When planning a wedding, the venue plays a very important part. One aspect to consider when selecting your venue is the size (in this case, size matters).
Having a venue that's too big can feel empty and requires more organisation, decorating and furniture to really get the space right. On the other hand, if your venue is too small then it can feel cramped, congested, and create an unpleasant experience for your guests and your vendors.
When searching for a venue, online or via social media, often it's the larger locations that pop up first. It can be difficult to track down venues that cater to smaller groups and little weddings, especially in the Bay of Plenty.
In the case that you've had the same difficulty finding smaller venue options, I've pulled together some of my favourite small venues in our region in the hopes that it helps you on your wedding planning quest.
I'll keep this blog post updated as I continue to find little wedding venues that are unique and interesting. Keep reading on to check out the best venues for small weddings in the Bay of Plenty. You might just find the perfect venue for your own wedding!
1. No 2 Road Hall, Te Puke
This venue is a well-kept secret. The small, modest hall has a charming appeal that will delight your guests and bring a little bit of magic to your day.
Located 5 minutes outside of Te Puke, the No 2 Road Hall is a great option for little weddings and elopements. The hall can actually fit up to 60 people, although it would be a squeeze. The interior is gorgeous so you can hold your ceremony indoors or outdoors and the photos would still look amazing. The hall is also incredibly cost-effective compared to other venues around, especially for what's included.
There's a large kitchen space for preparing food, including an oven, a large fridge, and most of what you'll need in terms of serving and catering utensils. There's hall pews inside and a nice indoor bathroom. The space is also wheelchair accessible.
Outside, the lawns are wonderfully manicured, and there's plenty of space for parking.
Despite all of the add-ons, it's the character that makes this venue special. You can feel the history of this building as you walk through the space. Taking in the painting and architecture, you can't help but appreciate the incredible amount of time and love that the volunteers have put into the restoration efforts.
As much as I want to keep this venue a secret, I think more people need to know about it because it is just so special. We love this venue so much that we offer little wedding packages for up to 30 guests.
2. Te Puna Quarry Park, Te Puna
Wherever you look, there is magic to discover at the Te Puna Quarry Park. Located 15 minutes outside of Tauranga, the Park boasts wonderfully manicured gardens that provide the ideal backdrop for your wedding day (and sooooo many photo spots).
There are three main ceremony locations, all with their own charms, as well as The Gallery which is a casual indoor space suitable for a rainy-day option.
The Park comes with nearly everything you need (tables, chairs, glasses, cutlery etc.), and is incredibly cost effective.
The Dragon Lawn would look gorgeous for a ceremony during cherry blossom season, and the Amphitheatre provides a grandiose option to those wanting a ceremony with drama (it also has views over the harbour to Mauao).
My favourite area is the Cactus and Succulent Lawn, a lovely, private garden which is just waiting for a colourful, fiesta-themed wedding to bring it to life.
If you have a group of 50 people or less, the Te Puna Quarry Park is a fantastic venue on a budget, and Shona from the committee is awesome to deal with. Check out our little wedding packages on offer at Te Puna Quarry Park if you're looking for something fuss-free and affordable.
3. The Elms, Tauranga
With one hectare of stunning grounds and historically significant buildings, and just a stone’s throw from Tauranga CBD, The Elms - Te Papa Tauranga is a venue full of character and charm.
With capacity to host up to 150 guests, it is one of the largest venues on this list. However, the venue suits smaller groups because you can use the outdoor areas however you like, creating a space to suit your group size.
There are plenty of places to host the ceremony; The North Lawn with the beautiful Georgian house in the background; The Library Lawn under the cedar tree, or The Chapel which offers a vintage indoor option.
At the moment, The Elms allows three hours at the venue for the wedding ceremony and celebrations afterwards. They don't currently provide an option for a reception.
There's a marquee available to hire for inclement weather, as well as use of the chapel for an indoor ceremony and the fencible cottage for some more shelter in bad weather (max capacity here would be 50 using both marquee and fencible cottage).
The Elms is so close to Tauranga CBD that a relaxed, casual dinner at one of the restaurants in town would work perfectly for a small reception afterwards. Or go back to your house for an easy BBQ.
4. Omanu Surf Club, Mount Maunganui
This is another little secret venue that we've only recently discovered! Omanu Surf Club is right smack-bang in the middle of the best part of Mount Maunganui (I might be a bit biased). It's only 5-10 minutes drive to Mauao, and 5 minutes drive to Bayfair, and is right on the beach. With views out to Mōtītī Island, and all the way down to Moturiki Island, you can't really beat it's location.
The surf club prioritises it's members and surf patrols, so it's unavailable as a venue in summer months. However, it is open for bookings during winter, which means it is a fabulous option for those looking for a winter beach getaway.
There's two rooms to choose from, and for smaller crowds I would highly recommend the upstairs bar and balcony area.
You could have your ceremony down on the beach in sunny weather, or on the front lawn with the Pacific Ocean as your backdrop. There's the downstairs room as an indoor option when raining, and you can move the party upstairs to the bar and balcony for canapes and drinks.
Omanu Surf Club is a super affordable venue, and due to it's location and stunning scenery, I know it will be the perfect venue for a couple looking for a lovely little wedding in winter.
5. Persimmon Lane, Te Puna
UPDATE: Unfortunately, it is currently being refurbished so as far as I am aware they are not taking bookings. I'm planning on going for a viewing in July 2023 so I will update this post after I know more.
This is a boutique venue that's been established on an old persimmon orchard (yes that's where the venue gets it's name). With three acres of developed gardens, as well as beautiful buildings, this venue is ideal for small gatherings with a difference.
The lush landscapes create a whimsical, fairytale atmosphere. There's a garden ceremony area with a stunning historic gazebo, great for adding character to photos, and also a helpful feature if it's raining! Although the venue does have a back-up option.
The function room accommodates up to 60 guests and has all the bells and whistles. It's a small venue with a dash of character, so if you're looking for an outdoor wedding with lush garden photography options, then Persimmon Lane could be the one.
6. Your own backyard
You don't need a fancy venue to have a memorable wedding. The perfect location could be right under your nose... or feet,. That's right, your own backyard!
Backyard weddings are not for everyone, but they are a viable option to consider for those people who have access to a lush backyard, who are not afraid of a bit of DIY, and who are looking for a low-cost venue.
Backyard weddings do come with their own challenges - more logistics and facilities to organise for a start. But they can be more convenient, they allow you more control, and also more flexibility when choosing vendors and suppliers. It's also great for smaller guest lists.
If you know of a fantastic space, why not get in touch with the owner and see if they're interested in hosting your wedding.
And if you're keen on a backyard wedding, but unsure how to pull it all together (or just don't have the time or energy) then a wedding planner can help steer you in the right direction. You can also check out our little wedding packages to get an all-inclusive backyard package for your ceremony.
I hope this list of the best small venues in the Bay of Plenty has helped you on your search - I know it can be a pain finding the perfect venue, and take up a lot of time.
Have you got a venue suggestion to add? I'd love to hear it - email us and let us know. We're always on the hunt for new, unique venues for small weddings.
Thanks for reading!
- Brie, The Little Wedding Planner
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