Connemara Country Estate
Connemara Country Lodge is located roughly 1.5 hours away from Auckland. To get there, there is a windy road with lots of hills. The venue itself is at the top of a long driveway. Parking is located at the top of the driveway. The venue includes a farm-style house, which can be accessed via 3 steps up. There is a large open lawn to the front of the house, trees and shade over to the right, and a large marquee, under which the reception will take place.
Outdoors
The ceremony will take place outside in front of the lodge. There will be bench-style seating on grass. This is open without shade, but a parasol can be provided to you if you need it. If you require a chair with a back, please let Olivia and Ravi know, and they will arrange this for you. The ceremony will last for approximately 30 minutes. You may be invited to stand at some stages.
On the lawn
This is that phase of any wedding where everyone mills about, drinks alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and eats snacks. There will be some seating arranged about the venue. This will last for about 1.5 hours. Guests may be asked to join group photos at various points. There is shade under the trees and under large sun umbrellas.
Under a large marquee
The reception will take place under a marquee to the right of the venue, on a wooden floor. There are three steps up into the marquee. Guests will be seated around tables under the marquee. Depending on the weather, some of the tables and chairs will be outside. If this is the case, we will make sure to provide sun umbrellas. During the reception, there will be food, speeches, and dancing. There will be a ceilidh, a Scottish line dance, with a "caller" guiding us on the steps. You do not have to participate in the dancing if you do not wish to. The marquee space will be quite crowded, and more-so if it is raining. If crowding is a concern, please let us know, and we can seat you near a well-ventilated area. Unless the weather is very poor, we will make sure there is good ventilation in the marquee.
Inside the Lodge
There will be a dedicated quite space inside the lodge. There is one step up to get inside the lodge. This space will have no music and we will ask our guests to speak in soft tones in this space. We will also be providing low-sensory activities and fidget toys if you need them. If you need a quieter space, you are welcome to use any of the bedrooms.
We'll do our best to cater for you
Make sure that you let us know in your RSVP about any dietary requirements you have. We will have a range of food available and will endeavour to ensure that everyone has something they can eat. A lot of the food will be Indian and therefore will range from mildly spicy to very hot. Please let us know if this will be an issue for you, and we can arrange for some plainer food.
Available near entrance
There is mobility parking near the entrance, which will be marked on the day.
Step free
The bathrooms are accessible and non-gendered. They are located at the back of the venue across a gravel driveway.