While the marriage rate is dropping in the US to about two million couples each year, that just makes weddings even more special. Especially when that wedding is located somewhere amazing.
If you’re going to make your friends and loved-ones travel, you may as well go somewhere so awe-inspiring that they won’t stop talking about it. Which is why you should consider having a New Zealand wedding.
Even if you’re a local Kiwi, you may not know about all the unusual wedding venues Auckland and other areas have available. Which is why you should grab your passport and keep reading.
We’re sharing with you 10 stunning wedding venues NZ you and your guests won’t soon forget.
1. Head to Mission Estate for Your New Zealand Wedding
Head to Hawkes Bay if you’re dreaming of an outdoor wedding. There are several wedding venues available. And there are plenty of wedding planners, photographers, and make-up artists to help you prepare and capture your wedding day.
There are plenty of stunning wedding venues to choose from in Hawkes Bay. But our favorite is the Mission Estate.
The Mission Estate has beautiful views and is also the oldest winery in New Zealand. And the Old Church is great for both winter weddings and larger weddings since it can hold around 175 guests.
2. Old Forest School
Old Forest School is located in the Bay of Plenty. And if you’re dreaming of the perfect location for a rustic boho-themed wedding, this is your place.
It’s a five-acre property and if offers several spots to host your perfect wedding. There’s the original school hall if you want your wedding indoors.
Then there are the 80-year old Redwood and Sycamore trees you can get married under. Guests can play games like Jenga, get their drink on at the Redwood Bar, and then boogie the night away in the Little Barn.
3. Kauri Bay Boomrock
There are plenty of Auckland wedding venues to choose from. Especially since it’s the most populated city.
Whether you’re looking for unusual wedding venues Auckland or just a spot that offers stunning views, you’ll find it here. Kauri Bay Boomrock is located just outside the heart of Auckland in Clevedon.
The venue holds up to 250 guests and offers views of the Hauraki Gulf. There are even photography locations available.
If Kauri Bay isn’t to your liking, try one of these venues also located in Auckland.
4. Cable Bay
Cable Bay is located on the island of Waiheke and it’s just a short ferry ride from Auckland. And this place has amazing views and your choice of venues.
Cable Bay lets you get married at the vineyard or at the beach. If you want to get married outdoors, you can do it with a stunning view of Auckland in the background.
5. Church of the Good Shepherd
For those of you looking to get married in a church, you’re in luck The Church of the Good Shepherd located at Lake Tekapo. And if you’re looking for the best location for stargazing, this might be it.
They even offer night sky tours complete with astronomy guides and astrophotographers.
All you’ll see here is miles of New Zealand’s world-famous mountains. And it sits beside a stunning lake. The church was built in 1935 and is still in use today.
6. Get Married on a Catamaran
Who says you have to be on land to get married? Instead, opt for a catamaran wedding.
You and your guests can sail from bay to bay on romantic Lake Rotoiti in Rotorua. Or you can charter the Ipiriri and cruise around the sub-tropical Bay of Islands.
If you’re lucky, you and your guests may see some of the local marine wildlife swimming around such as sperm whales, dolphins, and seals.
7. Criffel Station Woolshed
Criffel Station Woolshed, located in Wanaka is a 2,000-hectare high country deer farm. And it’s the perfect place for a romantic, yet relaxing wedding.
You can have your wedding outdoors but that’s not the only reason to book here. After your nuptials, you can hop into a helicopter to take photos of the surrounding mountain tops.
The converted woolshed is the perfect spot to hold your reception. Just keep in mind it’s BYO so you’ll have to bring your own food and drinks.
But if you’re looking for a low-key spot with amazing views, this place is it.
8. Ilex Cafe
Head to Ilex Cafe located in Christchurch. It’s a new wedding venue located at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
There, you’ll find the perfect combination of a modern-looking sanctuary with Jonny Schwass’s sumptuous local cuisine. Ilex can hold up to 120 guests for seated events and it’s also known for being a stunning, yet affordable wedding venue.
9. Heli-Wedding on Mount Cook
If you want to keep your wedding small, consider having a heli wedding. It’s perfect for small, intimate weddings and/or elopements.
A heli wedding or helicopter wedding is a great way to go somewhere very few people have ever stepped foot on. Not only that, but you’ll be surrounded by stunning views the entire time.
Getting married on top of a mountain is also one of the more unusual wedding venues that will provide you with great stories, stunning photography, and a lifetime of happy memories.
You can even get married on Tasman Glacier. It’s the perfect spot to hold the ultimate white wedding.
10. The Boatshed
The Boatshed is located on Waikato. It’s one of the more perfect wedding venues because there are gardens and Lake Karapiro to use as your background in photos.
You can also choose from an indoor or outdoor wedding. The food is grown locally and there are rooms available for the wedding party to get ready.
Just beware you’ll have to bring your own booze if you choose to have your wedding here.
Don’t Forget About the Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties
Now that you know where you’re holding your New Zealand wedding, it’s time to focus on the bachelor/bachelorette party celebrations.
If you love to travel and you have the budget, you might as well have a destination bachelor/bachelorette party as well.
One great destination to throw these celebrations is near Los Angeles. Click here to learn where to throw the ultimate bachelorette weekend getaway.
