Rippon Hall Wedding, Wanaka New Zealand | Flo & Fab

Flo + Fab | Rippon Hall Wedding, Wanaka New Zealand

Wanaka is one of those places that never loses its impact — a small lakeside town surrounded by dramatic, snow-capped mountains that feel almost cinematic in scale. Even in summer, the peaks remain dusted with snow, giving the entire landscape a sense of contrast and quiet drama.

This was my second time photographing in Wanaka, and my first wedding at Rippon Hall — a stunning vineyard venue positioned above Lake Wanaka with uninterrupted views across Rippon’s vines, Ruby Island, and the Southern Alps.

The venue itself offers a rare combination of architecture and landscape. With direct access down to the lake, it allows for an effortless flow between ceremony, celebration, and portrait locations — all within a single, incredibly scenic setting.

One of the more memorable (and slightly chaotic) moments of the day involved a misjudged drive down what we thought was a road to the lake. It quickly became clear it was actually a walking track, resulting in a very tight turnaround situation involving multiple cars and a fair bit of problem-solving. While the group managed the logistics, I took the opportunity to steal the bride and groom for portraits — arguably the calmest part of the entire moment.

Later in the day, we escaped for a quieter portrait session above Coromandel Peak. The wind was intense, but the elevated viewpoint created a surreal, almost otherworldly atmosphere over Lake Wanaka. With thanks to Wanaka Helicopters, we were able to safely access and return from this location — even as the weather shifted.

Florence carried a timeless, Grace Kelly-like elegance, paired with a modern gown that featured one very important detail — pockets. A small but perfect touch that suited the relaxed, joyful energy of the day.

This wedding was a balance of elegance, landscape, and adventure — everything Wanaka does best.

 

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Dream Team

Photography: Kate Drennan Photography
Bride’s Dress: Carolina Herrera
Bridesmaid Dresses: Shona Joy
Groom’s Suit: Suit Shop
Makeup: Kirsty Lohmann
Hair: Claire Topliff – Beautiful Bridal Hair
Florals: The Green Room
Styling: One Fine Day
Cake: Chrissy Donaldson
Shoes: Shoes of Prey
Jewellery: Samantha Wills
Ceremony Venue: Rippon Hall
Reception Venue: Rippon, Wanaka
Invitations: Just My Type
Transport: Alpine ConneXions
Catering: Artisan Catering