Southern Lakes has always been a bride and groom delight, with some of the more adventurous proposals starting a couple's journey of a lifetime.
But more and more it is becoming one of New Zealand's most popular wedding destinations.
And, in typical Queenstown fashion, the vows here are not always made in a typical venue.
Nuptials by the lakefront and among hay bales are commonplace, and heli-weddings are also an option.
Wedding planners A Touch of Spice do some of the bigger-budget weddings in the region.
A Touch of Spice general manager Fiona Stevens says the company has seen an increase of overseas bookings here in the past three years.
"Expats and the like, they've been choosing Queenstown.
"They're not necessarily from here. They just think it's a great place," she says.
Mrs Stevens says people are coming from around New Zealand and overseas because the Southern Lakes region has a certain "New Zealandness" with the scenery, the venues and the privacy it offers.
Weddings have become more than just "the big day", and some couples have planned a week of events to give their guests the chance to experience the region.
And those trying to choose a spot for their wedding - and their wedding photographs - are spoiled for choice.
"The Queenstown and Southern Lakes area has countless venues for couples with varying landscapes and that's what makes it stand out from the rest.
"The romanticism of mountains, lakes, rivers and canyons, along with the unique landscape colours of each season, has them coming in droves."
Millbrook Resort events manager Kelly Cruickshank says the venue's popularity as a wedding venue has increased remarkably, especially in the past 18 months.
"There is a different reason for each wedding, but the general trend is it is very much your destination wedding when you come here, and when you come to the wider area of Queenstown in general, to get married."
Economically, big weddings are good for the local economy, Miss Cruickshank says.
It is rare for a couple who live in the area to get married at the resort.
"They often come from overseas, where one of them is a Kiwi, or perhaps from around the country, because they have ties here."
She said the typical client at the resort was over 30 years old.
Since 2008, Millbrook has seen the opportunities destination weddings present and has begun to market itself as a "wedding specialist", offering a complete package.
The shift in focus has proved successful and shows no sign of slowing. February and March 2012 are already booked out.
