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New Zealand Elopement

New Zealand Elopement With Punjabi Ritual

Photography by Pablo Laguia

Talk about a ceremony with a view! Sirjana and Ben's intimate New Zealand elopement genuinely brought a tear to our eyes. Stripped back and simple, you can really tell that these two are head over heels for each other. Absolutely everything was DIY, Sirjana designed her own dress and her mum stitched it together on short notice; the couple wrote their vows as love letters to each other, and gave each other heartfelt personal gifts. We're not crying, you're crying!

Both wedding photographers themselves, Sirjana and Ben took the adventure of a lifetime with their favourite photographer, Pablo Laguia, and his wife. Pablo beautifully captures their fits of laughter echoing around the whole valley! The couple decided to have a New Zealand elopement after they were officially married as their vendors weren't the dream team they had hoped for. They wanted to have a special ceremony just for themselves to make up for it. They celebrated with a Punjabi feet washing ritual before saying their vows, dipping their feet in the stunning lakes of Mount Cook. Brace yourself, the photos are incredible.

A heartfelt New Zealand elopement with their favourite photographer along for the ride.

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After we said our vows we stood for a minute, just looking at nature and allowing her to humble our hearts. On our anniversary Ben gifted me a locket he made out of a rock he picked from that exact spot.

Sirjana & Ben

Bride and groom before their New Zealand elopement
The bride and groom laughing before their elopement ceremony
The groom helping Sirjana get dressed in a dress her mother made for her
The bride and groom stopped for ice lollies before their New Zealand elopement
The bride and groom eloped at Mount Cook, New Zealand
Sirjana presented Ben with a painted portrait of them together as a wedding gift
The groom dips the bride on top of Mount Cook in New Zealand
The bride and groom stopping at a convenience store for ice lollies
Sirjana and Ben eloped in New Zealand
Sirjana's stunning hand henna for her wedding day
New Zealand's beautiful natural landscape is perfect for elopements
The bride and groom wrote personalised vows for their New Zealand elopement
The bride's personal gift to the groom, a painted portrait for their elopement ceremony
The bride and groom walking through the hills of Mount Cook, New Zealand
Deer skull in rural New Zealand
Pablo Laguia captured this New Zealand elopement ceremony beautifully
The bride and groom look at the stunning views over New Zealand
The bride and groom wore traditional Punjabi wedding clothing for their New Zealand elopement
The bride and groom explored waterfalls before their New Zealand elopement ceremony
Rural New Zealand towns make a unique setting for a wedding
Stunning views across the New Zealand hillside
The bride and groom exploring New Zealand before their elopement ceremony
An intimate and personal elopement ceremony at Mount Cook, New Zealand
The bride wore a homemade dress to celebrate her wedding day in New Zealand
New Zealand has a perfect rural landscape for an elopement ceremony
The bride and groom are elated after saying their vows on top of Mount Cook

LIVING IN THE MOMENT

A few beautiful moments from our day included realising that morning it was finally the day! We were running like kids towards the top of a hill that Pablo suggested for taking some photos after we said our vows, without a care in the world. Then we spent the evening talking about love and marriage with Pablo and Ana at dinner.

PHOTOGRAPHY

You will spend so so so much time with your photographer. Choose an artist who is not only great at what he/she/they do, but are sincere in their approach and take time to understand your love story. Your day is a celebration of your love - dip it into your personalties, make it as unique as your love story and prepare to smile all day long.

The bride and groom had a traditional Punjabi ritual at their elopement ceremony
The bride and groom embrace by the lakes of Mount Cook, New Zealand
A traditional Pubjabi feet washing ritual was performed
The bride and groom embrace during their Punjabi wedding ritual
A traditional Pubjabi feet washing ritual in the lakes of Mount Cook, New Zealand
The bride wore beautiful red bangals with her maroon and gold wedding dress
The couple running through the hills at New Zealand elopement
Mount Cook, New Zealand
The groom typed his wedding vows on the bride's favourite typewriter
The bride and groom performing a Punjabi ritual at their New Zealand elopement wedding
The bride and groom smiling and laughing on Mount Cook
A traditional feet washing wedding ritual was important to include in the elopement ceremony
The couple had a traditional Punjabi ritual to honour the bride's heritage
The bride and groom looked stunning in their traditional Indian wedding outfits on Mount Cook
The bride wearing a beautiful traditional Indian wedding outfit in maroon, baby blue and gold.
The bride's veil flows in the wind of the New Zealand mountains
The bride's personalised vows on homemade wedding stationery
A beautiful hand painted portrait was wedding a gift for the groom.
Sirjana looks beautiful at her New Zealand elopement on Mount Cook

A New Zealand elopement was the perfect place to have the ceremony they always wanted.

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Secretly, late at night, I painted a portrait of us to gift to Ben after our vows. He typed out his vows on my favourite typewriter, which means it would have taken him days to get it done as it is quite loud & we are generally together 24/7. We appreciate sneaky love missions!

Sirjana & Ben


I think a New Zealand elopement might just be at the top of my wishlist now. Picking an area of outstanding natural beauty for your elopement is perfect for a no-fuss, stripped back and minimal ceremony. Mother nature is your stylist! And as Sirjana says, having a photographer who understands your vision and love story will make it even more special. Have a look through our Recommended Suppliers to find your perfect photographer.


Photographer: Pablo Laguia
Real WeddingNew ZealandRusticElopementDIYMinimalGreensOrangesGoldsUnder £5kIndian