Auckland Micro Wedding Venues - The Complete Guide By Avya Trotter-Hlavac

If you love the idea of an elopement but have too many besties to narrow the guest list down that much, a micro wedding could be the perfect solution for you. 

Whether you're looking to cut costs, minimise admin, choose an exotic location or simply spend more time with each guest - a micro wedding is a beautiful way to celebrate your day.

First things first.

What is a micro wedding?

Typically, a micro wedding is an intimate celebration with between 10 and 30 guests. It's a modern term for a concept as old as time itself - celebrating with a select few of your favourite people.

What does a micro wedding day look like?

To be honest, whatever you want it to look like.

Every venue will have a different itinerary and level of customisation. Whether you want a morning, afternoon, evening or full-day event - there is a venue to suit every preference and every budget.

Here is an example of what your micro wedding day at Bridgewater Country Estate might look like.

Example Run Sheet

4.00 pm - Guests Arrive 
4.30 pm - Ceremony 
5.00 pm - Group Photos 
5.20 pm - Guests make their way upstairs to enjoy the bar and grazing table while the bridal party leaves for photos nearby 
5.30 pm - Bridal party enters the reception area to enjoy with guests
5.35 pm - First Dance and cake-cutting 
5.45 pm - Speeches 
7.00 pm - Photographer departs
8.00 pm - Bridal Couple and Guest to depart

How much does a micro wedding cost?

You could have a micro wedding for as little as $1,500, or you could go all out and spend tens of thousands of dollars curating your perfect day. It really depends on why you're having a micro wedding and what your priorities are. 

Whether your budget is $5,000 or $150,000, there are ways to build a day that includes the things most important to you. 

Head to the bottom of this blog to discover our top tips for having a cost-effective micro wedding.

Maybe, having a micro isn't a financial decision. Perhaps you want to get married overseas, book an exotic venue or spend more time with each guest.

Or, like Zahn and Amber, all of the above.

Zahn and Amber had a vision for their wedding. To have their closest people join them as they wed at their favourite place on earth - a small town called Hanksville. Mars on Earth.

Amazingly, thirty of Zahn and Amber's closest friends shared this vision and hopped on a plane to Utah, USA.

What unfolded is hard to summarise in words.

A motley crew of friends from Aotearoa, Australia and Israel gathered together in this funny desert town to celebrate the one thing they all had in common - a deep love and appreciation for this incredible couple. 

Why did you choose to have a micro wedding?

Zahn - "We wanted to be with a small group of our favourite people and spend really quality time with everyone. We wanted to be present, not thinking about logistics or keeping to a schedule."

Amber - "We always knew that a big, traditional wedding wasn’t for us. We had talked about eloping with just the two of us so we could have our wedding somewhere remote and incredibly special.

When our closest friends heard about our plans - they all wanted to come too! So the micro wedding evolved very naturally."

What was your favourite thing about having a micro wedding?

Zahn - "Our favourite thing was that our “wedding” was so much more than a day - it was more like a month. It was a journey that brought our already close friends even closer together.

Amber - We got to do things exactly how we dreamed. We didn’t have to make any compromises due to logistics or number of people.

We didn’t have to make any obligatory invites or draw awkward lines in the sand with a guest list. It really was just our very closest friends.

Someone said at one point, “These are the people who would follow you to the ends of the earth." And they did.

Whether you choose to get married overseas or locally, there are so many perks in opting for a small wedding. 

Lucky for those seeking to celebrate locally - many Auckland venues specialise in micro weddings and offer all-inclusive intimate wedding packages. 

Here are a few of our favourites.

Micro wedding venues in Auckland

Songbird Retreat, Matheson Bay

Songbird Retreat is a homely wedding venue just an hour north of Auckland, near Matakana. With birdsong as your soundtrack and lovingly kept gardens as your backdrop - Songbird Retreat sets the scene for a gorgeous garden wedding. 

Intimate weddings at Songbird Retreat include 2 nights of luxury accommodation at Songbird Cottage for up to 5 guests, exclusive use of Songbird Cottage, the Green Barn and surrounding cottage gardens. Couples may also choose any spot on the property for their ceremony. 

Prices start at $2,999

Discover micro wedding packages here.

Delamore Lodge, Waiheke Island

For a wedding venue that'll give your guest goosebumps upon their arrival, choose Delamore Lodge. A luxurious resort-style venue, Delamore Lodge is renowned for hosting spectacular intimate weddings on Waiheke Island.

Intimate weddings at Delamore Lodge include exclusive use of Delamore Lodge for a 2-night minimum, accommodating up to 16 guests. Specific pricing is dependent on guest numbers, catering requirements and time of year.

