Best Wanaka & Queenstown Wedding Venues 2026 (Updated List!)

Best Wanaka & Queenstown Wedding Venues 2026 (Updated List!)

Planning your dream Queenstown or Wanaka wedding? Here’s a hand-picked guide to the most iconic, romantic, and jaw-droppingly scenic wedding venues in the region updated for 2026.

Why Queenstown & Wanaka Are the Ultimate Wedding Destinations

There’s a reason couples fly from all over the world to get married here. Whether you’re after lakefront wedding venues, vineyard views, high country charm, or modern luxury, this region has it all. Think dramatic mountains, crisp alpine air, and golden-hour light that photographers dream of. Plus, many venues are designed for destination weddings in Queenstown, with on-site accommodation, local wines, and that relaxed NZ magic.

Best wanaka Wedding Venues 2026

Let’s dive in!

1. Lookout Lodge, Wanaka

Best Wanaka & Queenstown Wedding Venues 2026 (Updated List!)
  • Location: 10 mins from Wanaka town
  • Guest capacity: Up to 120 people
  • Vibe: Stunning private venue with panoramic alpine views
  • Why We Love It: Lookout Lodge is a stunning private venue with panoramic alpine views and beautifully manicured gardens. It’s known for its laid-back country charm and all-in-one convenience with both ceremony and reception spaces onsite
  • Perfect For: Large-scale weddings and those wanting accomodation onsite
  • Bonus: Plenty of space for heli landings.

Vendor: The Lookout Lodge

2. Glendhu Station – Wanaka’s Wildest Lakefront Venue

Best wanaka Wedding Venues 2026
Photo credit – @kristamayweddings
  • Location: 10 mins from Wanaka town
  • Guest capacity: 130-200 people
  • Vibe: High-country-meets-luxury-lodge
  • Why We Love It: Glendhu Station offers 1,200 hectares of pure Central Otago magic. You’ll get wide-open views, lakefront access, and a full rural buyout experience, it’s what Wanaka wedding venue dreams are made of.
  • Perfect For: Large-scale weddings or luxe elopements
  • Bonus: Plenty of space for heli landings or marquee receptions.

Vendor: Glendhu Station Weddings

3. Rippon Hall – Wanaka’s Most Iconic Vineyard Wedding Venue

  • Location: 5 mins from Wanaka town
  • Guest capacity: 150 people
  • Vibe: Refined vineyard charm with jaw-dropping views
  • Why We Love It: Rippon is what wedding dreams are made of. Think rolling vines, an architecturally stunning hall, and panoramic lake-and-mountain views that feel like a painting. This venue is equal parts soulful and stylish, a true legacy location in Wanaka.
  • Perfect For: Elegant vineyard weddings, destination celebrations, eco-conscious couples
  • Bonus: Multi day hire.

Vendor: Rippon Hall Wanaka

Best queenstown Wedding Venues 2026

1. High Country Farm – A New Queenstown Favourite

NZ high country farm Queenstown wedding venues
  • Location: 20 mins from Queenstown, private farmland
  • Guest capacity: 100 people
  • Vibe: Rugged + romantic
  • Why We Love It: This is the epitome of a high country wedding in New Zealand. With uninterrupted mountain views and multiple ceremony spots. It’s made for couples who want that wow factor without the fuss.
  • Perfect For: Intimate Queenstown weddings, elopements, styled shoots
  • Bonus: You can customise the whole flow from ceremony paddock to tipi party.

Vendor: NZ High Country

2. Winehouse – Rustic, Luxe, and Super Central

the Winehouse
  • Location: Gibbston Valley, 25 mins from Queenstown
  • Guest capacity: 150-250 depending
  • Vibe: Homestead charm meets wine-country elegance
  • Why We Love It: Think manicured gardens, an outdoor ceremony lawn framed by mountains, and a historic villa with roaring fireplaces. Winehouse feels both timeless and low-key luxe.
  • Perfect For: Garden lovers, outdoor weddings in Queenstown, or classic receptions
  • Bonus: It’s close to multiple vineyards = perfect photo ops!

Vendor: Winehouse

3. Stoneridge Estate – Queenstown Wedding Venue With Views For Days

The Stoneridge
  • Location: Lake Hayes, Queenstown
  • Guest capacity: 150 people
  • Vibe: Romantic vineyard, stained-glass chapel, panoramic lake views
  • Why We Love It: With a private chapel, luxury lodge, and award-winning wines, it’s one of the most luxurious and cinematic Queenstown vineyard wedding venues around.
  • Perfect For: Elegant multi-day weddings, all-in-one venue
  • Bonus: It’s a top choice for couples after a Queenstown wedding venue with accommodation.

Vendor: Stoneridge Estate

Choosing the Right Queenstown Wedding Venue

When narrowing down the best Queenstown or Wanaka wedding venue for your day, here are a few things to consider:

  • Guest List Size: Venues like Glendhu Station or Stoneridge are perfect for large weddings, while High Country suit smaller groups or elopements.
  • On-Site Accommodation: Want your guests to stay on-site? Check out Lookout Lodge, Stoneridge, or venues with lodge-style options.
  • Season + Light: Queenstown’s golden hour hits different in every season a key consideration for your photographer!

And remember, the best venues book out 12–18 months in advance, especially for summer or autumn weddings. Lock in early if you’ve got a dream date!

Need help choosing or want insider planning tips? Talk to your photographer!

Want personalised help choosing your venue or planning your wedding?
Let’s chat, I’ve photographed hundreds of weddings across Queenstown and Wanaka, and I’m happy to help you find your perfect fit.

📩 Ready to chat book your Queenstown wedding photographer? 
Let’s connect.

Follow along with the photography wedding journey here – @kristamayweddings

Choosing your venue sets the tone for your whole wedding experience , from your first-look vibes to your reception dance floor energy. Whether you’re eloping in hiking boots or hosting 150 guests on a lakefront lawn, I’m here to capture the way it felt.

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