Bethanie & Callum's love story

"We met at Sky City in Auckland, where we both worked but in completely different departments. Callum likes to tell the story of how he'd noticed me for weeks in our shared break room, working up the courage to say hello. When he finally approached me, I was completely oblivious to this man who was clearly trying to make a connection!

It wasn't until later that I actually thought about our interaction and found myself trying to track him down on social media. He ended up messaging me, and the rest is history. Looking back, it's funny how something as simple as a shared break room and a bit of social media sleuthing became the beginning of our forever."

What is an aspect of your wedding that felt truly authentic to you?

"Having our wedding in nature at Bridgewater. From the moment we started planning, we both knew we wanted to be surrounded by natural beauty rather than a traditional indoor venue. Bridgewater was absolutely breathtaking – the landscape, the light, the feeling of being embraced by creation. It wasn't just beautiful; it reflected who we are as a couple. We've always felt most ourselves outdoors, and having our closest family and friends witness our vows in that setting made the day feel incredibly authentic and meaningful."

What part of the day or planning felt like your best investment?

"Love, without question. All the planning, all the details, all the decisions – they mattered because they were rooted in love. But what we'll carry with us isn't the budget spreadsheet or the timeline; it's the love we poured into creating a day that honoured our relationship, our families, and our commitment to each other. That investment will keep paying dividends for the rest of our lives."

**What caught you off guard, in the best or most unexpected way?**

"The sheer emotion from our families. We knew it would be meaningful, but we weren't prepared for the happy tears that flowed literally all day long. Being the first on both sides of our families to marry added an extra layer of significance we hadn't fully anticipated. It wasn't just our day – it was a milestone for our entire families. Seeing our parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles all so moved by our union made us realise we weren't just starting our own family; we were bringing two families together in a way that touched everyone deeply. Those tears were a gift we'll never forget."

Do you have any advice you'd pass on to other couples just getting started?

"Have a clear, shared vision of where you want to be as a couple – your dreams, your values, your goals for the life you're building together. Then work diligently toward that vision, but here's the key: allow each person to pursue it in their own way and at their own pace. You're two individuals becoming a partnership, not two people becoming identical. Honour each other's unique strengths, timing, and approach. The journey matters just as much as the destination, and you'll grow stronger together when you give each other grace and space to contribute in your own authentic ways."