The Best Christchurch Wedding Venues
By Gabrielle Maloy

09 September 2020

Innovation in every direction is Christchurch's forte - that holds true even for wedding venues, from cosy to colossal.

Whether you’re after a vineyard atop rolling hills, a warm and intimate space, or light-filled halls, picking the Christchurch venue for your wedding is no easy feat. Our list of the region's best wedding venues has something to celebrate every couple and their quirks. Read on to find the best wedding venues for celebrating your new stage of life together.

 

Trent’s Estate Vineyard


Image by The Woods Photography

Trent’s Estate Vineyard is a wedding venue set for a romantic day, from ceremony to reception. Despite being close to Christchurch, Trent’s is a private escape full of ambience with excellent service, having still retained its original owners since its beginning in 1997. Host to a 140-year-old restored brick building, grapevines, and mature sycamore trees, the grounds provide the perfect backdrop for your Christchurch wedding. If you’re after a venue that you can sink your toes into for your whole day, Trent’s has you covered, with multiple areas and resources at the ready.

 

Rossendale Vineyard


Image by Rossendale Vineyard

Rossendale is a working vineyard home to a picturesque Christchurch wedding venue. The grounds can accommodate up to 150 seated guests, or 200 for a cocktail function, as well as provide a unique wine list for your day thanks to their roots as fine wine growers and producers. Rossendale have an experienced and friendly team ready to help you create your ideal Christchurch wedding, including in house catering from their award-winning chef to suit any and all.

 

Larcomb Vineyard


Image by Larcomb Vineyard

Larcomb is a full-service venue ready to host your Christchurch wedding. Whether you want an intimate occasion with a small number of family and friends or a massive and roaring celebration, Larcomb Vineyard has options to suit. Opt for their big barn with its exposed beam ceiling, or a smaller affair around the open fire. With professional and dependable catering to fuel guests and complement your celebration, plus their outstanding service, Larcomb is sure to provide a beautiful setting to mark the start of the rest of your lives together.

 

Waipuna Estate


Image by Waipuna Estate

Waipuna Estate’s sweeping views of the Southern Alps and Christchurch City are just a part of what gives them their place as one of the top Christchurch wedding venues. Just a scenic 25-minute drive from Christchurch brings you Waipuna’s peaceful grounds. Their function rooms can be transformed into several configurations to suit your number of guests and desire for intimacy or space.

 

Local. at Riccarton House


Image by Local. at Riccarton House

Riccarton House bleeds pure character. Built in 1856 on 12 hectares of park grounds, this cozy homestead is just minutes from central Christchurch. With natural light flooding through the building’s heritage features, Local. at Riccarton is unforgettably picturesque and brings a unique feel to your Christchurch wedding. Riccarton House has a variety of spaces to host your perfect day with ease and flexibility. Their menu exudes a garden-to-plate philosophy that changes with the seasons, with the chefs picking from their very own selection of fresh vegetables and herbs to inspire dishes.

 

The Atrium


Image by The Atrium

A space to fill anywhere from 30 to 600 guests in a variety of settings, with bespoke tiled floors underfoot and Victorian-era iron arches above, The Atrium at The Tannery is a venue you and your guests will never forget. The Atrium has quickly become a well sought after boutique option for Christchurch venues, especially for the refined couple full of flair. Close to Port Hills and Christchurch’s beach suburbs, and home to a team of event managers and chefs, The Atrium at The Tannery is a conveniently placed venue where you can truly step away and trust the professionals.

 

Mt Vernon Lodge


Image by Mt Vernon Lodge

If you’re after peaceful seclusion to celebrate the rest of your life with your partner, Mt Vernon Lodge could be home to your Christchurch wedding. The lodge is nestled amongst the trees and provides beautiful Akaroa harbour views, resulting in a stunning spot for up to 150 guests. Choose from their lawns or conference room, their catering or your own, and even whether you’d like to stay at the lodge for the days and nights surrounding your big day.

 

Omarino Estate


Image by Omarino Estate

Omarino Estate sits amongst 20 acres of award-winning Omarino Wine Park grapevines, with sizeable modern function rooms and outdoor spaces to suit any Christchurch wedding venue vision. For the discerning couples, Omarino provides choices of catering options, their very own local wines, and secluded shelter from the bustling city. Omarino Estate is the largest winery wedding venue in the region, able to host up to 200 people while still keeping room for the dance floor and band.

 

Riccarton Park


Image by Riccarton Park

Relaxed, 8 minutes from the airport, and full of choices, Riccarton Park is a convenient option for your Christchurch wedding venue, for both you and your guests. With up to nine venue options within the park, Riccarton Park is set to make your wedding day dreams a reality. You’ve got access to a spectrum of choices from contemporary and modern or restored Edwardian charm. With refreshing settings around the venues, you are set to settle into your day here with ease.

 

Cossars Wineshed


Image by Susannah Blatchford Photography

Cossars Wineshed is a boutique venue, with their rural property boasting a dining hall with high ceilings for up to 110 guests, an alfresco style courtyard, lawns, and of course, its own stunning vineyard. Taking on a different personality throughout the year’s seasons, Cossars is a light-filled paradise to celebrate your Christchurch wedding. With multiple catering and beverage options to choose from, and their family team of residents ready to provide their expertise and passion, no stone is left unturned, and no wedding is left incomplete.

 

Pemberton Gardens


Image by Martin Setunsky Photography

Stunning and timeless, Pemberton Gardens offers outdoor courtyards, mature gardens, a charming pagoda, choices of ceremony locations, and a purpose-built interior. Pemberton Gardens’ grounds offer idyllic scenes from any angle, to light up both your photographs and memories of the day. This top Christchurch wedding venue provides a choice of three on-site caterers, a bustling stage and dance floor for the later hours, plus a bridal room and superb bathroom facilities. Located in Prebbleton, just 20 minutes south of Christchurch, Pemberton Gardens is the perfect choice for your celebration of love and lifelong memories.