Prices start at $30,000

Discover micro wedding packages here.

Woodhouse Mountain Lodge, Warkworth

Woodhouse Mountain Lodge is set on over 100 acres of Kōurawhero Estate, overlooking the Hauraki Gulf. Just an hour north of Auckland, this refreshing venue offers contemporary spaces, luxury accommodation and fine dining for your intimate celebration.

Micro wedding packages at Woodhouse Mountain Lodge include exclusive use of the Lodge, pre-dinner canapes, a 3-course dinner, full breakfast, table decorations, linen, chair covers and hire costs for 30 guests.

Prices start at $19,310

Discover micro wedding packages here.

Little White Chapel Weddings, by Lucky in Love 

Featuring Charlotte & Mitchell's micro wedding.

“We chose to have a mini wedding with Kimberly from Lucky in Love. We had a guest list of 25 people, and our wedding was 4 hours in total.

Kimberly planned nearly everything, including the celebrant, photography, catering, cake, flowers and location! It took the stress and pressure out of it. Mitchell also hired his suit, which was super cost-effective.”

- Charlotte

Thanks to Lucky in Love's all-inclusive packages, you can have your mini wedding for as little as $5,520.

Here's how it works:

Wedding Date: A weekday of your choice or Saturdays (Saturdays incur additional investment)
Venue: "The Little White Chapel", Northwest, Auckland
Time: 2 - 6 pm
What's included: Wedding Celebrant, Venue, Florals, Champagne Tower, Catering, Cake and Photography
Investment: $5,520 x10 people Elopement or $6,850 x30 people Mini Wedding

Interested in a Little White Chapel Wedding for your special day? Learn more here.

Bridgewater Country Estate, West Auckland

Here in New Zealand, outdoor weddings just hit differently, especially those hosted at Bridgewater Country Estate. Picture acres of rolling lawns, native bush, landscaped gardens, lily ponds and gorgeous pathways - all to yourself.

When it comes to micro weddings, Bridgewater Country Estate has two incredible packages for you to choose from.

Pop-up Weddings

Pop-up weddings at Bridgewater Country Estate include exclusive use of the venue for 3 hours, ceremony furniture and decor, a sound system, canapes and full-service staff. Accommodation, bar tab and extra guests are available as add-ons.

Prices start at $2,000

All-Inclusive Wedding Package

This package includes exclusive use of the estate grounds for 4 four hours, celebrant services, a grazing table, drinks, a photographer for 3 hours, flowers, decorations, a sound system, full-service staff and more.

Prices start at $8,000

Discover micro wedding packages here.

Glasshouse, Morningside

You may not know this, but there is no minimum guest requirement for Glasshouse. For those seeking a courtyard-feeling wedding with a select few guests, this urban oasis is the perfect space.

Venue hire includes tables, chairs, a full kitchen, ice machine and fridges, security, post-event cleaning, a sound system for speeches and 8 hours of venue hire.

Prices start at $3,000

Discover micro wedding packages here.

Bracu Estate, Bombay

Bracu is a beloved venue on the outskirts of Auckland, designed to feel somewhat like a Mediterranean oasis.

Discover their newly released Winter Wedding packages - available for dates across July, August and September 2023.

Nuptials at Noon

Enjoy a short and sweet midday wedding amidst the olive trees with this package.

The 'Nuptials at Noon' package includes venue hire, celebrant services, wines, canapes, wedding cake and more for up to 30 guests.

Timings:

11:30 am - Guests arrive
12:00 pm - Ceremony
1:00 pm - Bubbles and bites
2:30 pm - Guests depart

The Nuptials at Noon package is available for $5,000

Keen on having your wedding later in the day?

Opt for a 'Sunset Soireé'.

Sunset Soireé

The package is the same as 'Nuptials at Noon' but takes place later in the day.

Timings:

3:30 pm - Guests arrive
4:00 pm - Ceremony
5:00 pm - Bites & Bubbles
7:00 pm - Guests depart

The Sunset Soireé package is available for only $5,500.

Optional add-ons include extra guests, onsite accommodation and a meal at the Bracu Restaurant.

Discover micro wedding packages here.

Space on Crummer, Ponsonby

Space on Crummer is an elegant inner-city venue that is flexible to its core. Set in the heart of Ponsonby, Space on Crummer is the kind of blank space wedding venue that dreams are made of.

Prices start at $10,750+GST

Discover micro wedding packages here.

Tui Hills, Swanson

Nestled in the bush-covered Waitakeres, Tui Hills offers a unique native garden setting. With Tuis and Kereru in the trees and native forest surrounding, this venue speaks to the untouched beauty of Aotearoa. 

