A Helicopter Elopement in Queenstown’s Remarkables
Christy and Olivia’s story started in exactly the same place they would eventually promise each other forever: Queenstown. After meeting by chance in a hostel on the very first day of their separate travels, returning to the mountain town to elope felt less like a decision and more like the perfect way to honour where everything began.
With a helicopter ride into the Remarkables, a dream outfit found at the very last minute, and a ceremony shared on a mountaintop with just a handful of incredible vendors, their day was filled with the kind of moments you couldn’t have planned even if you tried.
How did your story begin?
We were both travelling separately and happened to meet on the day we both arrived in Queenstown. Same day, same room, same bed in the hostel. We introduced ourselves to each other in the dark, and the rest was history! Our love story began there, and it’s been magical for the past 2.5 years.
Why was Queenstown the perfect place to elope?
We knew Queenstown would always hold such a special place in our hearts, as it was where we met and where our story began. We knew it was one of the most magical places in the world to host an elopement, so it just felt right. The perfect way to tie our whole New Zealand adventure together from start to finish.
How did your loved ones react when you told them?
We only told our close family. They were stoked to hear about what we had planned, especially the mountain location and the helicopter. They know we’re very spontaneous, so we don’t think they expected anything less from us.
What was it like finding your elopement outfits?
It was very stressful.
We spent many evenings on Pinterest, and Olivia had decided she very specifically wanted a long, ivory cowl-neck dress, while I had my heart set on a fitted brown suit. The only problem was we were living in a rural town with hardly any clothing shops and only six weeks until the wedding.
We spent a weekend in Wellington hoping to find our outfits, but after seven hours of shopping, we had no luck and were ready to give up. Then Olivia spotted Coco Wellington, and it felt like the stars had aligned. Her dream dress was waiting for her, and when I mentioned I couldn’t find a brown suit, the team explained they could tailor one in the exact colour I wanted.
You couldn’t have written it better. Four weeks later, my suit arrived, we looked fabulous, and our vision came to life.
What do you remember most about your elopement day?
Living in our campervan, we decided it was probably necessary to book an Airbnb for three days around the wedding, so it was super exciting to have a bigger space. The view was stunning, and we woke up on our wedding day to a beautiful blue sky. This was insane because the forecast for the whole week had been looking bleak with rain.
Tussock Hair & Makeup‘s Christie arrived to do our hair and makeup, and she was just fabulous. Once she had left, we had 30 minutes until Dawn Collective‘s Hayley and Scott arrived. This is where we got so nervous, so we had two Jäger bombs, and it was time to get the show on the road.
We met the wonderful Hayley and Scott and were introduced to our beautiful celebrant, Wed by Fi‘s Fi, who was the happiest joy to be around. We couldn’t have asked for a better or more openly loving celebrant.
We laughed, we cried, we drank champagne, and we stood in awe. It was magical. The views were out of this world, the helicopter was a buzz, and we were ready to scream our love from the top of the Remarkables for the world to hear!
Once we landed back on the ground, Hayley and Scott took us to another beautiful location to take some more photos. The sun was setting, and the mountains lit up for us.
We still don’t think it’s sunk in just yet. It was perfect, and we are perfect.
How did you find the vendors who brought your vision to life?
Olivia has the eye for detail and is the researcher and planner in our relationship. She spent many long evenings scrolling Instagram and Pinterest to find the perfect vendors, and of course, she did magnificently and chose the perfect team!
All of our vendors were so open-minded, loving, and free-spirited. Everybody we worked with was so kind and respectful, and that meant the world to us. Everybody made us feel so comfortable. We can’t thank them all enough.
Did you share personal vows?
We did share vows. We decided to write them together and shared the same vows with each other.
We vowed that whether we were ahead or behind, we would always find the adventure, and we would always do it together. We love that we could legally vow that, lol.
Did you need to organise any legal paperwork?
Yes, we obtained our marriage licence, I think, two weeks before the wedding. Our celebrant came with us in the helicopter and performed our ceremony on top of the mountain!
What advice would you give to other couples thinking about eloping?
We would 100% advise couples to elope! It’s magical, it’s private, and it’s super personal.
Plus, the money you save from not feeding 100 guests will pay for the best honeymoon, or even two!
Captured by Dawn Collective
Celebrant Wed by Fi
Dress Boutique Coco Wellington
Florist The Flower Room
Hair & Makeup Tussock Hair & Makeup
