Travel
From Auckland
Drive north on State Highway 1 (about 3–3.5 hours, via Whangarei and Kawakawa). Head to Opua for the vehicle ferry to Okiato (details below), then it's a10-minute drive to Russell town centre. Some GPS apps might suggest a longer route around - stick with the ferry for the fastest and most scenic option!
From Keri Keri
Rent a car at the airport and drive about 30 minutes to Opua. From there, take the vehicle ferry to Okiato (details below), followed by a 10-minute drive to Russell town centre.
Vehicle Ferry
The Opua to Okiato vehicle ferry crosses in approx. 10 minutes and runs every 10–20 minutes (shuttle style, no booking needed). One-way fare for a car/ute is $18 (includes passengers). For full timetables and any updates, check Northland Ferries: Vehicle Ferry Info.
Where to Stay
The Duke has a number of discounted rooms available for guests to book, when using our booking number.
Please see link below for room rates and booking details: Wedding Guest Info.
There are also lots of other beautiful accommodation options available in Russell for you to enjoy if you prefer.
On The Day
Parking
Guests staying at The Duke will have access to one complimentary parking space per room.
If you are not staying at The Duke, you can utilise all day street parking along the outskirts of Russell township.
Dress Code
We invite guests to wear semi formal/cocktail attire in colours you love, to match the beautiful elegance of our venue. Some examples could be:
- Midi or knee-length dresses, elegant jumpsuits, or dressy separates
- Suit and tie or collared shirt with chinos or dress trousers
Please note that our ceremony will be held outdoors, weather permitting.
Children
We will have some children attending our wedding, but sadly have not been able to to extend invitations to all of our guests’ little ones. We appreciate your understanding.
Food & Drink
Canapés will be served throughout cocktail hour. During reception we will have entrees, followed by a choice of fish, beef, or vegetarian main for dinner. Those who have shared their dietary requirements will be catered for, and children 12 and under will have a separate kids’ menu. Dessert will be a self-serve station that includes our wedding cake, and we’ll also have a small selection of late-night snacks later in the evening to keep the dream alive!
We will be offering a selection of wines, beers, cider, and non-alcoholic options for guests on our hosted tab. This will switch to a cash bar later in the evening.
Gifts
Your presence at our wedding means more to us than any gift ever could. We know everyone will be travelling to join us, that alone is the greatest present we could wish for. There is no expectation whatsoever to bring a gift.
If you would still like to share something with us, there will be an area where kind messages, cards, or gifts can be passed on for us to cherish.
Our Plans
Russell
We will be at The Duke from Thursday 16 – Monday 20 July and can't wait to see you!
If you are in Russell on Friday, join us at the local RSA for a fun get together before the big day. We'll be playing games and having fun from around 7:00pm.
They have a bar and a great menu if you want to have dinner there too, it will be a great way to kick off the celebrations if you're in town.
Queenstown
On Monday 20 July, we are heading from Auckland to Queenstown for our mini-moon. This is an open invitation for anyone who would like to extend the festivities with us - please reach out if you’re keen!