New Zealand Wedding

Are you thinking about having a New Zealand wedding? If you're from another country you will find out that it is relatively easy to organise and make arrangements for weddings in New Zealand.

A marriage license is normally issued 3 calendar days after the 'Notice of Intended Marriage' form is submitted and the fee is paid.

Auckland New Zealand
View of Auckland

Legal Requirements

You need to get a Marriage License before the wedding and the application involve at least one of the couple making a statutory declaration to specifiy the marriage will be legal and can go ahead without any lawful impediments existing.

Marriages are performed by a registered Civil Marriage Celebrant or religious Minister and are legally binding and recognised worldwide. Still, if you do not live in NZ, you should check with the authorities in your home country to see if there are any rules that apply when you want to get married by having a destination New Zealand wedding.

Decide when and where you want to get married. You will need to know these details when you complete your application for a marriage license.

With its scenic views of lakes, rivers, mountains and the rugged landscapes, this is a country full of spectacular and unique New Zealand wedding locations.

And there are plenty of romantic places for photos of your ceremony... and for your New Zealand honeymoon.

Destination Weddings in and Around Auckland

With stunning beaches, mountains, parks, vineyards and islands (over fifty) in the Auckland region, there is no lack of choice locations for the happy couple.

Long Bay, on Auckland's North Shore, offers beachfront venues and picturesque views that could be perfect for a New Zealand wedding.

The Waitakere Ranges Coastal Rainforest park is 40,000-acre of beaches, waterfalls, and streams with ocean views over the Tasman Sea. It provides a faultless setting for beach weddings or a romantic rainforest ceremony.

Where: 30 minutes from Auckland International Airport - Auckland Map.

For a map of NZ so you can see where these locations are in relation to airports etc. please visit my dedicated page. Also consider domestic flights for travelling between locations because it's often cheaper and invariably quicker than driving if you are short of time for your vacation and want to make the most of your time together.

More Wedding Venues in New Zealand

You can get married on the top of a mountain or glacier. Fly by helicopter or snow plane, with or without a party of friends and relatives, and get married in untouched surroundings on top of the world. A venue growing fast in popularity is on top of a glacier in the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

The stunning Remarkables Range also provides a wonderful backdrop for a mountain top New Zealand wedding. This range runs along the side of Lake Wakatipu and you'll get wonderful views of the lake, snowy mountains and Queenstown below.

Another romantic destination venue would be on the shores of Lake Wakatipu or at Stoneridge Estate overlooking magnificent Lake Hayes and alpine mountains (only 15 minutes from Queenstown).

Queenstown itself is a scenic wonderland and an ideal backdrop for a destination weddings. The ceremony can take place at a resort lodge in the mountains surrounding the city. A number of local vineyards also offer wedding packages.

Alternatively, consider holding your ceremony on a cruise of the dazzling Milford Sound then choose Queenstown for your honeymoon. There are scenic flights to make your journey from Queenstown to Milford Sound an experience to remember (although a very scenic route, it is quite a long drive of several hours).

There are an abundance of activities and places to visit in this region including some famous film sets such as Lord of the Rings, Willow, and the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Recommendations

Honestly, you just have to take a look at Heli Weddings for a wedding destination package that includes a helicopter flight in the stunning setting of New Zealand? I don't think you could get much more of a unique experience than these lakes and mountains. And of course, that excellent Kiwi hospitality can't be beaten. Check out the heli wedding photos.

Honeymoons in NZ!