You’re planning a wedding in Akaroa? Congratulations! You clearly make excellent life choices. Banks Peninsula weddings are the best! As wedding photographers based in Akaroa we are often asked by our clients who we would recommend for hair, make-up, catering etc… so we thought it would be super handy for you guys planning your wedding to have an awesome list to work through of Akaroa wedding champions. These are all people that we can recommend highly, have photographed, know personally, and have worked with before on incredible weddings.

If you’re planning a sustainable wedding, then you’ll be wanting to choose local suppliers. These people are all local legends who live on Banks Peninsula… they’re our Peninsula people!

Akaroa Celebrants

Phillipa Linton

Phillipa always brings the relaxed vibes with her wherever she goes, and we’re big fans of her ability to help our couples feel at ease on their wedding day. She’s an expert at delivering a short and sweet ceremony that feels celebratory and very personal too. Phillipa lives in Duvauchelle and loves marrying couples who choose Banks Peninsula as the stunning location for their special day. She’s passionate about giving you the perfect ceremony for YOU!

Get in touch with Phillipa here: https://www.facebook.com/PhillipaLintonMarriageCelebrant/

Akaroa Church Weddings

Want to get married in a gorgeous Canterbury church? Boy, do we have some beautiful Banks Peninsula churches for you… St Peter’s Church Akaroa, Trinity Church Akaroa, Knox Church Pigeon Bay, St Andrew’s Church Le Bons Bay, St John the Evangelist Church Duvauchelle and St John the Evangelist Church Okains Bay.

Get in touch with the team here: https://akaroachurches.co.nz/weddings/

Akaroa Wedding Hair + Makeup

Akaroa Hair Studio

Swaye + Wendy from Akaroa Hair Studio are the dream team if you’re looking for a professional hair and makeup package for your big day. Not only will they elevate you and your squad to looking more fabulous than ever before, but they’ll bring the banter and will have you squealing with laughter too. You can get ready at Swaye’s salon in Akaroa, or they’ll happily come to where you’re getting ready, so you can crack open the champagne, which makes for a fun and super chilled morning ahead of the all important ceremony and celebrations.

Get in touch with Wendy here: https://www.facebook.com/AkaroaHair/

Akaroa Wedding Photographers

Robin + Andie

Toot toot toooot! That’s the sound of us blowing our own horn… Yup, to our knowledge, we are the only full time, professional photographers and videographers based in Akaroa who specialise in wedding photography. We favour lots of natural light, relaxed portraits and unposed interactions along with capturing the buzzing atmosphere, spontaneous emotions, fun and friendship that make a wedding completely personal. With two highly-experienced and complementary photographers, you’ll get different viewpoints of each memorable moment. Together we promise to deliver a collection of gorgeous photographs and film which tell your own authentic tale.

Get in touch with Robin + Andie here: https://robin-andie.photography/contact-us

Akaroa Wedding Boat - Private Charters

We can confirm that hiring a boat on your wedding day is a good idea! Especially if you’re getting married in Akaroa. Black Cat Cruises + Akaroa Dolphins both have great private charter options to make your wedding day super special. Why wouldn’t you want to start or end the best day of your life on a sail boat with your nearest and dearest, leaping dolphins, seals + penguins, with a glass of wine in hand? Not to mention being surrounded by the stunning scenery of Akaroa Harbour. It’s a great way to really impress your wedding guests visiting Akaroa from other parts of New Zealand or overseas! As documentary wedding photographers, we’re always up for the boat ride to capture all the fun and frolics!

