Your private Lake tekapo wedding

Private. Relaxed. Beautiful.
Love Lake Tekapo but want somewhere a little more private for your wedding?

Morelea Lakeside | Flowers supplied by couple | End of November

Morelea Lakeside gives you the best of both worlds. Enjoy a beautiful private setting near Lake Tekapo, with lake and mountain views, lovely grounds, and plenty of space to celebrate away from the crowds.

You can get ready at Morelea, marry on the lawn overlooking the lake, have a toast afterwards and have beautiful wedding photos around the property.

And if the Mackenzie weather decides not to cooperate? You have an indoor option too.

As your registered marriage celebrant, elopement planner and ceremony coordinator, I can bring the important parts of your day together.  
You arrive, marry your person and enjoy your day.
It is also a perfect option for vow renewals

'Morelea lakeside' weekday Elopement Package ~ from $3750.00*

Venue + Celebrant + Coordinator + Photographer Package: invite up to 20 guests

Jade Celebrant + planner + Coordinator ♡ Dhesni + Daniel | Joseph Pooley Photography | Morelea Lakeside

Planning an elopement can feel overwhelming, especially if you're organising everything from another part of New Zealand or from overseas. My  package brings all the important details together for you.
** Venue, Celebrant and Elopement Planner available without the photographer. Ask for current pricing. 

YOUR REGISTERED WEDDING CELEBRANT
That's me!
I'll guide you through the New Zealand marriage process, get to know you both and create an intimate, personalised ceremony that feels  special, relaxed and completely yours.

TWO HOURS OF PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Your photographer will capture your ceremony, those wonderful just-married moments and portraits afterwards. Two hours also gives you the option of travelling to another nearby location for a different Lake Tekapo backdrop. Travel between photography locations is included in your photography time.
Want three hours, four hours or longer coverage? Just ask.

FOUR-HOUR MORELEA LAKESIDE HIRE
Enjoy up to four hours at Morelea. Your hire includes the grounds for your ceremony and photographs, a bridal room and selected indoor spaces. You don't need to say "I do" and rush away immediately. Stay for photographs, cut a wedding cake or pavlova and raise a glass together before heading off for more photos or the next part of your day.

ELOPEMENT PLANNING + COORDINATION
This is where I make life easier for you. I'll help bring your package together before your wedding, liaise with the package vendors I have organised and help plan the timing. On your wedding day, I'll coordinate everything and make sure everyone knows where they need to be.

You can concentrate on getting married.

Make your elopement your own

You can keep your wedding beautifully simple or add a few special touches

Optional extras can include:

• Fresh seasonal wedding bouquets /buttonholes
• Elopement arch
• Arch florals
• Champagne toast
• Non-alcoholic celebration toast
• Pavlova
• Wedding cake
• Hair and makeup
• Videography
• Extra photography time

Choose what matters to you. You are welcome to bring your own flowers and decorations​

Jade Celebrant + Coordinator ♡ Maxine + Jayson | The wedding pavlova from Morelea Lakeside

What could your day look like?

There is no set way your elopement has to happen.
If you're trying to picture what your Lake Tekapo wedding day could feel like, here's one way it might go...

Jade Celebrant ♡ Melissa before marrying Sam | Chaznel Photography | Morelea Lakeside

A RELAXED START

• Wake up at your Lake Tekapo accommodation and enjoy a leisurely breakfast together.
• No rushing. No huge wedding schedule.
• Have your hair and makeup done professionally at your accommodation, or keep things simple and do it yourself.
• You can get dressed before you arrive or, depending on your timing, get ready at Morelea.

Take your time and enjoy that lovely feeling of knowing you're about to get married.

