Destination Weddings

New Zealand

11 Venues
At a glance

Marrying in New Zealand

New Zealand offers alpine lakes, vineyard estates and wild beaches, often within an hour of each other. Marrying legally is straightforward, and the scenery does most of the styling for you.

See the venues
Best timeDec to Mar

Long summer days and settled weather

Flight time24 hours

Via Singapore or Hong Kong to Auckland, around 24 hours flying

VisaNZeTA needed

Up to six months, but an NZeTA is required

Legal weddingLegally binding

Visitors can marry legally. Get a marriage licence at least three working days before, using a registered celebrant

Top tipLicence online

Apply for the licence online before you fly, it lasts three months, and allow 72 hours for your NZeTA

Checked against official UK government and embassy guidance. Rules can change, so confirm paperwork with the registry before you book.

Explore New Zealand by area

Auckland & Waiheke Island3 venues · Water, VineyardExplore the area →Queenstown & Central Otago5 venues · Nature, VineyardExplore the area →

11 venues in New Zealand

Hand-picked from 324 venues in 31 countries and 59 areas

When to book

Your New Zealand wedding, month by month

Marrying abroad runs to a longer clock than at home. The best venues book a year or more ahead, and the legal paperwork has its own timings. Here is the order that works.

  1. 12 to 18 months
  2. 12 months
    • Book your venue and planner
    • Check the legal route and who confirms it
    • Hold a block of rooms for guests
  3. 9 months
    • Send save the dates
    • Share flight options with guests
    • Lock in your best month and time of day
  4. 6 months
    • Book photographer, florist and music
    • Plan a menu tasting or site visit
    • Arrange travel insurance
  5. 3 months
    • Start the legal paperwork, sooner if your route asks
    • Confirm final guest numbers
    • Plan the welcome and farewell events
  6. 1 month
    • Final payments and timings
    • Pack documents in your hand luggage
    • Hand the day over to your planner