Friends of ours

The people we love
working with.

A great event is a team sport. These are the venues, planners, photographers and celebrants we share dancefloors with most weekends, the ones we'd happily recommend to family.

Why this page exists

Not a paid directory.
Just real ones.

None of this is sponsored. Every venue and supplier listed below is someone we've worked with on a real event and would book ourselves. If a name's on this page, we've shaken their hand at a venue load-in, danced around their tripod, or watched them quietly save someone's day.

Browse by category, or just scroll, it's a short read.

Wedding venues

Wedding venues.

Some of our favourite places to set up the rig. We've worked all of these venues enough times to know where the power runs, how the room sounds, and what the sunset will be doing at 7:30 pm.

The Red Barn

Karapiro, Waikato

Stunning Waikato wedding venue in Karapiro, south-west of Cambridge. Big country room, killer dancefloor.

Visit website

Rosenvale

Te Awamutu, Waikato

Beautiful all-weather rustic wedding venue in Te Awamutu with 20+ years putting on cracker weddings.

Visit website

Te Miro Woolshed

Te Miro, Waikato

Rustic, hand-built venue tucked in the heart of the Waikato. One of the prettiest reception spaces we work in.

Visit website

The Waterlily Gardens

Waihi, Coromandel

Marquee-style venue nestled between the Karangahake Gorge and Waihi Beach. Gardens that look unreal at golden hour.

Visit website

The Black Barn

Lake Tarawera, Rotorua

Boutique barn-style venue set atop a ridgeline on Lake Tarawera. A view-and-a-half from the dancefloor.

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Ohakuri Rise

Lake Ohakuri, Taupo

Purpose-built venue looking out over Lake Ohakuri, just out of Taupo. Quiet, scenic, and one of the country's newer beauties.

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Orua Beach House

Hot Water Beach, Coromandel

Stunning clifftop accommodation and wedding venue overlooking Hot Water Beach. Mihiwhakatau views, ocean soundtrack.

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L'Orangerie

Tauranga, BOP

French countryside-inspired wedding venue in Tauranga. Romantic, intimate, gorgeous light.

Visit website

Event + corporate venues

Event + corporate venues.

Beyond weddings, these are the function and conference venues we know inside out, the ones we'd happily recommend for a Christmas party, awards night, gala or conference.

Meet Claudelands

Hamilton

Hamilton's award-winning conference, function and exhibition centre. Flexible, well-run, and a regular for our corporate gigs.

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The Atrium at Wintec

Hamilton

Modern multipurpose space inside Wintec, great for weddings, conferences and exhibitions in central Hamilton.

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Ellerslie Events

Auckland

22 versatile spaces on one accessible Auckland site. From small board meetings up to gala nights, it's a one-stop shop.

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New Zealand International Convention Centre

Auckland

Auckland's newest world-class venue for conventions, conferences and exhibitions. Big rooms, big productions.

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Hilton Lake Taupo

Taupo

Lakeside events venue with breathtaking lake and mountain views. Made for a Christmas party that lingers.

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Zenders

Waikato

Unique European-inspired setting with flexible spaces. A favourite for guests who want something with character.

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Photography + videography

Photography + videography.

The photographers and videographers we recommend without hesitation. We've all worked enough weddings together to dance around each other on the floor without bumping a lens.

Amy Bell Photography

Waikato

Beautiful, natural-light wedding and event photography across the Waikato. A genuine joy to share a dancefloor with.

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Key Imagery

Waikato + Auckland

Professional photography and videography for weddings and events. Story-led work, calm presence on the day.

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White Door Photography

NZ-wide

School and event photography delivered fast and professionally. The team behind a lot of school ball galleries you remember.

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Le Roux Media

NZ-wide

Timeless wedding photography and videography blending documentary and editorial. The films are honestly worth re-watching.

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Haley Adele Photography

Waikato + Bay of Plenty

Wedding and portrait photographer who documents the love story as it happens, the big moments, the little ones, and the ones you didn't even know happened. Feels like another excited bestie on the day.

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Decorators + stylists

Decorators + stylists.

The stylists, decorators and planners who turn a venue into the room you've been picturing in your head. We follow their lead and try not to bump the florals.

The Event Girl

Waikato

Luxury wedding and event planning + bespoke styling out of the Waikato. Weddings, corporate, brand experiences, the lot.

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Clever Events

Auckland + Waikato

Transforming events across Auckland and the Waikato for over 20 years. Genuine pros, end-to-end planning.

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The Event Company

Hamilton

Creative event planning, styling and theming based in Hamilton. Strong on dancefloor staging, which we obviously love.

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Phoenix Decoration Hire

Hamilton, Waikato

Locally owned Hamilton party hire and event styling crew going since 2009. Marquees, furniture, backdrops and full decor for weddings, corporate functions and cultural celebrations.

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Celebrants + MCs

Celebrants + MCs.

The people standing up the front before we take over. A great celebrant or MC sets the tone for the whole night, these are the ones we'd recommend to family.

Poppy Wortman

Waikato + NZ-wide

Celebrant who writes bespoke scripts tailored to each couple. Warm, present, and unbelievably good on the day.

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Kate Laurich

North Island

Celebrant and MC across the North Island, calm, funny, and very on it.

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Matt Martyn

NZ-wide

Event coordinator and MC with 20+ years of experience. The kind of MC who's already three steps ahead of the runsheet.

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Wedding expos + resources

Wedding expos + resources.

The bigger NZ wedding-industry expos and resources we recommend if you're still in the early planning phase. Worth a Saturday afternoon to walk and meet vendors in person.

Marry Me Coromandel

Coromandel

Wedding expo connecting Coromandel couples with local vendors. Tight, friendly, regional event.