ARRIVE AT MORELEA

• Your photographer can capture relaxed photos before your ceremony, getting ready, final touch-ups, and those little moments before you say "I do."
• If you have ordered fresh flowers, they will be ready for you.
• I can help with final touches and getting ready if needed.
• If you have guests, they can sit outside  and take in the view.
• Add an elopement arch if you love the look, or let the lake, mountains and gardens be your backdrop.
• When you're ready, walk out to your person, option of music through a speaker if wanted

Jade Celebrant, Planner + Coordinator ♡ Fernanda + Raphael | Agnes Grace Photography | Morelea Lakeside

TIME TO GET MARRIED

• Your ceremony can be  on the lawn overlooking the lake, or indoors if that is your choice.
• The ceremony will be relaxed, personal and there will likely be happy tears!
• Say your vows.
• Exchange your rings.
• Make it official with the signing

And take a moment to realise… You're married!

TIME TO CELEBRATE

• You could cut your wedding cake or pavlova, then raise a glass with a champagne or non-alcoholic toast.
• Your photographer will  capture  guest, family photos, portraits, the hugs, laughter, and those little in-between moments that often become favourites.

Jade Celebrant, Planner + Coordinator ♡ Victoria + Jefferson | Randal Photography | A toast to the newlyweds! Morelea Lakeside

THEN LET'S GO EXPLORING

• When it's time to leave Morelea, your photographer can join you at a second location, or even a third if you have enough photography time. This gives you different backgrounds for your Lake Tekapo wedding photos.
• Depending on the season, you might see golden autumn leaves, colourful lupins or another beautiful Mackenzie landscape. Every season offers something different.

AND THEN?
The rest of the day is yours. You're newlyweds!
Head back to your accommodation, have lunch or dinner at a local restaurant, explore Lake Tekapo or spend the rest of the day together.
Your wedding doesn't have to be complicated to be memorable.

♡ Mamta + Nick | Amerikiwi Photography | Morelea Lakeside

We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect celebrant than Jade Whaley. From the very first meeting, she was warm, genuine, and incredibly attentive to every detail that mattered to us.

Jade took the time to get to know our story and helped create a ceremony that was deeply personal, meaningful, and full of love.
​
If you're looking for someone who is professional, kind, and truly passionate about their work, we cannot recommend Jade enough. She made our wedding day unforgettable.

Thank you, Jade, for being such a special part of our journey.
​
Mamta + Nick |  New Zealand

I was their celebrant, planner and coordinator. Organised the florals from Floral Harvest

  Why choose morelea Lakeside

Agnes Grace Photography | looking across the front lawn at Morelea Lakeside

A public Lake Tekapo elopement can be wonderful. But some couples want more privacy, a place to get ready, and an indoor option.
Morelea Lakeside offers:

• A private wedding setting
• Lake and mountain views
• Beautiful grounds for your ceremony and photographs
• Indoor space if the weather changes
• Somewhere to get ready
• Four hours to enjoy the venue
• An intimate wedding with up to 20 guests
• Your venue, celebrant, photographer and coordination in one package

It's also a great choice if you're planning your New Zealand elopement from overseas and want someone local to help bring everything together.

Morelea elopement details

Jade Celebrant, Planner + Coordinator ♡ Ana + Felipe | Agnes Grace Photography | Morelea Lakeside

Jade Celebrant + Planner ♡ Graham + Suzanne | Winter Elopement | Morelea Lakeside

Here are a few practical things to know before you book:

• Monday to Thursday package price is quoted. 
• Friday, Saturday, Sunday, public holiday and Christmas New Year break pricing is higher
• Ceremony start times are between 10.00 am and 4.00pm
• Up to 20 guests
• Four-hour Morelea Lakeside venue hire
• Two hours of professional photography
• Longer photography coverage can be arranged
• Microphone and rehearsal are not included in the elopement package
• A signed contract and 50% non-refundable retainer secure your date and package vendors
• Final payment is due eight weeks before your ceremony
• Overseas payments can be made through WISE; the couple pays transaction fees
• Photography delivery times and terms will be confirmed in your contract

Package price may vary depending on photographer availability. 

