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

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.

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

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 Wedding Venue Featured In Blogs, Newspapers and Magazines

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

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.

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.”