Choosing Your Perfect Venue
When planning your perfect day, choosing the right venue is so important and before that understanding what they offer when you sign on the dotted line!
Here are a range of questions that we have been asked by couples viewing our venue and also when couples have booked elsewhere and told us what they wished they had asked!
Venue Hire
What is the venue hire fee?
Our wedding package price per person includes seven hours of "venue hire" for your wedding. You have exclusive use of our estate for up to seven hours ending when your music finishes.
Your start time is usually when your ceremony begins, guests can arrive up to 30 minutes prior and depart within 30 minutes after your finish time.
Additional time is available from $10pp for an additional hour, or $15pp for an additional hour that also includes an extra hour of the beverage package and a light supper.
What time can you start setting up on the day?
We recommend setup access for your personal touches from 11am on the day. This gives us time to set up the tables, chairs, tablecloths, napkins, cutlery and glassware required. (For larger weddings, we may still be setting up, but your personal touches can begin at 11am)
How long is the venue hire?
Our wedding package price per person includes seven hours of "venue hire" for your wedding. You have exclusive use of our estate for up to seven hours ending when your music finishes.
Your start time is usually when your ceremony begins, guests can arrive up to 30 minutes prior and depart within 30 minutes after your finish time.
Do you have exclusive use of the entire venue for the entire day?
We host only one wedding per day, giving you exclusive access to all the beautiful gardens for creating magical memories.
Planning meetings and tours around the estate may take place on the day of your wedding, but only up until 2 hours prior to your guest arrival time.
Does your venue have a restaurant, café or bar on the property and if so will it be operating during our wedding?
We are only operating for private events and don't have a cafe, cellar door, bar etc. that can be accessed by the public during your wedding.
How many carparks onsite?
We can comfortably park 100 cars onsite.
Ceremony
Can you have your ceremony onsite? Is there a cost?
Markovina has a range of beautiful ceremony locations onsite and there is no additional charge to choose any of these locations for your ceremony.
How many ceremony chairs are provided? Is there a cost?
We will provide one chair for each guest in your chosen ceremony location and there is no limit or surcharge for large weddings.
Does the venue include any ceremony decorations? Arches, Shepard hooks, lanterns etc.
At Markovina, we are delighted to share our vases and decoration room with you and you are welcome to use any of our vases, candle boxes, shepherd hooks, lanterns etc. for your ceremony.
We also have a beautiful wooden rectangular archway and a triangular archway that you are welcome to use at no additional cost.
Is there a covered ceremony location & what would it be like in a storm?
The Indoor Stone Fireplace area is the perfect wet weather option. If rain is expected in advance of your wedding day, the ceremony location can be changed to the indoor area a few days prior. Alternatively, if there is a chance of rain and you prefer to proceed with an outdoor ceremony, the experienced staff can set up the ceremony location on the day, depending on the weather
Reception
Are tables & chairs included and is there a cost?
We provide all dining tables and chairs at no additional charge.
Do you like the chairs or will you need to cover them?
We use white Chivari chairs for our reception space. You are welcome to provide chair covers and/or chair sashes to add to your wedding vision.
Is the linen (napkins and tablecloths), cutlery, glassware included?
Yes, we include the choice of white or black tablecloths, or the natural wood finish (no cloth). We also provide cutlery, glassware, and your choice of white or black napkins.
What does the venue include in their setup?
The team at Markovina will set up your tables and chairs in accordance to your final room seating plan. Tablecloths, table runners, napkins, cutlery and glassware are also set up by us.
The personal touches such as place name cards, favours, printed menus, flowers, candles etc. are up to to couple to arrange a florist or decorator. (this can be family and friends)
Do you need to do the pack down at the end of the night?
We will tidy the venue at the end of the wedding. You are encouraged to take valuable items with you on the night such as gifts, cards, jewelry etc.
When do you need to pickup your personal items? Is it on the night or the next morning?
Anything that is convenient for you to take on the night is encouraged but you are welcome to come back to the venue the following morning to collect flowers, the cake, lots & found items, and other personal items.
We recommend that this happens by 11am.
Planning and Meetings
How many planning meetings, visits, practice table setup & rehearsals are included?
As standard we include two planning meetings at the venue (or online / zoom meeting if required) and these are usually hosted by us 9 months before the wedding and again approx 6 weeks before the wedding.
A final details check is usually conducted over the phone a few days before the wedding.
You are also welcome to trial your table decor in our mock table area to help with your theming and planning.
A ceremony rehearsal is encouraged the day before the wedding, or in the week building up to the wedding. If weather is a factor, we recommend hosting the rehearsal at the outdoor ceremony location and again in front of the Stone Fireplace so that everyone is ready for both scenarios.
You may want to visit the venue with family, friends, vendors, bridal party members to further your planning. We will work with you to find a suitable time for this.
