By ANNE BESTON
The cost of saying "I do" in the Botanic Gardens at Manurewa has gone down.
The Auckland Regional Council has decided the cost of a booked, outdoor wedding ceremony at the gardens will drop from $250 to $165.
The knock-down price is the result of a hard-fought campaign by two regional councillors, both of them wedding celebrants.
"For small groups who have a short wedding and a few photos, the $250 was a disincentive and we don't want to discourage people," said councillor Gwen Bull, who represents Manukau.
"Weddings are attractive and colourful and the gardens are a lovely venue. I would like to have seen [the charge] even lower."
Gwen Bull and colleague Ruth Norman voted against the $250 fee when it came before last month's parks committee for renewal.
The committee asked staff to investigate the cost of weddings at other venues and report this month. The figures revealed the Botanic Gardens were relatively expensive.
The Wintergarden in Auckland Domain charges $150 an hour plus GST and Parnell Rose Gardens charges the same for a two-hour period. Wedding ceremonies are free in Cornwall Park but a permit is required.
A wedding in a park in North Shore City, Waitakere or Manukau is free but a special site in any regional park costs $100.
Last year, 43 couples took their vows at one of the six sites at the Botanic Gardens.
Tying knot in gardens less costly
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