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When Autumn turns the leaves into beautiful reds and gold, there is no better time to capture that perfect day. This is the story of Joel & Chelsea’s Wānaka wedding.

Why Wānaka?

I (Chelsea) grew up just out of Wānaka and Joel spent most of his twenties here. When we started planning our wedding it was the first place we thought of, and the most natural fit, with many of my family and friends still living in Wānaka.

Wedding party jumping in front of Mount Gold, New Zealand, with bride and groom in center surrounded by bridesmaids in blue dresses

Which was the favourite part of your Wānaka wedding?

Seeing all our friends and family together in our favourite place was special. We had the wedding at The Lookout Lodge which my father built, and you can see my family home from…it was perfect. It truly was such a relaxing day, Wānaka is such a collaborative environment, all our vendors were amazing, so easy to work with, and we all went into the day knowing everything would run smoothly.

Bride and groom embracing at sunset, overlooking misty mountain landscape of Mt Aspiring National Park

What time of the year did you get married and why?

We got married in April, we both love the colouring in Wānaka around that time of the year. We have also attended many summer weddings in Wānaka and wanted to avoid the heat!

Bride and groom toasting with wine glasses in front of vibrant red autumn foliage in Wanaka New Zealand

What would be your number one piece of advice be for another bride?

The details are fun to plan in the lead up, but as soon as something becomes stressful or too hard to achieve, either get some else on board to help, or just leave it out. On the day the only thing you notice is the person beside you and your loved ones around you.

A bride and Groom posing in a vineyard at sunset in Wanaka

What is your “must do” when getting married in Wānaka?

Use local vendors, their knowledge is invaluable!

Bride and groom walking hand in hand on empty road towards snow-capped mountains in Wanaka, New Zealand

Other info:

  • Date of Joel & Chelsea’s wedding: Friday, 13 April 2018
  • Number of guests: 118
  • Venue: The Lookout Lodge

 

Wānaka vendors:

  • Hair – The Kingdom
  • Makeup – Annie Trengrove make-up artist
  • Rental- Wānaka Marque and Party Hire
  • Transport – Yello Taxi
  • Wine – Maude
  • Band – Calico
  • Celebrant – Pip Harker, Celebrant Wānaka
  • Photography – Mickey Ross Photography