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Wheelbarrow One Fine Day wedding venue Tauranga

All set for another spectacular wedding season

by Su-anWedding, Weddings November 23, 2018November 5, 2024Comments are Disabled

Old Forest School is all spruced up and ready to kick off another enchanting wedding season! This year, we’ve put in extra effort to ensure every corner of the venue is looking its absolute best. Many of our beloved buildings have received a fresh coat of paint, both inside and out, enhancing the charm of …

One Fine Day Wedding Fair in Melbourne

by Su-anWedding, Weddings March 20, 2018November 5, 2024Comments are Disabled

In early March 2018, some of the Old Forest School team had the pleasure of attending the vibrant One Fine Day Wedding Fair in Melbourne. This inspiring event, held at the Melbourne Showgrounds, offered two full days packed with wedding magic and creativity from some of Melbourne’s finest wedding vendors and suppliers. From florists and …

New Outdoor Ceremony Spot

by Su-anWedding, Wedding Shoot, Weddings November 17, 2017November 5, 2024Comments are Disabled

Not wanting to be outshone by the addition of The Fernery, the beloved outdoor ceremony spot at Old Forest School has received its own charming upgrade. Gone are the old doors and wall, replaced with a stunning new arch crafted from reclaimed timber and tin, giving the space a fresh yet timeless look that perfectly …

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A pair of miniature donkeys arrive at wedding venue

by Su-anAnimals, Wedding, Weddings October 22, 2016November 5, 2024Comments are Disabled

Have you met the latest new entrants at Old Forest School – Vintage Wedding Venue. Teddy and Tim are a couple of 2 year old miniature donkeys.

Teddy (the shaggy one) and Tim (the not so shaggy one).

We’re thrilled to introduce two very special new additions to Old Forest School—our rescued miniature Jerusalem donkeys! These lovely boys are settling in and slowly learning to trust people again. Though they’re still adjusting to their new home and are a bit shy, they already love a gentle scratch behind the ears. For now, they’re happiest in their paddock with some space, but we’re sure they’ll warm up to visitors in no time.

When you visit Old Forest School, be sure to stop by and say hello! These gentle souls bring a little magic to our grounds, and we’re excited to share some fascinating facts about them:

Do you know why they’re called Jerusalem donkeys?
If you look closely, you’ll see a cross-shaped marking on their backs. According to legend, Jerusalem donkeys were so heartbroken by the sight of Jesus on the cross that they had to turn away. This mark is said to be a symbol of their loyal and humble spirit, left in honor of their devotion and service.

Did you know they’re also a lucky omen for expectant mothers?
It’s believed that seeing a Jerusalem donkey while pregnant brings blessings for the child—a life marked by kindness, good manners, and wisdom.

Our donkeys bring both charm and a touch of folklore to Old Forest School, adding yet another unique element to the experience here. We feel so lucky to give these boys a new home, and we can’t wait for them to become a beloved part of the family here, sharing their gentle energy with everyone who visits.

Umbrellas Europe inspired wedding venue Tauranga

Wedding ideas we’ve spotted in Europe

by Su-anWedding, Weddings July 12, 2016November 5, 2024Comments are Disabled

We might not be at our wedding venue right now, but weddings are still very much on our minds. Over the past few weeks we’ve been travelling around Europe (New Zealand’s winter 2016). While we’ve been here we have been keeping our eyes out for some trends, ideas and inspiration for weddings back home in New Zealand. So here’s a just a few we have seen…

Lovelocks are huge.

Every city we visit there are plenty of Lovelocks. They are been locked onto bridges, fences, structures surrounding trees and old monuments. Here’s just a really small sample of some of the ones we’ve spotted.

Big word shapes.

There have been numerous 3D words made from various substrates appear all over the place too. They have been covered in street art, like the one in Sopron or grass, like the one in Budapest. They are heaps of fun and make a really BIG statement. How fabulous would it be to have your names or initials that your guests could intact with, decorate or use as a backdrop for photographs on your wedding day.

Having fun hanging stuff.

We’ve see a couple of really cute ideas to add some colour and fun by hanging things up. Like the colourful, bright umbrellas we stumbled upon in Split or the vintage lampshades hanging from some trees in London. They both instantly add a little bit of brightness and whimsy to any setting.

Stay tuned for more ideas and inspiration we spot in Europe over the coming weeks.

Food truck Europe inspired wedding venue Tauranga

Fabulous food trucks in Europe

by Su-anWedding, Weddings June 25, 2016November 5, 2024Comments are Disabled

Food trucks seem to be popping up everywhere you go in Europe these days, each one as charming and unique as the last. This isn’t just a passing trend—it’s a vibrant new approach to food culture that’s definitely here to stay. There’s something incredibly inviting about a passionate foodie serving up delicious, creative dishes from a small, specialty truck, often crafted with as much personality as the food itself.

If you’re planning a wedding with a relaxed, fun vibe, a food truck can be the perfect addition. Not only does it add a laid-back feel, but it also offers a memorable experience for guests. Imagine a cozy setup with gourmet food being served right out of a truck! The variety of food trucks available today is amazing, covering everything from traditional paella to artisanal hamburgers, decadent cupcakes, nostalgic Mr. Whippy ice cream, L.A.-inspired Mexican dishes, vibrant Peruvian flavors, and just about anything else you can dream up.

