{"id":193710,"date":"2014-10-02T14:00:23","date_gmt":"2014-10-02T04:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/au\/real-weddings\/chloe-lees-breathtaking-new-zealand-elopement\/"},"modified":"2022-03-17T09:11:30","modified_gmt":"2022-03-16T22:11:30","slug":"chloe-lees-breathtaking-new-zealand-elopement","status":"publish","type":"uk-real-wedding","link":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.co.uk\/real-weddings\/chloe-lees-breathtaking-new-zealand-elopement\/","title":{"rendered":"Chloe & Lee’s breathtaking New Zealand elopement"},"content":{"rendered":"
Even without a bridal party, guests, reception or theme, I really struggled to cut these gorgeous elopement pictures of Chloe Hislop and Lee Donald down to a neat 40.<\/span><\/p>\n The NSW couple\u2019s special day was celebrated in Wanaka, New Zealand, on August 20, 2014, with just four loved ones – and their breathtaking photos are matched by their beautiful story. Here it is.<\/p>\n They grew up as kids on their families\u2019 annual camping trips until one year things turned up a notch.<\/p>\n Ten years later they were still in love, had two gorgeous children, renovated houses, finished uni degrees and changed careers \u2013 where was the time to get married?<\/p>\n Then, in 2013, Lee\u2019s dad suffered a devastating stroke, only adding to the improbability that these two would ever walk down the aisle. But as 27-year-old Chloe says, the best decisions we make in life are often spontaneous.<\/p>\n \u201cOur role as partners, parents, and now carers, made us realise the importance of marriage and its binding nature,\u201d reflects Chloe. \u201cAware of the limitations of our ability to have a traditional \u2018wedding\u2019, we spoke about eloping.\u201d<\/p>\n So when plans for a family snow trip turned into an overseas one – to New Zealand – the pair decided it was time.<\/p>\n \u201cJust like that, two months before our scheduled departure, we organised our dream destination wedding \u2013 in the middle of winter \u2013 4500 feet above sea level!\u201d says Chloe.<\/p>\n The pair exchanged their long-awaited vows in the presence of their son and daughter and Chloe\u2019s parents. They then boarded a helicopter for some spectacular scenery shots atop Coromandel Peak, taking a framed photo of Lee\u2019s folks with them. \u201cWe felt they were with us for our special day,\u201d says Chloe, with Lee, 33.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have an appreciation for life now which differs from before\u2026words cannot describe the significance of this day.\u201d<\/p>\n The couple\u2019s reception was a cosy dinner for two, a simple pleasure they rarely enjoy. “Blissful,” smiles the bride.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lee’s ring was custom designed by a family friend with Chloe’s and the kids’ fingerprints cad-cut into the inside.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n “We organised our entire day via email,” says Chloe. “It is amazing to be able to instill so much trust (and money) to a complete stranger and hope they create your perfect day!”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt was unseasonably perfect,\u201d Chloe recalls. \u201cClear blue skies, a balmy 14 degrees and not a breath of wind.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n