Weddings
New Zealand ’s Premier Wedding Destination Wedding Brochure
Table of Contents Welcome 4 The Ceremony 6 The Photo Shoot 8 The Reception 10 The Catering 12 The Coordinator 13 The Options 14 The Itinerary 16 The Questions 18 The Gallery 20
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Celebrate
your day in the ‘Great theatre of wine’
Welcome to Mahana Weddings. For marriages, partnerships and vow renewals, this is one of the most spectacular wedding venues in the top of the South Island, New Zealand. Mahana Weddings is located at Mahana Estates in the hills of Mahana just half an hour from Nelson, overlooking the vineyard with views of the mountains and the sea. This unique setting provides a stylish and elegant wedding venue for you to create a special day that you and your guests will remember for a lifetime. It is important to us that every detail of your celebration is a pleasurable and memorable experience. We tailor your wedding day to meet your needs and dreams and create the perfect wedding day. As your wedding coordinator, please contact me to arrange a viewing: Email: jj@mahanaweddings.co.nz Mobile: +64 (0) 27 500 5513 Ph: +64 (0) 3 543 2817 ext. 5
Best wishes Jj Luck - Mahana Weddings, Coordinator
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The Ceremony
Your ceremony is held on the lawn with panoramic views overlooking the vineyards to Tasman Bay and the Mount Arthur mountain range. After the ceremony, relax and enjoy drinks and canapĂŠs with your guests. At this time you may choose to have your photos taken and rejoin your guests once they are seated for dinner. Couples are most welcome to be married at alternative sites for or local Churches - some of which are located within a few minutes drive and then you and your guests can celebrate in The Cellars for the Wedding Reception.
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The Photo Shoot
Capture your wedding photos in magnificent surroundings, perhaps some in the vines or down by our lake. Local photographers know the best locations for photo opportunities, both rural and coastal.
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The Reception The formalities are over… you’re married – it’s time to relax with your guests and celebrate. The Cellars, on the ground floor of a four level gravity fed winery, is built into the hillside with a “living roof” of tussock and is distinctive in its architectural design. High vaulted ceilings and large glass doors open to the courtyard to create a dramatic, atmospheric space enhanced by artworks. Surrounded by candlelight, you and your guests will enjoy award-winning wine and food by chef Jason Innes and his skilled team.
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The Catering Executive Chef, Jason Innes, brings years of award-winning restaurant success and experience to Mahana Weddings. He has designed various menu options to choose from.
Jason Innes, who was born in Canada, has lived most of his life on the South Island of New Zealand. His notable experiences include positions as the Executive Chef at leading New Zealand luxury wineries and lodges, such as Amisfield, Millbrook Resort and Country Club and Grasmere Lodge. During his tenure at Amisfield, he was the winner of the NZ Cuisine Magazine’s Winery Restaurant of the Year 2006 and 2007 and was a guest chef at The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. Sourcing the best local seafood, meat, fresh vegetables and herbs are the heart of Innes’ cooking, enabling him to deliver sumptuous, generous flavours with an abundance of skillful preparation. The herb and vegetable garden under his direction exemplifies his farm-totable concept for the Mahana Cellar Door. His goal is to enhance five-star rated wine with exceptional food, establishing Mahana’s Cellar Door as a renowned destination in New Zealand. Exceptional food by Jason Innes
The Coordinator Our professional and friendly wedding coordinator is dedicated to ensuring your wedding experience at Mahana Weddings is one of the most special days of your life, and will work with you to make your day as you envisage. We want every detail of your celebration to be a pleasurable and memorable experience.
