Alberton House

Alberton was definitely in the running when I was choosing a wedding venue as it is just so beautiful. It’s one of those places that is constantly used for fashion, film and even music video shoots because its historic character is so well preserved. It is grand, old and beautiful but there are some rules and regulations that apply to keeping it that way so keep that in mind if you are thinking of using it for an event.
The great thing is that it’s open to the public so all you have to do is wander on in and explore all its nooks and crannies at your leisure. You will have to pay for the pleasure but that’s as it should be in order to keep preserve places like this for future generations. The grounds are stunning as well and a visit here can take you back in time for some romantic day-​dreaming.
Great for kids too — history is so much more interesting when it’s tangible.

Auckland’s got a bad track record of hanging on to our historic buildings. Noteworthy architecture? Important cultural heritage? Nah, let’s tear it down and put up a featureless grey box full of leaky apartments. Sigh.
At least we’ve got it right here though. Alberton House is from the mid 1800s, and it’s a pretty neat place. It’s a good venue for events (I was here for a wedding), but even without that it’s cool just to have a wander around looking at the building itself, with its rabbit-​warren servants’ quarters and wooden everything. Also if you go upstairs (I say stairs, it’s more like a ladder built for elves), they’ve got a few rooms set up with period furniture, and some of the creepiest dolls I’ve seen in a long time. This place is worth a visit, especially if the weather is good.

A really beautiful historic building that you can visit and explore, and is also a venue for weddings. I was involved in a wedding here and at the dress rehearsal we had the opportunity to take in the building, and it’s really like walking into another era with the old-​fashioned wallpaper and pictures on the wall, and seeing into the past as you head upstairs and have a look around.
It’s a beautiful space for a wedding; the ceremony was on the steps out the front of the house and the hall inside was a nice intimate space for speeches and socialising. The man who we liaised with regarding the function was really great — friendly and flexible. If you are thinking about having a wedding here just keep in mind — no stilettos inside! (Which, if you’re me, is a great excuse to take off your bridesmaid shoes that you can’t walk properly in anyway.)