The hardest part might be narrowing down which truck (or trucks, if you just can’t decide!) to go with. The possibilities are endless, letting you tailor the food to reflect your unique tastes and add a flavorful twist to your celebration. Here’s a little roundup of some standout food trucks we’ve spotted recently in London, Edinburgh, and Split, each offering its own special charm and culinary delights. Whether you’re after something classic, adventurous, or even a bit quirky, there’s a food truck out there ready to make your wedding unforgettable.

And if you want to take it to a whole new level, how about a food canal boat serving coffee and sweet treats. We found this little treasure on the edge of the canal in Edinburgh. Simply delightful!

Weddings trends from Europe for 2016 and 2017

by Su-anPhotography, Weddings June 6, 2016November 5, 2024Comments are Disabled

It’s June 2016, and we’re on an exciting journey around Europe, exploring what’s set to trend in the world of weddings for 2016 and 2017. With an eye for style and a passion for all things beautiful, we’re scouting the latest in dresses, florals, styling, and props that are catching attention across Europe’s trendiest spots.

Our travels have taken us to London, where we’re soaking up inspiration from the vibrant displays lining Oxford Street and the eclectic Camden Markets. Each shop window offers a new vision—whether it’s a stunning dress that sets the tone for a modern bride, an inventive floral arrangement, or props that bring personality and creativity to wedding décor. London’s stylish storefronts have been a treasure trove of ideas, and every corner reveals something fresh and inspiring.

But our inspiration doesn’t stop with the boutiques and markets. We’re also captivated by the lively street art and the music of international buskers, whose art brings a unique flair to the city’s streets. These creative expressions have sparked endless ideas for weaving an artistic, bohemian spirit into wedding styling and design. From the urban energy of street murals to the soulful music drifting through London’s neighborhoods, we’re discovering inspiration at every turn, capturing the essence of what’s new, exciting, and beautifully unexpected for the weddings to come.

These posts will be updated frequently so stay tuned. You can also check out our social media pages on Instagram and Facebook for more.

A taste of what’s to come, check out this awesome terrarium light installation and paper cone and butterfly dress from the High Street in Kensington.

The coppers arrive at wedding venue

by Su-anAnimals, Wedding, Weddings November 8, 2015November 5, 2024Comments are Disabled

We’ve had some new guests arrive at our wedding venue; The Coppers. A quartet of beautiful Red Shaver Hens, that have been named because of their colour (copper brown) and the fact they look a little like a detective on a fresh crime scene. Incriminating looks, ponderous expressions and some accusational neck thrusting.

Holly has named them because her love of British crime shows.

We have Barnaby from Midsomer Murders.

Lestrade from Sherlock Holmes.

Lewis from the show by the same name.

And one for the true aficionado of British crime drama, Gene Genie from Life On Mars.

The Coppers have just started laying eggs for us, those clever girls. So they now have a brand new sign on the gate of the chicken coop.

Look at for them next time you visit Old Forest School, they might be on their beat (free ranging).

New Zealand Weddings Magazine visits OFS

by Su-anPhotography, Wedding, Wedding Shoot, Weddings November 5, 2015November 17, 2017Comments are Disabled

Vintage wedding venue Old Forest School was super proud host the team from New Zealand Weddings magazine during their Bay of Plenty styled shoot. If you want to see more get yourself a copy of the Spring 2015 issue of New Zealand Weddings Magazine. There’s some great content inside for anyone planning a wedding, like, what’s new in the world of weddings, some real wedding inspiration, lots and lots of fashion and makeup ideas and plenty more.

The team of New Zealand Weddings Magazine captured some beautiful images in a number of places at Old Forest School. Inside the Schoolhouse, outside the Tin Shed, under the Sycamore tree and in the Big Barn. Casey from The Heirloom as usual did an splendid job of the styling and flowers to make the Big Barn look amazing. Michaela used her amazing calligraphy skills to write some inspiring and beautiful phrases, you can see more of her work at www.mchaelamcbridecalligraphy.com. Rose aka Little Miss Rose, shared some tips for capturing beautiful images in an outdoor setting on page 162. Even Holly got in on the act, sharing one of her fabulous recipes “Sweet Berry Pie Jars”which features on page 138.

It was a really fun day and we look forward to having New Zealand Weddings magazine visit us again. As everyone knows, one trip to Old Forest School is never enough.

Photography for the magazine shot at Old Forest School by Carolyn Haslett Photography.

Old Forest School on the telly

by Su-anEvents, Wedding April 22, 2015November 5, 2024Comments are Disabled

Old Forest School made its prime time television debut on Tuesday 22nd April 2015 on TV3.

One handsome bachelor, 4 bubbly bachelorettes, a game of tennis, some “burger people” aka the amazing Tag Burger, some delicious sugary treats in Tippy and a very romantic surprise in the Little Barn, with Tiki Tane performing. It all made for a magical group “date” with Art.

Thank you so much to the fab folk at Tourism Bay of Plenty for asking us to be involved. We are very proud to have had the opportunity to showcase the best of what the Bay of Plenty has to offer to the rest of New Zealand.

You can watch the episode with Old Forest School at http://www.tv3.co.nz/THE-BACHELOR-NZ-Season-1-Ep-11/tabid/3692/articleID/111328/MCat/4352/Default.aspx until the 18th May 2015.

A huge, big thank you to everyone who helped out to make the “date” such a hit.

Courtney Horwood Photography