The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Dream Destination Wedding in New Zealand

Increasingly, couples from around the globe are setting their sights on trending wedding destinations in New Zealand, captivated by breathtaking locations like the Coromandel Peninsula and the Southern Alps. Just imagine the stunning wedding photos you'll capture against backdrops of pristine beaches, dramatic cliffsides, and breathtaking mountain ranges!

Celebrated for being one of the greenest countries in the world, it’s no wonder that couples are eager to tie the knot here in Aotearoa, New Zealand. The rich forests and diverse fauna provide a magical setting, especially for fans of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, or any whimsical cottagecore themes. The warm hospitality of Kiwis, combined with delicious local cuisine and fine wines, enhances the entire experience.

This guide will navigate you through the process of planning your dream wedding in New Zealand, ensuring that your special day is as unique and beautiful as the natural beauty surrounding you.

Elopement in Queenstown

1. Check the Legal Requirements

Before getting busy finding the perfect bridal gown or choosing wedding themes, one of the essential steps you should take with your partner is to check the legal requirements for getting married.

You’ll need to secure a marriage licence from the New Zealand government in advance, as you don’t want to be in the middle of your wedding planning and realise that you missed the most important part of getting married: making it legal and ensuring your marriage is recognised. You can check the requirements online, fill out forms, and be sure to submit them on time!

Wedding at Mantells Mt Eden in Auckland

2.  Finalise Your Wedding Budget

Weddings, no matter how big or small, still require a budget. Before anything else, you must know how much you plan to spend for the big day. Go as big as you like, but do make sure it’s within your means if you want to go extravagant. You must identify the non-negotiables and priorities. For example, hiring the best wedding photographer you can find is a great investment, as your wedding photos will last a lifetime.

As you’re planning a destination wedding, ask yourself, what are some must-haves that you’ll need to budget for? Accommodation? Travel expenses? Catering? Having a wedding budget tracker or planner will help you stay on track with your expenses and make sure you pay suppliers or vendors on time.

3. Hire a Wedding Planner or Plan it Yourself?

Planning a destination wedding can be challenging, but it’s certainly not impossible—especially for brides who want to take an active role in the wedding planning process. It's best to be equipped with reliable wedding resources. For those who are busy and don’t have the time to dive deep into every detail, hiring a wedding planner can be a game-changer.

A professional planner who is also an expert on the location of your destination wedding can assist you with crucial tasks such as creating save-the-date cards and invitations that include travel details, accommodation options, and itinerary information for your guests. They can also help secure vendors and manage other essential elements, making the entire process feel like a breeze

However, if you’re keen on a DIY approach, it’s important to stay organised. Consider keeping everything in a dedicated wedding planner file, or better yet, collaborate with your significant other.

This not only helps you keep track of all the details but also transforms the planning process into an enjoyable bonding opportunity. After all, planning your special day together can be just as memorable as the wedding itself!

4. Select Your Wedding Venue

Booking a venue well in advance is a must. The most sought-after venues will be booked out months ahead, so it’s best to start looking for venues a year in advance of the wedding if possible. If you plan to have an elopement wedding, consider destinations like Piha Beach to Waiheke Island.

However, if you plan to have a traditional or full-blown wedding ceremony in New Zealand, there are many options available. New Zealand has thousands of picturesque wedding venues across the country, from the Hobbiton Movie Set to Stoneridge Estate in Queenstown, depending on the number of people who will attend your wedding and your wedding theme.

Elopement in Queenstown, New Zealand

5. Pick Your Wedding Photographer/Videographer

What are the essentials of wedding planning? High up on the list should be the wedding photographer, as you’ll have a clear vision in mind for f what type of wedding photos you want to have, such as traditional, vintage, or modern.

If you already have a wedding photographer in mind, it’s best to enquire immediately to check if they are available on the day of your wedding or for prenup photoshoots beforehand. If you have visual pegs or vision boards, it would be helpful to show them in advance so your photographer can help bring your vision to life on a timeline!

If you’re having your wedding in New Zealand, we here at Sélea Photography would love to help you out! Ioana will help you feel at ease and have a good time capturing your special day.

6. Enquire on Wedding Catering Services

One of the most important parts of the wedding is food and beverages. If you’re planning a destination wedding, consider what further considerations you will have to make. It may be difficult, for instance, to sample the caterer’s food if they are based in a different part of the country.

Further, if you have any specific catering requests, such as having a vegan-only menu or perhaps a menu that features your culture if you come from a multicultural household, you’ll need to check that caterers near your wedding venue can cater to your requirements well in advance. You might have to travel for food tastings, so it's best to book them early and make time for that as well.

Catering at Glasshouse Morningside in Auckland

Conclusion

Don’t let wedding planning stress you out! Remember, this is an exciting chapter in your life as you prepare to marry the love of your life in a stunning location. Planning a destination wedding can be challenging—with everything from hiring a local wedding planner to booking your venue—but you should enjoy the journey along the way.

Embrace the adventure, and know that all your efforts will culminate in beautiful photos and cherished memories. It’s all worth it for that magical moment on your special day!