The 5 Best Wedding Venues in Central Otago That Will Take Your Breath Away
Jessica McNamara
| Last Updated: October 2025 Some people have been dreaming about their “I do” since they were kids. So when the big day actually comes, it can feel a little overwhelming. Beyond the dress, flowers, and napkins, the wedding venue is hands down one of the most important decisions.
It sets the whole vibe, and it’s not just about you and your partner—it’s about your guests too. They’ll be there to watch you exchange vows. The venue has to feel just right.
Central Otago has so many amazing spots, which makes choosing one tricky. Luckily, our team has done the legwork and rounded up some of the very best venues to make your decision-making a little easier.
How much do wedding venues cost in Central Otago?
1. The Lookout Lodge
Address: 285 Maungawera Valley Road
Phone: +64 27 339 8088
If you want some breathtaking views and a touch of intimacy on your wedding day, The Lookout Lodge is a good choice. It’s in a gorgeous rural setting, which is just a short drive from town.
The mountains create a jaw-dropping backdrop for your ceremony, and the grounds are full of beautiful spots for photos. Your photographer will thank you for the natural light and variety of locations.
It’s also very practical for couples and their families. The lodge has seven guest rooms and a private cabin for the bride and groom, complete with a spa.
Having accommodation on-site means guests don’t need to worry about late-night transport. Families with older members will also appreciate the rooms without climbing up the stairs.
From what we’ve heard, the team here is responsive, organised, and willing to handle most of the little details. Couples mentioned how easy it was to get answers and coordinate rentals.
That said, dates can be tight, particularly Fridays and Saturdays. It’s best to book them early on so you can experience them without hassle.
It was such a wonderful venue to work at
“I recently had the pleasure of photographing a beautiful autumnal wedding at The Lookout Lodge, and it was such a wonderful venue to work at. The mountain views create a STUNNING backdrop for your ceremony, and there’s plenty of beautiful outdoor space for your guests to relax, mingle and enjoy the surroundings. It’s a really photogenic location, with plenty of stunning spots for your couple portraits. If you’re planning a wedding near Wānaka and looking for a setting that feels both intimate and spectacular, I couldn’t recommend The Lookout Lodge more.”
– Claire Rivers, Google review
The Lookout Lodge is the most incredible venue and didn’t disappoint on the day
“Nancy was amazing at organising a wedding. The lookout lodge is the most incredible venue and did not disappoint on the day! I am so glad we chose the lookout lodge to hold our wedding 🤍”
– India Henry, Google review
2. Glendhu Station
Address: Wanaka Mount Aspiring Road
Phone: +64 3 443 6876
Between the lush gardens, open landscapes, and the gorgeous refurbished woolshed, it’s easy to see why so many couples fall in love with Glendhu Station.
It’s spread across 1,200 hectares of farmland. Somehow, it manages to mix its historic charm with modern luxury.
We loved how flexible it is too. You can say your vows in the woolshed with lake views, on the open hilltop ceremony site, or under a marquee. The spaces flow so smoothly from ceremony to reception.
The best part is the venue has all the essentials covered—tables, chairs, and a wet-weather option. There’s even a dance floor and heaters!
When we spoke to some couples, many highlighted the team’s attentiveness. John, in particular, seems to be calm and accommodating with whatever you need. There was even a time when they managed to make arrangements to accommodate pets.
Of course, with all these pros comes a con. Glendhu Station isn’t cheap. But for those willing to invest in an unforgettable day, we highly recommend it.
10/10 best wedding venue!
“Glendhu Station is a remarkable place to get married!! John was so helpful and the best host! Anything we needed, he went above and beyond to make happen for us! He is very relaxed, and nothing was a problem. The woodshed itself has so much character, and we loved everything about it!! The ceremony spot is breathtaking on top of the hill with the best lookout. My sister and I had a double wedding, and it went so smoothly. Best day of our lives, and we would like to thank John for being a pleasant part of that. We also booked the homestead, which was so great. Location right onsite and sleeps 10 easily! What a great memory. Would do it all over again and would change nothing! 10/10 best wedding venue!!!”
– Olivia Mojica, Google review
John genuinely was always working to keep it in top shape
“We had our wedding at Glendhu Station in February. John was an absolute pleasure to deal with—friendly, accommodating, and always happy to answer any questions we had. On both of our visits to the venue, John took the time to show us around and made everything feel easy and stress-free. It was clear John genuinely cared about the venue and was always working to keep it in top shape. Having the barrels, bar, tables, chairs, and other essentials already onsite made the setup and pack-down so much easier for us…”
– Lisa Fenwick, Google review
3. Winehouse
Address: Sh 6 / 1693 Gibbston Highway
Phone: +64 3 442 7310
Winehouse is romantic without being over the top. Imagine a homestead surrounded by vines, with French doors that open out onto a sunny courtyard, and a croquet lawn where guests can sip drinks and relax. Sounds good, right?
The spaces here make things easy. You’ve got options for both small and big weddings—anything from 30 to 250 guests.
The villa is stunning, the gardens are lush, and the lawns give you that classic outdoor vibe. If you want to go big, there’s even a helipad so you can sneak off for those epic mountain shots.