YOUR NEW ZEALAND MARRIAGE LICENCE
Your New Zealand marriage licence and marriage certificate are not included in your elopement package. You  apply and pay online  for these directly through the NZ Department of Internal Affairs.
If you're coming from overseas and aren't sure what to do, don't worry. I'll guide you through the process.

Questions + Answers

Q: Can we get ready at Morelea?
A: Yes. Your four-hour venue hire can include use of a bridal room, so you can choose to get dressed at Morelea or arrive ready for your ceremony.

Q:What happens if it rains?
A: One advantage of choosing Morelea is having an indoor option if the Mackenzie weather changes.

Q: How many guests can we invite?
A: The elopement package suits up to 20 guests. Depending on the available photographer there may be an option for more. 

Q: Can we bring our own food?
A: No. You cannot bring outside food onto the property, except for a wedding cake.
We offer options if you would like to celebrate after your ceremony, including pavlova, a wedding cake, and a toast.

Q: Can we bring our own alcohol?
A: Yes bring your favourite bubbles or non-alcoholic drink in your own cooler/esky bin, or else I can organise for you. 

Q: Can we bring our own flowers and decorations for the ceremony?
A: Yes, you absolutely can.

Q: Can we have an arch?
A: Yes. You can hire the Morelea arch to your package for $250.00 ( excludes florals) 

Q: We don't have any witnesses, can you help?
A: Yes, do not worry. We can use Angie the owner of Morelea and your photographer as witnesses

Q: Can we have photos somewhere else after Morelea?
A: Absolutely. Your two-hour photography package gives you more flexibility, and depending on timing, you can travel to another nearby location for a different backdrop.  Travel time is included in the photography time.

Q: Can we extend the photography time beyond two hours?
A: Yes, absolutely you can choose 3 or more hours which is perfect for when having a helicopter shoot afterwards. 

Q: How do we apply for a New Zealand Marriage Licence?
A: You will need to apply online directly through the New Zealand Department of Births, Deaths and Marriages website at least three days before your wedding. When filling out the form, you will select me, Jade Whaley, as your registered marriage celebrant, and list the ceremony location as Morelea Lakeside, 80 Lakeside Drive, Lake Tekapo. I will guide you through this process.

Q: I have my own photographer can I hire Morelea and you as the celebrant?
A: Yes, absolutely. Let's chat about what your vision for your day

REAL MORELEA COUPLES

Heather + Chris married at Morelea Lakeside

My husband and I got married in Lake Tekapo.
​I could not have imagined anyone better to have perform our ceremony. Leading up to the celebration, Jade met with us via Zoom to talk with us and get to know us.

​Throughout the whole process, I felt comfortable with Jade and knew that she would be right for our ceremony. Jade was very professional, but I also felt like she was a friend. Her genuine happiness and uplifting personality definitely contributed to our day being perfect. If you are looking for a ceremony that is special and personalised, we 100% recommend Jade!
Heather + Chris |  USA

More Reviews

Ready to Plan your Morelea elopement? 
​

You don't need months of complicated planning to have an amazing day. Morelea Lakeside is a beautiful choice if you want something intimate, private, and relaxed in Lake Tekapo, with all the important details already organised.

Venue. Celebrant. Photographer. Planning. Then add the little things you love.

Tell me your preferred wedding date, how many guests you're bringing and a little about what you're imagining. From there, I'll handle the rest.

Perfect for nature lovers, romantics, introverts, or second-time-arounders who want to say “I do” in a relaxed, heartfelt way, without the fuss or the crowd. Just genuine love, stunning views, and all about you

Please complete all the questions to let me know the date(s) you have in mind.

Contact Information
E:  [email protected] 
T: 027 251 9300
A: Queen Street, Timaru, South Canterbury, NZ

♡ Bridget + Cristan | Let's Elope Wedding packages in NZ are fun and stress-free | Morelea Lakeside, Lake Tekapo