The couple, who have been together almost 14 years and have children Javarn (9), Maycee (7), Mikaere (6) and Ally's son Damon, were among the first in the country to wed the day same-sex marriage in New Zealand became legal under the Marriage Amendment Act.
Two gay couples also married in Dunedin yesterday morning.
Just after 9am, two local women tied the knot and at 11.30am, two Dunedin men became husband and husband.
Ministry of Justice deputy registrar Brian Sceats said both couples booked in and registered on Friday ahead of the law change.
Ms Bendall and Ms Wanikau were chosen by Air New Zealand from video and written entries from across New Zealand.
They were married by the Rev Dr Kim Jewel Elliott, of Auckland, in front of family, friends and Modern Family actor and marriage equality campaigner Jesse Tyler Ferguson and his husband, Justin Mikita, both of the United States - also recently married.
Before the wedding, Ms Wanikau said it was a ''massive, massive day for our kids and that next generation''.
Ms Bendall said the day ''meant the world for thousands of people''.
''I am so proud to be a Kiwi - I think we've achieved so much.''
Before boarding Air New Zealand's black A320 plane, Dr Elliott said August 19, 2013, was ''a really important day for New Zealanders''.
''From this day forth, every child will grow up knowing that they can marry whoever they love, and that is an amazing thing.''
Rather than exchanging wedding bands, the couple exchanged pounamu before being officially pronounced wife and wife at 30,000 feet.
Ferguson said it had been ''an absolute pleasure'' to celebrate the ''historic and joyous moment'' with the newlyweds.
''Marriage equality is something very dear to both Justin and me,'' he said.
Ms Bendall said the couple had waited a long time to make their union official and she was ecstatic to be able to call herself a newlywed.
Labour Party MP Louisa Wall, whose Bill to legalise same-sex marriage was passed into law in April, said yesterday's ceremonies were what all her hard work had been about.
''Until this point in time, it's all been theoretical, debating about what this might mean, and I think today we've seen exactly what it's all about: celebration of family, friends, commitment and love.''
But there was still much to do to get equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community, she said.
''There's been a philosophical analysis about this being about Western liberalism and not about universal human rights for all human beings. And I think the push back from countries like Russia really needs to be challenged globally.''
