The Short Version
Sally and Jack had booked a trip to Queenstown for a snowboarding trip with two mates. Somewhere between booking their flights and hitting the slopes, they also decided to get married. They got in touch, and two weeks later on a clear winter morning they flew up to Bayonet Peak with their friends and said their vows in the snow.
That’s the whole story, really. It’s also a pretty good advertisement for not overcomplicating things.
Bayonet Peak
Bayonet Peak is a Close to Queenstown landing — a short flight, low cost, and one of Scott’s personal favourites. The peak sits above the Wakatipu basin with views stretching across Lake Wakatipu and out to the ranges on the other side. On a clear spring day it’s hard to argue with.
This particular spot has rocky outcrops and gentle slopes, and in winter and spring the snow can often settle between the tussock rather than burying it entirely — so you still get that dry golden colour coming through. It gives the landscape some texture and warmth, which photographs beautifully. The backdrop of the surrounding ranges and the lake below does the rest of the work.
Bayonet Peak is a working high-country station, which means in summer you might fly over sheep and tahr grazing on the valley below. In spring it’s just snow, rock, and the occasional very cold wind. The day Sally and Jack were there: no wind, blue sky, and more sunshine than anyone has a right to expect in September.
Two Weeks From Enquiry to Wedding
We’re used to short-notice bookings — Queenstown draws a lot of couples who are already here and decide to make it official while they’re at it. Two weeks is quick, but it’s totally workable, and it’s exactly the kind of thing our Shotgun Wedding discount is designed for.
If you’re already in Queenstown, or you’re planning a trip and want to sort a wedding at the same time, it’s worth knowing that short-notice bookings attract a discount. The logistics are the same, the locations are the same, the ceremony is just as good — you’ve just decided faster than most. We don’t penalise that. In fact, we actively encourage it.
Sally and Jack had Sarah Noble as celebrant, who has done enough of these to know how to keep things moving and enjoyable without making it feel rushed. With two friends along for the snowboarding (and the wedding), the ceremony was relaxed with loads of laughs and the odd tear. Exactly how it should go.
The Fur Jacket
When you’re getting married in the snow in Queenstown it’s likely to be a bit chilly. Sally borrowed one of our complimentary wedding furs — a white rabbit fur jacket from Hollies of Denmark. We keep a selection of furs available for exactly this situation, because the mountains in winter are very good-looking but also genuinely cold.
It’s a detail worth knowing about if you’re planning a winter elopement. You don’t need to source a specialist coat or wear a puffer jacket over your dress, in fact please don’t bring your puffer jacket! The furs are included at no extra cost, we have a wide selection of styles, sizes and they’re not all white.
The Photographs
Bayonet Peak in a bluebird winter is a go-to location for epic photographs. The combination of snow, schist rock, golden tussock and clear sky gives you contrast and colour without needing much else. The views across to the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu fill out any wider shot.
Sally and Jack had two friends in the frame for many of the ceremony shots, which gave the photos a different energy to a typical two-person elopement with more interaction and genuine friend connections. That suits the location and the day well.
