

Mangamaunu Retreat Elopements
Helping couples elope in Kaikoura with beach and alpine mountain views

If your ideal elopement looks like:
✔️ Away from the crowds
✔️ Towering mountains
✔️ Long stretch beaches
✔️ Experiences in nature including whale and dolphin watching
✔️ The best view of the Milky Way
Then you've come to the right place!
Now booking 2026
2025 bookings for Mangamaunu Retreat with Wild Union Co are officially closed!
Wild Union Co is here to help you elope in one of New Zealand's most popular Ocean Wildlife locations - from seals, to whales, to dolphins Kaikoura has it all!
All inclusive elopements starting at $5950
Photography + Content Creation + Planning + Coordinating + Venue + Celebrant
The options:
Photographer + Content Creator
Planner + Coordinator
Venue + Accommodation
Scenic Heli Flight Locations
Floral Options
Celebrant
Makeup
Cake
Grazing Platter
Up to 9 guests + bride & groom
How it works:
Step 1:
Choose your photography + content creation coverage and build your elopement package on top of that in the booking form.
Step 2:
Fill in your contact details, ideal date, and any extra notes that we might need to know or ask any questions.
Step 3:
We will get back to you within 48 hours confirming your booking with an invoice with a non-refundable retainer required to secure your booking for the 2026 season. Bonus you only deal with two contracts (one photographer + one vendors) and invoices (all accessible in one space), simple and easy!
Disclaimer: Bank transfers won't incur an additional fee, but online card payments will incur a processing fee of 2.7% - 3.7%
Navigation:

Service Details + Meet your Vendors
The brainpower behind the whole operation
Planning/Coordination + Photography + Content Creation + Florals by Chaznel Photography
From the moment you book your elopement Chaznel will contact all your requested vendors and book them for your special day. She will be your point of contact throughout the whole process, connecting you with your vendors by being the direct message relayer. You will be put into contact with your celebrant to personalise your ceremony vows as well.
Photo + Content Creation coverage includes:
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Photography and Content Creation coverage (choose between 3, 4, or 6 hours)
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Complimentary elopement day chauffeuring (for couple) to scenic photo locations
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Sneak previews of photo + content creation within 24 hours
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Full online photo gallery + content creation delivered within 4 weeks
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Unlimited 24/7 logistics, planning, coordinating support
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Unlimited vendor communication support
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A collection of polaroids to take home on the day

Chaznel Photography
North Canterbury Elopement & Micro Wedding Photographer, Content Creator & Planning Coordinator

Mangamaunu Retreat
Georgia + Jo
Venue + Accommodation Host
Accommodation
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Check-in 3pm
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Check-out 10am
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Extra night/s accommodation add-on available
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Early check-in/late check-out available
Venue Hire
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4 hours for ceremony + reception + 1 night accomodation option
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Per hour venue hire add-on available
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Up to 9 persons (incl. children) + bride + groom
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BYO
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Kitchen/Fridge in accommodation

South Pacific Helicopters
Flight:
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Flight to Alpine Mountains
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Witnesses provided if you opt for Alpine ceremony
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Pickup and drop-off from Mangamaunu Retreat

Tina Stringer
Kaikoura based Celebrant
Ceremony includes:
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Personalised ceremony vows
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Modern Ceremony Script - option to add prayers or short readings
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Travel to Mangamaunu Retreat
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Legal requirement support
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Meetings via email, phone, text
When you book you will be contacted by Tina to start the ceremony personalisation and legal requirement process

Beauty by Design Kaikoura
Siara
Makeup Artist
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Makeup for bride, MOB, MOG and bridesmaid options
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Hair and makeup trials available

3 Corners Organic
Chaznel
Organic Flower Farm
Please note winter bouquets are heavily greenery based
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1x seasonal farmers choice bridal bouquet
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1x seasonal farmers choice boutonnière
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Only available if Chaznel is the photographer

Paige's Pantry
Paige
Fresh, Real + Local Ingredient Baker
Cakes:
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Carrot cake with classic cream cheese icing
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Chocolate mud cake with raspberry filling and swiss meringue buttercream
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Lemon & Poppy cake wiith lemon curd filling and swiss meringue buttercream
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Vanilla cake with raspberry filling and swiss meringue buttercream
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Elopement cake - up to 11 persons
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Only available if Chaznel is the photographer

Bloom Catering
Zoe
Grazing Catering Genius
Grazing box for two:
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Includes grazing snacks, quiche, and garden salad for two
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Incl. delivery to Mangamaunu Retreat
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Dietary requests welcome but may incur a small extra fee
Grazing Platter for up to 11:
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A yummy variety of grazing foods on a wine barrel platter
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Dietary request welcome but may incur a small extra fee
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Only available if Chaznel is the photographer

FAQ's
How many guests can I have at the elopement or micro weddings?
You can have up to 10 guests + the bride and groom (12 persons in total). Children over 12 months old are counted as a guest.
Can we elope and meet our family and friends at Mangamaunu Retreat?
You sure can, simply book the venue hire as well as selecting scenic ceremony location. You can choose between opting for per hour hire (minimum 2 hours) or go for the 4 hour hire package which includes one night accommodation for up to 4 persons.
Can we stay more than one night at Mangamaunu Retreat?
Absolutely, when you're building your package just select the venue hire option or just accomodation option and let us know in the notes how many nights you would like to stay onsite.
How many hours can we book the photographer for?
You can book the photographer for 4 hours or full day coverage. If you require multi-day coverage please note that in the booking form when building your package.
Can we add multiple scenery photo locations?
Yes absolutely you can, the beauty of Kaikoura is the variety of nearby location scenic spots so we don't even have to travel super far for stunning views. During the planning process Chaznel will compile of locations for your scenic portraits ensuring you have a variety of stunning photos from your day!
What if Chaznel is not available?
One of Wild Union Co's associate photographers will be able to step in and take over the photography side of your booking (we will let you know about this when you first inquire). The associate photographers do not offer content creation and is only available when Chaznel is. Star Portraits is also exclusive to Chaznel.