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

New Zealand Movie Shot at Old Forest School

by Su-anEvents September 26, 2014November 5, 2024Comments are Disabled

Old Forest School is a fabulous vintage wedding venue. But now it’s also been featured in a full length movie, “The Z-Nail Gang”.

Here’s a rundown on the movie…

In a New Zealand coastal town, a community lives peacefully. But this idyllic life comes to an abrupt end when Ned )postman) delivers a fateful letter that could change everyones lives forever. It announces the arrival of US mining corporation, Golia Minerals, looking for gold. The community is torn between those who welcome the promise of prosperity and those who oppose the mining of their mountain. The Z-Nail Gang weaves heart-warming characters into a community, environmental themes into a comedy. Some things really are worth more than gold.

Old Forest School features frequently in a few scenes in the movie both inside the Schoolhouse and in the sports field. Stanley even makes a cameo appearance and looks totally splendid in his first motion picture.

Here’s a link to the trailer on YouTube…Z-Nail Gang Trailer on YouTube

And here’s us on the red carpet world premiere with the Director and Producer of the film. From left to right Anton Steel (Director), Kylie DellaBarca Steel (Producer), Rose McMahon, Su-an McMahon, Holly McMahon, Alistair McMahon all from Old Forest School.

Old Forest School Wedding Venue Featured In Blogs, Newspapers and Magazines

by Su-anEvents, Wedding, Weddings September 20, 2014November 17, 2017Comments are Disabled

Old Forest School Wedding in the NZ Woman’s Weekly

by Su-anPhotography, Wedding Shoot, Weddings July 14, 2014July 14, 2014Comments are Disabled

One of the beautiful couples who celebrated their wedding at Old Forest School featured in the NZ Woman’s Weekly this week.

“In the middle of a forest of native trees, Emily married her love Matt at Old Forest School, Pongakawa. Accompanied by their two year old daughter Sophie. The couple, who have friends in common but had never crossed paths, finally met in a Mount Maunganui bar in 2009 and it was love at first sight ! Their ceremony was held at the historic schoolhouse, where guests perched on school pews and congregated near the hopscotch court afterwards to play cricket, handball, tennis and other childhood games. The reception was in a double marquee near the Redwood Stables which had the perfect dance floor. The table decorations were lovingly arranged by Emily’s mum, Jackie Middleton and her friends, Mary, Helen and Debbie.”

Here’ s a photo of Matt and Emily at Old Forest School.

Perspectives Wedding Photo of the Year Competition

by Su-anEvents, Photography, Wedding, Wedding Shoot, Weddings July 14, 2014July 14, 2014Comments are Disabled

Congratulations to one of the fantastic couples who got married at Old Forest School, they’ve won the Perspectives Wedding Photo of the Year Competition.

Here’s the photo that won…

You can see more about this at Perspectives Photo + Cinema’s facebook page.

This is how the Perspectives Wedding Photo of the Year Competition worked…

“Vote for your favourite image from our 2013/14 wedding season, by hitting ‘like’ or leaving a comment. The couple with the most votes will win a framed fine art print of their photo. Voting closes 5pm Sunday 13th July.”

Sarah and Nathan’s photo received more than 1,100 likes (votes) and had more than 500 comments.

And here’s how Perspecives announced it…

“Introducing our winner….s! The race came down to the wire, and was so close to call. So coming in first equal is Dimce & Ivana and Sarah & Nathan… and also Courtney & Shane with an impressive amount of votes. So all three of you will be getting a framed print from us Because we love you.”

Here’s a photo of Sarah and Nathan (the winning couple) straight after their gorgeous ceremony at Old Forest School.

Old Forest School, Vintage Venue at the Tauranga Wedding Show 2014

by Su-anWedding, Weddings May 26, 2014November 5, 2024Comments are Disabled

For the second year in a row Old Forest School, Vintage Venue exhibited at the Tauranga Wedding Show.

The show was even bigger and better than last year, with more exhibitors and guests. There was a bunch of familiar faces and some new and interesting first time exhibitors. A number of company’s that had been at Old Forest School over the summer were exhibiting, like The Big Smoke BBQ Co., Rosie’s Wildflowers, Honeysuckle Rose, Food by Design, Juz Catering, Global Cuisine, Quinn & Katie, Heirloom, Addictive DJ’s, Debbie Hunt, Peter Duncan, Tauranga Party Hire, Captureit NZ.

