We wanted a very simple and elegant look and feel to our day.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We both work for the same company, Aurizon. But outside of work, we are currently renovating the first house we bought together and turning it into our home, where we live with our two dogs, a cavoodle and a groodle, who are our whole world. We can’t wait to fill our home with the laughter of our kids one day, too. We love a simple lifestyle, going to the gym together, taking our dogs for walks, cooking together and treating ourselves to date nights.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We met nearly 10 years ago at a mutual friend’s 21st birthday party, thanks to an introduction by my sister. At the time, I was just 17 and Steven 23, so we didn’t think too much of it. But once I turned 18, we found ourselves running into each other and spending nights out at the clubs together along with our mutual friends. We had so much fun together and felt so comfortable with one another that our friendship really blossomed into its own. It wasn’t until a few years later, though, after I had moved away and returned home, that we began to see each other as more than friends with the more time we spent together.
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
We were initially hesitant to ruin our friendship, so we spent years in an ‘in-between’ phase, but over time, we realised that what we had was always more than just a friendship. Our bond was unique; we understood each other in ways no one else could, and we spent all our free time together. When we couldn’t be together, we spent all our time messaging. Once we realised that being together wouldn’t ruin our friendship – but in fact, strengthen it – we knew that in any lifetime, we would be the one for each other. Falling in love with your best friend and sharing your lives together is truly the best experience in the world.
Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…
There was! Even though we had discussed and planned the elopement before the actual proposal, Steven still proposed to me with my dream ring from Louise Jean (a marquise solitaire which he designed with them). We took our dogs down to the beach for a walk and a fish and chip picnic at our favourite lookout spot at Yeppoon, our local beach, when Steven asked if I’d spend the rest of my life with him. Knowing we already had our elopement booked in, he still was able to catch me off guard with the proposal and surprised me with celebrations he had planned all weekend with family.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood or style of your wedding.
We always knew no matter where we got married, we wanted a very simple and elegant look and feel to our day. So when we decided to elope to New Zealand with the backdrop for our photos being the breathtaking Queenstown, we knew that simple and elegant would fit our day perfectly, not taking away from the pristine views all around us.
What was one element you were happy to splurge on?
We were so happy that we splurged on the helicopter flight for our elopement. Knowing we would never be in that moment again, we wanted to get the full ‘eloping in New Zealand’ experience. The flight alone was an absolutely incredible experience, but there was something so magical and empowering about being so high up and far away from anyone else, expressing our love for each other. It was the perfect place for us to take a moment to take in how lucky we are to have each other and the life we are living together. AND the views were just unlike anything we have ever experienced!
Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?
We actually, luckily and surprisingly (surprising because I am the biggest stress head and second guesser there is), had such a chill and relaxed day. The main thing I was stressing about was how I was going to get in and out of the helicopter in a tight dress, but Steven came to the rescue, lifting me in and out like it was the easiest thing ever.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
Steven’s request for our wedding day was that he always wanted to wear a black suit, which suited our simple and elegant look and feel to a tee. My wedding dress wasn’t exactly what I had pictured myself wearing on my wedding day – always thinking I’d be getting married in QLD weather. But with 1-8 degree weather predicted for Queenstown in September, I was on the hunt for something with sleeves that still felt like me. I actually only went to one wedding dress shop, Made with Love, and the first dress I tried on was the one I ended up picking. It felt so elegant and classic with its structured bodice and buttons that ran all the way from the top of the dress to the bottom of the train.
CEREMONY LOCATION Cecil Peak (The Ledge) SECOND PHOTO LOCATION Jack’s Point, @jackpointqt PHOTOGRAPHER Kate Craig Brown – Lost In Love, @lostinlove.nz VIDEOGRAPHER Thomas Rees – Lost In Love, @lostinlove.nz STYLIST Styled by the Bride PLANNER Ellie – Lost In Love, @lostinlove.nz FLORIST Bespoke Weddings and Events, @bespokeweddingsandevents CELEBRANT Ellita Marianne – Lost In Love, @ellitamarianne, @lostinlove.nz RINGS Louise Jean Jewellery, @louisejeanjewellery BRIDAL DRESS ‘Winter’ Dress – Made With Love Bridal, @madelovewithbridal BRIDE’S SHOE White boots – Already owned by the Bride BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Pearl Earrings – Made With Love Bridal, @madelovewithbridal; ‘Something Blue’ Ring – Sarah and Sebastian, @sarahandsebastian MAKEUP Paige Shipstone, @paigeshipstonemakeup HAIR Tina Andrews – Hair To Wed, @hairtowedbytina BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Velvet Bloom – SSAINT, @ssaint.official SUIT Swarv Menswear, @swarvmenswear GROOM’S SHOE Boots – RM Willams, @rmwilliams GROOM’S FRAGRANCE Nomad – Who Is Elijah, @whoiselijahparfum HELICOPTER Heliworks, @heliworks
