rustic wedding -

Love at first sight

by Su-anWedding, Weddings March 1, 2019November 5, 2024Comments are Disabled

What happens when a four-year-old flower girl at a wedding meets a pair of adorable miniature donkeys? Pure, heart-melting magic, of course! At a recent wedding at Old Forest School, this exact scenario unfolded, creating one of the sweetest moments we’ve ever witnessed. As the beautiful young flower girl posed for photos with the bridal …

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 …

The Fernery

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

This summer, Old Forest School proudly introduces a new space: The Fernery. This botanically-inspired haven has quickly become a favorite among couples, photographers, and guests alike, bringing a fresh, lush ambiance to our grounds. Filled with ferns and an array of greenery, The Fernery creates an immersive experience, inviting guests to step into a …

Famous musos at Old Forest School

by Su-anWedding, Weddings January 19, 2017November 5, 2024Comments are Disabled

At Old Forest School, we’ve been incredibly fortunate to welcome some seriously talented musical artists to our grounds. From intimate wedding performances to appearances for reality TV shows on TV3, our venue has played host to a diverse range of musicians who have added their own unique energy to our special place.

Among the artists who have graced Old Forest School are:

Tiki Tane – Known for his soulful blend of reggae and acoustic sounds, Tiki’s performances are always memorable, bringing a heartfelt vibe that resonates with every guest.
Stu Larsen – With his folk-inspired melodies and wanderer’s spirit, Stu’s music has brought a touch of warmth and storytelling to our venue, making each performance feel deeply personal.
MC OJ and Rhythm Slave – These legends add an upbeat and energetic twist, getting everyone into the groove with their lively beats and engaging stage presence.
Luke Wilson – A crowd-pleaser known for his rich vocals and powerful guitar work, Luke has created some unforgettable moments for our guests.
Joseph & Maia – This duo’s harmonies and indie-folk style fit perfectly with the rustic charm of Old Forest School, adding a beautifully intimate touch to any event.

These talented musicians have become part of the Old Forest School story, each performance leaving an impression on our guests and making our venue a true gathering place for creativity and celebration. We’re honored to have had them here and look forward to welcoming many more artists who will add to the vibrant musical legacy of Old Forest School.

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.

A Soft Spot for Brides & Grooms at Old Forest School!

by Su-anGuest Post, Wedding, Weddings October 20, 2016November 17, 2017Comments are Disabled

I married my hubby at the stunning venue of Old Forest School in December, 2014. It was the best day of my life, a busy crazy time, but like most weddings, it came together beautifully after a dash (a ton) of planning and organisation. Having married at OFS, I am extremely biased and overly proud. I can’t stop raving about it should a somebody spark up a conversation about becoming engaged or a whisper that they are on the lookout for a special venue.

My husband and I planned our big day from London, so I can relate to brides and appreciate how hard it can be for brides to find decorations in New Zealand. Something that might look remotely like the Pinterest board you have made of your dream wedding day.

Since returning home from London I have settled in Mount Manganui and continued my passion in marketing and events. I now work for a lovely inspiring company Eventfull. The first mission on my agenda was to figure out how I could support brides, who like me struggled to find beautiful décor for my day.

I have to admit, Old Forest School is one of those magical places, where you don’t actually need a lot of decoration. The surroundings of this venue is naturally beautiful. But if you are anything like me, you might want a theme or splash of colour to tie your event together. Something that might interest you are our LED lights that glow beautifully inside our huge white globes, our natural wax LED candles for your tables, or our biodegradable confetti (just hose down and it will disappear).

As a local supplier, we would like to offer brides and grooms of Old Forest School 10% store wide (code supplied by Old Forest School, make sure you get in touch for the code). To find out more about what we products offer, check out our website or to gain ideas join our Instagram page, where we post our images of our products in a wedding setting.

We are always happy to help, so if you need any advice or support please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Lots of love,
Shaina Low

www.eventfull.co.nz

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.

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 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.