A wonderful setting: Broadoak
Bridal couples invariably have a vision of a beautiful location for their weddings – a special place that reflects their personalities, and that will create memories to last a lifetime.
It may be a wedding on a beach, in a vineyard or in an historic building. Or it might be a stunning country garden. The latter vision can be truly realised with a wedding at Broadoak Gardens, a New Zealand Garden Trust listed garden in Ohoka.
Broadoak has been a labour of love over many years for its owners Shaun and Claire Maloney. From a near bare farm block back in 1999, they have created a two-acre English-style garden inspired by the great garden estates of England, but replicated in miniature. This is a garden that shows itself at its best during the ideal wedding season of October – March. Crab apple blossoms are in abundance, along with wisteria, peonies, roses, rhododendrons, camellias, and hydrangeas.
“We have the settings here for every aspect of a wedding, from a formal garden just right for the ceremony, to wonderful nooks and crannies for photographs,” say Shaun and Claire. Indeed photographers love this garden with its many sculptures and other art work by renowned New Zealand artists, perfect for posing alongside. Shaun also has a collection of classic cars on-site that are definitely photogenic.
Broadoak can host up to 80 guests for a wedding. There is a small cottage in the garden that makes a wonderful space for the bride and her attendants to get ready for the day. They can then walk along the wide pathways to where the guests and celebrant are waiting in front of a small chapel facade with picturesque stained glass windows.
Another charming feature of Broadoak is its Old English Pub – the Bike ‘n’ Bovine – a reproduction constructed with original materials, of a pub in Warwickshire, England.
Larger wedding receptions can be held in the covered courtyard outside the pub, while smaller gatherings can utilise the pub itself, which can also be set up for a band or a DJ for dancing. Kitchen facilities are available for couples to bring in their own caterers.
“This is a unique environment that we are very proud of having brought to life,” say Shaun and Claire. “It is our great pleasure to share it with others on their special occasion.”