Once again our stand featured some of our favorite rustic and vintage props, like our wooden ladder, beaten up crates, old school chairs, vintage books and glass jars. We displayed a number of photos from our recent season using some clipboards, this idea was a huge hit with lots of admiring comments. Little Miss Rose was there too capturing some great shots of our (and some of her friend’s) stands, look out on the Little Miss Rose facebook page for some of her great photos.

The Tauranga Wedding Show gave us the opportunity to meet lots of couples from Tauranga, other parts of the Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Auckland and all over the North Island. It’s exciting to hear about their plans, what they’ve already sorted out and what’s left to organize. There were just over 1000 visitors through the show on the day, a a great deal of credit needs to go to the orgsaniser of the event. Every year they do a fantastic job coordinating, marketing and running the show.

It’s a full on weekend setting up and taking down the stand, but every time we attend a show it makes us look forward even more to the next one. Bring on the Tauarnga Wedding Show 2015.

Lovelock Lane at wedding venue

by Su-anEvents, Photography, Wedding, Wedding Shoot, Weddings May 2, 2014November 5, 2024Comments are Disabled

Old Forest School (wedding venue) has recently set up a Lovelock wall. Couples getting married at Old Forest School can place an engraved padlock on the wall and then toss the key into the adjacent forest.

At Old Forest School, our Lovelock Lane is one of the most treasured spots on the property, holding lovelocks that tell stories of romance, promises, and forever bonds. On their wedding day, each couple is invited to attach a lock to our beautiful Lovelock Lane fence, a tradition that has grown into a beloved moment for everyone who chooses to marry here. It’s a simple yet powerful gesture that represents the start of their journey together—a tangible reminder of the promises made on this special day, nestled within the enchanting landscape of our venue.

Every lock added to Lovelock Lane brings its own story, unique to the couple who placed it, yet forever connected to all those who came before and those yet to come. Some couples personalize their locks with names, dates, or small engravings that capture the essence of their love, creating a collective tapestry of cherished memories along the fence. It’s touching to see this space evolve season by season, with each lock adding its own sparkle and significance.

For many couples, returning to Old Forest School to revisit their lock is a heartwarming tradition, giving them a chance to reflect on how far they’ve come since that first promise. Lovelock Lane is more than a wedding day ritual; it’s a place of continuity, a place where love stories are anchored and celebrated long after the ceremony ends. And as the sun filters through the trees, casting a gentle glow on the locks, it’s a reminder of the countless love stories we’re honored to host, each leaving a lasting mark on our historic grounds.

Wedding Venue in Homestyle Magazine

by Su-anEvents, Photography, Wedding, Weddings March 27, 2014November 5, 2024Comments are Disabled

Old Forest School was honored to be featured in the April/May 2014 issue of Homestyle Magazine. Spanning eight beautiful pages, the feature showcases our Tauranga wedding venue in all its historic charm, with photos capturing the rich history and unique atmosphere that make our space so special. The Homestyle team thoughtfully wove our story into each image, beautifully blending our vintage aesthetic with heartfelt moments from real weddings held on our grounds.

The article not only highlighted the character of Old Forest School but also delved into the essence of what we offer—a place where couples can celebrate in a setting that feels timeless, intimate, and wonderfully personal. From the lovingly restored buildings to the enchanting Lovelock Lane, every corner of the property was thoughtfully photographed to reflect the warmth and magic that make Old Forest School a favorite among couples.

We’re deeply touched by the way Homestyle captured our story, truly understanding our commitment to creating unforgettable experiences within this historical setting. It’s a piece we’re immensely proud of, and we’re thrilled to share this little slice of our world with readers. Here’s a short excerpt from the feature, but to see the full story and photos that bring it all to life, be sure to pick up a copy of the magazine.

