Neil and his bride-to-be first crossed paths years ago in their hometown in New Zealand, but fate (and a hint of perfume) brought them together again. One day, while browsing in a local department store, Neil caught a familiar scent, followed it, and later sent a message asking if it was her — and it was. That serendipitous moment rekindled their connection.
In 2023, Neil planned the perfect proposal, choosing the windswept beauty of the Castlepoint lighthouse in the Wairarapa, NZ. With the ocean stretching endlessly behind them, he asked the question, and she said yes.
When it came to planning their wedding, the couple opted for simplicity. A Christmas gift trip to Fiji quickly transformed into an elopement, with Malamala Beach Club as their chosen backdrop. Selecting from afar wasn’t easy, but the promise of a blissful, picture-perfect setting won them over — and it was every bit as magical as they’d imagined.
We catch up with Bride Jess to learn more about how their dreamy elopement unfolded:
The Planning
I did all the research for our wedding myself — no planner, no coordinator, just me diving into the details. From the start, I knew I wanted a neutral palette, which is why Neil wore a beige suit and I went for soft, natural makeup. Simple really is best!
Bula Bride was my starting point for ideas, and it was definitely helpful in getting me on the right track. Overall, the whole planning process was surprisingly easy — much easier than trying to organise a wedding back in New Zealand. Who would have thought?
Getting Ready
Totoka Hair & Beauty did my hair and makeup, and they were amazing at creating the look I wanted. My dress was an Essence of Australia gown with alterations by Caroline’s Bridal Studio in the Wairarapa — she’s incredible and made it fit like a dream. Neil’s suit was from Tarocash, and since we didn’t have a bridal party, there were no bridesmaid dresses to worry about.
My beautiful bouquet and Neil’s buttonhole were provided by our celebrant. Funny story — I had actually handmade my own bouquet in New Zealand and brought it over, but in the end, I didn’t end up using it!
The Wedding
We chose Malamala Beach Club for our ceremony because, as I mentioned earlier, it looked perfect — and it really was! The venue also took care of setting up the décor, which made everything so easy. Our theme was neutral, keeping everything light, simple, and timeless.
The Photography
Our photographer was Aaron March Photography. I chose him after seeing his outstanding portfolio, and honestly, we’re so glad we did! I wanted our photos to feel natural and candid, capturing real moments rather than staged ones. He absolutely nailed it — we love our photos so much!
Overall Highlights
How easygoing it all was! Just relax, and Fiji will take care of you.
