Eloping in New Zealand
How to Elope in New Zealand
Everything you need to know to elope in New Zealand — explained simply, by the planner who's been doing this since 1999.
Eloping in New Zealand is simpler than you think
Planning a wedding — especially from the other side of the world — can feel daunting, but it needn’t be. I’ve been guiding couples through it since 1999, and the truth is that eloping in New Zealand is beautifully straightforward when you have someone here doing it all for you.
Here’s how it works.
The steps
- Tell me your story. We talk through your dates, the kind of day you imagine, and how many of you there’ll be — from just the two of you up to four guests.
- We choose your location. Queenstown, Wānaka, Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook — mountain top, lakeside, glacier or chapel.
- I arrange the legals. You apply for your marriage licence online; I organise your registered celebrant and two witnesses if you need them.
- I plan every detail. Photography, flowers, helicopter, hair and makeup, a celebratory meal — whatever you’d like.
- You arrive and marry. Step off the plane and into your wedding day.
What’s included when you elope with me
Every package includes the things that make a wedding legal and lovely: guidance through your marriage licence, a registered celebrant, two witnesses if you need them, professional photography, location permissions and permits, helicopter coordination where you’re flying, and your marriage certificate afterwards — with all the planning and on-the-day logistics carried for you.
If you’re travelling from overseas
There’s no special visa for marrying here. Citizens of visa-waiver countries (including the US, UK, Canada and Australia) travel on an NZeTA — a simple online visa waiver usually processed within about 72 hours; others use a standard Visitor Visa. The one thing to know: I plan your wedding, not your travel — flights, accommodation and visas stay in your hands, though I’ll happily point you in the right direction. More detail in the legal requirements guide.
Why have a planner?
Because you deal with one person — me — from your first email to the moment you say “I do.” There’s no handover to a team, no stranger stepping in partway through. Every wedding deserves a personal approach, and I’ll give yours mine.
When you’re ready, tell me your story and we’ll begin.
Frequently asked questions
How do you elope in New Zealand?
You choose a date and location, arrange a New Zealand marriage licence (applied for at least 3 working days ahead), and have a registered celebrant conduct your ceremony with two witnesses. As your planner, I handle the licence, celebrant, location, permits and every detail — you simply arrive and marry.
How many days should we spend in New Zealand to elope?
Many couples come for a week or two and make the elopement the heart of a honeymoon. For the wedding itself you need very little time, but I always suggest arriving a few days early to settle in, adjust to the time zone and allow a weather buffer.
Do we need to do anything before we arrive?
Very little. We plan everything together by email and call beforehand, and you apply for your marriage licence online in advance. Beyond booking your flights and accommodation, I take care of the rest.
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