A Sunset Cable Bay Wedding for Niels & Janne

When Niels and Janne decided - on a complete whim - to get married during their campervan adventure around New Zealand, it felt perfectly aligned with who they are.

Travelling all the way from Belgium, they’d been exploring the country slowly in a campervan, chasing outdoor adventures and beautiful views as they went. When they reached Cable Bay, they knew they didn’t want to just pass through. They wanted to get married there.

And honestly? It was magic.

Their sunset Cable Bay wedding was everything a wedding should be! It was completely relaxed, utterly joyful, intimate, and untraditional in the best possible way.

Celebrant Oakley Salton brought along two friends to act as witnesses, keeping the circle beautifully small. As the sun dipped behind the hills and turned everything golden, Niels and Janne stood together overlooking the ocean and said their vows in their own language. Aside from the legal requirements in English, it was entirely theirs. We all stood back watching them smile and laugh, knowing that they were making some good jokes amognst the meaninful promises.

In true spontaneous style, they realised just before the ceremony that they didn’t actually have rings. Instead of panicking, they pulled two of the small metal rings from a binder notebook and used those. Imperfect. Resourceful. Completely them.

After their ceremony, we wandered down to the beach. They popped a bottle of bubbly and drank straight from enamel mugs, barefoot in the sand. No timeline pressure. No expectations. Just the two of them soaking it all in.

We even hiked up to the lookout point in trainers, because why not? Their whole wedding felt like an extension of their road trip: adventurous, laid-back, and full of fun. There was so much laughter the entire evening. No stiff poses. No traditions that didn’t fit. Just two people wildly in love, choosing each other in the most effortless way.

This is what I love about a Cable Bay wedding. It can be grand and elegant or it can be beautifully simple like this. Golden hills, ocean views, and space to make the day entirely your own.

Niels and Janne reminded me that weddings don’t need rules. They don’t need perfect rings or elaborate plans. Sometimes the best days are the ones you decide on in a campervan, halfway around the world.

And honestly? I wouldn’t have changed a thing.