waitaki braids

weddings
& Events

Charming, unique, romantic. Waitaki Braids is steeped in history and full of character, you’ll be hard pushed to find a more enchanting setting for your big day. Whether you’re planning an intimate day exclusively for close family or a lavish celebration with a wealth of friends and relatives, Waitaki Braids can provide the perfect backdrop to your special day.

Want to make a night of it? No problem! With seven beautifully-appointed ensuite rooms, as well as a cosy holiday home, there’s plenty of room for everyone.

location

You are welcome to use the Braids lawn for your ceremony or the Barn if the weather is inclement. There are a number of other great locations around the beautiful Waitaki Valley just contact us for a list of ideas.

The wedding breakfast

The breakfast if plated and severed at the table will be a starter, a choice of two mains served with the same vegetables and dessert. Or the breakfast can be buffet style with patrons being served a starter then helping themselves to the main course from buffet at the rear of The Barn and then a selection of finger foods for dessert. Any dietary requirements will be catered for, please provide a list.

Bubbly and beer are the normal selection for after the ceremony and then with the Breakfast wines and beers selected from a list we provide (these are at a discounted price).

Corkage is $15 a bottle.

decorations

You are responsible for all extra lighting decorations (we have blue fairy lights in the ceiling), candles (we have wooden candle holders and table numbers should you want to use them), napkins and of course flowers and greenery. You are also responsible for any lawn games.

weddings

The Braids Barn is a wonderful location for a wedding. Your wedding means we close off our accommodation in the lodge to other guests in order that your guests instead can be accommodated in our 7 superior rooms and our two bedroom apartment across the road.

Once you have decided to get married at Waitaki Braids there is a fee of $500 for the use of the venue, this fee in non-refundable to secure your booking.

the barn

The Barn has that “special” factor due to its history and the fact its lined with Rimu from the Christchurch earthquakes making it feel rustic yet elegant.

Around 80 people can be seated comfortably with individual tables seating 10 -12, or up to 110 seated at long tables.

Normally on tables you will have a menu and a choice of red and white wine, water carafes, flowers and possibly other decorations like candles.

other services

We have a list of options for your ceremony, marriage celebrants, photographers, hair and make up stylists and wedding car options for you to consider. And if you want to arrive in style and go somewhere special for your photos we suggest Heliventures, www.heliventuresnz.com

order of events

After the ceremony and while you are having your photos taken (you may of course choose to do these beforehand) you can have your guests come to Waitaki Braids for high tea and/or drinks, nibbles and games on the lawn.

When you are ready your MC will ask people to go to The Barn and be seated after which he will advise any housekeeping rules (the whole of Waitaki Braids is strictly non smoking, smokers will need to go out onto the street).

We suggest that after the starters there are speeches, this allows time for the setting up of the Buffet or plating of mains.

After the main course the tables will be cleared and the dessert board set up. This is also the time to cut the cake.

Guests then help themselves to dessert, tea and coffee and a slice of your cake.

Then its time for dancing and partying.

Our liquor license allows us to serve until midnight in The Barn this is also the time the Band usually plays until and after a long day most people are ready to retire.