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Weddings in Paradise

Make your wedding the experience you’ve always dreamed of.

The Retreat is a private hideaway that offers discreet wedding experiences and is the perfect luxury destination for your special day. Your wedding will take place in one of New Zealand’s most spectacular settings, overlooking the Ben Ohau mountain ranges, Lake Pukaki and Aoraki Mount Cook.

The Retreat has a beautiful selection of private venue options for your ceremony and celebration, from an intimate elopement for two, to a destination wedding for close friends and family, to a ceremony and reception for 200 guests.

We offer a range of wedding packages designed to cater for weddings small to large. Each package can be personalised for your requirements. If you have a vision for your wedding, whether an elopement or a large event, talk with us and we will see how we can make it happen!

13 + 1 =

Destination Weddings

Elevate your wedding experience at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat, your exclusive haven for a destination wedding that beautifully blends privacy, elegance, and nature. Nestled on 66 hectares of alpine land and located within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, our Retreat offers an enchanting backdrop that will make your special day truly unforgettable.

Imagine saying your vows against the majestic views of Aoraki / Mount Cook and the shimmering waters of Lake Pukaki. Our venue provides endless possibilities for both daytime and evening celebrations, ensuring your wedding is as unique as your love story.

We have four luxury villas, with two offering lakeside views across to Aoraki / Mount Cook and the other two showcasing views of the Ben Ohau Range and the tawny Mackenzie country. All villas have their own outdoor hot tub. Guests staying with us can indulge in a variety of on-site activities including tennis or pickleball on our picturesque court, pétanque and over five kilometres of walking tracks. In the winter, guests can enjoy the fun of curling on our specially designed rink. For a rejuvenating experience, we offer tailored wellness packages that include massages and yoga sessions.

Our private Pukaki Observatory provides a range of stargazing experiences that can be incorporated into your wedding package. Our Billion Star Dining experience features a 6-course fine dining menu followed by dark sky stargazing. This experience made it into the TIME World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Additionally, our Royal High Tea is a lovely way to celebrate before or after your wedding with your closest friends and family. There is so much to see and do on-site, along with diverse terrain and colours that can be beautifully captured by your photographer.

With the convenience of five helipads on-site, you can arrive in style, while our accessible roads ensure easy transportation for all your guests.

Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat is the ultimate destination wedding venue, offering a spectacular and unforgettable experience. Whether you choose to exchange vows under a starry sky or celebrate with world-class dining, your wedding day here will be nothing short of magical.

Elopements

Eloping at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat is a dream come true for couples seeking privacy, seclusion, and a truly personalised wedding experience. The Retreat provides a secure and intimate setting for weddings, offering stunning views of Aoraki / Mount Cook and Lake Pukaki.

Our elopement package is designed to handle all the details for you, from wedding planning to arrangements, including the celebrant. The Retreat’s wedding planner will work closely with you to create the perfect wedding day, tailored to your specific preferences. The Retreat can accommodate between 2 to 8 guests for an elopement, ensuring that your wedding day is truly intimate and special.

With the option to enhance your package with accommodation, dining, stargazing, and wellness experiences, you can extend your special day, making your elopement even more memorable while enjoying quality time with your loved ones.

For an added touch of luxury, you may wish to dine at The Moraine the night before your wedding. Indulge in an exquisite 6-course Chef’s Tasting Menu or elevate your experience with the Billion Star Dining option, which includes a stargazing adventure following your meal. Additionally, we offer a Royal High Tea, featuring delicate pastries, sandwiches, a glass of New Zealand sparkling wine and a selection of tea and coffee classics. This elegant and sophisticated experience is the perfect way to relax and unwind after your wedding day, all while surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat.

Ceremonies and Receptions

Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat offers a stunning backdrop of Aoraki / Mount Cook and Lake Pukaki, creating a truly unforgettable experience for weddings, honeymoons, and anniversaries. Our two wedding lawns are the Lakeside Lawn and the Lavender Lawn. The Moraine, our restaurant, can also be used for wedding ceremonies as well as for receptions.

Couples can choose from a range of dining experiences, with ultra fine dining options available. Additional meals such as dinner the night before the wedding or a lunch the following day can be added, as well as a high tea experience for guests.

