The most beautiful locations in st arnaud, nelson lakes, lake rotoiti
A Stunning Wedding in St Arnaud
Oh my golly gosh. Let me start right at the beginning, when I first met this very special couple and family.
I was so excited when Claire and Heath booked a Zoom consultation and I couldn't wait to meet them. They seemed like such fun, down to earth people and yessss, they absolutely were.
They had chosen a St Arnaud wedding because of close family ties and a gazillion family memories there. And ahhhh, it's such a beautiful place! A shortish drive from Nelson, St Arnaud is a popular Nelson Lakes wedding destination and it is so easy to see why.
I drove up the week before mostly just to stare across the lake and bathe in the peace that just happens to you when you are there. I had a wander around, dunked my children in the lake and found some gorgeous spots for photos and I couldn't wait to return the following week.
What a magical day it was, with a stunning and touching ceremony at the Chapel of Christ on the Lake, also known as Lake Rotoiti Chapel. It was such a lovely ceremony and I adored the ways in which they involved their friends and family. Of course, following this we headed to the lake for St Arnaud wedding photos on the wharf. From there, we drove to Tophouse Historic Inn, where a beautiful marquee had been set up. Claire and Heath are from Blenheim, so there was a wonderful mix of Nelson and Marlborough wedding vendors working together, I've listed these great vendors down below.
As the day went on, Claire told me about so many little details that were incredibly special and had a whole lot of meaning. The stories behind these sweet touches gave me goosebumps and just made everything all the more magical.
Claire and Heath danced the night away with their happy crew of family and friends, and it was such a beautiful wedding to be invited to be a part of!
A just married sunset dance in the field at Tophouse Historic Inn in St Arnaud. By NZ wedding photographer, Velvet Moon Photography.
They're gorgeous wedding rings in detail. By Nelson wedding photographer, Velvet Moon Photography.
The beautiful bride standing on the wharf, St Arnaud. By Nelson wedding photographer, Velvet Moon Photography.
There is something special about St Arnaud weddings
St Arnaud is a beautiful spot to be wed. The drama of the mountains, the ever changing lake, even the sky is just different. So much beauty, any way you turn. Nelson Lakes, Lake Rotoiti, St Arnaud... It all means the same stunning environment.
And the venues are special too. Tophouse Historic Inn was an amazing host for Claire and Heath's wedding, with the bonus that guests could stay onsite. And gosh, the Chapel of Christ on the Lake is one of a kind, isn't it?
From the chapel of Christ on the lake to the wharf at st arnaud to Tophouse Historic Inn
Ceremony to Reception
One part I love about weddings is the transition between the ceremony and the reception. It's amazing seeing people shifting from the emotional feelings that happen during the ceremony to the relaxed celebration that happens at the reception. It's so beautiful to see the full spectrum of joy and happiness, as it moves from serious to fun. I love it, it gets me every time.
The Fun is in the Journey
You had better believe that if you are on Fling and Run duties, you too shall have an image like this included. We always have so much fun doing this so I always pop one in there, as well as the one without you.
Sometimes at this point people throw in a MacGuyver Roll.
And of course, these AMAZING MARLBOROUGH + NELSON wedding vendors:
HAIR
BEAUTY
SUITS
CEREMONY VENUE
https://www.facebook.com/LakeRotoitiChapel/
VENUE
MARQUEE AND ALL THAT GOES WITH IT
WINE
FLOWERS, CAKE AND DECOR
Sandy Large
CAR
Debbie
Gotta love it when people really commit to the dance floor!
