Get excited guys. These two (both tattoo artists) eloped at the top of a mountain in Glenorchy, New Zealand, and yes, it was as epic as it sounds. They’ve been engaged for six years and have two kids and the bride explains, “Dean has a HUGE family and any time I started to plan it, I’d just back out – it was going to be massive and expensive and I didn’t want that.” Jokingly one day she sent him a link to an elopement package from Hitched in Paradise and the rest is history! Dawn Thomson Photography was behind the camera and we are pretty darn sure you’ll enjoy every shot!
THE INSPO “Dean and I love Vikings, so we wanted something that sort of had a viking vibe in terms of clothing and colour choices, but really we just wanted to be authentic to ourselves.”
FAVOURITE DETAILS “The location of Mt Creighton was 6000ft above sea level, it was freezing and windy but absolutely breathtaking in any way imaginable. There was snow on the mountain behind us with sunlight peeping through the clouds and there was wildlife and a perfect view to remember for a lifetime.”
THE DRESS “My dress from Reev Bridal was literally perfect. I had seen it right at the beginning of the search, knew it was it, but wasn’t sure if it was going to fit into the budget. I ummed and ahhed for a few weeks before realising I had 10 weeks until the wedding date. Daria from Reev Bridal was able to complete the dress in the time I needed it to be which was amazing, I had only seen photos online that she had sent me and never in person until the final product arrived on my door step. I was not disappointed. It was hand made to absolute perfection, such beautiful fabric and quality and the way it caught the wind and flapped and flowed on the mountain was just magical – truely a sight to see.”
MEMORABLE MOMENT “Hearing Dean’s vows. He is such a funny, joking guy all the time it made me cry hearing him say such beautiful things about me, with the perfect amount of funny. I will never forget just how honestly happy we where at that moment.”
LITTLE LOL “My hair appointment went one hour over the approximated time so we thought we where running late and instead of returning to the apartment to get dressed, Dean picked me up in the car with my dress in the back and we drove to Glenorchy from Queenstown. We arrived in incredible time – 45 minutes early – and I still wasn’t dressed, so we pulled in behind shops and I got changed into my stunning dress on the side of the road.”
A WORD OF ADVICE “Elope! It’s just about you and your loved one. No one else, no politics, no drama, no outspoken drunk great aunty. Just pure love between two people.”
STANDOUT VENDORS “Three amazing women ran the entire show for us – Susan Miller from Hitched in Paradise organised everything and I honestly could not rate her more highly. Leslie, our celebrant, was so funny and truely married us in the exact way we wanted to be – simply, elegantly and with plenty of laughter. And of course, Dawn Thomson Photography. Aside from her incredible talent that shows itself in our wedding photos, she was also a wonderful light to our day. She was professional, knowledgeable, easy to be around and made us feel totally comfortable.”
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Dawn Thomson Photography Event Planner Hitched in Paradise Ceremony Mt Creighton, Queenstown Helicopter Company Heli Glenorchy Celebrant Leslie Van Galder THE BRIDE Bridal Gown Reev Bridal Hair Niamh Murphy Hair Rings South Gippsland Jewellers THE GROOM Jacket Vintage Shirt & Pants Target Shoes Vintage Ring Tyabb Antique Centre