Eloping in New Zealand’s South Island.
New year, new last name. We did it - we finally tied the knot.
It wasn’t always our plan to elope. Like almost all of my honeymoon couples, we had to cancel the big white wedding that we had originally envisioned. Alas, what actually happened was absolutely perfect for us. I wish we could do it all again!
Keep reading for more!
The original wedding was going to be in England (where Chris is from) in the most gorgeous 16th-century tudor manor with amazing gardens * sigh *. We tried to reschedule the English wedding, but it was too complicated with our families and ourselves spread across 3 continents in addition to New Zealand’s very strict travel restrictions.
After weighing through the pros and cons of trying to plan an overseas wedding time and time again, the more eloping made sense. Over time, we began to looove the idea of this super intimate New Zealand wedding that would only be about us.
After all, we met in New Zealand, AND our favorite thing to do together in New Zealand is to spend time outside. So, we said, why not take advantage New Zealand's mountains that we know and love as a crazy beautiful backdrop for our special day?
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On the actual day, we spent time relaxing and then getting ready at our beautiful lodge, Matakauri Lodge, overlooking the mountains and lake. Matakauri, a Robertson Lodge and Virtuoso hotel, is about 10 minutes outside of Queenstown on the way to Glenorchy. I’ll add that our time at gorgeous Matakauri Lodge deserves its own blog post - more to come on this.
We had initially planned to have our ceremomy at a nearby Moke Lake on Department of Conservation land and then have photos afterward at the lodge, but we made a last-minute decision to get married on the lodge’s lawn (eloping can afford you this type of flexibility as long as it’s OK with your vendors!).
After the ceremony, we still made it to Moke Lake for more photos. Envision driving down a dirt road with sheep and rolling hills on both sides and ducks crossing the road - that’s Moke Lake, unassuming and stunning.
Between the spontaneity and the adventure, it ended up feeling very ‘us’.
Of course, we can’t wait to celebrate with all of our friends and family back home!
That’s our short-story for now! Keep scrolling to see part i of our photos…
“Between the spontaneity and the adventure, it ended up feeling very ‘us’!”
Do you have a covid wedding story too? Would you ever consider eloping abroad? If so, I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment or get in touch here.
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Our amazing vendors:
Accommodation: Matakauri Lodge
Photographer: Charlotte Kiri Photography
Celebrant: Liz Maluschnig at Chosen for Beautiful Weddings
Flowers: Crimson Wedding Flowers
Hair and makeup: Charm Beauty
Dress: Bustle Gowns in Birmingham, Alabama