Jess and Daniel

Our Love Story

We met when I was working at Westland Milk Products as a Process Engineer in Hokitika and Daniel started in the same team as me as a Junior Process Engineer. I changed roles into a team on the other side of the factory.

Our relationship developed as we spent more time together. Daniel then took me on our first overnight tramp and it did not go well, I was very unprepared for the experience. There were tears (from me) and then I got heatstroke and was unwell at the hut. Daniel was extremely supportive and reassuring as he looked after me, he did everything he could to make me feel better. And surprisingly, Daniel never really went back to his flat and moved in with me.

We moved from Hokitika to Nelson which had its challenges but we have settled well now. We purchased our first home together last year about six months before the wedding and have made it our home.

A few years ago I picked out a favourite few rings at the Jewellers. Daniel purchased the ring in December 2019, and had it stashed away. I had a feeling that he had purchased it, and every now and then when we were away somewhere, he would make a comment on the way home about how that location would have been a good place to propose.

We went to Hokitika for a weekend for Claire’s 5th birthday at the end of August 2020. In the morning, Daniel insisted we go and do the new extension for the Hokitika Gorge Walk. I was very against the idea as it was pouring with rain. We drove out to the gorge and the rain got heavier as I grew sulkier. Once we arrived the rain had nearly stopped and we set off for the walk. Partway around before the new bridge, Daniel asked me to marry him. I said yes and Daniel wouldn’t let me get on the swing bridge until the ring was firmly on my finger!

Planning with Shaken & Stirred

When we sat down to think about what was important when it came to getting married, we just wanted to marry each other as best friends and wanted a wonderful day/long weekend spent with our favourite people.

Our planning was a breeze with Shaken & Stirred. I loved the pick and mix style where we could choose what we wanted. We were able to plan everything via email and video chat from home in Nelson. I was able to send photos/examples of what I wanted, nothing was too difficult and it turned out better than I could imagine. Then we turned up in Wanaka two days before the wedding, to meet in person for the first time, with our attire, rings and guests as Charlotte & Kellie had everything under control.

Our Wedding Day

We had a small, intimate wedding 'holiday' with our favourite people. We had 17 guests including our friend's children (Little Joey was only three months old on our wedding day). It was our immediate family and our very close friends. We spent a few days together, travelling from Nelson to Wanaka via the West Coast.

We and our guests arrived at The Lookout Lodge on Wednesday and we had a very relaxed evening with homemade pizza and I surprised everyone with donuts from White Rabbit Cakes for dessert.

On Thursday Daniel and his family cycled the Lake Dunstan Trail and went for dinner at Francesca's Italian Kitchen. Whilst I went to Queenstown with my family and our friends, went up the Gondola and on the luge and out for dinner. Then on Friday, our wedding day, we woke up together in the Kanuka Cabin at The Lookout Lodge. We went for Brunch together with our parents before getting ready separately at the lodge.

I got ready with my mum, and mother-in-law in my parents' room. We all got our hair and makeup done. Mum helped me get dressed and lent me her garter and rings from both of my Nanas to wear on the day. Daniel got ready in our Cabin with his Dad.

We had a first look on-site and some photos were taken. Then we all had to wait for my Dad to finish getting ready, he blamed me for evicting him from his room for so long. I also shared a sweet first look with Dad before he walked me down the aisle.

Our ceremony was very special, with vows we had written ourselves which was a highlight of our day. Neither of us are writers, but hearing Daniel’s words was so beautiful and special. Claire (6) and Lucy (4) gave us our rings. Daniel's Mum did a lovely reading. And we had our siblings as our witnesses.

We enjoyed mingling with our guests and outdoor games, grazing platter and some bubbles before some group photos.

Unfortunately due to the wind, we couldn't go up in the helicopter as planned. Instead, Kellie whisked us off-site for some photos at nearby locations and we returned for a yummy family-style dinner at the lodge followed by our cake. That’s probably the only thing about our day that didn’t go to plan, but we are coming back to Queenstown for our Honeymoon and have booked with Kellie and Charlotte for mountain top photos and private dinner to celebrate our first anniversary.

The weather turned to thunderstorms overnight so we spent the next day at the lodge chilling out, eating leftover cake and playing board games. We hosted a casual dinner the night before everyone went their own way home or on Holiday on Sunday.

We then spent a week travelling home via Mt Cook before returning to the real world again.

Our Advice

Make it your day. Pick and choose what is important to you. You don't have to follow traditions if they are not right for you. We stayed the night together beforehand and went out for breakfast on our day together before getting ready separately.

Our Dream Team

It had to be Charlotte and Kellie. Celebrant, Photographer and Planning extraordinaires! We couldn't have done it without them.

We went into Level 4 lockdown about six weeks before the wedding and back to level 2 two weeks beforehand. Charlotte and Kellie handled it all like the professionals they are. They had picked the best vendors to pull together our day. The hair and makeup ladies were wonderful, the florals were stunning and the food and cake were tasty! Charlotte and Kellie really felt like part of our crew.

Our Vendors

Venue | Lookout Lodge

Photographer | Kellie Francis Photography

Stylist + Planner | Shaken & Stirred Weddings

Florals | Farmhouse Boutique

Catering | Platter Share

Celebrant | Charlotte from Your Big Day

Hair | Beautiful Bridal Hair

Makeup | SKP Makeup

Engagement Ring: Michael Hill Jewellers

Wedding Bands | Jewel Beetle

Cakes/Desserts | White Rabbit Cakes