Venue Spotlight: Ōhinetahi Gardens
For the bride who wants a wedding that feels like it stepped out of a dream, but with all the logistics firmly handled.
If your Pinterest board includes English garden energy, sculptural hedges, and a ceremony setting that could stop traffic...
...then Ōhinetahi Gardens should be sitting firmly at the top of your venue shortlist.
Located just 25 minutes from Christchurch, this is a venue that doesn’t need filters or fuss. With its rich history, formal gardens, architectural backdrops, and harbour views, it’s what we call a natural showstopper. And even better? It offers flexibility to style it your way, without starting from scratch.
We’ve styled, planned, and coordinated weddings at Ōhinetahi and can confidently say: it’s one of those venues that wows guests and works beautifully behind-the-scenes. Here's what you need to know if you're considering it.
With thanks to Rachel Wybrow Photogtaphy
Aesthetically Speaking: Editorial Elegance Meets Garden Romance
Ōhinetahi is essentially a living sculpture. From structured hedges and whimsical archways to the crisp contrast of modern art installations, the entire property is a masterclass in contrast done right.
For couples who love that balance between natural and intentional, romantic and refined, this space sings.
And let’s talk light. The golden hour here is absolute perfection - whether you're doing portraits on the upper terrace or a first look down by the water, it’s ambient magic.
Ceremony Spaces: Choose Your Own Garden Adventure
Main Lawn (Crowd Favourite)
Perfectly manicured and surrounded by hedges, the main lawn is the most popular ceremony spot — and for good reason. It’s slightly elevated and sheltered, with two grand trees to the left as you enter that create a natural framing moment for your vows. (We’re avoiding the word altar, because this is garden elegance, not a chapel.)
The layout allows for a long aisle, tiered guest seating, and the kind of symmetry that wedding photos adore.
Alternative Lawn Layout — Pergola Facing
Want a different perspective? This layout faces the pergola and means you enter the lawn facing your ceremony space. It’s slightly shorter in depth but wider - perfect for creating wide guest rows, a more relaxed entrance, and a shorter walk if you’re not one for the grand march.
Art Gallery (Wet Weather Option)
Tucked behind the main house and accessed via charming stone steps, the on-site art gallery is a unique wet weather backup. It’s a narrow space but incredibly atmospheric. Guests always talk about this one — it feels like a little secret space and makes a very memorable plan B.
Main lawn - between the trees
With thanks to Rachel Wybrow Photogtaphy
Reception Lawn: Alfresco Feels Done Right
The most seamless guest experience? Moving straight from garden ceremony to lawn reception.
This tucked-away, sheltered lawn lends itself beautifully to both seated and cocktail formats:
Alfresco Dining: Picture long banquet tables under the open sky, lined with linen umbrellas for shade and comfort.
Cocktail Style: Leaders, round cocktail tables, and lounging zones strategically styled across the lawn. (Wondering how much furniture you actually need for cocktail weddings? [We wrote a whole blog on it] — bookmark it for later.)
Lighting that Loves the Lawn (and the Venue Rules)
We’re proud to offer custom festoon poles designed specifically for venues like Ohinetahi where lawn care is a top priority. No pegs, no holes — just weighted bases that keep things secure and elegant. We can string festoons or fairy lights overhead across the lawn, creating the perfect golden-hour-to-dusk glow as dinner rolls into dancing.
Bar placement tip
We typically set the bar near the pool-end of the lawn or tucked under the veranda. A large umbrella here is a must — not just for shade, but to keep your bar staff cool. Behind-the-scenes, we recommend clothed trestle tables for glassware, restocking supplies, and bottles. It keeps things functional and visually tidy.
The Pavilion: Elevated Views and Party Vibes
One of Ōhinetahi’s newer additions, the Pavilion sits proudly overlooking the gardens and harbour, with a wraparound balcony that’s wide enough in places for cocktail tables and small gathering spots.
Inside, you can style it for seated dining with long or round tables, or go full cocktail mode with perimeter table placement and a dancefloor that invites movement.
Our go-to layout:
Bar in the far corner
Band or DJ setup to the right as guests enter
Cocktail tables dotted around the perimeter
Dancefloor front and centre (yes, people will use it)
Want to soften the evening or create more ambience as the sun goes down? Uplighting inside the Pavilion can create a warm, moody glow that complements whatever vibe you’re going for — whether that’s modern and minimal or more romantic and layered.
Guest Parking and Access
There’s dedicated guest parking just across the road from the main Ohinetahi entrance (on the left side). It’s also the designated drop-off and pick-up spot for buses if you’re going that route — making group transport logistics refreshingly easy.
With thanks to Agnes Grace Photography
What Can You Expect to Pay at Ōhinetahi?
Let’s get straight to it, friend. Ohinetahi is gorgeous—but she’s a dry-hire venue, which means you’re starting with a blank canvas (literally). No tables, no chairs, no on-site coordinator. Just stately gardens, historic charm, and allll the potential.
We adore working here—it’s one of our regulars. But it’s not for the faint of logistics. Everything (and we mean everything) needs to be brought in, styled, set up, and packed down. That’s where we come in.
The Numbers, Honestly
If you’re planning to host your wedding at Ohinetahi, here’s a realistic breakdown of what most couples spend with us:
Most weddings that include furniture hire, setup, packdown, and coordination land between $10,000 and $13,000.
If you’re wanting the full styling experience with florals, signage, creative direction, and all the magic? You’re looking at closer to $16,000 to $22,000.
And yes—it’s worth every cent for a celebration that flows beautifully, looks editorial-level, and actually feels like you.
“Furniture so good, it might outshine your guest list.”
A Rough Guide to Costs
Furniture Hire (seated reception: tables, chairs, service bar, umbrellas): $4,000–$5,000
Furniture Hire (cocktail style: lounges, cocktail tables, chairs, service bar, umbrellas): $5,000–$6,500
Small Hire (linens, napkins, glassware, styling extras): $500–$2,000
Setup and Packdown: $2,800–$3,800
Wedding Coordination: $2,800–$3,200
Worth noting: Ohinetahi doesn’t allow furniture to be left outside overnight. So if you're planning an alfresco cocktail hour or lawn dining setup before moving into the Pavilion, we’ll need to include same-day packdown for that outdoor area.
Real Talk: Why You'll Want a Coordinator Here
There’s no event manager on-site and no team to oversee logistics on the day—so having a wedding coordinator is essential. We’ve worked at Ohinetahi many times, and we know exactly how to run the show behind the scenes so that everything feels effortless for you and your guests.
From vendor wrangling to last-minute plan B’s (hello, Canterbury weather), we’ve got it sorted. You get to be present, sip champagne, and actually enjoy your day.
Final Thoughts: Is Ōhinetahi Right For You?
If you’re dreaming of a wedding that’s:
Nature-rich but editorially styled
Unforgettable but not over-the-top
Seamless, stylish, and spiritually grounding
…then this is your venue.
And if you want it to look like your Pinterest board but actually happen without the planning anxiety, well — that’s what we’re here for.
Planning a Wedding at Ōhinetahi?
Whether you need furniture that’s as iconic as your guest list, floral installations that don’t fight with the backdrop, or someone to carry the clipboard so you don’t have to — we’ve got you.
📩 Book a Styling Consult
💡Or explore our Cocktail Style Wedding Guide if you’re leaning into lounge zones, mobile bars, and guest flow that just works.
