The 5 Best Wedding Venues in Westport for a Picture-Perfect Celebration
David Sims
| Last Updated: October 2025 If there’s one thing you’ll be looking back on forever, it’s your wedding photos, and the backdrop makes all the difference.
The right location can instantly bring back all those feelings, while the wrong one might just feel flat. You definitely want the kind that tugs at your heart, and the venue plays a huge role in that.
Westport might be a small town in New Zealand, but it’s got some lovely spots to tie the knot. Here are the venues our team thinks really stand out.
How much do wedding venues cost in Westport?
1. River Garden Retreat
Address: 3784 State Highway 6, Lower Buller Gorge
Phone: +64 27 275 1892
River Garden Retreat is set right above the Buller River with sprawling gardens and lily ponds, so it has those “wow” moments you dream about for your wedding photos.
Walking through the gardens, it’s easy to imagine exchanging vows on the bridge. The place looks really magical.
We loved how flexible the space itself too. The large lawns can host a couple of hundred guests, but there are also plenty of intimate corners for smaller ceremonies.
Catering is up to you. You can use the retreat’s facilities or go off-site, which is great if you have a specific vision or a tight budget.
On-site accommodation is another win, especially if you want the bridal party to get ready without worrying about logistics. We’ve heard the rooms are spacious, beautifully decorated, and comfortable.
That said, because the venue is in a residential area, there are strict noise limits. Music volume can be turned down or even cut if it spills outside the property.
Beautiful gardens and a view of the mighty Buller River
“Very relaxing, a quiet retreat. Beautiful gardens and a view of the mighty Buller River. Kathleen and Jim are great hosts, very knowledgeable on local attractions and down to earth. We really enjoyed our stay and would love to take the whole family back.”
– Maria L., TripAdvisor
Highly recommended
“We were made to feel right at home amongst the beautiful garden setting and stunning Buller River backdrop. Jim and Kathleen are true-born and raised West Coasters with plenty of history and stories to share. Best glow worms we have ever seen, trumping Waitomo for density. Highly recommended.”
– Ella & Liam, TripAdvisor
2. Archer House
Address: 75 Queen Street
Phone: +64 3 789 8778
If you’re looking for a venue that’s full of charm and a touch of luxury, Archer House should be on your radar.
This Victorian home was built in 1890 and has a beautiful colonial architecture. That gives it a timeless but stylish ambience.
Most weddings here happen in the gardens, and it’s easy to see why. The half-acre of the garden is peaceful and perfectly private. Guests consistently mentioned how easy it is to find the property too.
The house has three large bedrooms with en-suites, so it can sleep up to eight people overnight. That’s great for small wedding parties or couples who want to stay on-site.
From what we’ve gathered, the hosts are very welcoming and attentive. It shows in the care they put into the house and the garden.
There are a few things to keep in mind, though. The house is small, so we don’t think it’s ideal for larger wedding parties or families needing lots of accommodation.
It has such beautiful surroundings
“Attended a wedding here in the gardens. It has such beautiful surroundings. Really easy to find.”
– Shirley Chesmar, Google review
What an awesome place and backdrop for the occasion
“Beautiful place, we attended my cousin’s wedding here, what an awesome place and backdrop for the occasion.”
– Darryl Tasker, Google review
3. Westport RSA Club
Address: 137 – 139 Palmerston Street
Phone: +64 3 789 8872
From everything our team dug into, the Westport RSA Club passed the friendly vibe check and versatility. It’s a very casual, community-club feel type of venue, so it might not be the best choice for couples aiming for a more luxurious wedding.
If you don’t mind the casual vibes, the venue is very flexible. It has a staffed bar, a stage, a dance floor, and even a jukebox. We could already picture not only the newlywed couple, but also the guests having the night of their lives here.
We also loved that their hall can be styled to match your wedding theme, and there’s a smaller meeting room or library for more intimate moments.
Accessibility is an advantage since they have wheelchair facilities. This makes sure your guests are comfortable and included, which we appreciated.
Their events team is experienced and can help with planning, so you can enjoy your precious day without worrying about every little detail.
That said, the kitchen is currently closed for refurbishment. Catering may need extra planning or to be arranged externally.
Great place, friendly staff!
“Great place, friendly staff, awesome venue for private parties, weddings, special and community events!”
– Debbie Hartigan, Google review
The venue was good and it provided great facilities
“We went to a darts competition. The venue was good and it provided great facilities, good drinks and friendly service. Right on the main street. Good food.”
– Keith Douthett, Google review
4. St John’s Anglican Church
Address: 67 Queen Street
Phone: +64 3 789 8348
Business hours:
- Monday to Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 10 AM – 12 PM
- Thursday to Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: 8 AM – 12:30 PM, 4 PM – 5:30 PM
St John’s Anglican Church is a beautiful little heritage church that’s perfect if you’re after a classic and traditional wedding.
It was built in 1924 and has a simple Gothic revival style. There are steep gables and tall lancet windows, which make it so timeless.
The inside feels intimate but spacious enough for a meaningful ceremony. We also found the aisle and wooden details impressive. It’s a detail you’ll surely love when you browse your wedding pics.
From what we’ve heard, the church is very welcoming. The vicar is really friendly and he’ll even let you explore around the area.
It’s important to note, though, that St John’s is all about the ceremony. There’s no reception space, and you can’t really customise the venue.
So if you’re looking for a full-day wedding with dining and partying in the same place, this isn’t the spot. But if you want a historic church with a real sense of tradition, this is the best choice.
What a beautiful church
“What a beautiful church. Visited today to see the church my great-grandfather was married in. Met Vicar Matt, who was very obliging and allowed me to have a look around. He also advised it may more than likely not be the church where the wedding took place, as it is about 150 years old. My great-grandfather was wed in 1897. I’ll be doing more investigations and hope I come across a photograph of the original church.”
– Bronwyn Carruthers, Google review
Friendly people
“Beautiful church..Friendly people.”
– Jain Paul, Google review
5. Club Buller
Address: 44 Queen St
Phone: +64 3 789 8770
Business hours:
- Monday: 4 PM – 9 PM
- Tuesday to Saturday: 2:30 PM – 9 PM
- Sunday: 4 PM – 9 PM
Club Buller immediately caught our eye—it’s spacious, versatile, and can handle up to 300 guests, with seating for about 150. That makes it a great pick for medium-to-large weddings.
The lounge area comes with a dance floor, stage, and sound system. We really love this since it ensures the wedding reception can easily flow from a formal dinner to a full-on party.
From what we’ve heard from customers, the staff here are super adaptable. The chef and manager seem genuinely invested in helping couples make the day their own, from menu tweaks to layout preferences.
Food-wise, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The catering works well for large groups, and the attached restaurant is a nice option for sit-down meals.
Plus, being a chartered club, the beer and bar options are solid. It’s a win if drinks are on your wedding must-have list.
However, there are occasional reports of inconsistent food quality. So if fine dining is non-negotiable, it’s worth having a detailed chat with their chef beforehand.
Friendly staff and very clean
“We went to a function here. Great food, friendly staff. Very clean.”
– Sixty Fivers, Google review
The Club Buller has great facilities and plenty of room
“The Club Buller has great facilities and plenty of room, being very spacious. You can get very good beer here because it is a chartered club. Club Buller provides a great facility to the people of the Buller District and beyond for holding other events like funerals, weddings and club gatherings. With live music, the place can be really quite an event as festivities continue into the night. I recommend Club Buller also for a sit-down meal, as they have a great small attached restaurant. It would pay to check first and book.”
– Murray Quartly, Google review
