A Mountain Proposal, a Mediterranean Dream: Rachael & Gareth's Bali Wedding

Some love stories have a setting that just makes sense. For Rachael and Gareth, that setting was always somewhere with a view.

Gareth proposed at the top of Cecil Peak in Queenstown, New Zealand — a surprise helicopter trip disguised as a birthday treat for Rachael's 30th. There was one catch: Rachael is afraid of heights. "He didn't have to persuade me to marry him," she laughs, "but he did need to entice me out of the helicopter to stand on a mountain." She said yes, obviously. Then came the second surprise — back at the vineyard, friends and family were waiting with streamers and silly string for an impromptu engagement party.

From a mountain top proposal to a Bali hillside wedding felt, somehow, exactly right.

The Look: Modern Classic with a Mediterranean Soul

Rachael and Gareth settled on a palette of gold, white and warm tans — neutral, but deeply impactful. The chapel's striking architecture reminded them of the Mediterranean, so they leaned into it, bringing in a blush pink arch that echoed the contrast of bougainvillea against whitewashed walls you'd find in Spain or Greece.

"The stunning chapel reminded us of the Mediterranean," Rachael explains. "The pink arch was there to emulate that contrast — bougainvillea against the quaint white buildings of places like Greece."

The result was romantic without being fussy. Warm and elegant without trying too hard.

The Ceremony

Vows were exchanged in the bespoke love pavilion at the heart of the chapel — surrounded by the lotus pond, guests seated on the teak deck as the afternoon light fell across the Jimbaran hills. If you've ever wondered what it feels like to get married in a place that genuinely takes your breath away, this was it.

The groom opted for a tuxedo from Hugo Boss, which he paired with shoes and belt from Hugo Boss.

The Reception

As the sun dropped below the hills, the celebration moved through the estate — cocktails in the gardens, then into the evening reception under the Bali sky. The warm glow of lights, the sound of laughter from people who'd flown from opposite ends of the world to be in the same room together. That's exactly what Rachael and Gareth had hoped for.

What Made It Unforgettable

The quiet moments. The first look. The guests who had never met becoming fast friends. The way the venue held the whole day — one space flowing into the next, so nobody wanted to leave.