Visit website

The Waikato Wedding Affair

Waikato

Regional wedding expo bringing together the Waikato's top vendors. A reliable shortlist starter.

Visit website

The Bay Of Plenty Wedding Show

Bay of Plenty

Regional wedding expo and vendor showcase across the BOP. Great if you want to meet several suppliers in one afternoon.

Visit website

One more thing

Know someone who should be
on this list?

Tell us. If we've worked with them, we'll happily add them. If we haven't yet, point us at them, we love finding new ones.

Email us a suggestion

Trusted by you

Real words from real dancefloors.

Chris from My Event DJ was very chill to deal with when we booked a DJ for our wedding reception on 11/4/26. So sorry I have forgotten the name of the lovely guy who DJ'd for us on the day, but he turned up on time, was already set up, did everything perfectly and had a really lovely bubbly personality! Thanks so much for helping make our wedding reception a stress free and fun night :D

Bloody awesome DJ company! We had the pleasure of having Chris as our DJ and he's absolutely amazing! We had made our song/playlist requests through a webpage that was easy to use and even though the rain meant some last minute change in locations, Chris wasn't phased and seamlessly carried on. The guests made so many comments about the DJ about how he read the room so well, kept vibes high and chose great songs (hubby and I agree!). We also got the photo booth which was a TOTAL hit! Being able to have print outs to put on the fridge and then being sent a link where we could download the digital copies was so handy! Would absolutely recommend the team at MyEventDJ! Thanks for helping to make our day magical, Chris!

We had Chris for our wedding and he was amazing from start to finish. He helped us in the planning process and on the day his attention to detail made sure the whole day was perfect! The Photo Booth was a great addition and well worth it! I cannot recommend Chris enough! Thank you so much!

Incredible! We used Chris at our wedding a month ago - we had him for the whole shebang. From ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner and through to the dance floor Chris was incredible. He was inconspicuous, but the music and timing was perfect. He fitted seamlessly into our day. The app and communication beforehand made things super easy and uncomplicated. AND THEN he threw down absolute banger after banger on the dance floor later on. We cannot thank you enough for helping to make our wedding such an absolute hit.

We used my Event DJ, for our wedding in January and they were absolutely amazing. Their systems for song selection was simply to use, their communication was also out standing. We also used the package which included the photo both and this went down even better than we hoped, the photos and set up was amazing and all our guest thought it was one of the best photo booths they have used. Honestly we could not recommend these guys enough!. Thanks heaps for making our event! Marie & John

G
Marie February 20, 2026

110% would recommend! A big contributor to making our wedding one to remember. We had lots of comments on how good the music was from guest. Was great at reading the crowd and vibes throughout the day/night.

We couldn’t have asked for a better DJ for our wedding! Chris was on time, professional, and everything ran perfectly from start to finish. He was incredibly patient throughout the whole process and a huge help during the planning stages. He also set up the photobooth, which our guests absolutely loved it was such a hit all night! The whole service was amazing value for money. We’re so grateful for everything he did to make our day so special. Highly recommend!

Chris you are bloody epic! We had the best night with you, you listen to the crowd and know your music so well. Have had so many great parties with you but this one tops the rest! Will now be using you for every party ever lol thanks man!

Chris from My Event DJ was very chill to deal with when we booked a DJ for our wedding reception on 11/4/26. So sorry I have forgotten the name of the lovely guy who DJ'd for us on the day, but he turned up on time, was already set up, did everything perfectly and had a really lovely bubbly personality! Thanks so much for helping make our wedding reception a stress free and fun night :D

Bloody awesome DJ company! We had the pleasure of having Chris as our DJ and he's absolutely amazing! We had made our song/playlist requests through a webpage that was easy to use and even though the rain meant some last minute change in locations, Chris wasn't phased and seamlessly carried on. The guests made so many comments about the DJ about how he read the room so well, kept vibes high and chose great songs (hubby and I agree!). We also got the photo booth which was a TOTAL hit! Being able to have print outs to put on the fridge and then being sent a link where we could download the digital copies was so handy! Would absolutely recommend the team at MyEventDJ! Thanks for helping to make our day magical, Chris!

We had Chris for our wedding and he was amazing from start to finish. He helped us in the planning process and on the day his attention to detail made sure the whole day was perfect! The Photo Booth was a great addition and well worth it! I cannot recommend Chris enough! Thank you so much!

Incredible! We used Chris at our wedding a month ago - we had him for the whole shebang. From ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner and through to the dance floor Chris was incredible. He was inconspicuous, but the music and timing was perfect. He fitted seamlessly into our day. The app and communication beforehand made things super easy and uncomplicated. AND THEN he threw down absolute banger after banger on the dance floor later on. We cannot thank you enough for helping to make our wedding such an absolute hit.

We used my Event DJ, for our wedding in January and they were absolutely amazing. Their systems for song selection was simply to use, their communication was also out standing. We also used the package which included the photo both and this went down even better than we hoped, the photos and set up was amazing and all our guest thought it was one of the best photo booths they have used. Honestly we could not recommend these guys enough!. Thanks heaps for making our event! Marie & John

G
Marie February 20, 2026

110% would recommend! A big contributor to making our wedding one to remember. We had lots of comments on how good the music was from guest. Was great at reading the crowd and vibes throughout the day/night.

We couldn’t have asked for a better DJ for our wedding! Chris was on time, professional, and everything ran perfectly from start to finish. He was incredibly patient throughout the whole process and a huge help during the planning stages. He also set up the photobooth, which our guests absolutely loved it was such a hit all night! The whole service was amazing value for money. We’re so grateful for everything he did to make our day so special. Highly recommend!

Chris you are bloody epic! We had the best night with you, you listen to the crowd and know your music so well. Have had so many great parties with you but this one tops the rest! Will now be using you for every party ever lol thanks man!

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