Explore Wedding Venues in Wellington

Whether you’re planning a 120-guest celebration with a string quartet and signature cocktails or a barefoot ceremony with ten people and a playlist that includes Taylor Swift and Phoebe Bridgers, Wellington has the kind of venues that let you do your day your way.

Before You Fall in Love with the Venue

Start with the basics. Who’s coming? What season are you planning for? And how chill or extra are you as a couple? Wellington isn’t a huge city, but it’s layered. You can go full Bridgerton vibes in a heritage building, or elope on a cliff like you’re starring in a moody A24 film.

Weather-wise, expect anything. Seriously. Summer can be stunning but windy. Spring is pretty but unpredictable. Autumn has a bit of magic especially around golden hour and winter weddings, if you embrace the cosiness, can be surprisingly romantic. Just plan with the elements, not against them.

What Wellington Venues Actually Feel Like

In the city, you’ll find modern venues with glass walls and harbour views, perfect for minimalist couples who want skyline aesthetics. Just outside town, there are green pockets that feel like secret gardens. If you’ve ever watched Notting Hill and thought, “That scene in the private garden? Yeah, that,” you’ll vibe with these spots. Winding paths, old trees, and quiet corners for stolen moments.

The coastal areas serve drama in the best way. The wind, the ocean, the cliffs. Ideal if you’re the kind of person who has Florence + The Machine on your wedding playlist and doesn’t mind a veil flying sideways in every photo. South Coast, Eastbourne, and around the bays? Absolutely worth it.

If you’re after a slower pace, head a bit further. Vineyards, paddocks, and countryside venues make it easy to turn your wedding into a weekend. Perfect for friend groups who travel in packs and want a venue with room for lawn games, a bonfire, and someone inevitably playing acoustic guitar.

Wellington Weddings Run on Food and Feelings

This city is obsessed with food, so no surprise the catering scene is strong. You’ve got options for shared feasts, canapés, food trucks, or a full-course meal if you want to go full Succession-level luxe. Vegan? Gluten-free? Want your family recipe on the menu? Most places will find a way.

Drinks-wise, BYO is still a thing at a few spots, but a lot of venues offer curated drinks packages. If you want martinis or craft beer brewed down the road, you can probably make it happen. Wellington loves a bit of character when it comes to booze.

What’s This Going to Cost Me?

Weddings here aren’t cheap, but they’re also not that terrifying. Expect to spend anywhere between $90 and $145 per head for food and drink, and venue hire can go from $1,500 to $8,000 depending on how Pinterest-y the place looks.

The trick is to ask early what’s included. Some places will throw in furniture, AV, and clean-up. Others will charge you extra. And if you’re trying to save, weekday weddings or off-season months can cut costs without cutting the vibe.

Getting Around (And Not Losing Half Your Guests)

Wellington is compact, but hilly. City-based venues are easy. People can walk, Uber, or hop on the bus. But if you’re heading to the outer suburbs or a coastal retreat, think about shuttles. And if you’re going rural, make it clear in the invite. No one wants to GPS their way into farmland with 3% battery.

Got guests flying in? Venues near the airport or city centre make things smoother. And maybe book some hotel blocks in advance because Wellington fills up fast when there’s a concert, a festival, or literally any hint of good weather.

Where to Look, Based on Your The Vibe You’re Going For

City slickers, head to the CBD or waterfront for modern spaces with skyline views and minimal travel time. Ideal if your wedding vision board looks like an episode of The Bold Type.

Garden people? Look around the hills, botanic spaces, and tucked-away estates. If you cried at the wedding scene in Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1, this is your zone.

Coastal romantics, go south. The wind is dramatic, the views are next-level, and your wedding photos will have enough movement to rival a Lana Del Rey album cover.

Make It Yours (Not Instagram’s)

Forget what’s trending and do what feels right. Write your own vows. Play your favourite TV show’s soundtrack during dinner. Let your dog be your ring bearer. Let your favorite DJ spin for hours. It’s your wedding.

Things to Check Before You Sign Anything

Visit the venue. Walk through your day. Where will you get ready? What’s the backup plan for rain? Is there a sound system? What’s the deal with third party suppliers? Is someone going to be on-site who knows what’s going on?

Read the contract. Read it again. Ask questions. If anything sounds vague, get it in writing. Don’t assume anything, not even the seating.

Wellington Isn’t Just Pretty

There’s something about getting married here that feels a little bit magic. Maybe it’s the light. Maybe it’s the people. Maybe it’s the fact that everything’s close enough to feel familiar, but still wide open enough to make space for something big.

Search by vibe, size, or budget, and build your day from there. Because weddings aren’t about perfection. They’re about meaning. And if you’re doing it in Wellington, you’re already halfway there.

How much do weddings in Wellington cost?

Based on VenueNow's historic data, on average, Wellington wedding venues cost between 185 to 275 NZD per person. For example, an event for 100 people could cost between 18500-27500 NZD. Costs may differ based on your food and beverage requirements, AV requirements, event date and time and the type of venue you decide to book.

What should I consider when comparing Wellington wedding venues?

There are a number of different factors you should consider when comparing Wellington wedding venues. Firstly, you should review the standing and seated capacity of the venue to see if they can fit your attendees. Next you should review the costs associated with hiring the venue such as venue hire fees, food & drink packages, additional costs such as audio-visual equipment, and whether there is a minimum spend to hire the venue. Other important factors include the location, aesthetic, amenities and facilities of the venue to understand if the venue fits all of your requirements. A great way to do this is review the venue's listings on VenueNow and review their function packs attached to the page.

How do I find and book Wellington wedding venues?

Finding and booking Wellington wedding venues is easy with VenueNow. Simply follow these steps: (1) Enter your location, event type and number of people into VenueNow's search engine. (2) Narrow down your search results by adding filters such as your event date and time, preferred room layout and budget. (3) Once you've found some venues you're interested in, visit the venue listings and send your enquiry via VenueNow. The venue will receive your enquiry immediately and respond to you within 24 hours via email. We recommend contacting 3-5 different venues to ensure you get the best price. (4) Venues will respond with a quote via email based on your requirements, and may suggest alternate dates when they can host your event. (5) Once you're happy with the quote, you can confirm your booking with the venue, pay your deposit and start planning your event.

How far in advance should I book Wellington wedding venues?

On average, VenueNow customers book a venue 90 days in advance of the event. In some cases you are able to find venues that are available at short notice, however, availability for your preferred date and time may be limited. For large corporate events or weddings, we recommend booking your venue at least 3-6 months in advance, to ensure plenty of venues are available and you can lock in the best price for your requirements. Larger events also typically require additional planning with your attendees as well as any suppliers that may be required for the event.

Can VenueNow help me find Wellington wedding venues?

We sure can! Not only can you find and book venues via on VenueNow yourself or using our Match AI feature, our team of Venue Booking Experts can help you find the perfect venue, collect quotes from multiple venues on your behalf, negotiate the best price with venues and book venues, all for free. Simply send us your event brief and our team will be in contact with venue recommendations within 24-48 hours.