Furneaux Lodge

Furneaux Lodge sits at the head of Endeavour Inlet in Queen Charlotte Sound, reached by boat from Picton. The historic lodge and its lawns run down to the water, giving couples a string of spots for a ceremony, photos and a reception with the bay as a backdrop. Weddings here are built around staying a while. The property sleeps 76 across the Endeavour Suites, Cook's Cottages and Tobias Junior Suites, and that stretches to 136 with nearby Punga Cove a short boat ride away, so the whole guest list can bunk down in one place. Celebrations run for up to 100 people, usually with a marquee on the lawn. The kitchen cooks everything on site, pairing the food with local wine and beer, and the team can pull together a weekend rather than just a single day. Getting there by water is part of the appeal, and it keeps the setting private and unhurried.