Marie and Arnie’s wedding didn’t follow a set theme. They didn’t have any elaborate decor or lots of guests to keep happy; instead, they went for what had always felt right to them—getting married high in the Queenstown mountains. For them, simplicity was key, paired with the grandeur of nature. “We wanted something simple yet classy. Our dream wedding was always to get married in the mountains,” Marie told us.

The couple’s day started with a helicopter journey to Coromandel’s Peak, setting the tone for an unforgettable ceremony. Although the bride was in a white dress and the groom a suit, fancy footwear was swapped for custom Nike trainers and bright red socks.

Marie and Arnie worked with wedding planner Kellie and her team at Shaken & Stirred, who made sure every detail ran smoothly. “We didn’t have any planning challenges because Kellie handled everything,” Marie explained. “If you can afford it, hire a good, reliable wedding planner. It takes so much stress off your shoulders!”

The day included a unique itinerary of three helicopter landings, with stops at Coromandel’s Peak, Hope’s Lake, and Bayonet’s Peak. “Our favourite part of the day was all three of our helicopter landings,” Marie said. “Not many people can say they get to do that on their wedding day!”