Weddings at Tui Hills include the ceremony plus canapés and drinks for 2.5 to 3.5 hours, with prices starting at $1,999. A wedding coordinator is included for free. You can build your package by choosing guest numbers from 10 to 120 people and can add ceremony styling, a suite to get ready, a digital photo booth and more. Additionally, a celebrant and/or photographer can be arranged for you.

Full package info is available, here.

Abel Estate, Kumeu

Located in Auckland's famed wine country, Abel Estate is an all-inclusive wedding venue that offers a seamless blend of classic charm and contemporary flair.

Weddings at Abel Estate include the ceremony plus canapés and drinks for 2.5 to 3.5 hours, with prices starting at $1,999. A wedding coordinator is included for free. You can build your package by choosing guest numbers from 10 to 120 people and can add ceremony styling, a suite to get ready, a digital photo booth and more. Additionally, a celebrant and/or photographer can be arranged for you.

Full package info is available, here.

The Hotel Britomart, Downtown Auckland

Serenely sitting above the cityscape, The Hotel Britomart is an esteemed wedding venue, specialising in elopements and intimate weddings.

Intimate Weddings at The Hotel Britomart

With five unique event spaces designed to suit a range of weddings and events, you'll undoubtedly find the ideal venue to bring your vision to life.

Featuring ancient native timber and century-old brick, The Papuke Room is a generous space that can be styled to your individual needs. Capacity: Up to 50.

The Hotel Britomart’s five Landing Suites are perfect for elopements or micro-weddings. Capacity: 18.

kingi Private is a sophisticated private dining and conference space that combines the relaxed warmth of kingi with the refined elegance of The Libraries at The Hotel Britomart. The room exudes luxury and features an expansive raw-edge swamp kauri slab table beneath a shimmering fish-scale chandelier. Capacity: 12 to 14.

Discover micro wedding packages here.

Jordan and Harry at Falls Retreat, Coromandel Peninsula

From a surprise proposal in Bali to a micro wedding in the forest, Jordan and Harry curated the perfect non-conventional wedding day to celebrate their love. Fluro Grey captured the day beautifully.

Josh and Jean's Micro Wedding at Hillbrook Estate, Coromandel

Josh and Jean are two Americans who fell in love with Aotearoa. Their wedding was not only a celebration of their marriage but a chance to show their loved ones from overseas what they love most about this country.

"While we invited several Kiwi friends, most folks travelled great distances to celebrate with us. So we wanted to create a multi-day experience we'd all share. Hillbrook Estate was perfect as it wasn't just a wedding venue; it had lovely accommodations for about twenty folks."

- Josh and Jean

Why did you choose to have a micro wedding?

"Primarily because we wanted to spend meaningful time with those nearest and dearest to us. We heard from so many friends that while their wedding was wonderful, it was a blur, and they spent just a few minutes - at most - with each guest. Ours very much was not. We spent copious time talking, dancing, and impromptu limboing with each of our guests. Not only did we actually eat dinner, but we were also part of the conversation."

- Josh and Jean

Do you have any advice for keeping the guest list short?

"If you can afford it, throw a separate party later on and invite everyone. About three months after our wedding, we rented out a nightclub in New York City and invited heaps of our American friends and family to it. We sent out the save the dates for both simultaneously to reduce the chances people felt left out. In deciding who to invite, we thought about who we’d fly overseas for to attend their wedding."

- Josh and Jean

Cutting down on costs

Seeking more ways to cut down on wedding costs?

Don't worry; we've got you. 

Select an off-peak, mid-week date 

May to August is generally considered the 'off-season' here in New Zealand. During these months, venues will have more dates available, and many vendors offer off-season pricing. 

You can save even further by opting for a mid-week wedding. Naturally, Saturdays and Sundays are the most popular days to get married, and venues tend to capitalise on that. 

Choosing a weekday wedding is a great way to save a bit of coin. Besides, guests have annual leave for a reason, right? 

Choose a free (or nearly free) venue 

 Here in New Zealand, we're spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful backdrops for a wedding. The best part? Many of them won't cost a cent. 

Here's Elya & Tim. They decided to get married atop a hill at Waipu Cove - followed by a gorgeous potluck reception at a local hall. 

Jenny and Peter's  Micro Wedding at Cornwall Park, One Tree Hill

"Jenny and Peter are very sweet and shy, so a small gathering in Cornwall Park was the perfect low-pressure wedding, with only the closest family and friends on hand to help with decor and be part of the celebrations."

— Chris and Tenille from The Nostalgists

Between Auckland and Northland, we have an abundance of beautiful beaches, bays, estuaries and reserves readily available to us.

