It was the wet-weather save of the season. Wedding planner Harriet takes us behind the scenes of this incredible day.
Jaclyn and Blake’s love affair with Queenstown, New Zealand began long before they exchanged vows. After a breathtaking helicopter engagement shoot atop Isthmus Peak, the decision was made: this alpine paradise had to be shared with their closest family and friends. They entrusted AKC to bring their vision to life, and so began a journey of meticulous planning, considered design, and uncompromising attention to detail.
From the outset, the focus of their planning was their guests’ experience. Every decision from table details to the entertainment provided after the ceremony was made to ensure an experience that was as beautiful as it was heartfelt.
The Site Visit
Four months before the big day, Jaclyn and Blake arrived in Queenstown for a site visit to their chosen venue, Wonder & Full. The day was cold and rainy, but their vision as positive as ever. In true J+B fashion, they wanted to do things differently. Rather than the ceremony location that every other couple had chosen in the past, they decided to hold theirs on the lawn outside the venue so their guests could look up at the Remarkables mountain range.
To enhance the grandeur, we designed a raised ceremony stage, complete with full area flooring, white picket fencing for intimacy, and a floral installation cascading with colour, texture, and depth. Lush greenery softened the structure, creating a styling palette that was rich, vibrant, and undeniably them. It was a design I could not wait to bring to life.
The Weather Turns
Two weeks out, our routine weather checks hinted at a chill in the air, so we sourced soft pastel blankets perfectly in keeping with the theme, to keep guests warm. But as the date drew near, the forecast shifted dramatically. Temperatures plunged, and the rain began to fall.
Then came the three degree temperature forecast and record-breaking rainfall.
Two days before the wedding, we made the call to bring in a 20-metre marquee from our incredible friends at Truly Yours. The entire floor plan was reimagined, heating was installed, timelines adjusted, and every detail reconsidered to ensure the couple’s vision remained uncompromised. We were ready. Or so we thought…
The Wedding Morning
I arrived at 8am to find the unthinkable. The ground was so saturated the marquee was partially flooded.
With gumboots, towels, and mops in hand, we began damage control. Meanwhile, the rest of the team worked with precision: ribbon place names tied, candles arranged, draping suspended with care. In the background, I made an urgent call or rather, a desperate Google search for a company that could literally remove water from the ground. Within 30 minutes, a tanker was en route.
Over 50,000 litres of water was pumped away before midday from the ground surrounding the venue which was something I’d never factored into a wedding set up previously! It was a testament to the power of an experienced, professional team who can deal with obstacles calmly and efficiently.
The Celebration
Inside the last-minute marquee, the day unfolded with charm and intimacy. Guests wandered through a custom gallery featuring Jaclyn and Blake’s engagement photos, captured by their wedding photographer, Kate Roberge. A live artist painted portraits of each guest, while children delighted in a ‘tattoo bar’ and games. Sydney band Cannon Wheel brought the energy and kept the vibes high.
Later in the evening, Duck Island ice cream, which we flew down from the North Island, was served in charming tubs for a late-night treat (worth every logistical detail, as it truly is the best). The night ended beneath a canopy of stars, with dancing, laughter, and joy spilling out into the crisp alpine air.
This wedding was a reminder that you can plan for months, but when the weather decides otherwise, you need a team who will adapt with calm and confidence. At AKC, we believe there is always a solution and that the best weddings are often the ones that tell their story not just through the details you plan, but through the challenges you overcome together.
To work with us, get in touch.
Imagery by Kate Roberge Photography
