Stef + Mitch by Kate Alexandra Photography

We knew we wanted big mountain energy and to feel small amongst the natural landscapes.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

Hi, I’m Mitchell; I’m 30 years old and the owner of Quantum Haus (a video production company based in Sydney, Australia).

I’m Stef, 32, a freelance graphic designer based in Sydney. When it comes to things we love doing, if it involves being outdoors – we’ll be there! We have a huge passion for the mountains, snowboarding, hot yoga and any activity that lets us bring our beautiful beagle Blizzard along for the adventure.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

We first met at a nightclub in Kings Cross, Sydney, back in 2012. First impressions are a little blurry; we both don’t really recall much from that night other than Mitch grabbing my Instagram handle in his notes app and following me the next day. We would then randomly bump into each other out and about in Sydney and quickly became really good friends who hung out all the time, not just at a club aha. We were best friends for two and a half years before we started dating.

When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?

We both knew going into our relationship after being best friends the 2.5 years prior that this relationship was very special to both of us. There was never really an ‘A -huh, you’re the love of my life’ moment; it was more of a realisation that best friends can evolve and date, and it really can be that easy, fun and joyful all the time. We both really couldn’t picture not doing life together.

Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…

Ahhh where to start… We had actually always talked about not getting married, if we’re being honest. We both knew we loved each other and planned to do life together, but we were never fussed about having a wedding. We both didn’t feel the need to rush into anything legally binding; we were just happy doing life together. That all being said, on holiday to Big White, Canada, to celebrate Mitches 30th, he decided to completely surprise me by dropping the knee in a snowy slice of paradise on our 9.5-year anniversary. It was actually so perfect and so us, but I was completely surprised! I had absolutely no idea this was coming! Mitch and I had previously worked at this ski resort for two years on a working holiday visa back in 2017-2019 and absolutely loved our time there. It really was a beautiful and special place for him to surprise me like that.

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood or style of your wedding.

We knew we wanted big mountain energy and to feel small amongst the natural landscapes. New Zealand held a special place in our hearts as it was the first place we ever travelled together. It’s also where Mitch taught me to snowboard for the first time and where we celebrated our 1st and 2nd year anniversary. We always knew NZ felt like the right place for us to tie the knot, so it was a no-brainer to elope there.

What was one element you were happy to splurge on?

Besides heliboarding the day before we got married, staying and eloping at Jacks Retreat was a non-negotiable. The accommodation is absolutely gorgeous, and the dramatic landscapes for photos can’t be beaten.

Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?

Honestly, the day ran perfectly smoothly. Kate from Daisy & Moss planned everything to perfection, even down to the timing of the ceremony so we had perfect golden lighting for our vows and after ceremony shoot. The day couldn’t have been more perfect or easy!

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?

We actually decided to elope with just over 40 day’s notice, so we really didn’t have a lot of time to overthink or complicate our outfit choices. We had already planned a trip to NZ to celebrate our 10th anniversary, and as the trip was getting closer, we just thought, why not get married on our 10-year anniversary? That’s a really beautiful milestone; we know we love NZ, we know we love winter… why not? Once we locked in our vendors, it didn’t really leave much time to get a brand-new wedding dress, so my options were limited. I found a beautiful Milla Nova dress on Still White locally that I tried on and picked up that weekend. Mitch also only tried on one tux, and it looked great, so that was it. We’re getting married next month! Special touches for the outfits would be Mitch wearing his dad’s vintage watch, his beagle socks (since our furbaby couldn’t be with us), and some lavender in his boutonnière as it’s his nan’s favourite. I wore my mother’s pearls, which she had been gifted by her father for her 13th birthday, and chose my bouquet colour scheme to match my mum’s florals when she got married.

VENUE Jacks Retreat, @jacksretreat PHOTOGRAPHER Kate Alexandra Photography, @katealexandraphoto VIDEOGRAPHER Ned Brannigan at Summit Films, @summitfilmsnz PLANNER Daisy & Moss, @daisyandmoss FLORIST Flore Studios, @flore.studios CELEBRANT Andrew Bell, @andrewbellcelebrant CAKE Weeping Willow Cakes, @weeping.willow.cakes; Custom Made Little Beagle – Dog Studio Emily ENGAGEMENT RING Baby Anything, @babyanything WEDDING BAND Sue The Boy, @sue_the_boy; Sarah Elise, @sarahelisejewelry JEWELLERY Pearl Necklace – Family heirloom BRIDAL DRESS Beata Dress – Milla Nova, @millanova BRIDE’S SHOE ASOS, @asos ACCESSORIES Veil and hair piece – Made by the bride HAIR & MAKEUP Liv King, @livkingmakeup BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Alien – Mugler, @muglerofficial TUXEDO Peter Jackson, @peterjacksonau