Our suggestion? Carve out a little time to do your research (Instagram and Tiktok will have all the recommendations!), make a list and spend a day exploring till you find your perfect location.  

If the thought of salty hair and sandy toes doesn't appeal to you, no fear! We have a better idea for you.

Many botanical gardens and parks within Auckland are council-run and available for wedding ceremonies and photos.

Often, all you have to do is apply for a permit! Hack of the century? We think so.

Here are two beautiful options to explore. 

1. Auckland Botanic Gardens
2. Japanese Gardens

To discover more spaces and apply for a permit, see here. 

Have your wedding at home 

Annie and Stephen's Micro Wedding captured by Kasia Kolmas

"Annie & Stephen celebrated their love with twenty of their closest family and friends at their home in Auckland. It was a very intimate and sweet ceremony in the lounge of their first home together. After a few celebratory drinks, the group made their way into town to celebrate over a delicious dinner."

—Kasia Kolmas 

Yacht Weddings

Hiring a yacht for the afternoon/evening is a ridiculously cool and surprisingly affordable way to celebrate your wedding day.

Share your vows with the ocean as your backdrop, and once formalities are complete, jump in! 

Ocean Groove Cruises

Celebrate your day by cruising the Auckland Harbour and Hauraki Gulf in Ocean Groove Cruises' contemporary private charter boat. Available for wedding ceremonies and receptions, indulge in 360-degree ocean views with your nearest and dearest. Tell guests to bring their togs!

Wedding packages include award-winning catering, a full dance floor with laser lights and strobe lighting, a fantastic sound system including karaoke, and a full cocktail bar for 30 guests. 

Prices start at $6,500

Discover micro wedding packages here.

Potluck Receptions 

Are they tacky, or are they clever? The concept is controversial as heck, but becoming increasingly more common.

First up, let's get the non-negotiables out of the way. 

• Make it clear in your invitation that it is a potluck reception. Set the expectation from the start so no one is confused or thrown in the deep end later down the line.
• It seems like a no-brainer, but if you're planning a potluck reception, ask guests to bring a dish instead of a gift.
• You should provide the main elements of the meal. For example, cater a selection of meats and ask that guests bring a salad or side. 

Now we've got the nitty gritty bits out of the way; how do you even throw a potluck wedding?

Appoint a lead potluck planner

You don't want to spend the build-up to your wedding chasing down guests to find out what they're bringing, and you DEFINITELY don't want to spend your wedding day organising the evening meal.

Guests approaching you like, "Hey, congrats on getting married! Where do I put this salad?". Yeah, let's not do that. 

Instead, when you fire out your wedding invites - we recommend appointing a lead potluck planner. Perhaps an aunt, cousin or even a friend's parent - someone who wants to help and genuinely doesn't mind being a bit hands-on on the wedding day.  

Your appointed person/people can take over managing who is bringing what and be there on the day to direct and organise the meal.

Ideally, you don't want to think about it on the day, so appoint or hire the right people to fully delegate that responsibility to. 

Have a Google Spreadsheet 

With wedding planning in general, the trusty ol' spreadsheet will become your best friend. It's an easy way to manage the budget, guest list, timeline and even the potluck dinner. 

A potluck spreadsheet will serve as a living, breathing document to track who is bringing what. Then if any areas are lacking (e.g. not enough gluten-free options), you still have time to do something about it. 

If you're sending online invitations to your wedding, you can link to the spreadsheet when guests RSVP - prompting them to enter the dish they're bringing. 

A friendly reminder email a week out from the wedding is always a good idea too! 

Hire or buy whiteware

If you want a more cohesive-looking buffet table, you can hire or buy matching dishes and crockery for the food to be transferred into and served from. 

If you are cool with a mismatched table, don't bother. It means fewer dishes at the end! 

Bring Your Own Drinks

Our final tip for hosting a cost-effective micro wedding is to go BYO. 

You could book a BYO venue such as Waterfall Farm or Vanderosa Farm, where you provide the alcohol and save thousands. 

Or, if you're considering having a backyard wedding, you can even ask guests to bring their own drinks. You save copious amounts of money, and guests get to drink what they want. Everyone wins! 

The same principle as having a potluck wedding applies - ask guests to bring drinks instead of a gift. Hot tip? Provide barrels of ice or chilly bins so guests can keep their bevvy cold throughout the evening, and remember bins for recycling!

—

All this to say, we're big advocates of micro weddings but even bigger advocates of you creating the day that best reflects YOU.

There's no right or wrong way to go about wedding planning, but we hope this article has sparked some ideas to set you on your merry way!