For those seeking exclusivity, the entire Retreat can be booked, allowing for exclusive use of the accommodation and facilities. This provides the opportunity for beautiful shots of preparation and intimate moments throughout the celebrations. The wedding can also be extended into a honeymoon stay, making for a seamless transition from ceremony to relaxation.

Different venues at the Retreat offer flexibility in booking options, catering to various budgets. The two lawns can be hired separately for smaller gatherings, while a marquee on the lawn option provides a larger event space. The Ashley Mackenzie Villa is perfect for elopements or intimate gatherings, while The Moraine offers a spacious indoor venue for larger weddings or as a wet weather alternative.

With its breathtaking scenery, luxurious accommodation, and exquisite cuisine, Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat offers a truly magical setting for celebrating love and special occasions. Whether it’s a grand wedding reception or a quiet getaway for two, the Retreat provides a unique and unforgettable experience for every guest.

Location

At Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat, we offer a truly unique and stunning location for weddings, perfect for couples looking for something out of the ordinary. Set at the foot of the Southern Alps, our Retreat boasts breathtaking views of New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki / Mount Cook, the Ben Ohau Range and Lake Pukaki. Imagine saying “I do” surrounded by the majestic beauty of the Southern Alps, with Lake Pukaki glistening in the background.

For those looking for a truly unique experience, we offer glacier weddings, where you can exchange vows on the glacier itself before flying back for the ceremony. Whether you choose to have an autumn wedding surrounded by vibrant foliage, a winter wedding with roaring fires and snow-capped mountains, a spring wedding with a green tinge with daffodils and tulips or a summer wedding with dry rusty browns, our location offers the perfect backdrop for your special day. And with activities like fishing, archery, and even helicopter rides available, you and your guests will have an unforgettable experience with memories that will last a lifetime.

Our ultra-fine dining options ensure that your wedding feast is as memorable as the location itself. And for those looking to extend the celebration, we offer options like high tea or a dinner the night before or lunch the day after.

Accessible by helicopter, our Retreat also offers the opportunity for unique experiences like flying to the West Coast for lunch on the beach or touring the glacier. With privacy, luxury, and unparalleled beauty, Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat is the perfect destination for a one-of-a-kind wedding experience.

Retreat Wedding Stories

We love to host weddings at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat.

It’s wonderful to share the beauty of our setting with couples, families and friends on such a special day, and to be part of memories that last a lifetime.

We’ve invited couples to share their stories and reflect on their celebrations with us. Please enjoy our collection of Retreat Wedding Stories.

Hannah and Tom

Tom and Hannah Thompson met in 2015 through a mutual friend and wed at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat in November 2020.

Dani and James

We were honoured to host Dani and James with 60 guests for their wedding at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat on February 12, 2022.

Ratna and Adi

Adi and Ratna chose to marry at the Ashley Mackenzie Villa. Photos were taken on site.

Special
Occasions

The Moraine provides the perfect setting for any special occasion, gathering or event.

Utterly Memorable
Treat yourself to two nights in this fabulous retreat overlooking the beautiful azure waters of Lake Pukaki. We stayed in the Moraine Villas overlooking the tawny landscape of the Mackenzie country and beyond to the Ben Ohau Range. We were met by lodge manager Anna and shown to our villa to unwind and relax. It was so spacious with a stunning one way window from the shower looking out to the countryside. And even better, there’s a delicious spa pool filled with artesian water, and just the most relaxing place to dip into, maybe with a glass of bubbles which, by the way, is complimentary. So much is included from the nibbles platter, the bubbly, a 2 course dinner and breakfast provisions. A decanter of scotch and gin. …..everything is here. You can trek over the property to the tennis court and view beautiful Lake Pukaki and beyond to Aoraki Mt Cook. If you want this view next time you stay then choose the Ashley Mackenzie Villa. We plan to go back soo to relax and rejuvenate as the Ashley Mackenzie Villa comes with its own private sauna, massage room, small gym and a fabulous wooden hot tub overlooking the lake. And then there is the star gazing. This retreat has its own private observatory – we booked for a stargazing experience and were wowed at the stunning galaxies. You’re right in the heart of the Aoraki International Dark Skies reserve here. No light pollution
Susan R Wellington, New Zealand
Susan R