Banquet Style – Less formal, with platters of food, allowing guests to pick and choose whatever they feel like.
- Buffet – Often used when there is a large number of guests.
- Spit Roast / BBQ – A casual catering option and perhaps the least expensive.
- Cocktail – Guests are not expecting dinner. At a cocktail reception, waiters will walk around with trays of canapés.
- On Location Catering – A catering team will travel to deliver your catering.
- The Wedding Cake
Waiheke Accommodation
Waiheke Accommodation offers various options from the elegant and luxury to the boutique. The varied amount of options is also good news for your guests and their differing budgets. It is important to remember that the demand for accommodation increases considerably during the summer season and therefore vital to book well ahead of time.
Wedding Photographers on Waiheke
When considering a wedding photographer you will require a photographer whose work you love and who is personally a match for you. Thankfully on Waiheke, we have many talented photographers for you to consider and review.
Wedding Celebrants
When planning your wedding one of the most important decisions you will make is choosing your celebrant, not only will this person be the person that will lead you through your vows, but they will also be responsible for setting the atmosphere at the ceremony. It is your job then to find a celebrant who you feel comfortable with, who understands you both, and who can deliver what you want. If you don’t know exactly what you want they should be skilled in asking the important questions and helping you explore different options. Your celebrant wants you to have not only a perfect day but also a perfect memory which will last you a lifetime.
Wedding Flowers.
Consult one of our local florists on Waiheke and work closely with them to figure out what flowers will fit within your budget. They will have the knowledge of what flowers will be in season.
Search online and get lots of ideas, Pinterest is a great tool to select and view other flower arrangements, then take these ideas with images along to your meeting with your florist for an idea of what you’d like to achieve.
Happy planning!