Get in touch with Black Cat Cruises: https://blackcat.co.nz/private-charters/

Get in touch with Akaroa Dolphins: https://www.akaroadolphins.co.nz/private-charters/

Get in touch with Fox 2 Sailing: http://www.akaroafoxsail.co.nz/

Akaroa Wedding Venues

Mt Vernon Lodge

Mt Vernon Lodge is an impressive spot for an Akaroa wedding, and it has one of the best views in town! With a ceremony on the private estate lawns overlooking Akaroa Harbour, a reception hall for up to 130 guests, and on-site lodge accommodation for up to 50 guests... what more could you ask for? Mt Vernon events are always a lot of fun, and you can hire this exciting venue for the entire weekend, turning your wedding into a big sleep-over with all your favourite people! Ooh, and the best thing? There’s no curfew! You can party all night into the wee smalls… Your wedding reception at Mt Vernon can be as formal or as informal as you want it to be – whether it’s fine dining for 100 guests, or a BBQ on the lawn for 10 mates. You can cater using their commercial kitchen, or hire a local chef. Need any more convincing? It’s BYO! We know that David + Amanda, the owners of this fab wedding venue, would love to help you plan your very special celebration!

Get in touch with David + Amanda here: http://mtvernon.co.nz/weddings/

Ma Maison

An iconic restaurant and the best in town.

Get in touch with the team here: https://www.mamaison.co.nz

Akaroa Elopement

The Giant’s House

Looking for something a little different? The Giant’s House is a gem! Akaroa’s mosaic and sculpture garden, created by local artist Josie Martin, is truly a unique place to tie the knot! The Giants House can be hired after opening hours for your ceremony and celebratory bubbles. There’s nowhere quite like it on earth.

Get in touch with Josie here: http://thegiantshouse.co.nz/

Wedding Cheese

Barrys Bay Cheese

Looking for the best cheese in Canterbury for your wedding cake? We’re talking big-ass wheels for an impressive cheese tower! We love Barrys Bay Havarti and aged Gouda, but damn it’s all good! Get in touch with our local cheese team and tell them Robin + Andie sent you. They’ve got good crackers too!

Get in touch here: https://www.barrysbaycheese.co.nz/contact/

Akaroa Wedding Catering

Catering Dept https://www.cateringdept.co.nz

MAPU Chef Giulio Sturla

Would you like one of the best chef’s in New Zealand to cater for your intimate wedding? For the ultimate small wedding or elopement experience, Banks Peninsula based Chef Giulio Sturla will come and cook for you, your friends and family, bringing his exclusive restaurant Mapu to you. We’re talking next level! You'll be served in-season and locally-sourced food, cooked right in front of you by Giulio. You'll hear his stories about where the food comes from, who's responsible for growing and harvesting it, and how Giulio devised the recipes you'll enjoy. This guy is a genius, and we know he’ll turn your special occasion into a truly unforgettable experience.

Get in touch with Giulio here: https://www.mapu.co.nz/

Akaroa Wedding Florals

Phlowers

Phoebe grows her own flowers in Okains Bay and would love to create some floral magic for your wedding day!

Get in touch with Phoebe here: https://www.hellophlowers.com

The Flower Press

If you’re heading to Akaroa from Christchurch, then The Flower Press is located near to the Banks Peninsula boundary making it the perfect stop to pick up your wedding bouquet before heading over the hill.

Get in touch with Alex here: https://www.theflowerpressnz.com/

Akaroa Wedding Cake

The Cake Room

Katey owns the cutest cake shop in Akaroa and makes the most beautiful, bespoke wedding cakes for her clients. Pop in and see her when you’re in Akaroa and wedding planning.

Contact Katey here: hellothecakeroom@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/meetmeatthecakeroom/?_rdr

Full Time Tart

With the best business name ever, Full Time Tart also makes the best wedding cakes! Sophie is a Banks Peninsula based cake maker and we think she’s the best in Canterbury. So good… we booked her to bake our own wedding cake!

Contact Sophie here: https://www.fulltimetart.co.nz/

*If you’re an Akaroa wedding supplier and don’t see yourself on this list… then we look forward to working with you soon! We plan on adding to our ‘Akaroa Wedding Vendors’ blog as we create more collaborative connections. Robin + Andie x