Imagine a rugged wilderness, on the edge of the world, just drenched in natural beauty — a New Zealand mountain wedding is so romantic! The entire country is gorgeous, but after exploring the South Island myself, I can honestly say it offers so many intimate wedding locations in NZ, such as the jagged Remarkables range in Queenstown and Wanaka, a cute small town offering lots of awe-inspiring peaks and lookouts where you can say your vows in solitude.
If the magic of gorgeous landscapes and nature is calling your name, here are some of the best reasons to get married in the New Zealand mountains, plus some of the most incredible remote wedding locations in New Zealand to consider!
Adventure & Rugged Beauty: Why You’ll Fall In Love With Mountain Weddings In NZ
Mountain weddings in Queenstown, Wanaka, or honestly anywhere on the South Island are ideal for couples seeking a romantic countryside destination, free from the stress of big cities and crowds. Plus, there are so many fun activities for you and your guests to enjoy, like hiking, wineries, horseback riding and even more extreme activities, like bungee jumping or mountain biking. Who says you can’t combine getting married with a bit of adrenaline?
Heli weddings in NZ are also a unique way of tying the knot, perfect for couples wanting something completely out of the ordinary! In Wanaka, you can charter a helicopter to Twin Peaks, a stunning and private lookout offering sweeping views of Coromandel Peak and Lake Wanaka. A Twin Peaks wedding by helicopter would be so epic and something I’d love to help you plan!
A mountain wedding also offers such beautiful seasonal variety, depending on your preferred vistas. For example, in winter, Queenstown weddings at the Remarkables will be beautifully white, covered in fresh snow and will offer that crisp, fresh winter air. This is perfect if you’re all about skiing, snowboarding, or drinks by the fire. But in summer, Queenstown has bright sunshine, long days, and endless hiking trails — combine this with lupin season and your images will be absolutely magical.
Top Locations For Your Epic Wedding In The Mountains
You can’t go wrong with anywhere on the South Island, it’s full of incredible views behind every twist and turn! But to help you get started, here are some incredible spots to consider for your intimate New Zealand wedding.
Wanaka
This lakeside resort town is gorgeous year-round, with lots of lookout points! I love the idea of a sunrise Roys Peak wedding, which you can reach via a multi-hour hike or helicopter flight. It’s one of New Zealand’s most popular locations for wedding and elopement photos, and with good reason. This region honestly takes my breath away, in the best possible way! The view from Roy’s Peak is arguably the best in New Zealand.
Or, a Coromandel Peak wedding offers a slightly shorter hike than Roy’s Peak (it’s the same mountain ridge, just slightly different spots), but you’ll still be able to exchange your beautiful vows immersed in nature, with both mountain and lake views. Afterwards, you’ll find lots of great restaurants or hotels in town, if you want to plan a fun reception or dinner!
Tutoko Glacier
The highest peak in Fiordland National Park, this glacier-covered mountain can be reached by helicopter and is near Milford Sound. An elopement here is so private and unforgettable, plus the snow-covered terrain and jagged cliffs will create such a stunning and unique backdrop for your wedding photography.
The Remarkables
Spend a few days in Queenstown and elope in the stunning beauty of the Remarkables, one of only two mountain ranges in the world that are oriented south to north. They’re known for the jagged peaks and lots of hikes offer amazing views of Lake Wakatipu below.
Similar to Wanaka, Queenstown is a popular mountain resort town — you’ll find some gorgeous boutique luxury hotels and B&Bs, plus fine dining, fun bars, and casual eateries to enjoy. We also visited Onsen Hot Pools during our stay which was a fantastic experience.
Sugarloaf Scenic Reserve
Just a few minutes outside of Christchurch, in the Port Hills area, you’ll find Sugarloaf. The walk to the hill’s peak is less challenging and much quicker than some of the Wanaka treks but offers such romantic views of the rolling hills and lake below, plus you’ll often get beautiful pastel sunsets here.
A Sugarloaf mountain wedding in Christchurch is convenient too, as there are plenty of flight options into the city.
How To Plan Your New Zealand Adventure Wedding
To get started, it helps to think about logistics and weather — what season are you most drawn to, and what activities would you like to add to your celebrations? The right attire is key too, depending on the time of year you’re travelling, but you’ll definitely want warm layers, a waterproof outer layer, and durable hiking boots. The weather in New Zealand can change quickly, even in summer!
If you’re planning an intimate wedding in a rugged mountain location, you’ll also need an experienced photographer, and other vendors, who are familiar and confident with the terrain.
For your mountainous wedding, I’d be honoured to be your elopement or wedding photographer in New Zealand, ready to take on heli weddings or sunrise hikes — reach out and we can start planning your gorgeous images!
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