Did you know you can get married on the actual Hobbiton movie set in New Zealand? Danielle and Nathan did, and as two lifelong Tolkien fans it was the only place that made sense. A huge wedding was never on the cards. They wanted something small, something that was just for them, so they flew halfway across the world, ditched all the traditions, and tied the knot among hobbit holes and rolling green hills.

The two first met while playing Magic: The Gathering. Years later, when it came to planning their wedding, the fantasy theme fell into place naturally. “Hobbiton needs no introduction, the fantasy theme blossoms from the landscape itself,” Danielle said. “The homey, cottage feel is warm and inviting. The rolling fields are breathtaking, and the details in each and every corner of the location are magical. It doesn’t hurt that we are both fans of The Lord of The Rings and The Hobbit!”

Their day stripped away everything people usually expect from a wedding. “It was just the two of us. No family, no friends, no catering, no reception, no flower girl, and the only ring bearer for us was Frodo Baggins!” they laughed. For their walk down the aisle they didn’t bother with tradition either. Instead, thanks to the Hobbiton staff, they walked down to Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire as a tongue-in-cheek nod to the flames of Mount Doom. They wrote their own vows, performed a handfasting, and toasted the day with a bottle of officially licensed Lord of the Rings wine.

Their budget was £10,000 but that also covered a two week holiday in New Zealand, including the wedding itself. The flights were the biggest cost. Almost everything else they saved on by skipping a reception, catering and having to make or hire their own or décor. “We didn’t have to pay for flowers for the location, they grow there naturally, or decorations, as the whole venue is perfect as is.” Danielle said,. She wore a dress from Lolita Wardrobe and Nathan wore pieces from Peter Christian Outfitters, proving that alternative weddings don’t need a big price tag to look great.

The only thing Danielle wishes she could change? “I would have had our parents present. They would have loved to attend.” But she wouldn’t trade the experience itself for anything.

Looking back on the planning process, she’s glad they ignored the standard venue search at home. “I wish we had planned a destination wedding from the start”, she admitted. “We wasted a lot of time looking at venues and hearing the astronomical prices that others were spending on a single day. We decided it’d be more memorable if it was just us, in a place that we could have only dreamt of visiting before.”

“Skip the stress, elope in a place that’s special to you both!” she concluded. “Enjoy your day, don’t get caught up in perfection because your love is what matters.”