• Have you stressed about what day of the week to get married on? Do you have a date you like but it’s not a Saturday? Well I say put that in the fu*! It bucket! You can get married any day of the week and the people that really matter will be there no matter the day so go with the date you want. Alyse and Whare got married on a Monday and it couldn’t have been any better. It was an intimate ceremony surrounded by their nearest and dearest and they celebrated just like it was a Friyay! Happy 1 week anniversary 💕
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    Have you stressed about what day of the week to get married on? Do you have a date you like but it’s not a Saturday? Well I say put that in the fu*! It bucket! You can get married any day of the week and the people that really matter will be there no matter the day so go with the date you want. Alyse and Whare got married on a Monday and it couldn’t have been any better. It was an intimate ceremony surrounded by their nearest and dearest and they celebrated just like it was a Friyay! Happy 1 week anniversary 💕
  • How has it been a whole year since these gorgeous humans said I do?!? Their wedding was such a beautiful day truly about family and really was as sweet as they are. They married on the shores of the Arrow River in Arrowtown as it’s a favourite summer swim spot. They were surrounded by their family and their first kiss happened with their wee boy in their arms. My favourite thing about my job is the people I meet and the connections I make and meeting this family and now being able to call them friends was truly a hi light of 2020. Happy anniversary guys. Oh and if you love flowers head over to Alison’s page @bee.and.bloom.nz for her amazing florals home grown in her Kapiti garden 💕🌸
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    How has it been a whole year since these gorgeous humans said I do?!? Their wedding was such a beautiful day truly about family and really was as sweet as they are. They married on the shores of the Arrow River in Arrowtown as it’s a favourite summer swim spot. They were surrounded by their family and their first kiss happened with their wee boy in their arms. My favourite thing about my job is the people I meet and the connections I make and meeting this family and now being able to call them friends was truly a hi light of 2020. Happy anniversary guys. Oh and if you love flowers head over to Alison’s page @bee.and.bloom.nz for her amazing florals home grown in her Kapiti garden 💕🌸
  • Part 3 of New Zealand honeymoon destinations for the adventurous couple and the final destination on my list. The far south of the South Island. Now I have kinda of cheated here as I have clumped a few different spots together as one bit of you want 2 weeks of wilderness then this is it! Places not to miss are nugget point for that epic view (and Insta worthy snap). So many waterfalls to explore along the way. Make sure you check the tide times so you can go to Cathedral caves as they are only accessible at low tide, also have some cash as you have to pay to get in and they don’t take card. Stay a couple nights along the beach at Curio Bay (this is my fave) you can rent a beach side Bach or stay at the camp grounds. Keep your eye on the water as there is a good chance of spotting dolphins and sometimes they will even come swim with you. Also worth checking out the prettified forest at low tide as well. On the other side of Invecargill you have another series of great beaches, Riverton and Colac bay are your first two and great surfing destinations. And a little bit further you will find Monkey Island and Gemstone beach another low tide goodie to search for coloured stones. The last spot is the furthest south you can go and will require a ferry or plane (highly recommend this option if you are prone to seasickness) to get there and is definitely not to be missed. Stewart Island is a favourite of mine, from just wandering around and exploring to big multi day hikes around the island. Do a day trip to Ulva island and walk through the forests and along the beaches spotting birds along the way, we saw so many from parakeets to the Kākā parrot, owls and friendly Weka. Back on Stewart Island you can go for night time walks to find Kiwi birds in their native habitat, or simply grab a bottle of beer and some fish and chips and watch the world go by. It’s worth making sure you are there on a Sunday so you can partake in the local quiz night at the pub, it’s worth getting there early to get a table and a bite to eat before it all kicks off. I hope you have enjoyed my list. I love travelling and exploring new places. What’s your favourite destination?
