TWIZEL + LAKE OHAU ELOPEMENT | Grace + JP

I moved to Twizel from Timaru end of December 2022. That means I had to tweak my photography business to where I was now based. I wouldn’t say it was tough, but it definitely made me question how I would market myself in such a small town.

After living in Twizel for a few months, I quickly realised the wedding industry in this beautiful town was almost NON EXISTENT.

That’s when I had this brilliant idea to create the Twizel elopement dream with help of a few weddings vendors that would love to expand their business to Twizel – just like I did!

**Please know this elopement was created + styled by me. My goal is to showcase what a Twizel elopement could look like. I want to open up potential clients eyes to all Twizel has to offer. This styled elopement is exactly what a real one could look like**

My first step into planning the Twizel elopement was finding the perfect cabin.

Twizel is full of vibey + aesthetically pleasing cabins that are nestled into fields surrounded by mountain peaks and emerald lakes. Read my blog post, Six Cabins you Have to Book for your Twizel Elopement to see my favourites!

Getting Ready Together at Peak View Cabin

For this elopement, I booked out Peak View Cabin in Twizel. This cabin is full of tranquility, nestled in 10 acres of golden tussock with expansive views of the Ben Ohau range and beyond. It’s a luxury but rustic vibe and an environment you will never want to leave. There’s even a wood fireplace so you can keep warm during the cooler mornings + evenings! WHAT A DREAM.

Grace + JP started off their morning getting ready TOGETHER at the cabin. This was such a special moment to be a part of because I really got to capture alllll the feels Grace + JP had. They were so giddy, full of love, excitement, and nerves (in the best way) and I was there to capture it all.

Once Grace + JP were dressed in their wedding attire, they both sat down separately to write their vows. I adored capturing this moment for them as it was so sweet seeing them both individually in the moment reflecting on their relationship as a whole and what they love the most about each other.

Personally, I feel the getting ready moments are the more emotionally moving parts of an elopement day and having them photographed is the perfect keepsake to really be taken back.

Exchanging Vows Amongst Mountain Peaks and Emerald Lakes

Grace + JP exchanged vows at Lake Ohau, which was less than 10 minutes away from Peak View Cabin. That’s what I love about Twizel, everything is so close. When it comes to your elopement day, you can explore multiple locations without being in the car for too long.

We all fell in love with the views Lake Ohau offered for exchanging vows. Being up on a hill, overlooking the lake with mountains in the background was so surreal. We were blessed with full blown wind on their elopement day but we didn’t let that stop us. Grace + JP fully embraced the wind and let it swirl through Grace’s hair + veil. It made for some EPIC portraits and we wouldn’t have captured those photos without it!

Intimate Elopement Picnic at Peak View Cabin

After exchanging vows and portraits, we ventured back to the Cabin for Grace + JP to enjoy an intimate picnic on the property. Our original plan was to have the picnic at Lake Ohau, but with the wind so strong, we decided it’s best to have it at the cabin. It wasn’t a problem though, the views at the cabin were just as breathtaking so it was a win-win for us!

The Grazing Table Timaru created the most beautiful charcuterie spread I’ve ever seen. I was floored by their creativity with it! The ladies prepared the spread and even dropped it off to us at the Airbnb!

Sunset Bride + Groom Portraits ft. Cleo the Horse

We then made our way to my friends property to take photos with her horse, Cleo. Grace grew up riding horses and really wanted to incorporate one into her elopement. I loved how special this was for her and you can totally see how much Grace is glowing in the photos. She was completely in her element and I was so glad we could start to wrap up the elopement on such a meaningful note.

Lighting the Fire + Eating Elopement Cake

We headed back to the cabin where Grace + JP finally got to dig into their elopement cake. They ditched the plates and grabbed champagne glasses! I love how impromptu these photos were and how Grace + JP made this moment of their evening so fun. Their personalities shine through these photos and I love when couples feel so comfortable to be their complete selves!

JP lit the fire, they both changed into their comfy clothes and got ready to relax for the evening just them two and enjoy their night as husband and wife.

TWIZEL ELOPEMENT TIMELINE – 5 HOURS OF PHOTOGRAPHY COVERAGE

1PM – Hair starts

2PM – Makeup starts

3PM – Photography coverage starts

3PM – Detail airbnb photos, getting ready photos, writing vows

5PM – Exchange vows at Lake Ohau

5:30PM – Intimate picnic, bride + groom portraits

6:30PM – Horse/sunset portraits

7:30PM – Elopement cake at cabin

8PM – Photography coverage ends

The Dream Vendors to Make this Twizel Elopement Vision Come Alive

AIRBNB – Peak View Cabin

FLORALS – Isle of Green

CHARCUTERIE SPREAD – The Grazing Table Timaru

MAKE UP – Lash and Beauty By Georgia

WEDDING DRESS – Tobi

VEIL – Veils and More Nz

TWIZEL + LAKE OHAU ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER

If you’re looking for a mountain loving photographer for your Twizel + Lake Ohau elopement, you’re right where you should be! The mountains spark a creativity in me like no other. I love being around them and I feel when I am, I create the best art. I photograph intimate weddings + elopements all over the South Island of New Zealand. I’m based in Twizel and tend to cover the South Canterbury and Otago regions. If you’re loving my style + vibe of photography, you can learn more about me here; then check out my Twizel elopement packages so we can get yas married!! x