The James Homestead

The James Homestead is a restored 1800s villa set in two and a half acres of landscaped gardens at Kamo, on the northern edge of Whangārei against the slopes of Mount Hurupaki. It runs as a boutique venue for weddings and private functions, and bookings are exclusive so the place is yours for the day. Couples can marry out in the gardens and move through the old villa for the reception, with a buried wine cellar on hand for tastings and photos. It is an intimate setting rather than a big-numbers one, comfortably taking up to 80 guests for a cocktail or seated wedding. Catering is flexible. The homestead can cook for you with fresh home-style food prepared on site, or you can self-cater and bring your own, and dietary needs are looked after either way. It suits couples after a smaller, character-filled garden wedding close to Whangārei, with the history of the house woven through the day.