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    Part 3 of New Zealand honeymoon destinations for the adventurous couple and the final destination on my list. The far south of the South Island. Now I have kinda of cheated here as I have clumped a few different spots together as one bit of you want 2 weeks of wilderness then this is it! Places not to miss are nugget point for that epic view (and Insta worthy snap). So many waterfalls to explore along the way. Make sure you check the tide times so you can go to Cathedral caves as they are only accessible at low tide, also have some cash as you have to pay to get in and they don’t take card. Stay a couple nights along the beach at Curio Bay (this is my fave) you can rent a beach side Bach or stay at the camp grounds. Keep your eye on the water as there is a good chance of spotting dolphins and sometimes they will even come swim with you. Also worth checking out the prettified forest at low tide as well. On the other side of Invecargill you have another series of great beaches, Riverton and Colac bay are your first two and great surfing destinations. And a little bit further you will find Monkey Island and Gemstone beach another low tide goodie to search for coloured stones. The last spot is the furthest south you can go and will require a ferry or plane (highly recommend this option if you are prone to seasickness) to get there and is definitely not to be missed. Stewart Island is a favourite of mine, from just wandering around and exploring to big multi day hikes around the island. Do a day trip to Ulva island and walk through the forests and along the beaches spotting birds along the way, we saw so many from parakeets to the Kākā parrot, owls and friendly Weka. Back on Stewart Island you can go for night time walks to find Kiwi birds in their native habitat, or simply grab a bottle of beer and some fish and chips and watch the world go by. It’s worth making sure you are there on a Sunday so you can partake in the local quiz night at the pub, it’s worth getting there early to get a table and a bite to eat before it all kicks off. I hope you have enjoyed my list. I love travelling and exploring new places. What’s your favourite destination?
  • Part 2 of my top New Zealand honeymoon adventures. Back to Martinborough, in addition to the wine and the cute town another big reason to stop at Martinborough is it’s only a short a drive to Cape Palliser at the southern most tip of the South Island and one of my favourite spots. Enjoy a walk along the secluded black sand beaches as the waves crash in and the seals soak up the sun. Make sure you walk to the end where the lighthouse is and yep it’s worth climbing all those steps. Cape Palliser reminds me of parts of Hawaii with the green cliffs, black sands and blue seas. Another gem is Akaroa just outside Christchurch. This charming town will make you feel like you are in France without the 20 hour flight. A great little town to relax in, shop enjoy delicious food and even spot dolphins in the turquoise waters. A must do is to go to @pohatu_penguins and I highly recommend 2 nights. There is no phone no internet just you, the beach and the animals. Pack your bags and food and they will drive all your stuff in while you do a 2 hour walk through the forest, alongside waterfalls down to the beach where you will be staying. You have everything you need with a full kitchen and toilets and showers but nothing else. Do a tour to see the penguins, let the very friendly black nose sheep (he thinks he’s a dog) go on a kayak tour, watch the stars and just relax. Can you tell this is a favourite of mine. If skiing or snowboarding is your adventure of choice put @ohausnow on your must do list. A great little ski field just south of Tekapo. Make sure you do the short walk up past the top of the chair for the most amazing views. I am a fan of staying at @lakeohaulodge as you can make it an all inclusive stay, they will drive you up that crazy road to the ski field and it’s just a great time and great food. Come back tomorrow for part 3 and my final top pick for New Zealand honeymoon. If you like being in nature this one will be for you.
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    Part 2 of my top New Zealand honeymoon adventures. Back to Martinborough, in addition to the wine and the cute town another big reason to stop at Martinborough is it’s only a short a drive to Cape Palliser at the southern most tip of the South Island and one of my favourite spots. Enjoy a walk along the secluded black sand beaches as the waves crash in and the seals soak up the sun. Make sure you walk to the end where the lighthouse is and yep it’s worth climbing all those steps. Cape Palliser reminds me of parts of Hawaii with the green cliffs, black sands and blue seas. Another gem is Akaroa just outside Christchurch. This charming town will make you feel like you are in France without the 20 hour flight. A great little town to relax in, shop enjoy delicious food and even spot dolphins in the turquoise waters. A must do is to go to @pohatu_penguins and I highly recommend 2 nights. There is no phone no internet just you, the beach and the animals. Pack your bags and food and they will drive all your stuff in while you do a 2 hour walk through the forest, alongside waterfalls down to the beach where you will be staying. You have everything you need with a full kitchen and toilets and showers but nothing else. Do a tour to see the penguins, let the very friendly black nose sheep (he thinks he’s a dog) go on a kayak tour, watch the stars and just relax. Can you tell this is a favourite of mine. If skiing or snowboarding is your adventure of choice put @ohausnow on your must do list. A great little ski field just south of Tekapo. Make sure you do the short walk up past the top of the chair for the most amazing views. I am a fan of staying at @lakeohaulodge as you can make it an all inclusive stay, they will drive you up that crazy road to the ski field and it’s just a great time and great food. Come back tomorrow for part 3 and my final top pick for New Zealand honeymoon. If you like being in nature this one will be for you.
