Mia & James \\ Floral Fantasies captured by Carla Mitchell

Blankets of moss and Sacramento greens layered Mia and James’ ceremony in the grounds of The Winehouse in the heart of Gibbston Valley. Their relaxed yet refined garden nuptials were luscious amongst the staggered verdant greens. Rhythms of florals by The Vase heightened the luxurious aesthetic and carried a soft blossoming palette from start to finish.

Although varied in their silhouettes, sleeves and floral patterns, Mia in her Rue De Seine gown and her bridesmaids in Zimmermann were perfectly in sync and the spontaneity of nature ran through their dreamy style; modern and whimsical.

In the heartfelt skies of the Remarkables, Mia and James shared a toast alone. Looking out across the endless golds and blues, pausing time for a moment before they headed back to their reception – simple, fresh and laden with starry lights.

Wildly beautiful details realised through the lens of Carla Mitchell.

How did you meet and how long have you been together?

We met in 2016 at a themed charity event – the theme was NFL Super Bowl. We’ve been together 4 and a half years.

How would you describe each other?

James is cheeky, caring, meticulous and down to earth. Mia is funny, intelligent, loyal and a beautiful person.

Tell us a little bit about the proposal and your engagement?

James proposed to me in Queenstown in May 2019. We were hiking the Routeburn Track and James kept stopping at every picturesque spot and asking if he should fly his drone. Finally about 10km into the hike he decided on the best spot and started flying his drone. I was taking in the views and as I turned around he was on one knee. The drone captured the whole proposal. The ring was so beautiful but didn’t fit so I nervously held onto it for the whole 10km hike back to the car. James booked the Onsen hot pools for a post hike champagne celebration.

What does marriage mean to you?

Marriage for us is a symbol of our lifelong commitment to each other. It’s committing to love, respect and spend the rest of your days with your best friend, lover and partner for life.

Tell us about your wedding style. What influenced your planning for the day?

Overall, contemporary and whimsical. I wanted a refined, modern style with a wild and whimsical twist. I was looking for a distinctive yet soft palette, and nothing too contrived. It was important to me that my bridesmaids feel beautiful on the day, and I wanted to give them choice in their look but also styled to fit a muted palette of tea and blush tones with a pop of antique blues.

What was your favourite moment from the day?

The best moment of the day was the helicopter to the top of the Remarkables for our photos. It was so incredibly peaceful up there and after all the nerves and crazy energy of the day it was amazing to just be together and feel on top of the world.

Why did you choose your destination?

James and I got engaged in Queenstown and it’s one of our favourite spots in the world. As this was a destination wedding for us, we wanted somewhere to suit not only us, but our friends and family. Queenstown has something to suit everyone; action, adventure, food, wine, spectacular scenery and as a bonus it’s close to home.

Who were your stand out vendors?

The entire team at The Winehouse were unbelievable. They are true professionals who delivered the most relaxed, fun and truly best day of our lives! Carla created photos that captured every emotion of the day effortlessly. Our band The Flavour – the best dance floor any wedding could ask for – it was a vibe!

Advice for other couples planning a wedding?

Sit down early with your fiancé and work out how you want your day to look and feel. Friends, and family will all have their opinion of what they want your day to be for you and some can be very insistent with their advice. If you’re clear on what the two of you want from the beginning and stay true to that, the day will be truly ‘you’ and everyone will have the most amazing time.