For those drawn to the wonder of nature this magical woodland feels like a fairytale
Woodland Retreat
Arybellas Woodland Retreat is a secluded, nature-immersed setting for couples seeking a relaxed elopement or small wedding surrounded by natural beauty, where you can celebrate with up to 14 guests.
A pathway leads you through native forest, where birdsong and towering trees guide the way, then opens to a clearing, with soft light filtering through the canopy and the sound of the river around you — calm, private, and quietly extraordinary. Ceremonies can be held across the property — riverside, on the lawn, or beneath the canopy of trees. Each setting feels intimate, natural, and deeply immersed in nature.
Just 40 minutes from Christchurch, this hidden retreat feels like stepping into your own fairytale.
Extend your stay in a custom-built dome for a private, immersive experience in nature. Soak in the outdoor bath, then settle in and watch the night sky through the star-shaped roof above you — a slow, unforgettable way to enjoy being newlyweds.
We create the magic. You bring the love.
SHAPE YOUR EXPERIENCE
with our interactive Wedding Builder
Explore the wedding options at the Woodland Retreat below. Choose what resonates and see your experience come together in real time, with your live quote updated as you make your selections.
For a personalised approach, you're welcome to book an online consultation using the button on the right, to talk through all the possibilities with Lisa.
Submit Request
Send your details to us and we'll be in touch to discuss.
STEP 3
STEP 1
Browse & Select
Explore our services and choose what resonates
STEP 2
Review Experience
See your selections and estimated pricing in real time
Your Elopement at The Woodland Retreat
3hr Elopement & Wedding Co-ordination Fee, $1800
Ceremony & Celebration for couple or up to 14 guests
Monday to Thursday, 11am-2pm
Seasonal: September through February
Your Wedding Coordinator
Lisa has a love for creating beautiful experiences and taking care of every detail from start to finish, ensuring you can be fully present to enjoy your wedding day. With years of experience planning and styling beautiful weddings and events through The Event Boutique, and a natural eye for thoughtful details, Lisa will coordinate and host your wedding, bringing everything together so you can simply enjoy the moment.
This Service Includes:
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Unlimited email support and calls throughout your planning journey.
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Guidance through each step and every decision along the way.
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One point of contact so you don't need to manage multiple vendors.
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Lisa liaises with your vendors, confirming details and organising everything.
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Your timeline is created and every detail finalised before your wedding.
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Lisa is present on the day to coordinate and host, ensuring your wedding unfolds effortlessly
Accommodation
For a truly memorable wedding night stay in this spectacular dome, nestled in native bush. Enjoy being newlyweds by unwinding and relaxing in your wood-fired hot tub, toasting marshmellows in the sunken fire pit, then snuggle together and stargaze through the star shaped skylight.
Wedding Night – Dome Retreat
Eco-friendly structure made from interlocking geometric panels
Outside kitchen with two-burner gas stove & open fire pit
Outside shower and bathroom
Double Bed, Wood-burner
Only 20minutes from Darfield for dining options
Weekday Accommodation Dome. Wedding night for couple only. $350 per night.
Request extra night:
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Professional Celebrant
Your celebrant will guide you through the legal requirements and on the day lead your ceremony with a simple service. Write your own personal vows and we'll provide personalised vow booklets on the day.
Our Recommended Celebrant, $550
Beautiful Hair & Makeup
You’ll want to feel effortlessly beautiful on your wedding day, with professional hair and makeup, tailored to your personal style and to compliment your attire
HAIR & MAKEUP ARTIST Selina Nunn
Hair & Makeup for Bride $450
Includes trial for Hair & Makeup, in Christchurch
This gives you the opportunity to share your vision with Selina and refine the perfect hair and makeup look, so you feel completely confident and comfortable ahead of your wedding day — and enjoy the perfect excuse for a night out.
Known for her calm and relaxed approach, Selina creates natural, makeup and simple hairstyles, so you'll feel confident, relaxed, and beautifully yourself on your wedding day.
On your wedding day, Hair and Makeup will be styled at your 'getting ready' location in Christchurch. There is the option if you book Selina as your photographer and book two nights in the Dome, including the night before your wedding, you could get ready onsite, in the dome.
Additional Ladies Hair & Makeup, $180 each
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HAIR & MAKEUP ARTIST Harleen. Perfect Look Studio
Harleen believes every woman has something unique and beautiful about them, and will enhance your features with airbrushed foundation and radiant makeup for a flawless yet natural finish. Hairstyles are relaxed, romantic, and slightly undone, with the complete look designed to make you feel confident and your most beautiful self.
Hair & Makeup for Bride $500
Includes trial for Hair & Makeup, in Christchurch
This gives you the opportunity to find your perfect foundation shade and colours to suit your skin tone, and refine the perfect hair style, so you feel completely confident ahead of your wedding day — and maybe organise a night out.
- On your Wedding Day, your hair & makeup will be styled at your getting ready location in Christchurch
Additional Ladies Hair & Makeup, $200 each
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I will arrange my own Hair & Makeup
Add trial for Bride, Hair & Makeup $250
Capture all the Special Moments
Choose timeless professional photography or a content creator to capture memories of your day in the way that feels right for you (or splash out on both)
All vendor pricing includes the travel fee for return trip to the Woodland Retreat
PHOTOGRAPHER Selina Nunn
— Candid and Relaxed
Perfect for couples who love natural, unposed moments. Selina has a warm, joyful nature and will put you at ease. Her candid photography style is relaxed and documentary in feel, capturing your day as it naturally unfolds. Lightly edited with soft, true-to-life tones, your images will feel effortless, authentic, and full of genuine emotion
2hrs photography - 100 digital images, $1685
PHOTOGRAPHER Carmen Peters
— Modern and Unobtrusive
With a modern, unobtrusive style, Carmen captures natural emotion and all the meaningful moments as they unfold. She gently guides you to feel relaxed and comfortable, creating imagery that reflects your connection, your personality, and your love story - all with a contemporary feel and beautiful light
2hrs photography - 100 digital images, $1685
HIGHLIGHT REEL + PHOTOS
A modern way to capture all the joyful moments of your wedding day — our content creator discreetly captures candid moments as they unfold, and provides a beautiful highlight reel and images, filmed on an iphone.