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The Options Lawn Ceremony & Cellars Reception Ideal for 70 guests to a maximum of 200 guests 3.30pm -11.30pm Venue hire includes the following: • Assistance with coordinating the ceremony and reception • Lawn area for ceremony • Use of lawn for pre-reception drinks and canapés • Use of grounds for photos • Sound system for background music after the service • All staffing • The Cellars function room for your reception • Signing barrel • Tables and chairs • Full length white table linen and napkins • Crockery • Cutlery • Glassware • Cordless microphone for speeches in The Cellars and background music • Cake table (wine barrel) and knife • Gift table (if required) • Set up and pack down of furniture and linen The items below are not included in the venue hire, however Mahana Weddings works with a number of excellent wedding suppliers in the local area, who will assist you with the following: • Chair covers • Decorative items • Floral decorations • Entertainment • Photography • Celebrant
The Options Lawn Ceremony & Cellar Door Reception For up to a maximum of 60 guests (Monday-Thursday only) 5pm -10.30pm Weekends P.O.A. Venue hire includes the following: • Assistance with coordinating ceremony and reception • Lawn area for ceremony and Cellar Door / Gallery for reception • Use of lawn and courtyard for pre-reception drinks and canapés • Use of grounds for photos • All staffing • Signing barrel • Tables and chairs • Full length white table linen and napkins • Crockery • Cutlery • Glassware • Cake table (wine barrel) and knife • Sound system for background music • Gift table (if required) • Set up and pack down of furniture and linen
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The Itinerary An itinerary example of your wedding day at Mahana 3.30pm Our Mahana Méthode Traditionelle NV Brut is a wonderful way to start the occasion as your guests gather on the lawn before the ceremony. This is the perfect way for your family and friends to be greeted with a beverage by our welcoming bar staff. 4pm Bridal Party and the Bride arrive and the ceremony commences. 4.30pm As you have your photos taken at many of the picturesque sites on the Estate– you will be able to relax knowing your guests will be well looked after -enjoying the fabulous views, canapés and bubbles. The lawn is the perfect area for lawn games should your guests wish to play. 5.30pm Your guests will move down to The Cellars and be seated – the MC takes the floor to do housekeeping. 6.15pm The Bridal Party arrive and are seated at the head table. 6.30pm Entrées are served. 7pm Speeches. 7.30pm Main course is served. 8.15pm Speeches. Cutting of the cake / dessert is served. 9pm Tea, coffee and wedding cake will be available from the buffet table. 9.15pm It’s time to celebrate! First dance by the Bride and Groom. 11.30pm The band finishes and coaches arrive to take your guests home
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Questions and Answers Ceremony/Lawn Area: Q. What is the earliest time guests may arrive at Mahana? A. Your guests may arrive from 3.30pm. Q. We would like to hold a ceremony rehearsal, when may we do this? A. This can be arranged during the week before your wedding. It is not always possible the day before as there may be another wedding/event taking place. Q. Do you have a half barrel we may use as a ‘wishing well’? A. Yes, it will be placed on the lawn for your guests to put their envelope in it. Q. How many chairs may we have set up on the lawn for the ceremony? A. We find that most couples like to have a few chairs available at the front of the area where you take your vows. We have 40 but if you do require more they are available at $4 per chair. Q. Is there a registry table set up outside? A. We have a barrel you may use. Q. Do you have a sound system for the ceremony? A. Our sound system is better suited for music to be played after the ceremony only. Please speak to your celebrant as most will have a system specifically for this with wireless lapel microphones and a dedicated person to set up the gear and operate it during the service. They will know the queues when to play music etc. Q. May we have confetti? A. Only if it is biodegradable. Q. What are the wet weather contingencies? A. Please speak with the wedding coordinator to discuss options. Q. When do the nets go on the vines and for how long? A. Mother Nature plays a role here as it is very weather dependent. They are on by the beginning of February until the day before the grapes are picked. Q. May we bring our dog/dogs – they are part of our family. A. Yes, very welcome to come! continued...
