Emily & Steve
“The Adventure Package” + 1 additional hour
Love Story
Emily and Steve’s love story is all about timing…
They first crossed paths on Bumble back in 2020, but never actually met before Emily decided to delete the app. Fast forward two years and fate clearly wasn’t done with them yet. This time, it was Hinge that worked its magic. Emily sent Steve a message, and that little spark? It finally caught fire.
Their first date at Essie’s wine bar was simple but kind of perfect. Emily was fresh off a bout of COVID, battling a stubborn cough, but that didn’t stop them from chatting for hours. Somewhere between sips and stories, they realized they’d even gone to the same school, with mutual friends that made Steve feel instantly familiar—like someone she’d always known.
Big, traditional weddings, although beautiful, were not their vibe. “It’s just not us,” they said. So, they ditched the fuss, eloped, and made the day all about what mattered most: their love (plus a helicopter ride because why not?). We loved planning their perfect intimate elopement at Coromandel Peak and Lake Erskine!
Whether they’re road-tripping, sharing good food and wine, or just hanging out at home with their dog Sadie, Emily and Steve find joy in the simple, meaningful moments. Their story is proof that love always shows up when the timing’s right—and sometimes, with a little help from the right app.
Accommodation: Jack’s Retreat
Ceremony: Coromandel Peak
Couple’s Photos: Lake Erskine
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On the day
We met Emily and Steve at the gorgeous Jack’s Retreat, where they were staying before their heli wedding. The studio wasn’t just architecturally beautiful, it also overlooked a lake, which was an epic sight of its own. We took some photos of them getting ready separately and moved out to the beautiful garden, where they did their First Look.
We then drove to Heliworks and flew to Coromandel Peak for their ceremony with Ellie. It was a beautiful summer morning, an early start for us at 7 AM, though the couple didn’t mind since they were excited to spend the rest of the day celebrating their wedding in Queenstown. I had Tom with me to film their stunning ceremony, and we even got to see some sheep just wandering around, which was so cool.
After Coromandel Peak, we flew to Lake Erskine to pop some champagne, and we were stunned by the beautiful reflections on the lake! It looked especially turquoise and breathtaking that day. With Emily’s hair in a gorgeous ponytail flying in the wind, we celebrated the day with a relaxed, gorgeous couple that flew all the way from Australia.
Queenstown wedding locations like Coromandel Peak and Lake Erskine offer some of the most incredible backdrops for heli weddings, and Emily and Steve’s adventure was nothing short of magical.
Vendors:
Celebrant: Ellie | @dreamtowed
Flowers: Bespoke Weddings and Events | @bespokeweddingsandevents
Heli Hire: Heliworks | @heliworks
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