These 23 venues say on their own website that they host elopements, micro weddings or small, intimate weddings. Most are in the Wānaka and Cardrona area, with others around central Queenstown, Cromwell, Arrowtown, Arthurs Point and Glenorchy.
This page lists venues, not elopement planners. Many couples book a planner or photographer for the day as well. A venue gives you a private place for the ceremony, and often a meal and somewhere to stay.
23 elopement and small wedding venues in Queenstown
Questions about elopement and small wedding venues in Queenstown
Can we elope in Queenstown if we live overseas?
A New Zealand marriage licence costs $158 (checked October 2026). Apply at least 3 working days before the ceremony, and it lasts 3 months. You do not need to be a New Zealand citizen, and you can apply online from overseas (govt.nz).
Who needs to be at an elopement?
You need a celebrant and 2 witnesses. The couple, the celebrant and the witnesses must all be physically present in the same place, so a video call ceremony is not allowed (govt.nz).
Can we hold a small ceremony in a public park instead?
Queenstown Lakes District Council allows ceremonies in some parks and reserves with a permit. Most take up to 30 guests (40 at Queenstown Gardens and Wānaka Station Park), bookings last up to 2 hours, no park can be booked exclusively, and no reception may be held there (QLDC guidelines, September 2025).
Do we need a back-up venue for an outdoor ceremony?
QLDC advises booking a back-up wet-weather venue for park ceremonies. Put the back-up on your marriage licence application too, because the ceremony can only be held at a place named on it (govt.nz).