THE ULTIMATE MOUNT COOK ELOPEMENT GUIDE
LOCATIONS, HIKES, TIMINGS, SEASONS & ALL THE IMPORTANT PARTS OF AN ELOPEMENT.
As i’m sure you know, Mount Cook is a pretty special place, you may also see the word “Aoraki” being said a lot, this is the tradition & Māori name for Mount Cook. Mount Cook, or Aoraki, is New Zealand's tallest mountain. It holds a special place in Māori culture and represents a deep connection to their ancestors. Surrounded by stunning landscapes of snow-covered peaks and glaciers. As part of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, it's also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
And if you’re already thinking it, the mountain is covered in snow year round, but you will only find snow on the ground during winter! But either way, you will have that gorgeous snowy covered mountain in the background.
Depending where you are flying into, it is just a 4 hour drive from Christchurch or a 3 hour drive from Queenstown, either way the drive is absolutely stunning and you won’t be bored.
THE STEP BY STEP GUIDE:
STEP 1: FIND YOUR LOCATION
Okay so the first step is to of course find your location, Mount Cook might be small but there is many gorgeous off roads & locations to have your elopement, if you are into hiking there is also an endless amount of hikes to do!
One popular option is the Hooker Valley Track, a relatively easy hike that leads to views of Mount Cook itself, along with suspension bridges and the stunning Hooker Lake. It's perfect for an intimate ceremony surrounded by nature. If you’re after something more secluded, consider taking a helicopter ride to one of the nearby glaciers or alpine ridges for an unforgettable, private experience.
Tasman Lake, with its floating icebergs and turquoise waters, is another gorgeous option. It’s accessible by a short walk and offers a surreal, otherworldly setting for exchanging vows.
The weather in Mount Cook can be unpredictable, so it's a good idea to have a flexible plan and be prepared for wind, snow, or rain, even in the summer. But with the right mindset, eloping in this awe-inspiring landscape means you don’t care about the weather.
STEP 2: FIND YOUR PHOTO + VIDEO DUO
It is really important, I mean I can’t stress this enough, how important it is that your photo & video duo know each other and can work well together.
There has been too many horror stories where the photographer and videographer are constantly getting in each others way and just not communicating properly. Usually picking two that know each other comes hand in hand with their style being similar too. In saying that if you are here reading this and thinking NZ might be the place for you to elope, Hi I’m Eloise & my partner is Cody. We are a photo & video duo based in Queenstown, New Zealand. We travel all over the world for our work but we are grateful to base ourselves in this perfect corner of the world.
I recommend finding your photo & video team first because we are with you all day, morning and night. We have done this many times before from start to finish and know exactly how everything works, so we can be a great team to help you plan your elopement from the location to all the details.
If you are coming from overseas, it is really important that you find a photographer & videographer that can help you with locations, tips & tricks, permits and everything in between. We love our country so much and we want to preserve it’s beauty, so it’s really important we are intentional and keep this in mind in our planning process.
Contact us here & we can lock in a zoom chat ◡̈
STEP 3: BOOK YOUR DATE
Thinking about the time you want to elope is super duper important in NZ, as the seasons change rapidly & will ultimately decide the entire day. So first, you need to have a think if you like warmer/colder weather. If you are up for the snow then June - August is for you, although you can see snow in May through to October sometimes too. If you are thinking a little bit warmer and don’t want to worry about rugging up, then November through to March is for you! Summer here is absolutely devine and generally the popular wedding/eloping months. Between the warmer/colder months the sunset times are drastically different too. During winter, the sun is down by 6pm, but during summer, you better believe it doesn’t set until about 9.30pm. So this is a great bit of information to help you choose a date!
Another thing to keep in mind too is Mount Cook is generally always cold, even in the summer months it sits around 8 degrees (celsius) so this is good to keep in ming when choosing your dress/suit!
STEP 4: MARRIAGE LICENCE & PERMITS
If you're planning to get married in Mount Cook National Park, you'll need to secure a permit from the Department of Conservation (DOC). Since the park is a protected area, the DOC requires permits for events like weddings/elopements to help manage the environmental impact and preserve the natural beauty of the area.
To apply, you'll need to provide details about your ceremony, including if there is any family attending & the number and any specific locations you're considering. It's important to allow enough time for the permit application process, as it can take a few weeks for approval. The DOC will also inform you of any guidelines to follow, such as restrictions on decorations, noise levels, or drone usage (Mount Cook is a national park so drone is unfortunately prohibited), to ensure the environment remains undisturbed, the cost of the DOC permit is $115 NZD.
Reaching out to the DOC early in your planning process is key to making sure everything runs smoothly, and it’s a small step that helps protect this beautiful landscape for future visitors.
Now, arranging your marriage license is a crucial step. You'll need to apply for the license at least three working days before your wedding date to ensure everything is processed in time. Keep in mind that the license expires after three months, so your ceremony should take place within that timeframe.
Only one of you needs to complete the application form, but you'll require information for both partners. This typically includes full names, dates of birth, and possibly identification documents.
In New Zealand, the cost of a marriage license is NZD $150 if you are having a ceremony with a registered celebrant, but of course keep in mind that each celebrant will have their own costs on top of this, if you are struggling to find a celebrant, make sure to reach out to us as we have heaps of amazing celebrants we love.
WHAT IF WE ARE HAVING NO GUESTS?
You will need a Celebrant & 2 witnesses over 18 to sign, if you are planning on having no guests, usually Cody & I will step in and be witnesses.
STEP 5: ACCOMODATION, PETS, TRANSPORT
Accomodation:There is a limited amount of accomodation at Mount Cook, The Hermitage Hotel & Aoraki Alpine Lodge are the most popular & in a prime location, providing stunning views of the mountain and comfortable rooms.
Pets: Unfortunately, as it is a National Park, pets are not allowed at mount cook, as it’s a protected area with strict rules to preserve the wildlife and natural environment so this is super important to remember.
Transport: Getting to Mount Cook is easiest by car, and the scenic drive is the best part. If you’re not driving you can also get buses from Queenstown but I would definitely recommend hiring a car as it’s not as easy to walk to all the different hikes & locations from the accomodation, the roads are super easy to navigate and there is plenty of parking around the hiking trails (although they can get quite busy).
STEP 6: LEAVE NO TRACE!
When eloping at Mount Cook, it's important to respect the natural beauty of this incredible landscape. As part of a protected national park, every visitor has a responsibility to keep the area pristine for future generations. This means staying on marked trails, avoiding disturbing or feeding wildlife, and not leaving anything behind (if you have been to National Parks in New Zealand below, you would have been greeted by our beautiful Kea bird, it’s really important that we protect these birds and don’t feed them, they are very cheeky so don’t let them rope you in!).
The “Leave No Trace” principle is key: pack out everything you bring in, including waste and any decorations used during your ceremony (this means a no go on confetti). Avoid picking plants or disturbing natural features, and minimise your impact on the environment. By respecting the location and following these guidelines, you help preserve the magic of Mount Cook for everyone who visits.
STEP 7: LET’S ELOPE!
You are all set! This is a run down on everything you need to do to elope in Mount Cook, but Cody and I will be here as your photographer & videographer to guide you and make the process as fun and stress free as it should be!