Tangihua Lions Lodge

Tangihua Lions Lodge sits deep in the Tangihua Forest on Omana Road, out in the country between Whangārei and Dargaville. It is run by the local Lions club as a non-profit, with every dollar going back into the lodge and looking after the surrounding bush. Couples marry outdoors under the native trees, with a large covered deck on hand if the weather turns. The lodge takes up to 100 guests and comes set up with tables, chairs, crockery and cutlery for that number, plus a commercial kitchen so you can bring your own caterer or self-cater and sort your own drinks. The real draw is that people stay. There are 50 bunk-style beds on site plus a separate one-bedroom building for the wedding party, so a wedding here can run across a whole weekend rather than a single day. You get the place to yourselves for the celebration. It is a genuinely affordable, low-key option for couples who love the idea of a wedding in the bush with everyone camped out together.