ABOUT US
Charlotte Winkel
President
Charlotte is a creative marriage celebrant and wedding blogger who’s passionate about everything wedding and Queenstown related. She runs a celebrant business called ‘Your Big Day’.
Charlotte’s role in the QWA committee is in the social side and development of events. The new integration of community engagement is one of her passions and ‘giving back’ is where her creative and nurturing personality shines through!
View ProfileKate Roberge
Vice President / Workshops
Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Kate moved to New Zealand, because why the hell not?! She describes herself as awkward, a strange mix of an extrovert and introvert, who is adamant that the Canadian Tuxedo is the coolest thing ever . Kate is a our workshop chair and helps us develop lots of great workshops to help develop our members businesses. When she isn’t busy helping us she can be found running her own business, which is being a local wedding photographer.
View ProfileNicolet Spice
Administration & Enquiries
Nicolet runs the day to day of the QWA and is our part-time ‘everything’. She is the lady who appears at the end of most emails, organises our events, manages the website and makes everything happen!
Nicolet also runs her own business ‘Cocktail Merchant’, which is an online liquor store based in Queenstown and specialises in premium spirits, local wines and speciality items.
View ProfileMelissa Couch
Members Development
Melissa is one of our most recent committee members. Born and raised in Dunedin, this is where her passion for the events industry began. She has a wealth of experience having worked in both NZ & Australia within the hotel business events sector and wedding market over the past 20+ years with the last 10 years based in Queenstown. Her current role, Sales Manager at Heritage Queenstown has allowed her to once again be part of the wonderful wedding scene in beautiful Queenstown and work with all the wonderful suppliers to create unforgettable memories for her clients. Heritage Queenstown’s Icon Wedding Venue and Rooftop Terrace is a unique, breath taking hotel wedding offering in the region that hosts weddings all year round.
View ProfileAndy Thompson
Treasurer
Andy joined our committee in 2019 as our fabulous treasurer. He is also a director of In2Food, a catering company that has been delivering exceptional events over the last 16 years and exclusive caterer to Winehouse in Gibbston Valley. He moved to Queenstown in 2017 after a thirteen year stint in Melbourne managing liquor stores. Andy loves being able to assist in creating the perfect event on your wedding day to suit any budget. He believes that not only does the wedding process need thorough planning, but it can be whole lot of fun too!
View ProfileSarah Arkin
Marketing
Sarah is Director of Simply Perfect Weddings (Simply Perfect Events & Experiences). As a dedicated wedding planner, she has helped countless couples from near and far plan their perfect wedding day in the stunning surrounds of Queenstown. Sarah is VP of the QWA and overseas the development of new marketing initiatives, member workshops and oversight of social media activity. If you have any idea then please get in touch!
View ProfileMichelle Dent
Secretary
Michelle brings a wealth of business and wedding knowledge to the QWA committee and is our super star secretary! She has been a wedding planner for over 20 years, first at Rydges Queenstown and now at Mercure Queenstown for the past 17 of those. She has enjoyed many different weddings ranging from Church to Celebrant, Traditional Maori and many same sex of late. She has enjoyed the many wonderful relationships she has built with Bride and Grooms from all over the world and the thrill of being such a trusted host of their special day.
View ProfileLindsay Woods
Membership Chair
Lindsay is our extremely vibrant and fun Membership Chair. His role with the committee is to make sure you are getting the most out of your QWA membership. He is also part of the fabulous LA Social Club band and an amazing entertainer.
View ProfileScott Latham
Social and Events
Scott is passionate about keeping our members happy, healthy and highly caffeinated though great events and social catch ups! Scott also runs Wild In White, a wedding videography company producing unique, modern and creative wedding films. If he isn’t filming or helping at the QWA, you’ll probably find Scott snowboarding or mountain biking down one of Queenstown’s mountain peaks
View ProfileKellie Francis
Sustainability
Kellie is originally from Canada but has made New Zealand her home for over 8 years. She is passionate about sustainability, nature and our planet. Kellie loves weddings, big and small and is usually photographing them through Kellie Francis Photography. In her free time she loves getting outdoors, playing with her doggo Bay and travelling as much as possible.
View ProfileTina Andrews
New Members
Tina is a natural creative with a passion for styling hair for all things Weddings and beyond. Her business is “Hair To Wed” and feels so passionate for all things Weddings in the Wakatipu.
Her role in the QWA is to look after New Members so never to feel lost as they always have a go to.
View ProfileTess Kelly
Website
Tess has recently joined the QWA committee overseeing our website. With a background in marketing, specialising in digital, website management is a real interest for Tess. Tess’s main goal with the website is to help couples fall in love with Queenstown and connect them with our incredible community of wedding vendors.
When Tess isn’t busy helping us improve all things web, she can be found at Heli Glenorchy or Heliworks Queenstown where she manages Sales & Marketing. Both Heli Glenorchy and Heliworks Queenstown offer wonderful heli packages for proposals, weddings, wedding photography and honeymoons.
View ProfileCONTACTING US
If you have a general query please fill in the form below.
If you’d like to sign up as a member please fill in the form found here membership form