New Zealand Dream Weddings
Elope in New Zealand
Unforgettable elopements in New Zealand’s most breathtaking places — just the two of you, or with up to four guests. Planned personally by Donna, from your first email to the day itself — since 1999.
Nearly 30 years of New Zealand weddings
One planner. One point of contact. Your day, exactly as you dreamed it.
I’m Donna, and I’ve been planning weddings in New Zealand since 1999 — longer than anyone else in this little corner of the world. When you write to me, you’re not passed to a team or an assistant. I personally guide you every step of the way, and I coordinate everything so your day runs smoothly. Every wedding deserves a personal approach, and yours will have mine.
Where you’ll say “I do”
New Zealand’s most beautiful wedding destinations
Mountain tops, glaciers, lakeshores and hidden valleys — reached by car or by helicopter. Signature landings include The Ledge on Cecil Peak, Earnslaw Burn, Coromandel Peak, Fog Peak, Lookout Hill, Tyndall Glacier and Lake Lochnagar.
Queenstown
New Zealand's most spectacular alpine playground — dramatic peaks, deep blue lakes, and private helicopter landings all to yourselves.
Wānaka
Queenstown's quieter neighbour — a serene lake, open alpine landscapes, and some of New Zealand's most beautiful helicopter landings.
Lake Tekapo
A famously turquoise lake framed by lupins in summer and some of the clearest night skies on earth.
Mount Cook / Aoraki
New Zealand's highest mountain — glaciers, alpine valleys and a sense of scale that takes your breath away.
However you picture it
Choose your kind of wedding day
Helicopter & Mountain Weddings
Fly to a private mountain top or glacier and marry with the whole of the Southern Alps to yourselves.
Snow Weddings
Exchange vows in a hush of white — snow-dusted peaks, crisp air, and a landscape made for winter romance.
Lakeside
Still water, mountain reflections and soft light — a gentle, romantic setting for your vows.
Chapel & Church Weddings
For couples who'd love a traditional touch — a historic little chapel in an unforgettable setting.
Simple, from the other side of the world
How eloping in New Zealand works
- 1
Tell me your story
Send me a note about the two of you, your dates and the kind of day you imagine. We’ll talk it all through together.
- 2
I plan every detail
Location, celebrant, marriage licence, photography, flowers, helicopter — I arrange it all, and keep everything on track for you.
- 3
You arrive and marry
Step off the plane and into your wedding day. All you have to do is be present, and say “I do”.
Ready-made, or tailored to you
Wedding packages
Every package includes your marriage licence, celebrant and the little details — and can be shaped around exactly what you want.
Properly permitted, properly insured
Every landing legal. Every ceremony above board.
Our helicopter landings and conservation-land ceremonies are approved under a current Department of Conservation concession, backed by public liability insurance and independent safety-audit certification — and private-land ceremonies always carry the landowner’s written permission. You never have to think about permits; that’s my job.
In their own words
Kind words from couples
“Our marriage in New Zealand was an unforgettable event and was the best day in our lives. Thanks to Donna who made our special day so perfect. Everything ran so smoothly and we fully enjoyed our special day without any stress.”
Lisa & Josef
“Thank you very much for your professional services and all those arrangements, so well organised during our stay in New Zealand. How can we ever thank you enough. You made our wedding the most beautiful experience any couple could ever experience.”
Debbie & Alan
“Many and many thanks to Donna and their team to make us have a truly perfect, sweet, wonderful memorial wedding!”
Gloria & William
Couples often ask me…
How many people can come to an elopement?
An elopement here is you and up to four guests — six people in total, including the two of you. Keeping it small is what makes the day calm, private and unhurried, with all the focus on you rather than a crowd.
Can you plan our whole wedding for us?
Yes — that’s exactly what I do, and have since 1999. We plan everything together beforehand: location, celebrant, marriage licence, photography, flowers and any extras. You deal with me the whole way through — there’s never a handover — and I coordinate behind the scenes so your day runs smoothly.
Can we get married in New Zealand if we live overseas?
Absolutely. There’s no residency or citizenship requirement to marry in New Zealand. If you’re travelling from overseas, most visitors come on a visa waiver (an NZeTA), and I arrange your marriage licence and paperwork for you.
How far ahead should we book?
Most couples book six to eighteen months ahead, especially for summer and the Lake Tekapo lupin season. Shorter notice is genuinely possible too — once your licence is in hand, I can pull a beautiful day together within a couple of weeks, and sometimes faster.
When is the best time of year to elope?
Every season is beautiful in its own way — summer for long golden evenings, autumn for colour and reliable weather, September for snow ceremonies, and mid-November to mid-December for the Tekapo lupins. The one firm rule: no helicopter weddings in June, when alpine weather is too unstable to fly reliably.
What’s included in a helicopter wedding package?
Everything the day needs: your marriage licence guidance, a registered celebrant, the private helicopter flight to a permitted landing, professional photography, witnesses if it’s just the two of you, transport to the heli base and a toast at the top. You can add hair and makeup, flowers, videography and extra photo time.
With love, from New Zealand
Let’s plan your New Zealand wedding
Tell me your story and what you have in mind. I’ll personally guide you every step of the way — the same as I have for couples from around the world since 1999.
Elope With Us