Includes
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Up to 2hrs of coverage
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1 curated highlight reel, delivered in 48 hours
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Up to 100 still photos & short videos
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All raw content, delivered within 24 hours
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10-minute planning session
Highlight reel + photos $935
Celebrate with delicious Food and Drinks
To ensure a seamless experience, we organise and prepare all catering and beverages for your day, and serve your guests so you can celebrate together. A service fee is added on confirmation of your selections.
The service fee includes:
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Pre-delivery of your selected beverages, so they're chilled on your day.
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Collection of your catering, non-alcoholic drinks, and wedding cake, and delivery to the venue.
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A selection of beautiful glassware for all beverage options.
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Dietary requirements — simply note these in your wedding form when confirming your selections.
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Full clean-up, including rubbish removal and disposal.
Wedding Cake
Small, 6” round. 7 large or 14 small portions. $95
Medium, 8” round. 14 large or 28 small portions. $135
Two delicious layers of cake covered in a pastel vanilla Italian buttercream, a splatter of gold and decorated with macarons and meringue.
- Includes a pedestal display stand and beautiful cake knife
Add a Feature Cake Table
Choose a special table to display and cut your Wedding Cake, from the following options.
French Carved Table, $30
White Ruffled Tablecloth, $30
Charcuterie Board
A curated selection of cheeses, cured meats, dips, fruits and grazing delights beautifully presented on a styled table, with plates, napkins and cutlery.
Minimum 2 guests $150
$25 per extra guest (up to 16 people max)
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High Tea
An abundant and delicious mix of sweet and savoury bite size morsels, beautifully presented, with luxe dinnerware and elegant cake forks.
Serves 10 to 16 guests, $520
Furniture - quoted by request
Elevate your guests experience and add furniture, so you and your guests have beautiful seating areas to relax.
From styled dining tables, bar leaners and lounging, we'll send options to suit your guest numbers
Request furniture options
Toast being Newlyweds
Celebration Toast (non alcoholic)
Qty bottles
Bottle of Sparkling White Grape & Peach. $10 per bottle
A delicious option for a sense of celebration. 1 bottle pours 5 glasses
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Crystal Coupe Celebration Tower
For 5 guests or more, elevate your experience with beautiful cut crystal coupes, stacked as a celebration tower for you to pour the final tier
Crystal Coupe Tower $80
Includes all coupes. Excludes beverages
Guest Numbers
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Drinks Package
- Tropical citrus spritz
- Minted lemon water
- Jugs or beverage dispensers
- Cut crystal glassware
Two guests, $30.
$10 per extra person
Guest Numbers
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Provide your preferred Alcoholic Beverages.
Approved beverages include:
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Champagne or Sparkling
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White & Rosé Wines
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Beer & Cider
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RTDs
Please note: red wine and bottled spirits are not permitted
If there is something special you would love, please add this in the special requests form at the end.
Styled Ceremony & Florals
Elevate your wedding with a ceremony setting that fits beautifully at the Woodland Retreat. Select the ceremony option that speaks most to what you love.
All the options below are styled with our Premium Artificial Florals, including a signing table. Priced at $400, this includes delivery and setup. If you would prefer fresh seasonal florals, select your styling option, then tick the checkbox below the images to request a quote for styling with fresh florals.
Greenery & White Flower Pillars
White Styled Arch
White Plinths
Clear Plinths
Timber Styled Arch
Rustic Plinths
Request a quote for Fresh Seasonal Florals for your above styling choices
Additional Ceremony Options
Two timber bench seats with padded linen seats. $60 pair
Two Premium Artificial Floral arrangements at rear of ceremony. $80 pair
Garden Style Bouquet & Pocket Square or Buttonnaire
Fresh Floral Bouquet & Pocket Square, $250
Created from seasonal fresh flowers sourced from local flower farmers
Request a custom quote to bring your Wedding Styling Vision to life
Finally - Review your selections
Please review all your selections and scroll back to make any changes. Once you’re happy with your selections and the experience you’ve built, press continue.
The next step is to share your wedding and personal details, then submit your enquiry. Once received, we’ll check availability for the venue and all wedding professionals.
Please note this does not confirm a booking, and we’ll be in contact to discuss the next steps.
Your Wedding Details
Please share your details and any special requests, then click submit to send your enquiry to get married at the Woodland Retreat. We’ll then be in touch to confirm your wedding experience, provide a tailored quote, and guide you through the next steps.
Please note pricing is subject to venue and vendor availability and may change. If any selected vendors are unavailable, we’ll offer a suitable alternative
Thank you
We’ve received your enquiry for your wedding at The Secret Garden. We’re so excited about the possibility of helping you get married at this special location.
We’ll review your request, check availability, and be in touch soon to guide you through the next steps.
Below is a summary of your Wedding Experience at the Woodland Retreat
ESTIMATED TOTAL:
$0 + GST