Welcome to The Noshery at Old Forest School, a reception area that combines timeless elegance with rustic charm, creating an unforgettable setting for your wedding dinner and speeches. Located in the heart of Bay of Plenty’s most unique wedding venue, The Noshery is a space like no other, featuring beautiful New Zealand heritage elements, lush greenery, and a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor beauty.
A Beautifully Crafted, Authentic New Zealand Space
Step into The Noshery and experience a reception space that feels both timeless and inviting. With a white backdrop that adds brightness and a touch of modernity, the room is flanked by 100-year-old native timber walls that reflect the rich history of our venue. The whitewashed floors and sections of recycled old brick bring character and texture to the space, making it feel rustic yet refined. The French doors open to the surrounding forest, letting in natural light and fresh air, while recycled windows look out over the vibrant flower gardens, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere for you and your guests.
Views of the Famous Courtyard Beside the Little Barn
The Noshery offers direct views of our famous courtyard, located right beside the iconic Little Barn. This scenic courtyard is perfect for guests to gather, adding an additional layer of charm to the reception area. As the evening unfolds, guests can step out into the courtyard for a breath of fresh air or admire the courtyard’s enchanting views through the French doors. This seamless connection to the outdoors makes The Noshery one of the most unique and beautiful reception spaces in Bay of Plenty, NZ.
Historic Trestle Tables and Charming Mismatched Chairs
We’ve carefully designed The Noshery with genuine New Zealand heritage elements, including first-generation-made trestle tables crafted from native timber brought up from Christchurch. These tables bring a sense of authenticity to your reception, celebrating New Zealand’s craftsmanship and history. Paired with these tables are charming, mismatched vintage commercial stacking chairs, each crafted from native timber and collected from across the country. This combination of unique chairs and timeless tables creates a space that feels warm, inviting, and deeply connected to New Zealand’s heritage.
Elegant Details: Pure Linen Tablecloths, Sparkling Glassware, and Organic Cotton Napkins
Our floor-length, pure linen tablecloths bring a touch of elegance to each table, creating a beautiful contrast against the rustic charm of The Noshery. Watch as our cut glass glassware catches the light and sparkles throughout the evening, adding a touch of sophistication to the table setting. We also provide pretty organic cotton white napkins that add to the refined yet relaxed ambiance of the space. The Noshery is designed as a canvas for your own style—bring your own florals, china, and cutlery to create a setting that’s uniquely yours.
Flexible Seating Arrangements for an Intimate Celebration
Whether you envision a classic head table, a sweetheart table for two, or prefer to sit among your guests, The Noshery can be arranged to match your vision. The space allows for flexible seating options that suit any celebration style, ensuring that your dinner and speeches feel intimate and personal. Couples can also opt to add hanging floral arrangements or custom signage on the back wall or above the head table, further personalising the space and adding to its romantic atmosphere.
A Stunning Cake Table and Backdrop for Speeches
The Noshery also features a stunning cake table, perfect for showcasing your wedding cake as a centrepiece of the reception. With a beautiful backdrop of 100-year-old timber and lush greenery surrounding the space, this area makes for the perfect spot to capture the iconic cake-cutting moment. And when it’s time for speeches, The Noshery’s warm ambiance and character-filled setting provide a captivating space that makes every word feel even more special.
A Reception to Remember at The Noshery
The Noshery at Old Forest School is not just a reception area—it’s an experience. With its beautiful blend of vintage elegance, rustic charm, and personalised touches, it’s the perfect spot for a magical dinner and heartfelt speeches. If you’re searching for a wedding venue in Bay of Plenty with a reception space that’s as unique as it is breathtaking, The Noshery awaits to make your celebration truly unforgettable.
