27/08/2026
5 things couples might not realise about getting married amongst the mountains in Queenstown
Alpine weddings come with their own little challenges worth knowing about.
1. Four seasons in one day.
A gorgy sunny morning can turn into wind, rain, hail or snow in a few short hours. Having a wet-weather plan means you can relax if the weather does its own thing. Styling your wedding to be alpine appropriate is also a good move.
For alpine elopements + microweddings, I love plinth-style florals because they’re easy to move last minute. In this photo, the left arrangement was meant to sit on top of the plinth, but the wind had other ideas - so down she went. Still cute.
2. The wind can be WILD.
Those big open landscapes come with very little shelter. Moke Lake, I’m looking at you 👀. This is why the prettiest Pinterest setup isn’t always practical on an exposed Queenstown hillside. We design with the location and conditions in mind.
3. The temperature can drop FAST.
Even after a hot summer day, once the sun disappears behind the mountains it can get bloody cold. If you’re planning outdoor drinks, dinner or photos later on, bring something warm… or just drink more 😜🍸🍾🍻🥂
4. Everything takes a little longer.
Some of our most beautiful locations are down winding roads, on private properties (Rees Valley Station 😜) or well out of town. Some spots are a darn mish to get to - especially with buckets full of flowers/ water, and glass vases! This is also why delivery + setup fees can be higher here than in other regions.
5. The mountains make their own rules.
Ceremonies move. Weather changes. Heli elopements change dates. Florists adjust installations. Flexibility is just part of getting married in the mountains.
But one thing I can tell you - Queenstown has an A-class wedding industry. Our florists, photographers, planners, celebrants and vendors have seen it ALL, and we know how to pivot when the mountains throw us a curveball.
Trust your local team, embrace a little unpredictability, and your day will still be magic- even if it looks slightly different from the original plan 🤟🤟