Reuben (28) is a builder, and Amanda (23) cosmetics assistant. They share their special day with the ODT.
When and where did you meet? Five years ago we met at a mutual friend's flat-warming. Earlier that day however I had to drop something I had borrowed back to a friend, and coincidentally he lived at Reuben's house. That was when I first laid eyes on him and thought he was good looking. Later that night I met Reuben at the flat warming, and the romance began.
The proposal? Was amazing. We headed to Queenstown and all I knew was that we were going for a nice day there and a cruise on the Earnslaw. It was a beautiful day, the water was so smooth. When the boat come up to Walter Peak Station everyone with day passes got off and Reuben said to me "Get your things, we are getting off here too." As we walked down the wharf a man at the end said everybody with pink tickets should follow him.
At this stage I was wondering what we were up to. He proceeded to say "You're all looking forward to horse trekking. You've got a gorgeous day for it." I was so excited as I had always wanted to go on a horse trek. It was absolutely gorgeous up around the hills. We did a round trip and ended back at the Walter Peak Station homestead for afternoon tea. We were the only ones on the deck of the homestead, beautiful view out to the lake.
As the Earnslaw started coming back in to pick us up Reuben shuffled around to get the ring out of the little coin pocket of his jeans, which had been in there the whole way around the horse trek, got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I wasn't sure what to do for two seconds, gob-smacked that after four years he was actually asking me! I left him hanging for a second. He said he started to sweat! I said "Yes!" Couldn't wait to tell Mum and Dad, but it turned out they already knew because Reuben had asked Dad for his permission to marry me!
We organised our wedding in three months and in this time my friend got married and I was her maid of honour. It was a full-on three months!
Where was the wedding? We were married on Saturday 28th April 2012, at the Gorgeous Hideaway 201, near Winton.
Why did you choose the venue? It has a lovely big garden area which was in stunning autumn colours with a reception venue all in one. Reuben had always wanted to get married in a church but I wanted to look around and see what was out there. We went to check The Hideaway and we both fell in love, it was just perfect! We talked about it all the way home and knew that was where we had to have it!
The dress? This was a purchase online, very risky business, and I had it altered and taken in by a dressmaker in Gore. I made my own veil.
The bridesmaids' drsses? The original bridesmaids' dresses were an online purchase. They came in and were completely the wrong colour! My mum came to the rescue and made new ones in a week and a-half. They were absolutely amazing and I loved them. They were exactly what I was wanting! She was Superwoman, she did so well!
The flowers? Debie Dickie-Lee from Ferndale did our flowers. We told her the flowers we liked and showed her the colour of the bridesmaids' dresses. That was it, she put them together and they were everything I had imagined, just beautiful.
The caterers? We had Country Manor Catering from Winton, as we got to pick a caterer to have at the venue. There was so much food, and such good food.
Highlight of the day? That the day had come, the whole day in itself. It was a rainy, overcast morning but about 12 it turned out stunning. The sun came out and stayed out all afternoon. Getting to relax with friends and family and seeing everything we had organised come together. Reuben's mum marrying us! We had fireworks at the wedding and they were fired so professionally by some of our friends, everybody enjoyed them. As they finished Reuben's nana said "is that it?" She wanted more -- too cute! The wedding went off with a bang!
Your photographer and favourite photo? We had Reuben's Sister, Jasmine Goodwin do our photography. She did an amazing job. We also had Sarah-Jean Gibson, a good friend, take some photos as well. The sparkler ones were done by her. It is too hard to pick a favourite!
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