If Queenstown is the showstopper, Wanaka is the one you fall quietly in love with. An hour north over the Crown Range, this small lakeside town sits at the edge of one of the most serene stretches of water in New Zealand — and it has a quality of light that photographers travel specifically to experience.
Wanaka is having a moment. It’s been on the travel radar for years, but couples are increasingly choosing it over Queenstown for their wedding photography — drawn by the quieter pace, the wider landscape, and a town that still feels genuinely unhurried. We shoot here regularly and it never stops surprising us. This is our guide to making the most of it.
Lake Wanaka’s famous willow tree at golden hour — one of the most photographed trees in New Zealand, and for very good reason.
No guide to Wanaka wedding photography would be complete without it. The lone willow tree growing out of the shallows of Lake Wanaka — with Mount Aspiring and the surrounding ranges rising in the background — is one of the most photographed trees in New Zealand, and has appeared in countless wedding images. It’s iconic for a reason.
The tree is at its most spectacular in autumn, when the surrounding willows turn gold and the mountains are dusted with early snow. But it works in every season: the bare winter silhouette has a stark beauty, spring brings fresh green against pale blue water, and summer gives you lush warmth and reflection.
Timing is everything here
The willow tree location can be busy during the day, especially in summer. We recommend scheduling this part of your shoot for early morning (before 8am) or in the final hour before sunset. The light at those times is extraordinary, and the location is far more peaceful. As a local team, we know exactly when and where to position you for the best possible shot.
For the adventurous couple, Roy’s Peak is one of the most dramatic hiking locations in New Zealand — and the view from the ridge, looking back over Lake Wanaka and the surrounding ranges, is genuinely breathtaking. It’s a 16km return hike with 1,200 metres of elevation gain, so it requires preparation, fitness, and the right footwear.
But for couples who are up for the adventure, the reward is extraordinary. The ridge has a particular quality of open, uninterrupted sky that’s almost impossible to find anywhere else — and the photographs reflect it. Wide, epic, honest. Completely different from anything achievable at lake level.
Adventure Shoot
Roy’s Peak — What You Need to Know
• Distance: 16km return, approximately 5–6 hours
• Elevation gain: ~1,200 metres
• Best season: October–April (track closed during lambing season, August–October approximately)
• Best time: Start at dawn for summit photos at sunrise — extraordinary light
• What to wear: Practical clothing and hiking boots — dress up for a few key shots if you wish, but comfort is essential
• Our approach: We carry camera gear and document the journey as part of the story — not just the summit
Wanaka’s lakefront is more low-key than Queenstown’s — there’s a long esplanade that stretches along the water’s edge, with mature trees, lawns, and constant views of the lake and mountains. Early morning, it’s peaceful and beautifully lit. The town itself has a relaxed character that feels genuine rather than performed, and the surrounding streets and cafes make for a charming urban backdrop that contrasts nicely with the dramatic landscape.
The combination of town and lake in a single shoot — coffee at sunrise, portraits on the esplanade, and golden hour at the willow tree — makes for a cohesive story that feels very naturally Wanaka.
Fifteen minutes west of Wanaka, Glendhu Bay is a camping and recreation reserve on the south-western shore of the lake. The beach here faces across the water towards Wanaka township and the mountains beyond — creating a reversed perspective that most Wanaka photos don’t capture. The willows at Glendhu Bay are especially beautiful in autumn.
Further west, the road climbs into the lower reaches of Mount Aspiring National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Area and one of New Zealand’s most wild and spectacular natural environments. For adventurous couples who want something truly remote, we can plan shoots deep into the park with advance preparation.
“Wanaka has a quality of light that I’ve only experienced in a handful of places in the world. There’s something about the way it sits between the mountains and the lake — golden, wide, endlessly generous.”
We’re often asked this question, and our honest answer is: they’re different enough that the choice usually makes itself once couples visit or see images from both.
We’d love to take you to our favourite spots. Get in touch and let’s start planning.
Authentic wedding photography and cinematic film across Queenstown, Wanaka, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Available South Island-wide.
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