Weddings & Functions: Celebrate in Style

Dreams Become Reality

Turn your dream into reality—the romance of a white silk lined marquee in a vineyard setting, exclusively yours for your special day...

Waipara River Estate—just 45 minutes from Christchurch—offers superb marquee locations for your special celebration – your wedding, civil union, birthday, anniversary, Christmas party—with the lush backdrop of vibrant grapevines, breathtaking mountain views, lovely mature gardens, complete with wonderful Waipara wines—a brilliant, romantic location to celebrate your special occasion.

Ceremony and Photos

Your ceremony could be held in many locations at Waipara River Estate –amongst the vines; in the gardens; in a pavilion beside a pond looking towards Mt Cass (to be built 2011) or elsewhere in Waipara – maybe St Paul’s Church (temporarily unavailable due to earthquake damage), Glenmark; or at the Glenmark Railway station.

We have many unique places for special photos of a day to remember at our 80 acre farm—in the vineyard where the seasons bring wonderful changes of colour and light, an old shepherd's hut, macrocarpa archway, old gates, old railway bridge, amongst the trees and gardens or farm equipment. There are other great spots around Waipara too—maybe the Weka Pass Steam train or with a fire tender at the Waipara Volunteer fire brigade. Ask us to help with these and many other locations and creative possibilities.

Celebrate Your Own Way

Choosing Waipara River Estate means you can celebrate in your own way—Choose a marquee company and caterers.

Choose your wines and alcohol from our extensive Function Beverage List that features wonderful Waipara wines.

Choose your décor theme and colours. Select a style to suit from the marquee hire companies or from A Grand Affair. Marquees are usually erected 2- 3 days before an event so you have plenty of time to decorate as you wish. They are dismantled the Monday after, so maybe have an after wedding lunch or BBQ the next day.

Choose guest numbers – subject to the size of marquee chosen.

Choose when and where to hold your function - we have several locations suitable for marquees and ceremonies.

Luxury B&B Accomodation: Annie's Loft & Studio

A unique advantage in choosing Waipara River Estate is the luxury B&B accommodation on site - Annie’s Loft and Studio which offers two separate, private self-contained areas. Maybe use the Studio for the bridal party to prepare or freshen up; for babies and young children to sleep or for older family members. Don’t forget the romantic, Annie’s Loft for the honeymooners!

Details

Parking: Plenty of room for cars and buses to park in a field adjacent to the marquee.

Waipara is only 45 minutes from Christchurch. Have your whole wedding here or just the reception.

If you would like to learn more about our event venues and pricing, click here to send an email for our wedding/celebration venue information and function beverage list.

FAQ

What is included in the site hire price?

You will have exclusive use of the grounds where your marquee is located for the day/night of your function – no other functions at the same time.

Hireage covers the time to erect and dismantle the marquee. Marquees are usually erected 2- 3 days before an event so there is plenty of time to decorate. They are dismantled the Monday or Tuesday after. If you have an after wedding lunch or BBQ the next day there is a small extra hire fee.

In addition to the site hire fee, we can provide accommodation in Annie’s Loft and Studio, which will be discounted if both are booked for the event.

Do you have a minimum or maximum guest count?

There is no minimum guest count.

We can only permit the maximum number that your chosen marquee can accommodate. Generally we can accommodate up to 150 people.

If your function is larger than 150, please ask us and we will try to make it possible because we do have plenty of space available.

How late can my reception go?

This will depend on liquor licensing, and your caterers and other staff. Generally events at Waipara River Estate must end by midnight.

Can I have a live band?

Yes, only within the marquee.

Anywhere outdoors, you may use non-amplified live music such as a string quartet, harpist, violinist, pianist or singer.

Can I provide the alcohol?

No. You can choose your wines and alcohol from our comprehensive and very competitively priced Function Beverage List. We can accommodate any special requests you may have. Once your selection is made, this will be included in the hireage fee. You will need to arrange for your caterers to serve alcohol and beverages.

Churches

Anglican: Waipara - St Paul's, Glenmark - phone (03)314 4263. View photo. (temporarily unusable due to earthquake damage)
Anglican: Amberley - Holy Innocent's - phone (03) 314 8131. View photo
Roman Catholic: Amberley - Holy Passion of Our Lord 03-319 8730 or 027-750 1008. View photo.