 

Bangor Farm


Image by Bangor Farm

A natural beauty, Bangor Farm features 50 acres of sprawling old English oak trees, redwoods, ponds, and views of Mt Hutt and Mt Torlesse. Bangor Farm takes pride in being a Christchurch wedding venue, passionate about bringing family and friends together to celebrate and relax. Effortlessly hosting functions both small and large, Bangor Farm encourages guests to enjoy all the farm has to offer. With picturesque spots in the lawn, by the pond, or The Folly, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to your ceremony. Plus, choose from one of many options for your reception, and your day at Bangor Farm will feel like it was made just for you.

 

Harpers Homestead


Image by Gather+You

Overlooking the northern banks of the Waimakariri River, Harpers Homestead is tucked away in a three-acre tree-studded property, providing seclusion and spectacular views. Harpers Homestead is owned and managed by a husband and wife duo eager to bring you the best day possible, thanks to the inspiration given to them by their very own wedding. They have worked tirelessly to make Harpers Homestead the Christchurch wedding venue it is now. With warm staff and a network of suppliers to make sure your wishlist is all ticked off, any wedding here becomes one to remember. Also able to cater their venue for your needs, Harpers Homestead fosters a relaxed and warm atmosphere to top off your wedding day.

 

Ilam Homestead


Image by Ilam Homestead

Ilam Homestead and its surrounding gardens make for a pristine and idyllic wedding venue setting. At Ilam Homestead, indoor weddings exude the charm and heritage of decades past, thanks to a formal dining hall with polished timber, or the downstairs bar and entertainment area. Step outside this Christchurch venue of dreams, for lush lawns beside stunning streams, bridges and gardens. Ilam Homestead is conveniently located, being tucked in amongst the University of Canterbury’s grounds. A curated range of catering options is also available, leaving you and your guests happy.

 

Ilex Events and Weddings


Image by Klook

Ilex Events and Weddings help to plan and configure weddings in The Botanic Gardens Events Centre, various spots in and around the Botanic Gardens, and Cunningham House. Ilex is home to a team of passionate planners, all on hand to put your vision first and curate the details and logistics of your day, no matter where you want it. Although specialised in creating weddings based at the Botanic Gardens, Ilex can also organise and host intimate weddings at home, or at other external Christchurch venues.

 

Melton Estate


Image by Melton Estate

Melton Estate aims to make your Christchurch wedding day endlessly memorable for you and your guests. As a small team (including the owners!), they can tailor their offerings to suit your needs. Melton Estate is a boutique winery with an architectural wedding venue for all party sizes or weather conditions. With their prized multi-faceted banquet room sitting above their Pinot Noir vines, surrounded by sheltering gardens and terraces, you will feel swept into a world of celebration.

 

The Little Chapel


Image by The Little Chapel

Built in the late 19th century, The Little Chapel will provide some old romantic charm to your wedding venue. The Little Chapel aims to provide anything from elopements with a handful of guests, to a ceremony and reception - all of which provides funds for children and families in the community. Beautiful stained glass windows, period architectural features, ornate wood carvings and romantic dark timber all seamlessly blend together to create a genuinely unique Christchurch venue. The Little Chapel is non-denominational and provides weddings for everyone, encouraging couples to bring as much customisation to their special day as they’d like.

 

Langdale Vineyard Restaurant


Image by Langdale Vineyard Restaurant

Just 15 minutes from Christchurch, Langdale Vineyard Restaurant sits among grapevines, established trees, and lush gardens to make for a picturesque wedding venue. Fill Langdale’s surroundings with an outdoor wedding or bring it inside to take advantage of seating in the restaurant and wine hall areas. With pride for their cuisine, Langdale completes your Christchurch wedding with their local produce, creative menu, and extensive wine list highlighting all the area has to offer.

 

Britten Stables


Image by Britten Stables

Britten Stables provides unique luxury accommodation, especially suited to those who want to have a small and personal wedding venue, or a get-together to dovetail their Christchurch wedding ceremony and reception. Its location in the beating heart of Christchurch makes it convenient for any other venues in the area you may be coming from or going to. Britten Stables’ mix of B&B and apartment accommodation, each offering its own unique flair, is coupled with a selection of purpose-built spaces, so get in touch with their helpful team to see what may suit. You can even opt to hire out the entire property to create the stunning wedding venue you have in mind.

 

French Farm Winery


Image by French Farm Winery

Canterbury’s French farm valley holds the gem of a Christchurch venue that is French Farm Winery. Provincial French style combines with their abundance of native New Zealand flora and fauna to create a beautiful backdrop for a wedding venue. Streams float nearby as their bistro serves custom cuisine, and multiple rooms provide endless options for your number of guests and the season. Previously a working vineyard, French Farm Winery now focuses on delivering weddings that leave impressions, especially through their food.

 

Ohinetahi House & Garden


Image by Ohinetahi House & Garden

Ohinetahi House & Garden is a garden and 19th-century homestead of international significance, with a number of notable architects and artists contributing to the site over time. Also home to over a hectare of gardens, two galleries, sculpture and woodland trails, the grounds are truly magnificent, offering complete tranquillity. Their gardens date back to 1865 and sit in the striking setting of Governor’s Bay, just 20 minutes over the Port Hills from Christchurch. Ohinetahi is a well equipped wedding venue set to enhance your ideal day. With handfuls of trusted suppliers to ensure your wedding exceeds expectations, Ohinetahi is a superb Christchurch venue.