Welcome to Elopement Journal NZ, a space created for honesty, inspiration, and heart-led storytelling about weddings and elopements in New Zealand.

After nearly three decades of planning intimate weddings through New Zealand Dream Weddings, I wanted to create a different kind of place, one that feels less like a polished brochure and more like a journal. A place where couples can find real advice, thoughtful reflections, and the kind of guidance you don’t always see in glossy wedding magazines.

Here you’ll find:

• Practical insights, timelines, checklists, and tips to make your planning simpler.
• Heart & truth stories, the honest side of elopements, beyond the Instagram-perfect moments.
• Seasonal inspiration, what to expect in Queenstown, Wanaka, Tekapo, Fiordland, and more.
• Gentle encouragement, because planning a wedding should feel exciting, not overwhelming.

This blog isn’t about selling you a package, it’s about sharing what I’ve learned, what couples wish they knew, and why small weddings in New Zealand are so powerful.

At its heart, Elopement Journal NZ is for anyone who believes that love deserves to be celebrated simply, beautifully, and with meaning.

Elopement Journal NZ is the sister blog to New Zealand Dream Weddings, my heart-led elopement planning business that has been creating intimate weddings in New Zealand for nearly 30 years. While NZDW is where I plan and coordinate every detail of a couple’s day, this Journal is where I can share more personally about the journey behind the weddings.

I’m glad you’re here. Make yourself at home.