Grant Dixon and Wendy Handley-Dixon
Region: Southland
When and where we met:
We met in July 2011, via internet site "Find Someone", when I messaged Grant and said "like your profile, like your smiley face, pity you live so far away!), me living in North Canterbury and Grant in Invercargill. We spent a few months typing, followed by phone conversations and finally I flew down in September and Grant met me at the airport with red roses. Then I moved down the following March.
The proposal:
Well, Grant had many thoughts of taking me to Stewart Island, but it actually happened just sitting at home chatting over wine.
Where was the wedding:
Married 14/2/2014, St Valentine's Day. Held at the Glass Chapel at the Distinction Hotel in Te Anau.
Why did you choose the venue:
Because when I came down and met Grant, he took me to Te Anau, and we saw the chapel and talked about what an amazing spot it would be for a wedding, never thinking at that point that we would be back there to do just that, two and a-half years later. And 2 days after we got engaged, I received an email saying they were offering a wedding package.
The dress:
Was in my favourite shade of pink, and purchased via the internet
The wedding party:
My grandchildren Amber and Bailey were the only wedding party we had, and they honoured me by walking me into the chapel.
The flowers:
Flowers were done by Ambrosia Florist in Invercargill and were kept simple: a bouquet of pale pink and deeper crimson pink roses for me and flowers for my hair, and a buttonhole for Grant.
The caterers:
All food was done by the absolutely brilliant team at the Distinction Hotel. The food was AMAZING and our guests still talk about it now!
Highlight of the day:
For both of us it was knowing our very special family and friends were there to share our day, many of whom travelled some distance to be with us, as all my family live in North Canterbury. And for me, the surprised faces when my grandchildren walked me towards Grant and then Bailey placed my hand in Grant's.
Photographer:
Taken by good friend and photographer, Suzanne McNatty of Invercargill. The Tawera boat in the pictures belonged to the Ross family, Grant's great-grandparents, and there is history behind it, being the first steamer in Southern Lakes dating back to 1899. We tracked it down, in dry dock at Te Anau, and had amazing photos taken there. My real favourite photo is the one with my shoes in focus with the view of Lake Te Anau.