On top of this you are likely to have many questions throughout your wedding planning journey with us at Markovina, and we are always here to help you answer your questions.
If you need more, is there a charge?
No. We are happy to assist our couples as required to put their mind at ease.
If you are making changes to what you have planned are there any circumstances where there is an extra charge?
There are no fees or extra charges to change details and timing as required.
Music & Lighting Equipment
Is there a sound system at your ceremony location and is it of a good standard?
We have a top of the line sound system at Markovina. Our venue is vast and offers multiple ceremony locations, a key focus to us is ensuring that regardless of the location our couples are choosing for their wedding ceremony we want the music experience to be stunning. There are speakers in each ceremony area and they have individual digital control and the ability to connect at each ceremony location both hard wired (for DJ’s & live music)and wireless if couples opt to use their own device.
Is there a sound system for your reception? Or do you need to bring that in?
Our stunning sound system continues through to our reception space.
DJ's can hard wire into our system and take control of our speakers if required.
Can you connect to the sound system? Wired or wireless?
Answer?
Does the venue have any dancefloor lighting?
Markovina comes standard with our reception mood lighting & DJ lighting to create different scenes negating the need for DJ’s and bands to bring in their own DJ lighting, laser lighting, haze or bubbly machine.
Are there microphones for both indoors and outdoors?
We have two handheld wireless microphones that are able to be used by your celebrant, priest, pastor, MC, DJ etc. They are powered through to all of our garden locations and indoor speakers so make it easy for everyone to hear any photo calling or importance announcement.
Venue facilities
Is there shade for guests on a hot day?
Our indoor foyer and Stone Fireplace area is the perfect spot for mingling if it is hot on the day. There is also plenty of tree coverage throughout the estate.
Is there covered space to mingle if it rains?
Our indoor foyer and Stone Fireplace area is the perfect spot for mingling if rain is affecting the flow of the day.
Is there a covered option for your ceremony? Is it beautiful?
The Indoor Stone Fireplace area is the perfect wet weather option. If rain is expected in advance of your wedding day, the ceremony location can be changed to the indoor area a few days prior. Alternatively, if there is a chance of rain and you prefer to proceed with an outdoor ceremony, the experienced staff can set up the ceremony location on the day, depending on the weather
Is there casual seating for guests to sit and relax during the cocktail hour?
We provide casual seating around wooden coffee tables with some come relaxing individual couch chairs in the four corners of the fireplace area. We also have plenty of bar leaners for the courtyard and seating around our fire pits.
If the wedding ceremony was in the Fireplace area, we will setup the casual seating as soon as possible after the conclusion of the ceremony.
Does the venue have any decorations you can use?
We are pleased to offer the items in our decor room as a complimentary addition to your special day. These can be used by your florist, planner, friends or family for set up at our venue.
The white ceiling draping above the dance floor, the starlit panel dance floor, the LOVE Sign, and the photo booth are hire items and do come with a hire cost.
What are the toilets like and are there a sufficient amount?
Our bathrooms are made with beautiful white marble tiles and bathrooms are checked, cleaned, and restocked routinely throughout any event we host.
There are plenty of toilets which make Markovina suitable for large events of up to 300 people.
Was the venue clean when you viewed, a good indication if you will need to clean the venue on your wedding day.
What's a suitable answer for this one?
Are there sufficient areas for photos or do you have to arrange transport to go elsewhere?
With 10 acres of picturesque countryside and garden settings, the possibilities for capturing your special day are limitless. Explore our designated photography spots or simply wander the property for candid moments that truly reflect your wedding day.
Food & Beverage Service
Are canapes included? How many?
Our wedding packages include 7 canapes per person and an Antipasto grazing table (total of 8 per person). Additional canapes can be added including a seafood bar feature or canapes cooked live infront of your guests in the courtyard.
What main meal options are there? For example, plated, buffet, sharing platters etc. Do some cost more?
Our price per person includes 8 canapes per person and your choice of the premium buffet menu, shared-platters menu, or the plated menu. There is no surcharge for a specific menu type. All menus include our famous dessert buffet offering.
Are desserts included? Does the venue make them inhouse or do they buy them in?
We include dessert as part of our wedding package. The Markovina kitchen team is an incredibly talented team and features our very own experienced pastry chef which allows us to make everything inhouse, including the full dessert buffet experience.
Does the venue bake their own bread or buy it in?
Our bread rolls feature as standard on our buffet, shared-platters, and plated menu. They are baked fresh inhouse every day.
What are the charges for juice, water, tea, coffee & soft drinks?
Our wedding package includes these refreshments for the length of your wedding at no further charge.
What are the charges for other beverages?
Most of our couples love the simplicity of the all inclusive beverage package but you might be wondering if there are any other options. Our full drinks list is available at all times for those who want something different.
