Weddings

Ben & Mia’s Mountain Wedding at Lake Wanaka

Words by Hannah Pronesti / Images by Bonnie Jenkins
February 17, 2017

Bonnie Jenkins is in her element shooting New Zealand’s majestic and rugged terrain, and she has truly outdone herself this time – Mia and Ben tied the knot on the shores of Lake Wanaka and Bonnie’s high altitude captures against the snow-capped mountains are out of this world.

This lucky couple were fortunate enough to win their wedding through a competition we featured last February on Nouba. Orchestrated by Fantail Weddings and a team of Wanaka’s most sought after local vendors, this epic prize saw the two whisked away with their nearest and dearest for an intimate celebration in this untouched paradise.

Just when you thought the scenery couldn’t get much better than the lakeside ceremony backdrop, Aspiring Helicopters took the loved-up newlyweds on a joyride over the mountains, dropping them off at the summit where Bonnie Jenkins worked her magic behind the lens. Tolkien, eat your heart out!

Majestic Lake Wanaka wedding by Bonnie Jenkins Photography

The inclusion of flowers native to the Wanaka region was a special touch in Mia’s bouquet and headpiece, and she couldn’t help but sing the praises of Crimson Wedding Flowers.

“We didn't think too deeply into setting a particular theme or style,” Mia tells us, “we wanted the day to be as stripped back and straightforward as possible. The location we were in was so breathtaking that it stole the show entirely!”

With her ivory skin and fiery hair, Mia was a vision in a lace Sottero & Midgely gown - and judging by Ben’s reaction when she joined him on the shore, he thought so too!

“Our reception was full of surprises!” Tells Mia. “After the ceremony we were led across a little field where our reception lunch was set up atop a hill, overlooking the lake and mountains. We could not have dreamt of a more stunning display.” All thanks to Fantail Weddings!

According to these vegos, Delicious Catering lived up to their name. “The menu was kept as a surprise and although we were a little nervous, the food was exceptional. They created a sumptuous veggie feast that even the carnivores raved over!”

helicopter mountain wedding Lake Wanaka NZ

“Bonnie Jenkins was fantastic,” share the couple of their photographer. "We had an engagement shoot earlier to help us get comfortable in front of the camera. The end result was more than we ever could have asked for.”