Paihia · Bay of Islands · Northland
Paihia
Wedding Photographer
Paihia sits right at the heart of the Bay of Islands, where the coastline opens up to island-studded waters, golden beaches, and some of New Zealand's most beautiful coastal farmland. It's the kind of place where a wedding feels like a holiday, and we've been photographing them here for over a decade.
Check your date View galleriesA Paihia wedding? What a beautiful choice.
There's something about Paihia that makes people let their guard down. Maybe it's the water, or the warmth, or the fact that the whole town feels like it's on holiday. Whatever it is, it translates beautifully to weddings... people relax, they laugh more freely, and the moments that happen naturally are the ones worth capturing.
We're based just up the road in Kerikeri, so Paihia isn't just a location we travel to. It's part of our everyday landscape, and that familiarity shows in the work.
Rachel Jordan
Your local Paihia wedding photographer
I'm Rachel, and I live just 20 minutes from Paihia. That might sound like a small thing, but it means I know this coastline the way only a local can... the beaches that catch the afternoon light perfectly, the farmland properties with views out over the islands, the little corners of Waitangi that most photographers walk right past.
Paihia weddings tend to have an energy all their own. There's a relaxed, holiday feeling that runs through the whole day, and my job is to photograph that without disrupting it. I work in a documentary style, but I'm never distant. I'm in there with you, keeping things light, having a laugh, and capturing the moments that actually matter... the ones you'll want to look back on in twenty years.
Travel is included throughout the Bay of Islands and Northland for qualifying packages. And if you'd like a cinematic film alongside your photos, we offer videography and content creation too.
More about Rachel → | Bay of Islands → | Northland coverage area →
Why Paihia
What makes a Paihia wedding special
Coastal farmland with water views
The rolling farmland behind Paihia is some of the most stunning wedding country in New Zealand. Properties like Baylys Farm offer sweeping views from green paddocks down to golden sand beaches and the sparkling waters of the Bay of Islands. It's the kind of backdrop that makes every photograph look effortless.
Beachfront ceremonies
Paihia and the surrounding bays offer beach ceremony options that range from wide golden-sand beaches to secluded coves you'd swear nobody else knows about. There's something about saying your vows with bare feet in the sand and the sound of the water behind you that no indoor venue can replicate.
Waitangi and cultural significance
Just north of Paihia, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds are one of New Zealand's most historically significant and visually stunning locations. The carved meeting house, the expansive grounds, and the bushwalk trails offer a ceremony setting steeped in meaning and surrounded by natural beauty.
Gateway to the islands
Paihia is the main departure point for the Bay of Islands. That means boat-access ceremonies, island elopements, and the kind of adventures that make a wedding day truly unforgettable. We love when couples embrace the setting and take their day offshore.
Wedding galleries
Bay of Islands weddings
Recent weddings photographed in Paihia and the Bay of Islands.
Paihia & surrounds
Venues and locations we know well
From the waterfront to the hilltops, Paihia and its surrounds offer an extraordinary range of wedding settings. These are the locations we know best.
Baylys Farm
2,000 acres of rolling coastal farmland with panoramic views over the Bay of Islands. Ceremonies on the clifftop above secluded golden-sand beaches, with the ocean stretching out to the islands. One of the most spectacular private venues in Northland.
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
One of New Zealand's most significant historical sites, with stunning grounds, carved whare, and native bush trails. A ceremony here carries real weight and meaning, set against a backdrop that's both culturally rich and naturally beautiful.
Paihia waterfront
The main waterfront of Paihia offers views across to Russell and the islands. The wharf, the beach, and the coastal walkways provide a relaxed, holiday-feeling setting for ceremonies and portrait sessions in the golden hour.
Haruru Falls
Just a few minutes inland from Paihia, the horseshoe-shaped Haruru Falls and surrounding mangrove boardwalk create a lush, subtropical setting. The falls themselves are dramatic and photogenic, especially after rain.
Coastal farmland properties
The hills behind Paihia are dotted with private properties that offer sweeping coastal views, rolling green paddocks, and the kind of open-sky scenery that makes for extraordinary wedding photography.
Islands & adventure elopements
Paihia is the departure point for the Bay of Islands. We've photographed elopements and intimate ceremonies on private island beaches, accessible only by boat, and they're among the most magical days we've been part of.
Bay of Islands venues we've worked at
Words from couples
Rachel has an incredible talent for capturing the most authentic, natural, and beautiful moments. Our wedding photos are absolutely stunning - we couldn't be happier.
Her creative eye captured the true essence of our wedding day. We are so in love with our experience and the photographs.
Looking through the photos flooded us with the exact emotions we were feeling on the day - a true moment captured in time.
How it works
Simple from the first message
Getting started is easy, whether you're based locally or planning a destination wedding from further afield.
Say hello
Send us your date, your venue, and a little about yourselves. We'll check availability and get back to you promptly.
We have a chat
A relaxed call to get to know each other, talk through your day, and make sure it all feels right. No pressure, just a conversation.
You're booked
Once you're happy, we lock in your date with a contract and deposit. From there, we're your photographer, and we can't wait for the day.
Common questions
Booking a Paihia wedding photographer
Do you know the Paihia venues and locations?
Very well. We've photographed weddings at Baylys Farm, coastal farmland properties, beachfront locations, and private estates throughout the Paihia area. Being based in nearby Kerikeri, we photograph in Paihia regularly and know the area intimately.
Is travel to Paihia included?
Yes. Travel throughout the Bay of Islands and Northland is included with qualifying packages. We're based in Kerikeri, so Paihia is less than 20 minutes away.
Can you photograph a beach ceremony?
Absolutely. Paihia and the surrounding coastline have some stunning beach ceremony options. We know the best spots for light and privacy, and can help you choose a location if you're still deciding.
What about ceremonies at Waitangi?
The Waitangi Treaty Grounds are just north of Paihia and are a stunning, culturally significant venue. The grounds, the carved meeting house, and the surrounding bushwalk are all beautiful locations. We love working there.
How far in advance should we book?
9 - 18 months is ideal. Paihia is a popular summer destination, so November through March books especially fast. Get in touch early to secure your date.
Do you offer videography?
Yes. We offer cinematic wedding films and content creation alongside photography. Paihia's coastal scenery and water views are incredibly cinematic. See our videography page or pricing for details.
Explore more
Russell
New Zealand's first capital. Historic waterfront, the Duke of Marlborough, and island ceremonies.
Kerikeri
Our home base. Orchards, gardens, and the heartland of the Bay of Islands.
Bay of Islands
The full region, from Kerikeri to Russell, Paihia to Kauri Cliffs.
Northland
Our wider coverage area, from the Kaipara to the tip of Cape Reinga.
Lead Photographer
2nd Photo & Video
Second videographer
So you're getting married!
Let's talk
Ready to chat about your Paihia wedding?
Send us your date and venue and we'll let you know if we're available. We'd love to hear about your day.
Get in touch View pricing
