Queenstown Elopement Photography | Lillian + Dean
Queenstown Elopement Photography featured in Hello May Magazine. Both Lillian and Dean are tattoo artists who love vikings and were keen for a viking vibe for their wild New Zealand Elopement. Dean comes from a large family and every time they started planning their wedding they backed out due to the expense and the sheer size of it!
The Location
Flying with local helicopter company Heli Glenorchy, we flew to one of my favourite off the beaten track locations which is 6000ft above sea level and has the most incredible Queenstown lake and mountain views. The wind was wild and the mountains around us were snow capped with the last light of the day peeping through the clouds. We we so excited to hear the calls of Kea’s – New Zealand’s alpine parrots who kept us company throughout the wedding ceremony.
The Dress
Quite often my bride asks what she should wear to her mountain top elopement, and I always suggest a dress with movement! Lillian chose the most perfect dress from Reev Bridal. The Daria dress was amazing and with only 10 weeks until Lillian and Dean’s big day…Lillian took a leap of faith and decided to order the dress online without seeing it in person. When it arrived she was not disappointed and it was hand made to perfection. The dress was pure magic on the day capturing the wind – truely a sight to be seen! The funniest part of the day was how Lillian got into her wedding dress. “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.”
Memorable Moment
Lillian’s favourite moment was 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.”
Lillian and Dean’s 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.”
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Dawn Thomson Photography 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
