Three Rotorua couples win weddings
Three Rotorua couples were given a happy surprise when they each won a wedding package worth thousands of dollars in a radio competition.
For the past month, the couples - Caleb Quirke and Lisa West, Chris Dibley and Sandy Milne, and Trent Smith and Louise Reith - have been taking part in the More FM $10,000 Pre-nuptials Challenge in the hope of winning the wedding package.
However, none of them needed to be nervous when summoned to hear who had won as all three got the wedding of their dreams and were married by celebrant Philly Angus one after the other at Aorangi Peak yesterday.
All were ecstatic as they opened the gold bags given to each couple by More FM host Andy George, informing them they'd won a wedding, although the Quirkes won the most points following challenges each couple were set.
Before the women arrived in a limousine about 8am yesterday, three nervous grooms paced the dining room at the restaurant at the top of Mt Ngongotaha.
Mr Smith said he had the "jitters" but was planning to marry his partner, Ms Reith, even if they hadn't won.
"I'm ready to go," he said.
The couple have a 1-year-old son, Joel, and Ms Reith had proposed to him on the radio.
Mr Quirke was also a tad nervous before his wife-to-be arrived. They have been engaged for a year and their first daughter is due in July. They also parent 10-year-old Cain.
Mr Dibley said "no" when his partner first proposed on the radio on February 29, Leap Day, but changed his mind moments later. They have been together 12 years and have three children - Jordon, Adam and Emma.
All three brides were happy with their special day.
Mrs Dibley said it was "fantastic".
"We are very lucky to be here."
Mrs Smith was in tears throughout the ceremony.
"I'm just on top of the world, I'm so happy," she said.
Mrs Quirke said she was overwhelmed. "I can't believe I'm married."
The weddings were broadcast live on the radio and online to Cyprus and England so family and friends could listen in.
Radio presenter Andy George said all three couples deserved to win.
"We couldn't have found three better couples for this," he said.
