5 Auckland Venues That Allow External Catering
— By Maria Yeonhee Ji

This means that finding a vendor that can create sublime menu options at price points that work with your food budget, who can also be flexible in adapting to your guests’ dietary needs is a must. If you have a particularly skilful catering company in mind and want them to work their magic on your big day, you’ll then have to find a venue that is happy for them to do so - many in-demand wedding venues won’t permit external or DIY catering. To speed up the search for a suitably spectacular site, here are six Auckland venues that will happily accommodate your catering visions.

Hus Art Farm

Image by Hus Art Farm 

For those seeking an idyllic country setting that permits external catering, there is no other venue quite like HU’s Farm. A mere 30 minutes from Auckland city, HU’s Farm embodies an ethos of artistic endeavour, with majestic and very expansive grounds and amenities including a large gallery that will facilitate reception goals of all scales. There is also accommodation on site so that should you or your vendors wish to come in the day before to set up and wake up on-site, ready to go on the big day, then you have the option to do so.

Highwic 

Image by Highwic

Take your tea party (or whatever combination of delectable consumables you and your caterer have concocted) to Highwic, a stunning Gothic mansion nestled away on a rise in New Market. With a number of beautiful, airy rooms (including a ballroom) and lush outdoor lawns that can accommodate up to 200 guests, you have numerous indoor and outdoor options for picking the perfect reception site.

Hurakia Lodge

Image by Hurakia Lodge

Though Hurakia Lodge does have a catering service offering pre-meal canapes followed by a delicious buffet or bowl & fork style meal, they are also flexible should you wish to bring your own vendor(s) to Rakino Island. Whichever option you go for, your guests are sure to savour their meals and drinks as they enjoy the exclusive panoramic views of the shimmering Hauraki Gulf in total privacy.

Thievery Studio

Image by Thievery Studio

Thievery Studio offers an urban space with a rustic feel due to the huge windows through which natural lighting illuminates the polished wooden floors all throughout the day. It’s an intimate venue overlooking Karangahape Road with a modern atmosphere, that can easily be transformed into a dreamy reception venue. Grazing and dessert tables, or walk & fork menus would be ideal catering options that help maximise your guests’ mingling and merriment in this fun studio.

Leigh Central

Image by Leigh Central Function & Events Centre

For couples that have a specific vision of what they want their wedding to look like and the drive and ambition to take things into their own hands, Leigh Central Function & Events Centre is the ideal reception venue. As a site that operates on a ‘bare hall hire’ concept, it’s not just the catering that you can bring in or DIY (though their full-size commercial kitchen and three bars will make it easy for your vendor to prepare everything onsite and help you avoid costly delivery fees). You’ll have maximum flexibility to have your wedding reception the way you want it - whether this is in the Seaview room that can accommodate 150 guests, the Courtyard Lounge for a smaller, more intimate group, or any one of the many outdoor spaces.