Bob's Cove Elopement | Queenstown, New Zealand
The holiday that included vows.
Harry and Emily didn't come to New Zealand to get married. They came for a holiday. A trip across the ditch with friends, to explore hot spots of New Zealand.
Somewhere between getting engaged last year, looking into wedding options, while planning their overseas holiday they landed on a question that changed the trip entirely. why not just get married while we're there?
I love that. No fuss, no overthinking. Two people who have known each other for years, together since high school, already completely sure about each other. Making it official on the other side of the Tasman in the middle of a holiday. Sounds perfect to me.
What a view! This is from their Air BnB.
I met Harry and Emily at their Airbnb between Frankton and Queenstown, overlooking the lake with their friends. Snacks on the bench, TV on in the other room. The energy was calm, relaxed in the best possible way.
I caught Emily helping Harry get ready. Such a small detail, but it stayed with me. Getting ready together on a day where you are about to commit to each other for the rest of your lives. There is something beautiful about that.
Emily's flowers were from Tahuna Flora in Queenstown , a bouquet full of colour that drew compliments all day and deserved every single one. Her dress was fitted lace, off the shoulders, with long sleeves that draped over her hands beautifully. Harry looked very swish in his suit. Obviously.
Their rings also incredible. Harry had Emily’s engagement ring made (I don’t know fancy ring lingo bear with). Think large diamond on top with lots of texture and details on the band. Their wedding bands were nothing less of amazing, Emilys hugging her engagement ring with a textured band and five small diamonds. Harrys a chunkier version with the same design as Emilys minus the diamonds. STUNNING!
From the Airbnb we drove the twenty minutes out to Bob's Cove. The weather had been average leading up, so when the sun came out that afternoon it felt well earned.
We met their celebrant Erin Hill at the carpark and walked the track down towards the wharf, with one nervous pee (not so glam) along the way.The sun was glistening off lake Wakatipu with mountains surrounding us in the background.
Harry and Emily said their vows at the end of the jetty, over sparkling blue water. Erin held the ceremony beautifully, intimate, short with all the key messages. Exactly right for Harry and Emily’s day. Somewhere along the way a small crowd of strangers gathered behind to watch. Nobody organised that. People just stopped, because some moments are worth stopping for.
Papers were signed. They were married, and along the track we continued.
After the vows were exchanged and the papers signed, we weren't done. Bob's Cove has a loop track that winds up through the bush to a lookout above the cove, and we were absolutely doing it. Wedding attire and all.
It was the best decision. The track opens up at the top to a view over Lake Wakatipu that stops you in your tracks (*wink wink, hehe get it ) mountains and lake in every direction. We took our time up there. Laughed a lot. Got some incredible photos, and just hung out.
That evening Harry and Emily headed into Queenstown for dinner with their friends. A perfect way to end a beautiful day. Good food, good company, and a marriage certificate they definitely didn't have when they landed.
Emily is very much worth a follow if you are not already. Emily documents her life and books on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Highly recommend checking her out.
Tiktok: tiktok.com/@emily.michellle
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmilyMichellexo
Instagram: instagram.com/emilymichellereads
Scroll down to see more from Harry and Emily's special elopement.
If eloping is something you're considering, I'd love to hear about it.