What is the expected cost for beverages? How much should you budget?
While couples may have a fair idea of their family and friends' beverage consumption already, some couples don't. This is another reason why the all inclusive beverage package is the perfect answer for your beverages at your wedding. You don't need to budget any more for drinks as this is already included in the package.
Are there any charges for staff on your day?
Markovina staffing is included as part of the wedding package.
This includes grounds staff for ceremony setup, kitchen staff, front of house food and beverage staff. and cleanup.
How many staff are likely to be working on your wedding day?
Even for our smallest weddings there will be 10+ staff onsite for your wedding day. This includes the ceremony setup, reception setup of tables and chairs, kitchen staff, front of house service staff and an experienced events manager.
These areas will have additional staffing as required, based on the final size of the wedding.
Theming
Are any of the decorations that are setup when you viewed that are an additional charge? If so, how much?
We offer an extensive selection of vases, jars, candle holders, crates, mirrors, and much more for your table decor, all available for you to use when planning your wedding. Our diverse range of decorative items ensures you can create the perfect ambiance.
Some couples do provide their own decor items. If you have viewed the estate on a day with wedding setup taking place, feel free to ask the Markovina team to point out what is ours and what isn't.
Can you use real candles?
Yes, you are welcome to use real candles. Please make sure they have a suitable base / stand to collect any melted wax.
Can you bring in your own supplier / florist / decorator?
Yes of course. We do have some highly recommended suppliers viewable here. You are welcome to source your own suppliers.
Is it achievable to DIY your decorations?
Of course! Many of the stunning wedding setups we see are 100% DIY.
What are the costs for the “Must Haves” at the venue so that you can make the venue what you have fallen in love with? Eg Draping, signage, table decor etc.
Do we need this one?
Are there wine barrels onsite that are available to use? Do they cost?
We have approx 10 wine barrels that are available to be used to help theme your wedding. They are complimentary to use and they are on wheels which makes them perfect for placement near the gift table, entrance, photo booth, ceremony aisles and more.
Getting there
Is there room for buses to enter the venue and turn comfortably?
Our carpark can comfortably hold 100+ cars as still have space for buses to come in and turn around again.
Do Uber’s and Taxis pickup from your venue?
Yes both Taxi and Uber services operate in the area. There is a list of taxi companies and contact details located at the bar for anyone who needs to organise alternative transport.
Are there plenty of car parks for guests?
We can comfortably park 100 cars onsite.
Is the carpark at the venue, or elsewhere?
The Markovina carpark is onsite and very accessible to our ceremony and reception spaces.
Is your venue isolated, where guests have to travel and there is a limitation on what time your weddings needs to finish so that guests can make the last bus, ferry or flight?
Markovina is located close to State Highway 16 which allows for quick travel to and from the CBD. It is also very handy for Ubers and Taxis.
Can vehicles be left at the venue overnight?
Guests are welcome to leave vehicles at Markovina overnight.
We kindly ask that they are collected by `11am the following day.
Venue Bond
Is there a bond? If so, how much?
Markovina doesn't require a bond for a wedding or event.
What are the types of reasons a bond would be withheld?
One thing to consider, it is not common for a venue to charge a bond but if they do it may be more likely that there are after event charges that may come up. Markovina doesn't require a bond to book an event with us.
Flexibility
Can you choose the start time?
Most weddings start mid afternoon and go through until night time.
You are welcome to choose an early start time if you prefer a day or lunch wedding. This is perfect for a more child-friendly wedding.
Venue Hire time can also be extended for longer weddings.
What is the earliest and latest start time?
Our earliest start time is 8am. Our wedding package comes with 7 hours as standard. This means that the latest start time to use all 7 hours is a 5pm ceremony or guest arrival time.
What is the latest finish time?
12am is the latest time for music to be played - with a 30 minute buffer to have guests offsite by 12:30am.
Can you make changes to the standard menus?
We are able to offer the flexibility both in the menus we advertise and in how we personalise our packages for couples, in particular to be able to add specific cultural menu options, full seafood bar feature displays and live food stations for canape service to truly personalise our couple’s special day.
A very popular choice is our fusion buffet menu, which allows couples to take from different cultures and cuisines to create a menu that truly represents them and the joining of two cultures.
Can the venue accommodate your theming or cultural requirements?
Our ceremony spaces have ample space for large wedding groups. This also means there is plenty of space for cultural stages, doors, couches, and mandaps. If you are wanting a specific look or style for your wedding, talk to us about the suppliers we would recommend to help you with your vision.
Discover More
Markovina Vineyard Estate is a distinguished premier wedding and event venue, ideally located in the scenic heart of Kumeu, Auckland.
Contact Us
Phone: (09) 4128608
84 Old Railway Road, Kumeū, Auckland 0892, New Zealand
