Couples

New Zealand Elopement Wedding destinations

Where to get married in New Zealand

New Zealand, Aotearoa, the land of the long white cloud and to those who visit and reside here absolute heaven. We are lucky to be surrounded by the ever dramatic, evolving landscapes of the North & South Islands.

If you’ve never been to New Zealand before, it can be a little overwhelming to pick just one place to Elope. If you’re traveling a long way to get here it’s probably best to spend a little time planning a road trip so you can make the most of your holiday and explore the country while your here.

In my opinion, the perfect amount of time to spend touring the two islands is one full month. 2 weeks on each the North and South Island is just about perfect. If you only have a week or so on your hands I would suggest visiting the South Island. I may be a little biased because yes I do live down here, but we do have the most epic scenery and my home town of Queenstown is not called the adventure capital of the world for nothing.

Below you will find a rundown of some of the best New Zealand elopement wedding locations.

Mountain top

New Zealand is basically one big long mountain range that means even with your feet firmly on the ground you will never be far from a gorgeous mountain vista, so if your dreaming of a mountain wedding you are spoilt for choice. There are plenty of mountain spots to drive to, hike up, or even helicopter to. Helicopter mountain landings are a very popular choice around Queenstown & Wanaka. With many, many locations to shoot from such as The Ledge, Roy’s Peak, The Remarkables, and many more. You can even travel further afield into Fiordland National Park or land in the exclusive Earnslaw Burn, only accessible by foot or flight. Mountain top weddings and elopements are whimsically romantic. Think beautiful views, solitude, and a unique experience to hold forever.

Lake Front

There are 3820 lakes in New Zealand so you will never be far from one.

Some of my favorite lakes in the South Island are Lake Rotoiti, Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, Lake Wanaka, Lake Matheson & Lake Te Anau. (if I were you, I would plan a road trip to visit every one)

Queenstown is home to Lake Wakatipu, carved millions of years ago by glacial movement, the lake is surrounded by grand mountains. Knowing that any lakeside location in Queenstown is going to be perfect for an elopement. Areas such as Bob’s Cove, Kelvin heights, Moke Lake, and Jack’s point are all popular spots to get hitched, with or without a wedding party. The best thing about a lakefront location is that it’s all free, however, if you would like to hold a big ceremony there, you will need to let DOC know.

The Beach.

The beaches of New Zealand are unapologetically beautiful. From the wild west coast to the long, golden beaches in the North Island, you are spoilt for choice. From Queenstown, you can opt for a helicopter flight over the Fiordland mountains to a remote location on the West Coast, there you will be totally alone on a secluded beach declaring your love for one another.

In the deep South, the Catlins coast is full of lighthouses, caves, and penguins and at the top of the South Island, you’ll find Abel Tasman National Park home to many great walks and secluded bays. On the North Island, The Coromandel is famous for its hot water beach, forests, and laid back vibe.

Indoor venues

If you are more of an indoor kinda couple venue wise but would love to have some scenic wedding photos, then don’t worry. We can sneak away from the venue for an hour or so and find somewhere to capture your love. Pretty much everywhere in Queenstown has a beautiful backdrop & I can take you to some of my secret locations too. Queenstown is home to a whole heap of beautiful Wedding venues in and around the central area. For a little Luxury, the Eichardts hotel suite and balcony is perfect, giving you enough of an indoor vibe but also not lacking on the scenic views. Kinloch Lodge and The Winehouse are perfect out of town getaways that can hold an awesome indoor party. Queenstown and the surroundings are also home to a multitude of beautiful holiday homes, some large enough to hold a small wedding reception in.

To help you out I’ve curated a list of my favourite Queenstown airbnb’s that would be perfect for a small elopement or to stay pre and post wedding.

Best Wedding Venues>>

I totally get that it may be tough to pick your best New Zealand elopement location, but rest assured wherever it maybe you won’t be disappointed.

New Zealand is one of the most beautiful places in the whole world to get married, you will have a wonderful time no matter your elopement location. If you need pointing in the right direction then drop me a line, I’m more than happy to help you plan your special day.

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