Weddings

Yes, absolutely. At Hillbrook, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our Wedding Package includes both planning assistance and on-the-day coordination to help bring your vision to life while ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. Our Estate Managers are your trusted point of contact throughout the journey and will be there with you on the day. Here’s what’s included: – Planning Support: From the moment you book, we’re available via phone or email to assist with recommendations, vendor introductions, and general planning advice. We’ll help you develop a detailed run sheet to guide your day and give you peace of mind leading up to your wedding. We’re always here to answer questions and offer guidance whenever you need it. On-the-Day Coordination: Our experienced Estate Managers will be on-site to manage logistics so you can relax and enjoy your day. This includes: * Coordinating all vendor arrivals and departures * Overseeing setup (pack-in) and pack-down timelines * Ensuring shuttle buses arrive and depart on schedule and guests depart safely on the shuttles * Organising and providing transport for the bridal party to the beach for photos * Working closely with your MC to ensure the day flows effortlessly * Liaising with your celebrant to coordinate ceremony timing * Helping with final touches - your eyes and ears on the ground throughout the event. Please note: While we’re not stylists and won’t create mood boards or handle full event styling, we are very happy to follow your styling plan on the day — whether it’s prepared by you or your chosen stylist. If you’d like assistance sourcing a stylist, we’re more than happy to recommend one from our trusted vendor list. On day styling is a highly recommended and affordable option.

There is a ground-floor toilet located inside the main house. Please note, there are three small steps leading up to the luxury outdoor bathrooms.

In most cases, your catering company will supply the bar staff. The bar structure itself is typically included in your marquee and furniture package. Our Grand Wedding Package includes a large commercial chiller for storing beverages. Your chosen caterer will also handle all staffing related to food and drinks service.

No, catering is not included in the wedding package. We recommend first deciding on your preferred wedding style (e.g., seated dinner or cocktail) and then sourcing quotes from 2–3 catering companies. You're welcome to choose any caterer, although we suggest starting with our recommended vendors for ease and quality assurance.

The marquee serves as the wet weather backup option. This will be discussed with you during your site visit and planning process to ensure you're comfortable with the contingency plan.

Flooring is optional and can be arranged through your marquee package. You may choose full flooring, a dance floor only, or no flooring. Full flooring is a premium option that looks stunning but comes at an additional cost. Your marquee vendor will provide all associated pricing

The marquee and furniture are booked as a package through your chosen vendor. They will provide a quote based on the size and style of your wedding (e.g., cocktail-style vs. seated dinner). As every wedding at Hillbrook is unique, pricing varies significantly depending on the vendor and your personal styling preferences. We recommend contacting our listed vendors for quotes. Please seek more than 1 quote for each vendor.

Yes, you’re welcome to use your own vendors. While we have a carefully curated list of trusted suppliers who know the property well, you're not limited to them.

The Day-After event finishes by 6:00pm, and here’s why: Our team remains on duty right through to the very end — including keeping the peninsula gate open, coordinating with neighbours, and managing vendors and post-event logistics. These are all important considerations behind our 6pm cut-off. In our experience, most Day-After gatherings start around 11 or 12 and wind down well before 6pm. The newlyweds and guests are usually ready to relax after a big celebration. So far, this timing has worked perfectly for our couples and ensures a smooth, enjoyable experience for everyone involved — including you and your guests. We hope you’ll find this helpful and appreciate your understanding as we aim to maintain a seamless and respectful experience for all parties. Guests who are staying at the estate are welcome to continue the celebrations at the Estate until whenever they please.

Our estate managers will drive the bridal party and photographer to the beach on the wedding day.

Guests staying at the estate are welcome to use the house toilets. Wedding guests can use the luxury portable toilet which is included in the grand wedding package. If you have more than 150 guests there is a small fee to upgrade to a larger berth toilet.

If you have more than 150 guests that is fine. There is a small extra cost to upgrade to a larger portable toilet.

Yes we do. Please check with our estate managers to book these. Or you can ask your marquee company to include these in your furniture package. package.

We allow service dogs. By request, we can arrange for your dog to be there on your wedding day for photos. Unfortunately dogs cannot stay on site, we recommend our local dog sitter.

Guests are welcome to bring their own alcohol. We do not charge a corkage fee.

Yes there is a steamer and an iron at the estate.

The shuttle will collect guests from a meeting point in Whangamata at a set time and be taken to Hillbrook prior to the wedding. Upon departure from Hillbrook the shuttle times will staggered in 30 minute intervals and drop your guests to their door. With the final shuttle departing Hillbrook at midnight. Please contact our vendor list for pricing - keep in mind you may have 20 of your guests staying at the estate and some guest driving to Hillbrook - pregnant, elderly etc, who will not require the shuttle.

Yes. We have an allocated parking area for wedding guests who are elderly, pregnant, have young children or guests who wish to drive and park. All other wedding guests will travel in the arranged shuttle service from Whangamata and Onemana. Please check out our recommended vendors list to book a suitable provider.

No sorry. Whangamata and Onemana are located nearby to Hillbrook and have plenty of accommodation options on Airbnb.

Yes. Please see our recommended vendors list on our website. We frequently work with these vendors and highly recommend them as they are familiar with the property. However, you are welcome to use any vendor you wish.

At midnight the marquee DJ or band finishes and all wedding guests are to exit the property with the transport provider. The guests staying at the estate are welcome to continue their celebrations.

Yes: We have “The day after” recovery brunch and breakfast options available, subject to availability and must be booked in advance. Please inquire.

Yes: We welcome “day after events”. If the event is 30 guests and under it can be held in the main house. Events of more than 30 guests must be held in the marquee area. Hillbrook Estate must be notified of the details, such as number of guests attending the event, who the event is catered by. Shut down time is advised by our estate managers, please chat with them about this.

Yes: You can host a dinner event for up to 30 guests in the main house. Using our plates, cutlery and glassware. If you would like specific tableware, napkins and flowers you are welcome to arrange those for a styled event. Shut down time is advised by our estate managers, please chat with them about this.

A deposit of 20% is required to confirm your wedding and secure your dates. The final remaining balance is due 30 days before the check in date. Please visit our "terms" page for details.