Boomrock Wellington

Boomrock sits at 292 Boom Rock Road within Papanui Station, a working coastal farm high above Cook Strait on the Wellington coast. On a clear day the South Island is on the skyline, and Mount Taranaki shows up on exceptionally fine ones.

The lodge hosts up to 120 seated guests, or 130 for a cocktail-style event. The family has farmed here for four generations, and that shows in the feel of the place, which is more private farm than event hall. Guests can add the city before or after, including the Zealandia ecosanctuary, and the Wairarapa wine country is about an hour from Wellington. The drive from Wellington takes about half an hour, or six minutes by helicopter.

The wedding package includes exclusive use of Boomrock Lodge. The ceremony is open air, overlooking Cook Strait, with the clifftop lawn or covered balcony as fallbacks depending on the season and weather. Drinks, canapés and photos happen on the clifftop lawn, then the reception moves into the Lodge, which seats up to 80 indoors, with the rest on the deck, which can be enclosed with awnings if the weather turns.

Suppliers can access from 9am and guests leave by midnight. Ask the team about legal ceremonies for UK couples and whether a smaller guest list changes the layout.

Pipinui Point is the on-site option, a private clifftop cabin with two king bedrooms, a hot tub, a wood burner and breakfast included. It suits the couple and a small wedding party, and works for getting ready. For the rest of the guests, ask the team which Wellington hotels they recommend. The venue arranges coach, helicopter or private car transport for larger groups. Summer weekends are popular, and the team advises booking 12 to 18 months ahead, while midweek and winter dates tend to be more flexible. Wellington Airport is in Rongotai, so ask the team about the drive time from there.