Donna & Peter | Gantleys Queenstown Autumn Wedding

I remember back when Donna & Pete first booked us how excited I was to be a part of their autumn wedding that they were planning. Well fast forward a year and I can tell you I was even more excited on the day of the wedding - in fact when I did a walk around the locations I was practically skipping with excitement! Just look at all that beautiful autumn colour and light!!!

Pete & Donna met through Rotary Club. Pete told me at our first meeting that there was something about the way Donna's eyes sparkled when she laughed that caught his attention. Over the course of their wedding journey we've loved getting to know Pete & Donna better and it's easy to see these two are best friends & soulmates.

Last Saturday they had their wedding at Gantleys Restaurant, Arthurs Point Queenstown where their families & friends celebrated in style with them. Donna had planned everything down to a tee and found a way to incorporate some of their favourite things into many parts of the day; from purple details, Minion cake toppers, and of course all those warm tones of autumn. On top of that Donna & Pete also used many local businesses from their home town of Balclutha for the day, because that had more meaning to them than just sourcing things from Queenstown.

The girls got ready at Nugget Point Hotel and it was such a relaxed morning!

Donna's dress was perfection - so elegant & timeless! She actually found it in Napier when she & bridesmaid Melissa went dress shopping together. 

While I spent the morning at Nugget Point, Matt was with Pete & his groomsmen in Queenstown. 

Just before the ceremony, Pete & Donna read letters from one another. 

Gantleys Restaurant looked incredible! Blink when you're driving down Arthurs Point Road and you'll miss this gem of a venue, but tucked behind the fence is a magical garden & courtyard with big sweeping trees, stone pathways and twinkling lights decorating the patio.

Peter looked pretty darn happy to see his soon to be wife walking down the aisle with her Dad.

Christine Eyles officiated Pete & Donna's wedding ceremony, complete with a poem read by Pete's daughters. This ceremony was special, not just because Pete & Donna became Mr & Mrs, but also because this was Christine's first wedding and Pete & Donna are her good friends.

Sealed with a kiss & a big cheer!

While guests enjoyed the sunshine streaming through the trees at Gantleys, we headed up the road towards Arrowtown with the bridal party to an incredible garden with more shades of yellow, orange and reds than you could dream of!

Just beautiful friends!

There is something incredible about autumn, not just the colours, but the light! Yes I know, I am obsessed!!!

From the gardens we took a short walk up to the top of the hill looking back towards Queenstown and I was in photographer heaven! 

We had so many laughs with Pete, Donna & their fantastic bridal party!

As the sun fell behind the hills, quickly adding a chill to the air, we headed back to the party at Gantleys. Inside there were red & orange leaves scattered everywhere; on the floor, in the bathroom, on the tables & it actually took me a moment to realise they were not real leaves from the trees outside, but material decorations! ​

How cute are those wee minion cake-toppers?!

Speeches ranged from heartfelt to hilarious.

Donna had thought of everything, including a bucket of sparklers for the guests to light up the garden with!

Then it was back inside for their first dance as husband and wife.

Congratulations Pete & Donna on such a magical and memorable first day of marriage! Thank you for trusting us with the privilege of being your photographers, we've loved being a part of your wedding journey! We felt so welcomed by you, your bridal party & your families, we've definitely made some new friends and we wish a wonderful future ahead as husband and wife.xx


The awesome wedding creatives...
​Dress: Charisma Bridal, Napier // Suits: Hallensteins // Makeup & Hair: FACE Mobile Makeup & Hair // Flowers: Balclutha Floral Art Club // Wedding Invitation & Stationery: Felicia Goffin Creative // Celebrant: Christine Eyles // Venue: Gantleys Restaurant // Cake: Holly Ramsay (fruit cake layer by Pete) // Band: Mojo // And a special thank you to Janet & John for providing us with the stunning autumn backdrop for photos!