When Hanna & Rickard contacted me the most important thing was for them to be married out in nature no matter the weather. It was a good thing they said no matter the weather! They were married on Waitangi day, which typically is a hot sunny day, and being a public holiday in New Zealand, anywhere with a lake is usually packed. However on this Waitangi day it rained, and rained and rained! Thankfully rain was no worry for these two adventurous souls, and it meant we had the stunning Moke Lake all to ourselves.

Wedding rings surrounded by wild flowers Groom's braces and bow tie Queenstown elopement flower bouquet Bride looks at her flower bouquet wearing a flower crown Bride wears flower crown at Queenstown elopement Bride and groom first look at Queenstown elopementHanna & Rickard had been travelling around the world and when in Australia, Rickard proposed over a romantic dinner. They decided they would like to include a destination elopement in their travels and New Zealand seemed the perfect place so 2 weeks and 2 days later they were getting married in Queenstown!

Their criteria was to be truly in nature, with no buildings or city in site, just mountains and lake and trees and long golden grass so Moke Lake seemed the perfect choice. These two humans are truly meant to be together and there was nothing that was going to be able to wipe the smiles off their faces! Even in the pouring rain they were quick to throw off their shoes and run through the grass.

Mountain terrain at Moke Lake elopement Bride and groom underneath umbrellas at Queenstown elopement Bride and groom look out over Moke Lake and the mountains Bride and groom laugh on the shore of Moke Lake Bride and groom look out over Moke Lake and the mountains under umbrellas Bride and groom at Moke Lake's edge with wedding celebrant Wedding celebrant marries couple at Queenstown elopement Bride and groom say their vows at Moke Lake elopement Bride and groom kiss at Moke Lake in the rain Couple kiss under umbrellas at Queenstown elopement Bride and groom kiss at water's edge under umbrellas Bride and groom at Moke Lake elopement Bride and groom stand at water's edge under umbrellas Bride and groom stand at the shore of Moke Lake Bride and groom sign the wedding certificate Bride and groom cheers as celebrant signs the registarBride and groom stand under an umbrella in the rain at Queenstown elopement Bride and groom drink champagne under an umbrella Bride drinks champagne in the rain under an umbrella Bride and groom stand under umbrellas with friends at Queenstown elopement Bride and her friend take a selfie in the rain under umbrellas Bride and groom walk around the lake's edge Bride and groom walk along Moke Lake's edge at Queenstown elopement Bride and groom kiss at the lake's edge Bride and groom standing at the water's edge gazing at mountains Bride and groom walk along Moke Lake's edge Bride and groom stand at Moke lake's edge Bride and groom walk through a field with a mountain backdrop Bride and groom feed ducks and ducklings whilst enjoying a glass of champagne Bride and groom feed ducks and ducklings Groom walks through a field with some sheepAfter playing in the rain we decided to go back to their hotel and take advantage of the warm fire and delicious wine and have a bit of an intimate session to complete the day. Hanna & Rickard are so truly and deeply in love, you just know they are meant to be together. They met at a New Years eve party and were inseparable within hours, they described meeting each other as finding the home for their hearts, their love is so raw and true it is inspiring to be in the presence of such honest love.

Bride and groom gaze into one another's eyes Groom wearing braces and a bow tie Bride and groom enjoy a glass of wine Bride and groom sit together Bride and groom embrace in their hotel room Couple embrace on the sofa Couple cheers their wine glasses Couple kiss by the fireplaceOur time together didn’t end here. We decided we would meet again the next day for an hour session in the mountains as the weather was meant to clear. And clear it did, not only did they get the perfect moody day on their wedding, but we had a stunning perfect summer day as well. I have no doubt that their love will only grow stronger with time and it was a pleasure to be able to spend a couple days on an adventure with them.

Bride and groom walk across the hillside Bride and groom walk across a hillside Bride and groom kiss on a hillside Bride jumps into groom's arms on a hillside Bride and groom stand on a hillside looking out at lake and mountain view Bride and groom stand on a hillside looking out at lake and mountain view Groom helps bride walk across the hillside Bride and groom stand together with blue skies and mountain backdrop Bride and groom sit together on the hillside Bride and groom sit on a rock looking out over the mountains Bride and groom sit on a hillside in the sunlight Bride and groom sit together amongst wild flowers Bride and groom walk together Bride and groom gaze over Queenstown mountains Bride and groom kiss on a hilltop Bride and groom dance on a hilltop Bride and groom embrace on a hilltop Bride and groom kiss on a hilltop with a mountain backdrop Bride and groom walk across a hilltop Bride and groom walk along the shore of Lake Hayes Bride and groom walk along the edge of Lake Hayes with a mountain backdrop Bride and groom kiss at Lake Hayes Bride and groom at Lake Hayes's water's edge Bride and groom stand at the shore of Lake Hayes Bride and groom kiss at Lake Hayes Bride and groom walk across a hillside with sunny blue skies Bride and groom sit on a hillside with mountain backdrop

 

Hair & makeup – Yanisa with Charm beauty

Celebrant – Married by Jodie

Flowers by the bride herself