The Location
Lake Hope sits tucked behind The Remarkables, with a flight up and over the top to discover this lesser-known spot. It’s a small alpine lake — vivid blue, clear, surrounded by schist and shale-covered slopes that sparkle in summer light. There are no walking tracks to it, no day-trippers. The only way in is by helicopter.
It’s part of our Hidden Gems collection for good reason. The scenery is genuinely striking — a raw alpine landscape that photographs well from every angle. Lake Hope is an excellent call with a flight time is short enough to be ideal for couples who want a proper mountain lake setting without the cost of a longer journey to somewhere like Lake Erskine.
The Day
January in Queenstown means clear blue skies and hot sun with the tussock around the lake edge already turned to that dry summer gold. Sophie and Matt brought one friend along as witness — with Scott acting as the second (you legally need two witnesses which are typically Scott and the pilot).
Philippa Cook handled the ceremony. She’s calm, organised, and great at reading the room — or in this case, the mountain. Phillipa is one of our celebrants who always gets the job done in the best possible way and makes everyone feel well looked after.
The Details
Hair and makeup was by Cicie of Queenstown Hair and Makeup. The bride’s style held up in the mountain air, which is the only real test that matters on a heli elopement day!
Flowers were from The Flower Room — creams and yellows that worked well with the summer palette of the location. The tones sat naturally against the schist, the blue water, and the golden tussock without trying to compete with any of it. Great flower choices for an outdoor ceremony tend to be ones that complement the landscape rather than fight it, and these did exactly that.
The Photographs
Lake Hope shoots well. The blue of the water is striking and vivid even in full midday sun, and the surrounding slopes give a real sense of elevation and remoteness. Summer light at this altitude is bright and clean — no haze, strong shadows, good contrast. The photos from this Lake Hope elopement wedding reflect that: sharp, colourful, and honest about the place they were taken.
This is what the Hidden Gems landings are all about. Not every great elopement location needs to be famous. Sometimes the best spots are the ones that most people haven’t heard of yet.
