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The ultimate old school wedding guestbook

by Su-anWedding, Weddings March 11, 2019November 5, 2024Comments are Disabled

Since we began hosting weddings at Old Forest School, one unique feature has truly captured the hearts of our guests: the original schoolhouse blackboard. This charming relic has become a beloved way for guests to leave messages of love, joy, and support for couples on their wedding day. The blackboard isn’t just an old school …

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 …

Read more “New Outdoor Ceremony Spot”

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 …

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!

Let’s get you fit, strong and confident for your Wedding Day

by Su-anGuest Post, Wedding, Weddings April 28, 2016November 5, 2024Comments are Disabled

This guest post was written by Jason Whitelaw from Beyond Fitness.

This is going to be one of the most extraordinary days of your life! With all the things on your list of things to work on for the big day – have you considered adding yourself? Your wedding day is the perfect motivation to kick-start a healthier you, and get you in the BEST SHAPE OF YOUR LIFE!

At Beyond Fitness in Tauranga we have helped a number of brides and bridesmaids to look and feel amazing for their momentous occasion in as little as 6 weeks! We would love to share a handful of our favourite tips to help you too…

We love and encourage STRENGTH TRAINING for women! If you have doubts about incorporating a quality strength training programme into your weekly routine because you “don’t want to become bulky” PLEASE READ ON! We understand that there are certain stereotypes that fit with the idea of lifting weights. The purpose of this blog is to assist females in busting the myths and understanding the benefits of strength training!

*** (If you’re still not convinced by the end of the blog – try asking Su-an! As we know she has recently become a great advocate for strength training)

We recommend doing strength training at least 2 x per week, and here’s why…..
Strength training helps burn calories – resulting in fat loss!

You burn more calories during a quality strength workout, as opposed to steady state cardio exercise! Why? Your body recruits more muscles and therefore needs more energy to perform the exercises.

Strength training can boost your metabolism by 15%

Following a strength workout your body will also continue to burn calories, a process commonly known as the “after burn” – your body must work to re-build muscle which requires extra calories. This may mean that you needn’t stray too far from your current diet in order to achieve your desired results ─ as long as you eat good healthy foods in moderation. (We can help you with this too!)

Strength training will add definition to your muscles

When you push yourself to lift weights, your muscles will get stronger and denser (not necessarily bigger!) – you will burn the fat on top of your muscle, and you will get that “toned” look that many people are after.

Strength training to boost energy levels and improve your mood!

Strength training elevates your level of endorphins (natural opiates produced by the brain), leaving you feeling energised and alive. Strength training has also been shown to be a great antidepressant and tool for stress relief. It will give you a better night’s sleep, helping to calm the thousands of thoughts in your mind in planning for the big day!

A final note – we really encourage people to work out with their future husbands or wives / bridesmaids / groomsmen / friends / family members to share what can be an awesome experience and achieve great results together. There’s nothing better than having a loved one keep you accountable on your health and fitness journey.

Hopefully you can take something away from this blog, ladies. If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Beyond team.

Jason is excited to be tying the knot at Old Forest School on the 3rd of Feb 2017! Jason co-owns and operates the exclusive Beyond Fitness Training Studio based in Tauranga. Beyond Fitness specialise in personal training, group training and physiotherapy.

In Jason’s words – “At Beyond we help improve the quality of life through increased health and fitness”. If you are interested in one of Beyond’s ‘Wedding Training Packages’ or some personal training please contact the team to find out more…. We would love to help and be a part of the exciting time you have ahead in planning your big day!

If you would like more information or to contact Jason…

email: info@beyondfitness.co.nz
ph: 07 571 6745
www.beyondfitness.co.nz

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.

Let there be light – Light Viking

by Su-anEvents, Guest Post, Wedding, Weddings August 14, 2015November 5, 2024Comments are Disabled

This is a guest post by Darcia from Light Viking.

Special events are magical…. Surrounded by loved ones, dressed up to the nines, with lovely food and drinks to enjoy.

It’s important for your venue to provide a fantastic setting to ensure yours and your guests’ comfort – from our experience, Old Forest School – Vintage Venue are most definitely one of those venues. Being set on a historical school site offers so many options not often available at large gatherings – for example, having a pool to swim in, tennis courts, a cricket pitch – good golly – such fun!

For us personally, our favourite aspects of Old Forest School aside from the delightful hosts, are their gorgeous barn, the seriously cool touches of authentic vintage to be found dotted about the venue, and the strands of festoon lights draped romantically across the party areas. The latter of which brings us to our favourite discussion – event lighting.

Event lighting sounds very grand, but unless you are looking for something akin to a big stage production, many whimsical and gorgeous lighting touches can be added to your party without breaking the budget. Here are 3 ways to light up your event…

1. Fairy Lights – there are seemingly a gazillion fairy light options available these days… and many ways that the humble fairy light can transform an area. An extremely simple DIY is a jar with a strand of the battery operated seed lights woven through marbles or glass beads, offering a sparkly little glow for table settings or pathways. They could also be suspended from above, placed on shelves – you are limited only by your imagination with these quick and easy little wonders.

This amazing table setting was created by Tricia Saroya, North America. And whilst it is insanely gorgeous, if you deconstruct the elements, it is completely achievable should you desire – just be sure to practice before the big day…. And allow plenty of time to create!

2. Candles – so versatile, and by putting them into vintage jars (or any jars for that matter) you can keep mess and danger to a minimum. Battery operated candles are available too, and can be quite difficult to tell from a real one.

A very easy DIY, as seen here, is simply candles, jars, a holder (could be a basket, a wire basket, a wooden crate – there are many potential options), some pretty blooms, and a place to display your creations. Sand in the bottom of the jars helps to stabilise the candles, and will also catch any wayward wax if you are using real candles. If you use some scented candles, you will also add another dimension – essential oil candles can set the mood perfectly.

3. Include a budget for a Lighting Stylist to transform your event. A lighting stylist will have a variety of lighting elements on hand, and many will have styling packages available, including hire, setup and deconstructing after the event. Hiring a Lighting Stylist will eliminate the need for you to source, purchase and set up your lighting, and give you quite a bit of bang for your buck, because a lighting stylist is, by very definition, someone who lives and breathes beautiful lighting scenarios. Additionally, they will quite often be incredibly creative, assuring you of a unique and bespoke style for your event. From the beautifully basic, to the out of control gorgeous, the right lighting stylist will be sure to meet your requirements and budget with a serious touch of fancy and bling.

So, if you are a DIY kinda person, or prefer to have your lighting dreams brought to life by a professional, there are endless lighting options available. Be sure to check what your venue offers in terms of “additional lighting” they may also be able to recommend a Lighting Stylist if you choose to go that route – word of mouth is often the very best reference.

Most importantly, when all is said and done, your event is about you and your loved ones enjoying one another’s company, and creating memories to be cherished forever more.

About Light Viking: Established in 2013, Light Viking is a Bay of Plenty company who manufacture Vintage Style Marquee Lights, and provide Lighting Styling services. They have a variety of decorative lighting options for hire.