CLARE AND OLLIE

At Songbird Retreat, we don’t just host weddings. We set the stage for your most cherished memories.

Hi! we are dean and helen.

It’s an honour that you’re considering Songbird Retreat for your wedding day. We host only a handful of weddings each year, ensuring each one is an experience of breathtaking beauty, genuine connection, and intentional privacy.

At Songbird, your wedding is never just a date on the calendar — it’s a celebration we help you and your team of vendors to craft with care, elegance, and soul.

you are welcome here!

ready to start

planning your special day?

YOU’VE ALREADY STARTED!

here is your current thinking:

  • Date: 9 January 2027

  • Guest Count: Approximately 100 guests

  • Location: A venue that offers:

    • proximity to Matheson Bay (family bach)

    • Kiwi connection

    • outdoor marquee wedding

  • Vibe: elegant, fun, relaxed but special, good food, nice drinks, elevated backyard wedding for friends and family

  • Catering: family style, sharing plates, lots of food! Kiwi summer food. $16000-20000 for 100 guests

  • Photography: candid photos in the moment

  • Entertainment: not sure yet - a band?

  • Guest accommodation: yes

  • Post-wedding: at the boathouse at Matheson Bay

SONGBIRD RETREAT OFFERS YOU:

A Venue that Resonates with Your Vision

At Songbird Retreat, we offer a picturesque 4.5-acre property in Matheson Bay, Matakana, featuring lush terraced lawns and meticulously landscaped gardens.

Exclusivity and Privacy

We host only one event at a time, ensuring your wedding is intimate and exclusively yours.

Flexibility to Personalise Your Day

Our venue allows you to customise every aspect of your event, from selecting your preferred marquee and furniture to choosing your own caterers. Our versatile spaces accommodate both intimate gatherings and larger celebrations.

Seamless Planning with Comprehensive Packages

Our Songbird Package includes a 10x21m clear roof marquee adorned with fairy lights, essential furniture, and a dedicated service team, simplifying the planning process. Additionally, our on-site Songbird Cottage offers luxurious accommodation, serving as a perfect bridal suite or honeymoon retreat.

Cost-Effective BYO Options

We offer a BYO beverage policy with no corkage fees, providing significant cost savings and allowing you to select beverages that suit your taste.

Timeless Elegance in Every Detail

Our meticulously maintained gardens, featuring lily ponds, rose arbors, and native bush, create an elegant setting that serves as a blank canvas for your unique style.

We welcome you to explore the possibilities that Songbird Retreat offers and look forward to assisting you in creating a wedding that is as extraordinary as your love story.

EXPERIENCE RACHEL AND ADAM’S WEDDING

Rachel and Adam brought so much heart, laughter, and beauty to their celebration at Songbird Retreat. From golden light across the gardens to a ceremony filled with joyful tears, every moment was a reflection of their love story — intimate, elegant, and entirely their own. Here's a little glimpse of the magic that unfolded in the gardens of Songbird Retreat.

  • “The most beautiful venue, it exceeded every Pinterest board idea and dream we had talked about!!”

    Chloe Senn

  • It was the perfect canvas for our day, and we couldn’t be happier. Helen and Dean, the new owners, were excellent communicators—passionate, attentive, and genuinely excited to share their venue with us.

    Rachel Sommerville

  • “We recently had the pleasure of hosting our wedding at Songbird Retreat, and I cannot recommend this venue enough.”

    Toni Love

  • “...while it felt like you were getting married in a family friend’s perfect backyard, the practical details were all taken care of in a way that made the day seamless. ”

    Helen Chen

BOOKING FORM

YOUR PLANNING IS ALL GOING TO BE WORTH IT!

AND YOUR EXCLUSIVE WEDDING PLANNING PORTAL IS HERE TO HELP GUIDE YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY!

almost all you need is here!