What do you get when you combine epic mountain peaks, ancient Māori blessings, and the kind of love that deserves a cinematic moment on a glacier? A one-of-a-kind LGBTQ+ wedding in New Zealand, of course.
Since becoming one of the first countries in the world to legalize same-sex marriage (thank you, 2013!), Aotearoa has embraced queer love in all its beautiful forms. Whether you’re dreaming of an elopement by a turquoise lake or a full-blown ceremony with rainbow confetti in the vines of a Central Otago vineyard, New Zealand’s got you covered. And then some.
Let’s dive into the wild, wonderful, tear-jerking, laughter-filled, and totally YOU kind of celebration that only this part of the world can offer.
🥝 Embrace Māori Traditions for Deeper Connection
Want your ceremony to feel soul-deep? Integrate a few Māori traditions that will bless your love with ancient wisdom and mana (power).
✨ Karakia – A spiritual blessing at the start of the ceremony, asking for guidance and peace.
🎁 Koha – A heartfelt gift exchanged between partners or families, symbolizing respect and gratitude.
💞 Whānau (family) unity – Invite chosen family into the ritual with shared words, music, or symbolic items.
Tip: Work with a celebrant who understands how to respectfully include Māori elements. Your Big Day is a fab LGBTQ+-affirming team based in Queenstown.
🚁 Elopements with Edge (and Elevation)
Let’s be honest: the whole “walking down the aisle” thing is optional. Why not fly over a glacier instead?
- Queenstown Heli-Wedding – Exchange vows on the snowy edge of Middle Earth.
- Wanaka Ridge Elopement – Those golden hour peaks? Unreal.
- Lake Tekapo Stargazer Ceremony – Say “I do” under one of the darkest skies on the planet. Magical is an understatement.
For expert elopement coordination, Eloping Weddings NZ curates custom packages for same-sex couples in dreamy, remote spots.
🏳️🌈 Queer-Friendly Wedding Venues That Actually Get You
You want a place where your love is celebrated, not just “tolerated.” Here are a few standout LGBTQ+ friendly venues:
🌿 Autumn Farm, Golden Bay – Rustic, soulful, and queer as heck. Community-centered vibes and beautiful gardens. More info here
🍸 The Oyster Inn, Waiheke Island – Think ocean breeze, prosecco in hand, and your favorite people all under the stars. Boutique beauty at its finest.
🎡 Skyline Queenstown – Glide up a mountain by gondola, toast to forever, then party like the Remarkables are watching.
📍 Pro tip: Use Rainbow Directory NZ to find inclusive vendors, venues, florists, and caterers.
✍️ Vows That Actually Sound Like You
Forget the cookie-cutter vows. This is YOUR love story.
Consider referencing the landscapes:
“I promise to love you with the quiet strength of the Southern Alps, and to laugh with you like a Wānaka breeze through golden tussock.”
Need help? Wedding Vows NZ offers beautiful inspiration for LGBTQ+ couples ready to write from the heart.
🎉 Make It Yours: Fun, Fab, & Fiercely Personal Touches
💄 Drag Queen MCs – Because your wedding should be a showstopper.
🏉 Rugby jersey guestbook – Kiwis love footy, but make it camp.
🐑 Ring-bearing sheep – Okay, maybe not… or maybe definitely?
Humor, love, and self-expression are the new must-haves. You do you. Loudly.
💍 Legal Love: Easy Peasy Paperwork
- ✅ No residency required – international couples welcome!
- 💌 Apply online for a Marriage License (NZD $150)
- 🗣 Choose a registered celebrant — Jade Whaley is amazing, especially with LGBTQ+ ceremonies.
💡 Quickfire Tips for Planning Your LGBTQ+ Wedding in NZ
- 📅 Best months: November–March for sunshine, May–July for snow-capped mountain vibes.
- 🎥 Hire a photographer who gets it – your love, your energy, your story.
- ✈️ Allow buffer days for adventure shoots or weather shifts (especially in Queenstown!).
📸 Make Memories That Feel Like You
No stiff poses. No fake smiles. Just real, raw, joyful moments. That’s my jam.
If you’re dreaming of a wedding that feels like a movie — glacier kisses, wind-blown hair, spontaneous tears, barefoot in the sand — let’s tell that story together.
✨ See real wedding stories: yourhappymoments.net/blog
💌 Get my pricing & packages: yourhappymoments.net/investment
📩 Let’s start your story: yourhappymoments.net/contact
🙌 Why Trust Me?
I’m Serg — destination wedding photographer, LGBTQ+ ally, and your biggest fan behind the lens. I’ve captured love stories across oceans, mountaintops, and hidden beaches, and I specialize in moments that feel. With an eye for the cinematic and a heart for authenticity, I’ll help you relive every laugh, kiss, and happy tear — forever.
Let’s make magic.
