Logistics of a wedding on a family farm

OP - aren't you in Auckland or am I having a massive brain fade? I'd ditch the farm idea and instead hit up the West Coast wineries or Waiheke for your wedding. Congrats by the way and apologies if I've got you mixed up with someone else entirely!
 
[FnG]magnolia said:
OP - aren't you in Auckland or am I having a massive brain fade? I'd ditch the farm idea and instead hit up the West Coast wineries or Waiheke for your wedding. Congrats by the way and apologies if I've got you mixed up with someone else entirely!
Click to expand...
Brain fade unfortunately, im in Leeds, UK. Not quite New Zealand! I've looked and West Coast wineries or Waihek both look amazing!
I have been to Auckland a few years ago (2008) and did Big day out. I spent Xmas day in Franz Josef near the galcier and new years eve / day in Dunedin.
 
I do wedding catering, inc hogroasts, and have often catered at setups similar to what you're describing. We are totally self-sufficient. We cook fresh on site, our machine uses gas and a 12v leisure battery. Our gazebo has its own lighting, and we use a LWB hi-top Ducato van. We ideally need parking close to where we are going to setup, but we *can* hand-ball the equipment if needed, although we will bill you more for this! However, we serve buffet style, don't expect silver service! For 40 people, this is fine,
 
Semple said:
You can get posh ones, basically a bathroom on wheels, so you're actually doing your business into a proper urinal/toilet as opposed to something that resembles an airplane toilet. I remember first seeing them during graduation ceremony at my uni.
Click to expand...

You mean those that looks like a bathroom, with flushing, sink, mirror? It's like 2 to 3 steps up into them.

I've seen those, it has a male/Female side to them.
 
haaammit said:
I do wedding catering, inc hogroasts, and have often catered at setups similar to what you're describing. We are totally self-sufficient. We cook fresh on site, our machine uses gas and a 12v leisure battery. Our gazebo has its own lighting, and we use a LWB hi-top Ducato van. We ideally need parking close to where we are going to setup, but we *can* hand-ball the equipment if needed, although we will bill you more for this! However, we serve buffet style, don't expect silver service! For 40 people, this is fine,
Click to expand...
Exactly the setup we had at our wedding. Everyone loved it.
 
Apologies if I missed an answer to when you mentioned a local pub two minutes away.

Is this place mega busy, or like many, would welcome you and guests + catering + band at a smaller cost than you may be currently looking at.
 
aVdub said:
Apologies if I missed an answer to when you mentioned a local pub two minutes away.

Is this place mega busy, or like many, would welcome you and guests + catering + band at a smaller cost than you may be currently looking at.
Click to expand...
Its a pretty small family run local pub, doesnt get too busy. I think it would be pointless having it at that pub (if they did allow it) as its quite remote. We were going for the family farm idea because of the working farm aspect, its different and interesting, has a good outside area etc.
That said, I bet that small pub has never catered for a wedding - Might enquire :)
 
The whole things sounds like it would end up costing as much to make it suitable for a wedding, as hiring somewhere more suitable for a wedding. :)
Plus a whole lot less stressful. Weddings are stressful enough tbh.
I can imagine a lot of people's response on hearing that it was in the middle of nowhere with possible parking faff/walking, animals (bulls really?) and portaloos being a polite nope.
 
If you can rent the pub for the day, the parking, the toilet facilities, and a bar would be worth it.

Catering you can stick to your original plan, just now on the pub's grounds. I guess it all depends if there is enough space to put up a marquee if the pub is not large enough to host 40 people inside. If there is then you will save money from the marquee.
 
jaybee said:
The whole things sounds like it would end up costing as much to make it suitable for a wedding, as hiring somewhere more suitable for a wedding. :)
Plus a whole lot less stressful. Weddings are stressful enough tbh.
I can imagine a lot of people's response on hearing that it was in the middle of nowhere with possible parking faff/walking, animals (bulls really?) and portaloos being a polite nope.
Click to expand...
We looked at other venes last night and most of the nicer uniqure ones were charging around 10k-15k for the venue, plus the drinks and food packages on top.
 
Raymond Lin said:
If you can rent the pub for the day, the parking, the toilet facilities, and a bar would be worth it.

Catering you can stick to your original plan, just now on the pub's grounds. I guess it all depends if there is enough space to put up a marquee if the pub is not large enough to host 40 people inside. If there is then you will save money from the marquee.
Click to expand...
Read my mind and ive just suggested this to my future mrs. !
The pub has enough space inside for maybe 50, band space, carpark for 10 odd cars and does incredible food.
Maybe small ceremony on the farm, followed by 'breakfast' meal and celebrations at the pub. State no toilets during the short ceremony, but there are some over the road. I'll probably enquire about hiring the pub for the day, we might even get it for free if they are catering and providing drinks to 40 odd guests with 2k behind the bar.
 
Last edited:
I'm not a massive fan of getting married/weddings, but off the top of my head my list for basic things to get right for a wedding:

- Easy to get to
- Enough accommodation locally
- Enough parking
- Easy access to toilets
- Don't make your guests wait too long before first giving them some food. In general the food is critical to the wedding experience, so make sure this is as good as possible and will cater to all tastes.
- Make sure you have a full wet weather plan, never leave it to chance with the British weather
- Don't make your guests walk through anywhere muddy or difficult to walk through
- Don't ban children from the wedding, but make sure you have thought how to entertain them and have an area where noisy children and babies can be taken to
- Do let your guests take pictures, don't let the official pictures take too long
- If you are thinking of doing anything outside, make sure there is enough shade in case of hot sun

That's all for now!
 
Last edited:
Guest2 said:
We looked at other venes last night and most of the nicer uniqure ones were charging around 10k-15k for the venue, plus the drinks and food packages on top.
Click to expand...

It's disgusting isn't it.

Them: "Yes prices start around £2000 sir for the day. What would be the occasion may I ask?"
You: "Well actually it's err... *clears throat* it's err...for... *whispers quietly* a Wedding."
Them: "A Wedding! Oh well sir you should have said. I'll be right back with the WEDDING price list and some lubrication."
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom