Melissa and Gareth surprise loved ones after New Zealand elopement

Melissa and Gareth, aged 30 and 27 respectively, had begun planning their wedding at a local winery but something didn’t sit right.

“We felt like we were planning a wedding to make everyone else happy instead of ourselves,” says Melissa. So, they changed tack and decided on a New Zealand elopement for a snow-filled wedding instead!

They invited immediate family, and their two young children were able to be involved in the day – despite a bout of sickness in the afternoon. “We spent our wedding night sleeping on the floor of the hotel because our daughter vomited all through our bed and we had no spare sheets!” laughs the bride. “But even with a few curveballs we had the most amazing wedding day.”

Upon returning home the couple surprised loved ones with an invite to their reception in South Australia. “The wedding reception was all about a relaxed casual celebration with a large marquee, plenty of flowers everywhere, wine barrels, hay bales and cable reel tables set up on a private property,” explains Melissa. “For catering we had a huge grazing table, paella, a burger van, churros and cake. We also had a cocktail van.”

Photos courtesy of Larsson Weddings and Angus White Photography.

The photos captured at their New Zealand wedding are absolutely breathtaking.

“We had gorgeous succulents in pots for our favours from Unique Living Gifts for everyone that came as well,” says the bride.

“We absolutely loved that we were able to include children – we had a jumping castle and a kids corner set up – at our wedding celebration and didn’t have to cut our list down to certain numbers,” explains Melissa.

The cocktail van from The Speakeasy Hotel was a dream come true for this bride who loves her cocktails!