An Adventure Elopement at Piha Beach

5 Jul

You’re engaged! Wohoo! Absolutely excited is what you should be. But sometimes that excitement gets overshadowed by the stress and expenses of a big wedding day that you don’t really want anyways. So let me tell you this once and for all - There are no rules when it comes to your wedding day! (except signing the paper, but you get the point!) So let me tell you about my personal favourite way to get married -

-So, what exactly is an adventure elopement?

The definition of what an elopement is has definitely changed. It no longer only means court house, secrecy, or disappointed parents. Ever since the Covid-pandemic stole the options of big weddings from us, a new type of elopement has become popular - adventure elopements! Create your day around the things the two of you want to do - there are literally NO rules!

Veil - Harriett Falvey
Hairpiece & Earrings - Veronik Atelier

Why Piha is a great location for your Adventure Elopement!

Piha Beach is only a 45 minute drive from the buzzing city of Auckland, which is a hotspot for all kinds of professional wedding vendors! Piha is a black sand beach - a natural wonder caused by volcanic activity in New Zealand over millennia. I will personally never get over the raw beauty of the black sand beaches of Auckland’s west coast.

Piha Beach is big enough to find those secluded spots, but accessible enough to get all your elopement essentials out there - can be anything from a picnic setup to an arch for your small ceremony.

(By the way, if you need vendor recommendations to make your dream day a reality, send me an email and I’ll give you a list!)

Piha Beach also has the stunning Lion Rock towering up in the middle of the beach. It makes for an epic backdrop!

**A typical adventure elopement timeline at Piha Beach** -

1:00 pm - Getting Ready at your accomodation close to Piha

Hot tip - get ready in private and plan in a first look! Fill you day with special moments.

2:00 pm First Look

Fill your day with special moments, and let me tell you, a first look is super special! It just makes your heart beat faster on the best way possible!

2:30 pm - Ceremony!

This is it! This is where it happens. Play a special song, or let someone read a bible verse. Make it memorable!

Let’s make sure you’ll get photos together with all your special guests as well.

3:30 pm Picnic on the beach

Get a picnic set up done for you so you can just arrive and enjoy your private picnic setup at Piha!

5:00 pm Hike to one of the epic spots!

Let’s explore more of this stunning location and let’s go for a hike! Choose between epic cliff sides, waterfalls or more of the black sand beach itself. On the way you can stop and you can read your private vows to each other. Don’t forget to do a Champagne pop to celebrate as well!

6:00 pm - Sunset session

Let’s catch the sunset! There is nothing quite like a sunset at Piha Beach. And just after the sun has gone down is the perfect opportunity to pull out the lanterns for those out-of-this-world shots!

8:00 pm - Dinner at your Waitakere AirBnb

Let’s wrap up your day with a beautiful dinner at your local accomodation. Hire a private chef at let them serve you a three course meal as you take in what you have experienced during the day.