Once we had decided to get married (Monday evening), we wanted to do it as soon as possible. July school holidays? - too long to wait. Leif suggests - "how about this Friday, it's supposed to be perfect weather"... So Friday 20th April, 2007 it was.
Marriage is a very important step in our lives and we decided it was something very personal that we wanted to do just for ourselves. We wanted the day to be simply a celebration of our love for each other - a time to celebrate with our friends and family would come later. It was hard not to tell people but luckily I just had three days to make it through. We are exceptionally happy and in love and got married in the way that was perfect for us.
Friday dawned a perfect blue sky with a heavy frost. Not a breath of wind and unlimited visibility. We got a helicopter to the top of Mt Ruapehu, an incredible view across the countryside - perfect views all the way to Mt Taranaki. Following
pagan traditions we created a wedding circle in the snow with marigolds and herbs from our own garden. We read letters we had written to each other and exchanged vows. It was absolutely beautiful and couldn't have been more perfect. I thoroughly recommend eloping! ; )
We headed off to Whangamomona for the night (http://www.whangamomonahotel.co.nz/) - no luxury lodge, but classic New Zealand!
pagan traditions we created a wedding circle in the snow with marigolds and herbs from our own garden. We read letters we had written to each other and exchanged vows. It was absolutely beautiful and couldn't have been more perfect. I thoroughly recommend eloping! ; )We headed off to Whangamomona for the night (http://www.whangamomonahotel.co.nz/) - no luxury lodge, but classic New Zealand!
After a night in the
Whangamomona Hotel and navigating 'The Forgotten World Highway' we headed to Palmerston North on Saturday afternoon to tell our families. To say they were surprised is a bit of an
understatement! We celebrated with pizza and bubbly at my parents house.
It's Sunday night here and after a big weekend I am pretty tired. I have promised a few people the photos will be up tonight so will post this now - will put on a few more and edit this in the next couple of days. So check back again soon! From a very happy Mrs Hansen (!)
Whangamomona Hotel and navigating 'The Forgotten World Highway' we headed to Palmerston North on Saturday afternoon to tell our families. To say they were surprised is a bit of an
understatement! We celebrated with pizza and bubbly at my parents house.It's Sunday night here and after a big weekend I am pretty tired. I have promised a few people the photos will be up tonight so will post this now - will put on a few more and edit this in the next couple of days. So check back again soon! From a very happy Mrs Hansen (!)
Dear Mr and Mrs Hansen,
ReplyDeleteCraig and I are so stoked for you, and the photos are just perfect. What an amazing day you had!!! CONGRATULATIONS to you both. It was so lovely to speak to you and hear the excitement in your voice Rach.....
Love Mr and Mrs Gillard (craigus and spanna).
Congratulations Mr and Mrs Hansen!
ReplyDeleteThose photos brought tears to my eyes, what a magical way to get married!
Lots of love Ana xxx
Lovely. You missed out one of my favourite part of the story though... the part where you weaved flax from your garden into wedding rings for each other. Awww... Tres romantique. Love Eli
ReplyDeleteWoo hooo ... this is awesome news. A very Rachel way to get it done!! Huge congratulations from the ever expanding Blakey clan.
ReplyDeleteAndrew, Jo, Grace, Charlotte & Nicholas
Congratulations what brilliant memories and photos to review in 2057 when choppers are obsolete.
ReplyDeleteJan and I are thrilled for you both.
Love Linton and Jan
Mr and Mrs Hansen,
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, just walked in the door and opened your email. Hamish and I are thrilled for you both. Marriage rocks!! Brilliant story, fabulous day! Can't wait to catch up and hear all about it. Let's party!
Georgie and Hamish xxx
Hey Leif and Rachel
ReplyDeleteCongrats to you both... what an amazing day! The perfect couple! All the best.
Love Kerry x
Rach,
ReplyDeleteWhat brilliant photos, it looked like a spectacular day, in a spectacular setting!
Congratulations to you both, and lots of love in the years ahead!
Vic
x
Dear Rachel and Leif,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. Your wedding looked absolutely spectacular! I remember driving past that mountain, and you actually got married there. Beautiful pictures too!Our son has his own weblog as well, it is in Dutch however, but if you ever want to visit, you'll see lots of pictures, and maybe you understand even more than you think. The address is http://www.bloggen.be/OnsKleineWonder and then you have to fill in the username: onskleinewonder and a password: senne (all in small letters). I will definitely be reading you weblog to keep up with your lives!
Love,
Sarah, Brecht and Senne from Belgium
Dear Rach & Leif,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you both - it is such a wonderful story and you can see from the photos how truly happy you both are.
You had such an amazing day and Brad and I are so happy for you.
Take care
Love Liz & Brad
Congratulations!!! I am so very happy for you. It looks like such a gorgeous day & what a way to get married, on top of NZ.
ReplyDeleteLove Nic
Hey You guys, this is fantastic, it has taken a while to sink in for us & just to catch up on cheacking out your blog & fabulous photos - this because of the arrival of our son Bradley - almost 4weeks old now. Congrats on hooking this fine chap Rachel - Leif is a gentlemen of enourmous proportions, (I am sure you don't need to be told). Cool to see you guys so happy & passionate about life. Happy Days - Marcus
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel (& Leif)!
ReplyDeleteAnna Gray forwarded me your blog so I just popped on to it to wish you many congratulations. What a wonderful intimate wedding it must have been - I think it was a brilliant idea to elope!
All my best wishes,
Naava Carman. (UK)