Lake Tekapo, South Island of New Zealand Elopement Photo Story Award

The couple shares their first kiss as husband and wife in front of Lake Tekapo, surrounded by blue and purple lupine flowers.

Renae and Paul's adventure elopement in New Zealand started off on the wrong foot - with a missed flight and then when they arrived, their luggage didn't.  Despite only having their elopement clothes with them, they forged ahead with their elopement plans. They got ready in their campervan on the shore of Lake Tekapo; only one of the most beautiful turquoise lakes in the world. Together they walked along the shoreline of Lake Tekapo to find the perfect elopement ceremony spot in the Lupines. The intimacy of their elopement ceremony was very special to them. Each of them wiping away a few tears as they declared their love for each other and exchanged rings.

After they sealed their marraige with a kiss, we headed to the nearby town of Mt. Cook to begin a half day hike up Hooker Valley. It was foggy and rainy, but this didn't dampen any spirits. The umbrellas helped, and then Renae bunched her dress up under her sweater like a Pillsbury dough boy and hilarity ensued. They created a secret handshake in the rain. Playing a song on a phone, they held each other close for a romantic first dance in front of the iceberg-filled glacial lake. And then they absolutely just goofed off! Putting their fingers in each other’s noses, climbing up rock piles, and Renae picked up Paul like it was nothing. We also braved the thundering Stirling Falls, a huge waterfall that tumbles directly into Milford Sound, a fjord on the west coast of South Island. We returned to Lake Tekapo after dinner for some stargazing, which the region is famous for.

Renae becomes emotional while declaring her vows to Paul that she wrote that morning. on the shore of Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. They chose to elope at this lake because of its gorgeous turquoise color.

The bride stuffs her wedding dress up into her sweater to keep it from dragging on the ground in the rain. The groom holds their umbrellas over her while they both laugh.

The groom liberally applies bug spray to the bride's waiting feet. The sandflies in this area of New Zealand are aggressive and bloodthirsty.

The couple unwrapped a gift from their family and friends - a collection of well wishes and congratulations all bound together in a book. They chose to elope in New Zealand because they loved the idea of being surrounded by mountains.