But it’s not just about the setting, it’s also the team behind it. Couples can’t stop talking about Sam and Ella, the coordinators.
We heard stories about Sam helping couples pull together decor and flowers when they had no idea where to start. Ella, on the other hand, even acts like the bride’s personal hype girl.
Food and drink also had us. Everything is delicious, and we appreciate how accommodating they are with dietary needs.
The no-bring-your-own (BYO) rule might feel restrictive if you were hoping to stock your own bar, but the service is fast.
Couldn’t be more grateful to the team who brought our dream day to life
“We had the absolute privilege of celebrating our wedding at The Winehouse, and I could not be more grateful to the incredible team who brought our dream day to life. From the very beginning, Sam was exceptional – her guidance, organisation and care ensured every detail was perfect and truly beyond what we could have imagined. On the day itself, Ella was an absolute star. Not only did she coordinate everything seamlessly, but she was also the best hype girl any bride could ask for – she made the day so joyful, relaxed, and full of love…”
– Billie Cole, Google review
It was an absolute dream!
“We got married at Winehouse in Queenstown on 13th February 2025, and it was an absolute dream!
From the start, the team was incredible. We had only viewed the venue via Zoom, but Ella won us over immediately with her beautiful energy and straightforward approach. When we finally saw the venue in person the day before the wedding, we were blown away – it’s even more stunning than we imagined!..”
– Megan Topping, Google review
4. The Rippon Hall
Address: 246 Wanaka Mount Aspiring Road
Phone: +64 3 443 8084
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 11 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
We get how some couples would want a mountain-lake-vineyard view combo, and our recommendation would be The Rippon Hall.
The aphitheatre is where most couples say “I do,” and it feels less like a ceremony spot and more like nature has built its own wedding stage.
What we liked about it is how flexible it is. You can keep guests outside with all the views, but if the weather turns, the main hall is a beautiful backup.
Speaking of the hall, it’s cosy and elegant. For smaller receptions, it can take around 75 to 85 guests. It also has a fireplace, which gives winter weddings that extra warmth.
If your guest list is starting to balloon, the canopy extension has you covered. It can accommodate up to 210 people.
You have to remember, though, that Rippon is a dry-hire venue. For the couples who’ve been secretly curating a Pinterest board ever since, this is heaven.
On the flip side, if you’d rather have everything bundled up and handled for you, this setup might feel like extra work.
Rippon allows no compromise for amazing photos
“Rippon is one of the best wedding venues I’ve ever shot at. As a wedding photographer, I always want to prioritise couples being able to enjoy themselves to the fullest. Rippon allows no compromise for amazing photos and getting to enjoy yourself the whole day! The view is amazing, the staff are responsive and the building is beautiful, I can’t recommend it as your wedding venue enough!”
– Kate Roberge, Google review
Rippon is truly breathtaking and I believe New Zealand’s best wedding venue!
“Rippon is truly breathtaking and I believe New Zealand’s best wedding venue! Our wedding was everything we’d dreamt of and more. Eliza was incredibly organised and helpful throughout the whole process. We will cherish our memories at Rippon forever.”
– Rachel Thomson, Google review
5. The Orchard Garden Cafe & Function Centre
Address: 576 Dunstan Road
Phone: +64 27 227 1167
Business hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday to Sunday: 10 AM – 2 PM
With Orchard Garden Cafe & Function Centre, you’ve got lawns blending into English-style gardens, a maze with a Scarlet Oak at the centre (yes, your ceremony could literally happen in a maze), and plenty of little spots for guests to explore.
Weddings could be boring, but with this venue, your friends and family can wander around. They can even check out the aviaries or just sip a drink in the courtyard.
We also find it very convenient. A lot of other venues hand you a pretty backdrop and leave you to sort out the rest—tables, chairs, even water on the tables. With them, everything’s already in place. It can save you a lot of hassle and money.
The reception is another highlight. It’s a converted packing shed, which gives a rustic, laid-back vibe without feeling scruffy.
We think it works well for weddings up to around 120 people. If you’re going for something more intimate, the cafe or courtyard bar is a great spot for groups of up to 40.
That said, we find the wines a real miss here. The in-house list is surprisingly limited for a venue sitting in the heart of wine country.
Could not recommend this place enough for a wedding
“We were extremely fortunate enough to get married at The Orchard Garden. We cannot express enough how genuinely pleased we were. Both the venue owners (Bryan and Frances) and the caterers (Cam and Lana) were all so accommodating, warm and welcoming to us and our guests. They all went above and beyond for us, and we truly appreciate it. Our guests gave nothing but positive feedback about the food, the venue and the staff involved. Oh, and our wedding photos are absolutely stunning from around the venue in the autumn leaves! Could not recommend this place enough for a wedding.”
– Brooke MacKenzie, Google review
Everything is done for you and is on-site
“…This is the best wedding venue. Everything is done for you and is on-site. Don’t have to hire everything in like most of the other venues in Central Otago. They also actually put water on the table, which some venue hosts don’t seem to understand around here. The shade in all the themed gardens is quite helpful in the hot summer climate. (They don’t charge extra for umbrellas; the trees do that for you). They have been in the game for more than 25 years, so they have probably got it right by now.”
– Kevin Taylor, Google review
