The Best Pre-Wedding Shoot Locations in New Zealand

Pre-Wedding Shoot Locations in Queenstown, New Zealand

The South Island of New Zealand is one of the best places in the world for a beautiful Pre-Wedding Photoshoot. If you are visiting New Zealand for your pre-wedding or honeymoon trip, we'd highly recommend the following locations.

Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo

Picturesque by day and dazzling by night, Lake Tekapo is part of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, making it the perfect spot for stargazing. On the shores on the lake you'll see the beautiful Church of the Good Shepherd, where the altar window frames a perfect view of the Southern Alps beyond the lake. The church was built in 1935 for the pioneer families of the Mackenzie district and is still used as a place of worship. The church is a popular photo spot for visitors - please note that when you visit the church, weddings and services may be taking place, respect is needed from visitors.

Lupin Fields in Lake Tekapo

Each November, huge, colourful fields of a distinctive flower begin to emerge along the lake shores, streams, canals and highways of the Mackenzie Region of New Zealand.

This is the start of the Tekapo lupin season. The lupin flowers range from brilliant pinks and lavenders to cool whites and rich reds and purples. They are a bride’s dream, especially set against Tekapo’s turquoise glacier lakes and dramatic skies.

The best time to view lupins in the Tekapo is in the month of December, though the flowers begin to emerge in early November and will bloom into February. Use caution if lupin-spotting from a vehicle because they often grow in areas without safe places to pull off the road – think about safety first!

Aoraki Mount Cook

Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is home of the highest mountains and the longest glaciers. It is alpine in the purest sense - with skyscraping peaks, glaciers and permanent snow fields, all set under a star-studded sky.

Although Aoraki Mount Cook encompasses 23 peaks over 3000 metres high, it is very accessible. State Highway 80 leads to Aoraki/Mt Cook Village which is situated beside scenic Lake Pukaki and provides an awe inspiring feeling for every photoshoot.

Charter a Helicopter for your Pre-Wedding Shoot to get as close as possible to Mount Cook - a truly fairytale like scenery.

Tasman Glacier, Mt Cook

Lying long and deep in the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is the incredible Tasman Glacier, a terminal ice structure that is the biggest of its kind in New Zealand.

This magnificent glacier is the largest of several in the region that flows towards the Mackenzie Basin from the Southern Alps. With a depth of over 600m, and stretching for 27km, seeing the ever-changing face of the glacier is a once in a life time experience. There are many different ways to see and experience this spectacular glacier.

The upper areas of the glacier are covered with snow, and taking scenic helicopter flight which lands on the top of the glacier is a truly magical experience.

Coromandel Peak, Wanaka

Discover the stunning Wanaka region as you travel from Wanaka Lake, through open tussock grasslands to the summit of Coromandel Peak, also known as Roy's Peak. Coromandel Peak has been the spot for many award winning wedding photos, with its unique combination of vast mountain and lake views making it the most popular heli landing spot in Wanaka.

Lake Pukaki

Lake Pukaki is a shimmering blue jewel set into a grand alpine playground - an iconic New Zealand landscape of high mountain peaks, glacier fed alpine lakes and golden tussocks stretched beneath an endless sky. The water colour of the lake is a bright turquoise due to glacial flour, made from extremely fine rock particles that have come from the surrounding glaciers. 

But wait, there’s more!

At James Hirata Photography, we pride ourselves in giving unique experiences and itineraries to all of our clients - different spots to suit different couples and seasons. To find out more about our Pre-Wedding Photoshoot packages, please click on the link below :)