Sacha & Matt - Wonderful Wedding in Wanaka

Sacha's Bridesmaids wear: Verona Dress, Bow Slip, Be Mine Dress, Ivy Dress

It was our 3 year anniversary and we went to Queenstown, we’d just come out of lockdown so needed the escape plus we both love central. On the day of our anniversary we were planning on going for a nice drive down to Glenorchy but then Matt surprised me that he had instead booked us a ride in a helicopter and that we were getting picked up shortly! Matt is terrified of helicopters but I am a bit of a thrill seeker so I actually didn’t suspect anything, his nerves were expected and I just thought he’d done it for our anniversary. We landed up on the Remarkables and he knew I was going to want to get photos of us up there so he asked the pilot to take some photos of us and then while that was happening he got down on one knee and proposed with the most stunning diamond ring. The pilot was in on it of course and so he captured the whole thing. He then brought out some champagne to celebrate our engagement. Afterwards we just soaked up the love with more bubbles, a massage at the hotel and the afternoon in our hotel robes and slippers while we called our families to let them know the news.

We married on Friday 26th March on our family friends beautiful piece of land in Wanaka overlooking Ruby Island and Lake Wanaka. The date we married was actually 4 years to the day that we met and the location was super special because I’ve spent a lot of my life in Wanaka and it is my favourite place in the world. Matt loves it too, thankfully.

The subtle theme to our wedding was the natural beauty of Wanaka and the Central Otago landscape. Our family friends have a beautiful old wool shed on their land which required minimal styling and positions itself looking out to Lake Wanaka which made for an awesome backdrop.

It was such a surreal day. It’s a really hard feeling to explain, it’s almost as if you’re watching the day take place in slow motion yet it’s also going so fast as well. Every significant moment (walking out to family in my wedding dress, walking down the aisle with my father, reading our vows) I had a moment where I was like “is this really happening?!”. It’s those times where you’ve thought about them and how they will happen for such a long time and then when they’re actually happening is just unbelievable. 

Don’t get caught up in what’s expected of you or what others have said are “must do’s”. If it’s not your style to toss the bouquet, then don’t.

When the bridal party were getting their photos. It’s was such a fun time, everyone was relaxed and laughing and just really enjoying themselves

Photographer: Luisa from Alpine Image Company
Florist: Tracey from Crimson Wedding Flowers
Suits: Barkers & Hallenstein Brothers
Rings: Naveya & Sloane
Wedding dress: Daisy Brides by Katie Yeung brought through Novia Brides in Hawea
Bridesmaids dresses: Blak Bridesmaids
Celebrant: Trish Giblin
Tipis: Gather and Gold
Cake: Lizzie Viljoen
Make up: Silver Sixpence
Hair: Ukiyo Salon Wanaka
Sound and lighting: Gravity Events Dunedin