They Got Hitched in Hobbiton! A “Lord of the Rings” Inspired Destination Wedding in New Zealand

Can you quote every iconic line in The Lord of the Rings trilogy? Have you daydreamed about drinking a pint at The Green Dragon? Would you kill for an invite to Bilbo Baggins’ birthday party? Well, then, your fantasy-loving heart will definitely beat for Becca + Gage’s wedding. In Hobbiton.

The whole idea started with a casual re-watch of Becca + Gage’s beloved Lord of the Rings film trilogy based on the book series by J.R.R. Tolkien. The couple joked about how fun it would be to tie the knot in Hobbiton—the real-life New Zealand filming location of “The Shire” used in the movies. The spot has become a pilgrimage for die-hard fans eager to set foot right where Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin begin their epic adventure.

On a whim, Becca looked it up and was thrilled to find that you can in fact host your wedding in Hobbiton! From there, a very real destination wedding plan began to take shape for the couple, and soon they were making arrangements to take a trilogy-worthy journey of their own all the way to New Zealand so they could say “I do” nestled in the hilly, cozy, and famously round-door-filled Hobbiton countryside.

With the help of Royal Laboratorie Event Hire & Design an earthy + fantastical Fall celebration came together that would be well worth the trip for Becca + Gage’s guest list. There was a LOTR-inspired guest dress code. There were warm, autumnal florals and a custom gold wedding dress. And so many easter eggs all you LOTR-lovers will adore.

Thank goodness D Park Studios was there in The Shire snapping these wonderful wedding photos! 

Cue up that legendary Howard Shore soundtrack! Let’s take a look at Becca + Gage’s big day!

“In general we wanted no pressure for any friends or family to travel for this event. This was the main reason we decided against a bridal party and honestly planned for a small group (which we were pleasantly wrong about),” says the couple of their big decision to go with a destination celebration.

“This is also why we made sure to be thoughtful of anyone who made it all that way for us,” Becca + Gage say. “Their experience was a main driver of some of our decisions, like including the movie set tour, gifting live painted portraits encapsulating everyone’s amazing outfits, and prioritizing the pace and energy of our reception. They all had personal thank you cards as name cards at the wedding and custom welcome bags upon arrival.”

These charming gold-edge, twine-tied invitations with dried floral accents from Otto & Nibs look like something you might find in a hobbit’s cozy study.

Becca’s unique engagement ring with its marquise cut center stone fit perfectly into the fantasy feel of the day.

How’s this for a die-hard fan reference: “Many Lord of the Rings fans love the Old Toby?” says Becca, referencing a specific kind of pipe-weed that hobbits like to smoke. “Well, I wore a gifted 24k Gold dipped bud of some Old Toby around my neck.”

Loving Becca’s fiery red half up half down wedding hairstyle by HB Blonding & Vivids! A perfectly ethereal match for her dark-lipped makeup look by Diamond Beauty.

So into the subtle, shimmery nail art of Becca’s nude wedding nails!

“My stunning and talented girlfriend, Natasha Polis, made my wedding dress,” says Becca of her gorgeous gold wedding gown. “It was her first time making a wedding dress, and I was extremely honored to have been offered the opportunity to have her make this for me. She had me with her every step of the way, from designing the dress, picking the fabric, creating the patterns, and multiple fittings. I didn’t see the final dress until weeks before the wedding, and I never worried. She is talented and I knew I would look so gorgeous. I was right. I had never felt so beautiful.”

Bride Becca made her own wedding boots! “After almost buying a few designer heels, I realized I wear Doc Martens everyday and I should on my wedding. So I gold flaked some boots to match my wedding dress and changed into my every day Doc Martens later that night.”

“I wanted a natural hobbit feel for the wedding,” says groom Gage, “and went with a dark green tweed three piece suit from Hockerty.” Gage chose his elven-inspired shimmery champagne shirt not knowing how excellently it would end up matching Becca’s wedding dress. “It was completely accidental and absolutely perfect.”