Questions and Answers Beverages: Q. May we buy and bring in our own alcohol? A. No, all beverages (wine, beer and non-alcoholic) are to be purchased from Mahana. No spirits are allowed. Reception: A. Do you have a floor plan? Q. Once your numbers are confirmed the wedding coordinator will send you a floor plan as a suggestion and tables can move around from there as you wish. Q. What colour is the table linen and napkins? A. White. If you do require black there is an extra charge (please ask the wedding coordinator). Q. Do you place the table numbers/names, individual menus, and favours (if using)? A. Yes, we do the set up of the tables. When you meet with the coordinator to discuss your table settings, a mock table will be set up and photos taken. Q. Do you design and print name cards, menus or the seating plan? A. We do not do this but we can suggest a very good local design company and also a printing company. Q. Who does the centrepieces? A. If it is non-floral we will place the prepared centrepiece on the table (this will have been assembled by you and dropped off to the Cellars during the week, usually when you meet with the coordinator to do a mock table). Q. Do the florists usually turn up on the day and put the flowers out where they are meant to be? A. Yes and they will liaise with the coordinator for a time to come out. Sometimes it will be the afternoon before. Q. How many guests can fit around a table? A. The tables are round and can fit ten guests but eight is more comfortable once the settings are on (glasses/wine/water carafes/flowers et al). continued...
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Questions and Answers Q. Do you supply big trees? A. No, you will need to contact Richard at ‘Big Trees on Lansdowne’ and arrange this. Richard is very helpful and will suggest trees depending on the season/weather as the leaves can change. As a suggestion - two Titoki for either side of the head table look great. If you can stretch to four along there, even better. On the other side of the Cellars (the glass door side) smaller, shrub-like ones (Griselinia) look good and help balance it with five. Three taller trees work outside along the pillars and help create a dramatic entrance. If you want to create an enclosed area around the garden tables and chairs in the courtyard then some (smaller) shrubs add to the mix. If you want all big trees: 2 x tall trees behind the head table, 4 x tall trees behind glass doors and 3 x tall trees outside against pillars. Mahana Weddings have little fairy lights we are happy to let you use and we will put them on for you. We will also cover the plants pot containers with hessian. Q. How long should the speeches last? A. This is entirely up to the couple, but it can be an idea if there are a few to spread them out between courses. Q. Could we have a linen covered table to place teas/coffee, cake or cheeseboard. A. Yes. Q. Are there child care agencies in the area? A. Please see your Local Services pack for up-to-date sitters in the area. Q. What time should the band start? A. Give your guests a bit of time after dinner to move around and chat to other guests. If the band is set up and ready, they can play some background music. Q. What are the local cab services for the area? A. Please speak to wedding coordinator for bookings to be made. These must be done in advance as it can take up to an hour for cabs to come out from Nelson. continued...
Questions and Answers Q. We (Bride and Groom) plan on leaving the reception first. A. Please allow time for this, for example if you are using sparklers outside you may want the band/MC to announce the evening has now ended and you are to gather outside to wave the Bride and Groom farewell. Q. What time does the reception finish? A. The coach must be ready to collect guests from 11.30pm and so we suggest the last dance is before this to give everyone time to get ready to leave. Measurements Barrel top: 65cm Frame for table seating plan to go on: 58W x 98L Round tables: 1.8m (We use white linen 3m with a drop of 60cm) Trestle tables – two sizes: 2.4m x 0.76m (Height 0.74m) 1.8m x 0.76m (Height 0.74m) These will be set up depending on the size of your head table: Six guests: two 1.8m x 0.76m trestle tables Eight guests: two 2.4m x 0.76m trestle tables Ten guests: two 2.4m trestle tables, one 1.8m trestle table Twelve guests: three 2.4m trestle tables
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The Gallery
Memories
From this day forward
Walk with me
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A Celebration
Our beginning
Be mine forever
Endless love
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Weddings 243 Old Coach Rd, RD 1 Upper Moutere, Nelson, New Zealand 7173 +64 3 543 2817 ext. 5 or +64 27 500 5513
www.mahanaweddings.nz