10 reasons for a Hawke’s Bay wedding
One – lots of sunshine
It’s sunny. Really. Hawke’s Bay has over 2,200 hours of sunshine every year and is sheltered and warm. The skies are mostly cloudless and a stunningly beautiful blue. If you want an outdoor wedding and a joyous weekend to go with it, it’s a very good bet.
Two – hardly ever rains
Rainfall and humidity are low. In fact, Hawke’s Bay has the lowest rainfall in the North Island. That’s why we’re famous for outdoor events!
Three – fabulous venues
Hawke’s Bay has the best variety of fabulous wedding venues in the country. Run from your beige city hotels and embrace the vineyards, lodges, historic homes and quirky spaces of the Bay.
Four – sparkly water
The water is sparkly. Nearly every day. You cannot look at the sparkly Pacific Ocean from Napier and not feel glad to be alive.
Five – dreamy wedding photography
Wedding photography is glorious. Vineyards, dramatic craggy hills, the Pacific Ocean (see above, it really does sparkle), the extraordinary bouncing light at the beaches, twinkly lights in the orchards, barrels in wine cellars, colonial verandahs. Hawke’s Bay is a wedding photographer’s dream and you will cherish the photos.
Six – access
It’s a short hop from everywhere. Enjoy the drive in through the countryside – 4 hours from Wellington and 5 from Auckland, or take advantage of the good flights to the charming and unflustered Napier Airport. It’s easy as.
Seven – accommodation choice
Give your guests a variety of accommodation choices, from the sweet, inexpensive motels dotted around the region to a sophisticated waterfront hotel. If you’re feeling really classy, have a night or two in Cape Kidnappers. You feel the love when you stay in Hawke’s Bay, whatever the budget.
Eight – personal touch
Make your wedding personal – use indieVenue for recommendations for creative wedding suppliers: caterers, musicians, florists, vintage cars.
Nine – away space
Find a bit of space, before the big day, to walk with your love (or your mum, or your bestie) up Te Mata Peak, or to the wild end of Ocean Beach, or tramp into the hills of the Kaimanawas along the Mohaka river to the hot pools. Take your time. The air is lovely and views wonderful.
Ten – the morning after
After it’s all over, get all your favourite people together, put on your shorts and jandals and and go for brunch in Ahuriri, walk along the waterfront, watch the boats. Wrap up the best weekend of your life on a sunny morning in Hawke’s Bay.
Any questions? Give me a call. I don’t guarantee to know the best café for brunch, but I can give you some terrific suggestions for wedding planning.
Photograph by Hawke’s Bay Wedding Photographer John Miles.