A Ceremony In The Shire

Becca’s shared this magical wedding online and even had a few viral moments along the way! Like this “Rate Our Wedding Guests Outfits (Hobbiton Edition)” reel!

We love to see couples embracing creative ceremony setups! And those mismatched rugs! An aisle decor choice you’d definitely see at a hobbit’s wedding.

Le Fleur Florist created warm + bountiful Fall florals—like this gorgeous ceremony hoop—that were both lush and rustic.

Loving the idea of including your fave fantasy fandoms in your wedding day like Becca + Gage did? Check out this whimsical fantasy LOTR + Zelda inspired wedding for even more inspo!

Definitely check out Becca’s viral “Rate our wedding guests’ outfits” Tiktok to see more iconic in-world guest fashion.

Our Musical Choices
Processional
"Rainbow Connection" played on ukulele by Groom 
Recessional
"War" by Hypnotic Brass Ensemble 
First Dance
Didn't have one!

Ready for this epic up-cycle? “My wedding cape was made by Natasha from curtains from our last place,” Becca remembers. “They are these giant 10ft lined green velvet curtains – I was so proud of owning them and was dying to repurpose the fabric after we moved. It was a HEAVY 10ft cape but it was gorgeous and worth it (and HOT). Natasha worked a whole clipped mechanism into the dress that was delicate and beautiful. I did not want a veil so it was a fun new take.”

Originally, Becca + Gage planned for a 40 person guest list, not anticipating that nearly 80 people would be up for making this major trip, all coming prepared with creative looks to keep up with the LOTR-inspired wedding gust dress code. “There was so much energy, it was palpable,” remembers the couple. “We saw so many [VERY] different groups of friends and family getting to know each other, mixing, and even hanging out around New Zealand.”

“The day of the wedding, we were all family and the love was so extremely present. It was overwhelming. That was the most amazing thing about our wedding. It wasn’t a moment or a detail, not something we could ever plan, it was the overflowing amount of love and positive energy we got from our friends and family. What a way to celebrate. We will never forget that. It was a night to remember.”

A Reception At The Green Dragon

The ale and cider were flowing all throughout cocktail hour. And yes, that means there was definitely a hobbit drinking song or two.

How cute are these custom wedding newspapers announcing Becca + Gage’s “I do’s!”

Hobbits are a famously hungry bunch, and the Hobbiton events team prepared a wedding reception feast fit for a citizen of The Shire.

Thinking of whisking your friends + fam away somewhere unforgettable on your big day like Becca + Gage did? Check out our destination wedding planning guide to study up on the logistics.

Yes, LOTR-lovers, that is Aragorn’s sword Andúril tucked into this moody, autumnal tablescape.

One of our fave details from the day? Live painter Anna Dória was on hand capturing the guests in their fantasy finest.

We can think of no better wedding guest favors for this celebration in The Shire than hobbit feet slippers.

Our Favorite Memory
1. Singing on the table in the Green Dragon with our friends and family.

2. Gage getting peer pressured to spin fire at the wedding (no practice, on the spot).

3. Playing our "speech" we cut together with video messages from various members of the Lord of the Rings cast, like Elijah Wood, John Rhys Davis, Dominic Monaghan, and many more giving their well wishes to us on our big day - it was a complete surprise for all our guests!

You better believe that Becca + Gage sliced into this churro wedding cake with a sword! 🗡️

Another viral moment from this celebration you need to see? Becca’s “I got him an engagement sword” video on Tiktok!

Our Advice
Do what you want to do. We didn't have a lot of traditional pieces like a first dance or a bridal party. There are NO RULES except for the ones you want to make. 

Congratulations, Becca + Gage! Your romantic fantasy-filled Hobbiton wedding was a Lord of the Rings lover’s dream come true. GWS wishes you all the best on your “unexpected journey!”