Weddings are such incredible days! It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to spend a day celebrating your marriage surrounded by all your closest loved ones. It's always such an honour to be a part of your day, documenting every little moment that happens.
Weddings are wonderfully unique, reflecting all the personal touches of the awesome couple. Wedding days are filled with so many incredible emotions that you'll want to bottle up and cherish forever. That's why I'm all about snapping those magical moments so you can be taken right back to your big day!
My approach to wedding photography is relaxed and predominantly documentary. I'm all about catching those natural, real-life moments as they happen. Emotions, connections, and all the good stuff – that's what I love freezing those moments in time!
Check out some of the gorgeous weddings that I've had the huge privilege of photographing!
Planning your wedding in Queenstown or Wanaka?
Kia ora, I’m Claire — a Queenstown-based wedding photographer capturing honest, joy-filled moments as they naturally unfold.
If you’re planning a wedding in Queenstown or Wanaka, you’ve chosen somewhere truly incredible — and my approach is all about letting you experience and enjoy it fully, whilst I candidly capture all those special moments.
I’ll gently guide you when needed, but mostly I’ll step back and document everything as it happens — so your photos feel effortless, emotional, and completely true to you.
New Zealand's most iconic wedding destinations
Queenstown and Wanaka are two of the most breathtaking places to get married in New Zealand — known for their dramatic mountain ranges, crystal-clear lakes, and ever-changing light.
From the buzz of Queenstown to the slower, more tranquil Wanaka, each offers something completely unique — whether you're planning a lakeside ceremony, a mountain-top elopement, or a relaxed celebration surrounded by your favourite people.
Planning a Queenstown wedding?
Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s most iconic wedding destinations — perfect for couples wanting a mix of adventure and elegance.
I’ve had the pleasure of capturing weddings at places like Rendezvous Heritage Hotel, with its stunning ceremony spot overlooking Lake Wakatipu, as well as intimate back garden weddings. There's also iconic vineyard Queenstown wedding venues like The Winehouse.
From lakeside ceremonies to mountain backdrops, I’ll help you find the best light, the right setting, and a timeline that allows you to truly enjoy the day as it unfolds.
Dreaming of a Wanaka wedding?
Wanaka offers a quieter, more relaxed alternative to Queenstown — with just as much beauty.
I’ve photographed weddings at The Lookout Lodge, a stunning private venue with incredible mountain views, and there are so many beautiful venues to choose from like Rippon Hall and Dublin Bay.
If you're drawn to something more intimate, peaceful, and personal, Wanaka is the perfect setting.
Check out this gorgeous wedding I captured at The Lookout Lodge, Wanaka.
Unforgettable elopement locations
If you're planning something more intimate or adventurous, Queenstown and Wanaka offer some truly unforgettable options.
From lakeside spots like Moke Lake and Jacks Point to breathtaking mountain locations like Coronet Peak, there’s no shortage of incredible places to say your vows.
For something truly unforgettable, helicopter-access locations like Coromandel Peak or Cecil Peak offer an experience that’s as special as the views themselves.
My approach
Your wedding day isn’t a photoshoot — it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
I take a documentary-style approach, focusing on real moments as they happen. I’ll offer gentle direction when needed, but never in a way that feels forced or staged.
The result is a gallery that reflects not just how your day looked — but how it felt.
What it’s like to work with me...
From the moment you enquire, you'll have my help to plan the most incredible day.
I’ll help you plan your timeline around the best light, suggest beautiful locations, and guide you in a way that always feels natural — so you can stay present and enjoy every moment.
Queenstown and Wanaka wedding photography packages
Full day wedding photography collections start from $4,000 NZD and elopement coverage from $2,000 NZD.
Each collection includes a gallery filled with beautifully edited, high-resolution images and a relaxed, supportive experience from start to finish.
Click here for more pricing details or get in touch — I’d love to hear what you’re planning.
Planning your wedding in Queenstown or Wanaka?
I’d love to hear all about your plans and what you’re dreaming up.
What's The Process?
Enquire
Enquire and we'll chat over email and call to discuss your plans and what you'd like from your photos. To secure your date, sign a contract, pay a deposit and you're all booked in!
step 01
Planning
I'll be with you every step of the way to answer any questions, help and guide you through your wedding and timeline planning process.
Step 02
Your big day!
Your wedding day, no matter how big or small will be one of the most memorable days of your life! This day is all about you two and enjoying every precious moment of it.
step 03
Your Photos
You'll recieve your first previews within a week, with some of the highlights from the day. A full gallery will follow 2 months after. You will be able to download, save and share or order prints straight from your gallery.
step 04
How much does it cost?
Diamond
Perfect for couples who want the full story of their day captured!
Up to 10 hours coverage
Typically from getting ready to first dance
Minimum 700 beautifully edited photos
Online gallery to view, download + share
$4,500
Silver
Ideal for couples who want all the key moments, without the extras.
Up to 8 hours coverage
Typically from ceremony to dance floor
Minimum 500 beautifully edited images
Online gallery to view, download + share
$4,000
Elopements
For couples ditching tradition and doing it your way!
Heading into the mountains or the coast to get married just the two of you?
Or having a micro wedding with just your nearest and dearest? I'd love to capture it for you!
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Get in touch to discuss
From $2,000
Content Creation
iPhone photos and videos captured throughout your wedding day
All content shared with you within 48 hours
Edited social media highlight reel created and shared with one week
from $750
Engagement Shoot
Celebrate this incredibly special chapter of your life with an engagement or a pre wedding photoshoot!
Minimum of 50 photos delivered to you through an online gallery
$500
FAQ
What area do you cover?
I'm based in Queenstown and cover weddings all over beautiful Aotearoa, New Zealand.
From Auckland to Queenstown and everything in between, I love exploring every incredible corner of this country, capturing gorgeous elopements and weddings.
Do you charge for travel?
Travel within an hour of Queenstown is included. For bookings outside of this area, travel charges may apply.
If I need to charge additional travel, I will always be clear and upfront when you enquire.
What if we want to do something extreme for our elopement?
The more extreme, the better in my eyes! Get in touch and tell me your vision, we will make it happen! I love any excuse to don my hiking boots and take on the elements.
How and when will we receive our images?
Editing each individual photo takes a lot of love and time and isn't something that I like to rush. You will receive your sneak peeks within 1 week and your full gallery within 8 weeks.
All your images will be returned to you through an online gallery. From here you can download, share and print your images to your hearts content!
Will we need to pose?
Not if you don’t want to! My style is predominantly documentary style with the occasional minor adjustments just to help ensure you’ll get photos that you’ll look back on and love.
It’s all about capturing those natural moments, the giggles, and tears, the unstaged natural magic of a wedding day. If you really would like completely natural shots with absolutely no posing or prompting, then that’s exactly what we will do. It's all about you guys and how you would like your day to be captured.
None of the above packages suit me
No worries at all, get in touch and we can discuss your individual needs and I'll get back to you with a quote.
Do you cover weddings outside of New Zealand?
Yes! Please get in touch, I love to travel and regularly travel to the UK & Europe and have also travelled to Fiji to capture destination weddings.
Do you offer content creation?
Yes! I'm thrilled to now also be offering content creation! Capturing all those wonderful moments from your wedding day, ready for you to share with friends and family online immediately!
Do you have a question?
If you have any questions that I’ve not answered here, please get in touch: claireriversphotography@outlook.com
Would you like to see more?
Check out these wedding blogs from some of my wonderful weddings!
like what you see?
Let's chat!
I would love to hear from you! Please use the button below to enquire and check my availability.
Let's chat all about your wedding plans and see if I'm the right fit for your big day!