  • Let’s talk honeymooning in New Zealand. If you are getting married in New Zealand this year there is a good chance you will also be honeymooning in this amazing country. I am sure most of you have heard of Waiheke Island, and Coromandel, Hawkes Bay, Queenstown, Milford sound and all the typical spots well here are some of my favourites and some are a little bit off the beaten track so this is for all the adventurers out there! This is Part 1 of my top New Zealand adventures. Do you scuba dive and missing your overseas trip to somewhere warm? Poor knights Island are definitely worth a visit. I would still recommend a wet suit but this is a must do for any avid scuba divers with beautiful scenery both above and below the water. Underwater there is so much to see from the tiny nudibranchs to the stunning big bronze whaler sharks. We did a 2 night 3 day trip with @yukondive and I couldn’t recommend it enough. And after (or before) your dive trip spend some time exploring some of the stunning Northland area. If your in to hiking but like me don’t want to take a big pack I have 2 recommendations. On the North Island the Tongariro crossing is a great day hike with some amazing views and stopping at the emerald lakes for lunch is something I will never forget. On the South Island check out the Queen Charlotte track this will take you a few days, however you can stay in luxury lodges and cabins each night with wine and whiskey and even a soak in a spa and then while you are walking the next day your bags will get out on a water taxi and taken to your next destination for you! We can’t skip over the wine as New Zealand has some amazing wine regions but I’m going to mention Martinborough and here is why. Martinborough is a quick trip from Wellington so easy for a mini honeymoon but also not too far from many other stops so easy to make it part of a longer honeymoon adventure. The wine is top notch and all the wineries are close together and surprisingly it’s quite a flat area so perfect for a cycling wine tour (I still recommend an e-bike though, cause why not). There is another reason I rate Martinborough high but you will have to come back tomorrow to find out.
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    Let’s talk honeymooning in New Zealand. If you are getting married in New Zealand this year there is a good chance you will also be honeymooning in this amazing country. I am sure most of you have heard of Waiheke Island, and Coromandel, Hawkes Bay, Queenstown, Milford sound and all the typical spots well here are some of my favourites and some are a little bit off the beaten track so this is for all the adventurers out there! This is Part 1 of my top New Zealand adventures. Do you scuba dive and missing your overseas trip to somewhere warm? Poor knights Island are definitely worth a visit. I would still recommend a wet suit but this is a must do for any avid scuba divers with beautiful scenery both above and below the water. Underwater there is so much to see from the tiny nudibranchs to the stunning big bronze whaler sharks. We did a 2 night 3 day trip with @yukondive and I couldn’t recommend it enough. And after (or before) your dive trip spend some time exploring some of the stunning Northland area. If your in to hiking but like me don’t want to take a big pack I have 2 recommendations. On the North Island the Tongariro crossing is a great day hike with some amazing views and stopping at the emerald lakes for lunch is something I will never forget. On the South Island check out the Queen Charlotte track this will take you a few days, however you can stay in luxury lodges and cabins each night with wine and whiskey and even a soak in a spa and then while you are walking the next day your bags will get out on a water taxi and taken to your next destination for you! We can’t skip over the wine as New Zealand has some amazing wine regions but I’m going to mention Martinborough and here is why. Martinborough is a quick trip from Wellington so easy for a mini honeymoon but also not too far from many other stops so easy to make it part of a longer honeymoon adventure. The wine is top notch and all the wineries are close together and surprisingly it’s quite a flat area so perfect for a cycling wine tour (I still recommend an e-bike though, cause why not). There is another reason I rate Martinborough high but you will have to come back tomorrow to find out.
  • A year and a week ago was my first wedding of 2020 with these two in Paradise. Let me be clear when I say paradise I don’t just mean a stunning place, they actually chose to marry in a part of New Zealand called Paradise. They held the whole spectacular yet intimate celebrations at @paradise_trust_nz. Their ceremony was held on a corner of the property overlooking the aspiring mountains and surrounded by flowering Manuka, and they danced the night away in the old school house. And the great thing is the only neighbours are the miniature horse and paradise ducks, and home for the night is only a few steps to your cabin so the party can go as late (or as early) as you want 🎉 Happy anniversary Allison & James ❤️❤️❤️
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    A year and a week ago was my first wedding of 2020 with these two in Paradise. Let me be clear when I say paradise I don’t just mean a stunning place, they actually chose to marry in a part of New Zealand called Paradise. They held the whole spectacular yet intimate celebrations at @paradise_trust_nz. Their ceremony was held on a corner of the property overlooking the aspiring mountains and surrounded by flowering Manuka, and they danced the night away in the old school house. And the great thing is the only neighbours are the miniature horse and paradise ducks, and home for the night is only a few steps to your cabin so the party can go as late (or as early) as you want 🎉 Happy anniversary Allison & James ❤️❤️❤️