Planning a New Zealand elopement, especially coming from a different country can feel daunting but that’s what I’m here to help you with! I’m a New Zealand Elopement Photographer and in this blog you’ll find the answers to some frequently asked questions when it comes to eloping in New Zealand.
Question 1: What time of the year is best to elope in New Zealand?
Let’s start off by noting that the seasons in New Zealand are different to the Northern Hemisphere, meaning that when America and so on have their winter months we are basking in the sun with our summer here in New Zealand.
December – February – Summer
March – May – Autumn (Fall)
June – August – Winter
September – November – Spring
Our weather here can be a little unpredictable sometimes. We can have summer and winter all in one day, sometimes even in the space of an hour. When you plan your elopement for New Zealand it’s best to keep in mind what season you want to elope in and what background scenery you’re going for. If you want magnificent waterfalls, the rainy season will be your friend, our waterfalls are 10x more impressive after rainfall. If you’re wanting sunny beach days with lots of daylight during your elopement then summer or end of spring would be the months for you.
For more information on the weather check out my When to Elope in New Zealand – Ultimate Weather Planning Guide.
Question 2: Where to elope in New Zealand?
This question comes up a lot and it really depends on what scenery you’re wanting to go for in your photos. The North Island has a more tropical climate and tends to have amazing forests and is known for our natural geothermal geysers whereas the South Island is a dryer cooler climate (although our summers can still get up to 28-36 degrees celsius) and home to our famous Mt. Cook National Park and Wanaka Tree growing in the waters of Lake Wanaka – think snowy mountains and blue lakes.
With New Zealand being such a small country it is easy enough to plan a multi-day elopement so you can enjoy multiple different sceneries for your special day! And while you’re at it, you can even plan a New Zealand honeymoon to extend your travels and enjoy the beautiful landscapes.
For more information on Where to Elope in New Zealand check out this blog where I go more into depth about locations I love!
Question 3: Do we have to hike a mountain for amazing views in New Zealand?
The simple answer is no. New Zealand offers a wide range of locations and each of them have different ways of getting to the magical viewpoints. Some of my favourite locations don’t require any hiking and some even allow you to drive right up to the spot itself, perfect right!
Send me an email if you’d like some help with planning your epic New Zealand elopement – I’ll even share some of my favourite locations with you.
Question 4: Can we legally get married in New Zealand?
Yes absolutely you can! You can apply for your marriage licence online here and even pay it online too, so no need to rush to get to the local registry office. In order to get married in New Zealand legally you will be required to have 2 witnesses and a New Zealand resident celebrant. Your photographer can be one of your witnesses (I offer this as a complimentary service for all my couples) and if you choose a venue the venue owner can be the second witness as well (but if you are planning to have family or friends at your elopement they can witness for you).
Question 5: How far ahead should we be planning our New Zealand Elopement?
I always suggest about 6-12 months so you have enough time to book flights, accommodation, secure where you want to elope, apply for any travel visas, marriage licence application, and finalise all your elopement gear (dress, suit, rings, etc.).
This may sound overwhelming reading all of that but as an elopement photographer who is based in New Zealand (which means I’m an expert in my location) I’ll help you plan all the finer details so you can have the best stress-free elopement experience ever and enjoy the day of your DREAMS!
Are you ready to plan your New Zealand Adventure Elopement?
Hi, I’m Chaznel, New Zealand based Adventure Elopement photographer. I help you to plan the BEST New Zealand experience ever!
If you’re looking for a New Zealand elopement photographer who values the experience and who knows the ins and outs of weather and secluded locations in New Zealand, and can create the perfect day of your dreams, then let’s start planning!
