Kathryn & Geoff are originally from Atlanta, Georgia. Their connection started when they met at work, and found themselves in similar life positions after having both been offered international work placements. The problem was that both placement opportunities were for 2 years, and on opposite sides of the world. After just 3 months of dating Kathryn left for Sydney, and Geoff for London. They were both realistic and have admitted that they didn’t really think they would stay together given the distance and the length of time they would be apart. But, over the following months they skyped and texted constantly, and the Australian summer was a stark contrast to the winter in London that Geoff was experiencing!! On a whim Geoff quit his job in London, applied for an Australian work visa, and moved to Sydney to be with Kathryn. Apparently he’s always been a hopeless romantic!!! They ended up staying in Australia for another 2 years, traveling all over the country and making several trips to NZ as well.  They formed lifelong friendships and fell in love with the city, culture, and people (not to mention great coffee).

They eventually moved back to Atlanta be closer to their families, but said that there was no place on earth that they would rather get married than New Zealand. They felt such a strong connection to our amazing country, and the memories of exploring the NZ countryside in a camper-van. It was a place that brought they so much happiness, that they couldn’t think of any place better to come for their wedding!

Their elopement ceremony overlooking Lake Wanaka on a perfect early summer day was nothing short of beautiful. Despite their elopement not being a ‘traditional’ kind of wedding, Geoff seeing Kathryn walk down the aisle for the first time was a moment that they want to treasure…. and so the mission was on for them not to see each other until that moment. Sounds easy until you consider that they were getting ready in the same house, and taking the same helicopter up the mountain! But some logistical shuffling was all it took, and we think it was well worth it to see the look of love on Geoff’s face…. a true romantic indeed… xxx

Huge thanks as always to the fabulous suppliers who made this day possible :)

Photography: Alpine Image Company

Makeup: Road to Beauty

Hair: Absolutely Fabulous Hair

Flowers: Studio 24

Celebrant: Kathryn Omond

Dress: Rue De Seine

Gown Steaming: Pristine Steaming

Helicopter: Alpine Helicopters