For those drawn to the wonder of nature this magical woodland feels like a fairytale
Woodland Retreat
Elopement & Small Wedding experience immersed in nature with up to 14 guests
Arybellas Woodland Retreat is a secluded, nature-immersed setting for couples who want a relaxed wedding surrounded by natural beauty, for up to 14 guests. A gentle walk leads you through native forest, birdsong and towering trees guiding the way. As the path opens into a clearing, soft light filters through the canopy and the sound of the river settles 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 connected to the landscape. Just 40 minutes from Christchurch, this hidden retreat feels like stepping into your own fairytale.
For couples wanting to extend your experience, a custom-built dome offers a romantic wedding night setting — private and immersed in nature. Soak in the outdoor bath, then snuggle together and watch the night sky through the star-shaped roof above you. A slow, unforgettable way to end your wedding day, and begin your first night as newlyweds.
Elopement & Small Wedding Experience at a glance
Designed for couples who want beauty, and ease, this experience is $3925 + GST:
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3hrs: ceremony & celebration with 14 guests
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Your own dedicated Wedding Co-ordinator
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Hair & Makeup for Bride, including complimentary trial
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Styled Woodland Ceremony overlooking River
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Professional Celebrant
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Professional Photographer, 1hr: 80 edited images
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Crystal Coupe Tower with Sparkling Peach Grape Juice
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Small Wedding Cake
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Wedding Night Accommodation
For an intimate, utterly beautiful experience, scroll down and BUILD YOUR WEDDING
Key Features
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Woodland or Forest Wedding Ceremony
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Located 40min from central Christchurch
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Up to 14 guests
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Wedding Night Accommodation
We create the magic. You bring the love.
BUILD YOUR WEDDING
Explore our curated collection of wedding options below. Select what resonates and see your wedding come together in real time, with your quote updated as you build. Once submitted, we’ll be in touch to confirm availability and discuss the details for your wedding at the Woodland Retreat.
If you have questions, send me an email or book an online consultation using the booking button on the right. — 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, $1600
Ceremony & Celebration for couple or up to 14 guests
Monday to Thursday, 11am-2pm
Seasonal: September through February
Your Wedding Coordinator
With years of experience Planning and Styling beautiful weddings and events with her company The Event Boutique, and a love for the details, Lisa will be your dedicated Wedding Co-ordinator.
This Service Includes:
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Unlimited email support and 2 zoom calls.
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Lisa will be your point of contact for all questions.
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Liaising with all your selected vendors, to confirm availability
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Finalising your experience, creating the timeline for how your experience will unfold, and liaising with all vendors.
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On your Wedding Day Lisa will meet you at the Woodland Retreatand ensure your experience unfolds beautifully.
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If you'd love to add something special - we can tailor the experience to suit you.
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 professional celebrant will contact you to help create your ceremony and guide you through all the legal requirements. We will recommend one of our trusted celebrants.
Our Recommended Celebrant, $450
Your Preferred Celebrant - venue introduction fee $50
If you choose to bring your own celebrant, we’ll contact them directly to confirm ceremony style, timing, and any additional inclusions, ensuring these align with the aesthetic, standards, and seamless flow of your all-inclusive experience.
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
Known for her calming presence and refined approach, Selina creates natural, timeless hair and makeup that allows you to feel confident, relaxed, and beautifully yourself on your wedding day.
Hair & Makeup for Bride $400
Includes complimentary 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.
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 Mel Anderson
Mel is an experienced professional bridal hair and makeup artist, known for her signature glamorous style that feels both refined and modern. She enhances your natural features beautifully— for a bridal style that’s natural yet defined, luminous yet bold, so you’ll feel your most radiant and beautiful self.
Hair & Makeup for Bride $400
- Includes complimentary lashes
- Basic hair styles, curls or half up.
- Includes travel to your ‘getting ready’ location in Christchurch
Add trial for Bride, Hair & Makeup $250
Additional Ladies Hair & Makeup, $270 each
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I will arrange my own Hair & Makeup
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
1.5hrs photography at venue - 80 digital images, $1335
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
1.5hrs photography at venue - 80 digital images, $1335
CONTENT CREATOR Kelsey Woods
Kelsey captures the real, unscripted moments of your wedding day, creating a highlight reel that’s authentic, full of life – perfect for couples that want to remember and relive the way the day felt
Highlight reel, $935
Celebrate with Shared Food and Drinks
How you choose to celebrate after saying “I do” is entirely personal.
Select the food and drink options that reflect how you’d like to share this moment together.
Dietary requirements, including gluten free options, can be catered for.
Simply make your selections below, then note any requirements in your wedding form at the end.
Wedding Cake
Small, 6” round. 7 large or 14 small portions. $80
Medium, 8” round. 14 large or 28 small portions. $120
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 cake stand and beautiful cake knife
Select your Cake Table
Choose your choice of table for your Wedding Cake, from the following romantic cake tables.
French Carved Table, $30
White Ruffled Tablecloth, $30
Fresh Greenery and Florals to Style the Cake and Table, $60
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 on tiered trays, with luxe dinnerware and elegant cake forks.
Serves 10 to 16 guests, $520
Styled Tables - quoted by request
Elevate your guests experience and add-on beautifully styled tables and dining chairs, so you and your guests can enjoy a leisurely relaxed celebration.
From dining tables to lounging, options and pricing will be confirmed based on your guests numbers
Styled Dining Table & Chairs.
Toast being Newlyweds
Bottle of Sparkling White Grape & Peach. $10 per bottle
A delicious way to celebrate. 1 bottle pours 5 serves.
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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
Excludes beverages
Guest Numbers
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Drinks Package
Styled drinks table with
- cut crystal tumblers
- tropical fruit punch
- minted lemon water
Two guests, $30.
$10 per extra person
Guest Numbers
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Provide your preferred Alcoholic Beverages.
Service fee TBC
The Service Fee includes providing our beautiful glassware, beverage tubs and setting up your beverages on a styled table, service, and cleanup. The Service Fee starts from $100 and will be confirmed based on the beverages you're providing and guest numbers.
Approved beverages include:
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Champagne & 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
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, priced at $400, which 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. $50 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 shown on the right. Scroll back to make any changes, and once you’re happy with your selections and the package you’ve built, press continue.
The next step is to share your wedding and personal details, then select submit to send 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