Looking for the best event planners in Taupo for a wedding, a corporate gala dinner or a milestone party by the lake? An event planner in Taupo can take care of the budget, the timeline, suppliers, styling and marquees, then run the day itself so you can enjoy it with your guests. Options range from full-service event management and design at Eventrent to wedding planning packages with Samantha Stulen.
1Eventrent
Eventrent is a Taupo event hire, design and management business founded in 2009 by Managing Director Donna Inch, who has a background in event management and has organised hundreds of weddings and special occasions. The team handles events from planning and design through to styling and execution, working from a showroom on Miro Street and regularly servicing the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay and Central Plateau. It suits couples planning a wedding and organisations running gala dinners, award nights, themed events and school balls.
Services
- Wedding planning, including a 90-minute wedding planning power session
- Corporate event theming for gala dinners, award nights and product launches
- Marquee hire, including stretch tents, fetes and Hampton marquees
- Styling packages and event furniture, backdrop and decor hire
- School ball and special occasion styling
Highlights
- Founded in 2009 by a Taupo resident with an event management background
- Marquee and operations team led by a manager with 12 years at Hilton hotels across Australasia
- Planning sessions available in person at the Taupo showroom or by video call
- Complimentary consultations at the showroom, by appointment
Location & Contact
Name: Eventrent
Address: 19A Miro Street, Taupo 3330
Phone: 07 378 6614
Website: eventrent.co.nz
2Samantha Stulen
Samantha Stulen is a Taupo-based wedding planner and celebrant who offers everything from a single planning consultation to full wedding organisation. Her packages are built around the couple’s budget, with on-site coordination on the day and recommendations across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty for venues, catering, florists, entertainment and more. She suits couples who want to stay hands-on but need support, as well as those who would rather hand over the whole plan.
Services
- Full wedding planning and organisation
- Day-of wedding coordination, including rehearsal attendance if required
- Partial planning with vendor contract reviews and budget guidance
- Wedding celebrant service
Highlights
- Published package pricing, with a “get me started” consultation from $250
- Planning template available covering budget, run sheet, vendor list, guest list and seating plan
- Services can be tailored rather than fixed to a set package
Location & Contact
Name: Samantha Stulen, Wedding Planner and Celebrant
Address: Taupo
Phone: 027 403 3183
Website: samanthastulen.co.nz
3The Wedding Angel
The Wedding Angel is Belinda de Lautour, a Taupo-resident registered celebrant and wedding planner who works with couples on as much or as little of the planning as they want. She plans weddings of every size and style, from Lake Taupo hotel venues and vineyards to private homes and lake cruises, and draws on a network of local vendors she works with. She suits local couples as well as those travelling to Taupo from elsewhere in New Zealand or overseas.
Services
- Wedding planning and coordination
- Marriage ceremonies and same-sex marriage ceremonies
- Vow renewals and registry ceremonies
- Naming ceremonies
- Funeral celebrant services
Highlights
- NZ Wedding Industry Category Winner, 2014
- Winner of a Best New Business award, 2009
- Registered independent celebrant as well as a wedding planner
- Obligation-free first meeting to discuss your plans
Location & Contact
Name: The Wedding Angel
Address: Taupo
Phone: 021 482 858
Website: theweddingangel.co.nz
4Get Set Event Hire
Get Set Event Hire is a hire store, balloon store and candle retailer on Titiraupenga Street that coordinates and sets up events, from birthday parties and weddings to corporate conferences. Event manager and coordinator Tracey Thompson has worked in the event hire industry for 18 years, and the team helps clients choose suppliers, manage logistics on the day and style the space. It suits hosts who want hire gear, styling and set-up handled by one local team.
Services
- Event coordination and set-up
- Marquee hire, including Hampton peg and pole marquees
- Wedding hire, table displays and backdrops
- Balloon art, including arches and pillars
Highlights
- Event manager with 18 years in the event hire industry
- Walk-in store open six days, Monday to Saturday
- Delivery and set-up service for hire items
- Wedding guest games available for hire
- Themed party packs
Location & Contact
Name: Get Set Event Hire
Address: 12 Titiraupenga Street, Taupo
Phone: 07 376 7057
Website: getseteventhire.co.nz
Event Planners in Taupo at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Eventrent | Founded in 2009 by a Taupo resident with an event management background |
| Samantha Stulen | Published package pricing, with a "get me started" consultation from... |
| The Wedding Angel | NZ Wedding Industry Category Winner, 2014 |
| Get Set Event Hire | Event manager with 18 years in the event hire industry |
How to Choose the Right Event Planner in Taupo
- Event type: some planners focus on weddings, while others also cover corporate functions, gala dinners and school balls. Ask what share of their work looks like your event.
- Level of help: decide whether you need a one-off consultation, day-of coordination, partial planning or full event management, and compare packages on that basis.
- Hire and styling: a planner who also holds marquees, furniture and decor can simplify logistics, while an independent planner may source from several suppliers.
- Venue knowledge: ask which Taupo venues they have worked at, including lakeside, outdoor and marquee sites that need extra planning.
- Clear pricing and inclusions: get written detail on meetings, on-the-day hours, set-up and pack-down, and what happens if the weather turns.
Frequently Asked Questions About Taupo Event Planners
What does an event planner in Taupo actually do?
An event planner helps with budgeting, timelines, venue selection and booking suppliers such as caterers, florists, photographers and entertainment. Many also style the venue and coordinate on the day, so the plan runs to schedule while the hosts and guests enjoy the event.
How much does a wedding planner cost in Taupo?
Costs depend on how much help you want. A single planning consultation is the cheapest option, day-of coordination sits in the middle, and full planning costs the most because it covers months of work. Some Taupo wedding planners publish package prices on their websites, which makes comparison easier.
How far ahead should I book an event planner?
For weddings, booking a planner early gives the most value because they can help with the venue and key suppliers before dates fill. Summer weekends in Taupo are busy with visitors and events, so marquees, venues and popular suppliers book out early. Corporate events usually need less lead time but still benefit from early venue confirmation.
Do I need council permission for an event in Taupo?
It depends on the event. Events on public land, events on a street and large gatherings may need an event application, traffic management or a waste plan. Marquees over 100 square metres can need a building consent, and selling alcohol may require a special licence. The Taupō District Council licences and permits page sets out what applies.
What do I need to legally get married in Taupo?
You need a marriage licence and a registered celebrant, or a registry office ceremony. The licence must be arranged at least 3 working days before the wedding. Details on applying are on the New Zealand Government marriage licence page. Some wedding planners in Taupo are also registered celebrants.
Can a Taupo event planner organise a wedding for couples who live elsewhere?
Yes. Destination weddings are common around Lake Taupo, and a local planner can visit venues, meet suppliers and manage set-up on your behalf, keeping in touch by phone, email or video call until the day.
Where are event planners in Taupo based?
Several event hire and styling businesses have showrooms or stores in the Taupo town centre, around Miro Street and Titiraupenga Street, where you can view furniture and decor by appointment or during opening hours. Independent wedding planners usually work from home and meet clients at the venue or by video call, and many also cover events across the wider Central Plateau, Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
How We Chose the Best Event Planners in Taupo
Every business in this guide was found by searching for event planners in Taupo, then checked against what the business publishes itself: its own website, or where it has none, its official social or booking page. Names, addresses and phone numbers come from those pages rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what the business says about itself. We also check that each one is still trading and is actually based in or genuinely serving Taupo, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business we can’t confirm from its own pages is not listed.