There is a particular kind of wedding that begins with a glass of champagne in a suite overlooking a lake, unfolds in a setting where every detail has been considered, and ends with dinner in a dining room that feels like it belongs somewhere extraordinary. These are the weddings that happen at New Zealand’s finest luxury hotels — and they are an experience unlike any other.
What sets a luxury hotel wedding apart is the seamlessness. The ceremony, the reception, the accommodation, the catering — all within one immaculately maintained property. For the couple, that means less logistics and more presence. For us as photographers, it means a consistent, beautifully considered visual environment throughout the entire day.
Eichardt’s Private Hotel sits directly on the Queenstown waterfront — with Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables as a permanent backdrop.
Built in 1871 and painstakingly restored, Eichardt’s is the most storied address in Queenstown. It sits directly on the waterfront on Marine Parade — five suites, a world-class bar, and a level of personal service that only a boutique property of this scale can deliver. Nothing in Queenstown combines heritage grandeur with lakefront access and mountain views quite like Eichardt’s.
Most Iconic in Queenstown
Eichardt’s Private Hotel at a Glance
• Location: Marine Parade, Queenstown — directly on the Lake Wakatipu waterfront
• Style: Heritage luxury — polished timber, original fireplaces, lake and mountain views from every room
• Photography highlights: The Parlour Bar, the lakefront terrace, Lake Wakatipu reflections, and the Remarkables
• Best for: Intimate celebrations — Eichardt’s boutique scale suits smaller, more personal gatherings
• Standout: The Parlour Bar — firelight, dark timber, champagne — one of the most beautiful photography spaces in Queenstown
• Visit Eichardt’s Private Hotel: https://eichardts.com/occasions/weddings
“There’s a moment in the Parlour Bar — firelight, dark timber, champagne — that feels genuinely timeless. Every couple we’ve photographed there has produced images they treasure above almost everything else from the day.”
Set above Lake Wakatipu on the road to Glenorchy, Matakauri Lodge is widely regarded as one of the finest lodges in New Zealand. The property occupies a privileged position on a private hillside above the lake, with unobstructed views across the water to the Remarkables and Cecil Peak. For couples wanting to exclusively hire the entire property — creating a fully private, contained wedding experience — Matakauri is one of the finest options in New Zealand.
Most Spectacular Views
Matakauri Lodge at a Glance
• Location: Glenorchy Road, Lake Wakatipu — 10 minutes from Queenstown
• Accommodation: 12 suites and lodge rooms — full exclusive hire available
• Photography highlights: The elevated lake-view terraces, lodge interiors, native bush, and the Remarkables backdrop
• Style: Contemporary luxury lodge — warm tones, natural materials, floor-to-ceiling lake views
• Standout: The outdoor terrace ceremony backdrop — this view cannot be bettered in Queenstown
Matakauri’s elevated position above the lake gives photography a sense of perspective that most Queenstown venues don’t offer. We move between intimate interior portraits and grand landscape shots throughout the day. The variety within a single property is extraordinary.
More info about Rosewood Matakauri: https://www.newzealand.com/in/plan/business/matakauri-lodge/
Sitting directly on the shore of Lake Wanaka with Mount Aspiring National Park rising behind, Edgewater offers one of the most serene hotel settings in New Zealand. The turquoise water, the willow-lined shore, and the snow-capped peaks behind create a backdrop of extraordinary natural beauty — framed by the warmth of a beautifully managed lakeside hotel.
Most Serene Setting
Edgewater Resort at a Glance
• Location: Sargood Drive, Lake Wanaka — directly on the lake shore
• Style: Contemporary lakeside resort — warm, relaxed, deeply connected to the landscape
• Photography highlights: The lakefront ceremony lawn, the willow trees, lake reflections, and Mount Aspiring backdrop
• Best season: Autumn for golden willows and reflections; summer for long warm evenings on the lake
• Standout: The lake-edge ceremony lawn — ceremonies here with the lake and mountains as backdrop are spectacular
Wanaka’s slower pace suits Edgewater perfectly. The whole property has a quiet, unhurried quality — couples feel genuinely relaxed here, which always shows in the photography. Some of the most naturally joyful images we’ve ever made have come from Edgewater weddings.
More info about Weddings at Edgewater: https://www.edgewater.co.nz/weddings
VOWLY tip
At all three venues, the pre-wedding getting-ready shots are often among the most beautiful of the day. The suites are meticulously styled and the natural light through large lake-facing windows creates portraits of extraordinary quality. Allow time in your timeline for getting-ready photography — never rush this part of the day.
We’ve worked at all three of these venues and know them inside out. Get in touch and we’ll help you make the most of every space.
Authentic wedding photography and cinematic film across Queenstown, Wanaka, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Available South Island-wide.
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