Wānaka

A gentler kind of grandeur

Wānaka is where couples come for beauty without the bustle. The lake is wide and still, the mountains are just as dramatic as Queenstown’s, and the whole area has an easy, unhurried feel. For a quiet, intimate elopement, it’s hard to beat — and I know the spots that stay peaceful even in the busy season.

Ceremonies by helicopter

Wānaka opens up an extraordinary choice of private alpine landings:

• Coromandel Peak — a ridgeline above Lake Wānaka, among the most beautiful landings in New Zealand.
• Lookout Hill — a private mountain with exclusive use and sweeping lake views.
• Tyndall Glacier — a true snow-and-ice landing among the Southern Alps.
• Alta Tarns — twin alpine tarns with mirror-still water and complete seclusion.
• Lake Lochnagar and Fog Peak — remote, wild and utterly private.

On the ground

If flying isn’t for you, the shores of Lake Wānaka offer serene, lakeside ceremonies with mirror reflections and golden late-afternoon light. Whatever you choose, I’ll plan every detail personally and make sure your day runs smoothly.

What your wedding day can look like

Your day unfolds at a relaxed pace, with time to get ready, travel, marry and take photographs without a moment feeling hurried. Most Wānaka elopements start with preparation at your accommodation, then a short drive to your helicopter base or ceremony spot — Wānaka is around an hour from Queenstown Airport. After your ceremony there’s time to explore and photograph before returning, everything kept within a calm, confirmed timeline.