The story of our Wedding Venue

“A long time ago, in a quaint little country village in the middle of the Bay of Plenty, a magical country school was built on a site surrounded by redwoods. Crafted by a combination of local talent and community spirit, the school, hall and headmaster’s house were enjoyed by everyone in the community. Drive up the long-winding driveway today and you will be greeted by a beautiful homestead reminiscent of something out of a vintage fairy tale book. Now restored to all of its antique glory Old Forest School has opened its doors to the public as a wedding venue and lodge.”

Tauranga Wedding Venue in Viva – Festival Weddings

by Su-anWedding, Weddings March 26, 2014November 5, 2024Comments are Disabled

Old Forest School, our charming wedding venue nestled near Tauranga, was thrilled to be featured in the Viva section of the NZ Herald on March 26, 2014, in an article highlighting the growing trend of festival-style weddings. The piece captured the essence of what we offer here: a boutique, bohemian experience designed for couples seeking something a little different, complete with on-site glamping and playful touches like lawn games for guests to enjoy.

Festival weddings are all about creating an atmosphere that feels relaxed, joyful, and unique—a departure from the more traditional, formal wedding day. Su-an McMahon, owner of Old Forest School, shared her thoughts in the article, explaining how this style of wedding has become a significant part of what makes our venue so popular.

“It’s what we firmly believed in when setting up Old Forest School,” Su-an explains. “We saw that the traditional wedding venue market was already well-served, and we wanted to offer something fresh, something that would break the mould.”

This style appeals to a new generation of couples, many of whom are now paying for their own weddings and are looking for a way to make their day feel personal and memorable. Festival-style weddings allow them to create an entire experience for friends and family, who often travel from all over the world to be with them. It’s no longer just about the ceremony; it’s about making lasting memories together, with room for spontaneity, connection, and all the fun elements that make the day truly theirs.

You can read the full article here.

How to pick the right entertainment for your event venue

by Su-anEvents March 6, 2014November 5, 2024Comments are Disabled

This guest post is written by Brendan from 11degrees Entertainment about choosing entertainment for your event venue.

When choosing entertainment for your function the first hurdle you need to overcome is budget. After all the other expenses (catering, venue etc…) “How much have I got left to spend on entertainment?”

I think where possible get a band because live music is always better but when you are on a limited budget DJ’s are less expensive than bands, can fit into smaller spaces, play more variety, don’t take breaks and, volume wise are easily controlled. There are however a fair few DJ’s out there and their quality is varied on many levels.

With the introduction of iTunes and similar music content providers accessibility to music has become more available and cost effective than the historical alternatives.

So with events this has given rise to your “backyard” DJ or the bride’s brother’s best friend’s mate’s play list on his iPhone providing the unmanaged and uncharted tapestry for your celebration…. you can imagine what happens next?

If that doesn’t paint a clear enough picture, have you ever been to a function where there was a jukebox? Hopefully I’m beginning to make my point.

Like all forms of art music is a very personal and everybody has their own idea of what is “Good” and “Danceable”. Let’s not forget an under powered home theatre sound system that’s going to struggle with the volume output required for a party without distortion or the system blowing up!

Oh let’s now add alcohol… you now have a recipe for a challenging night and chaos on the dance floor.

Professional DJ’s have an important role to play so don’t underestimate their value when it comes to music choice, equipment supply and crowd control.

DJ’s will charge per hour with generally a minimum of 3 hrs. Some will provide their own gear while others won’t and do they have backups should equipment fail?

Some will not play requests or talk to the audience so make sure you know what you’re getting. You also have every right to inform them of your dress code for the event. T Shirt and jeans won’t work for a formal function or it may be themed so they should be too!

If they are cheap it’s likely that they are inexperienced or some of the boxes above aren’t ticked.

As with all purchases “Caveat Emptor – Let the buyer beware”… Ask questions so you are not surprised on the night.

Hopefully I have offered some insights for your next event so you make the right choice not the cheapest one so plan ahead.

Remember, good food will satisfy short term but your entertainment will be remembered for years!

You can get in touch with Brendan at:

Phone +64 (0)9 445 2561 (you may need to leave a message!)

Mobile +64 (0)21 797 417 (answered straight away or within an hour)

Email brendon@11degrees.com (the best way to give details of your event)

11degrees Entertainment Ltd

http://www.11degrees.com