Winning couple in dark until wedding day

A private ceremony becomes a very public affair for Whangarei newly-weds Cindy Bowers and Shane Everson who married in front of about 200 people, most of whom were strangers, in Laurie Hall Park yesterday.Tania Webb
When Cindy Bowers and Shane Everson peered out the window of their Maungaturoto home yesterday morning, they suddenly realised they would be wed by day's end.
Five hours later, in front of around 200 people - mainly strangers - they tied the knot at Laurie Hall Park in Whangarei.
Their big day began one month ago when Cindy heard an advertisement for Northland's first Marry Me Quick competition, offering a couple a free wedding valued at $13,000.
"I was driving into Whangarei and I heard it on the radio," Ms Bowers said. "I actually got really excited and, by the time I had driven home again, I'd written most of my poem (application) in my head."
Their application become one of four finalists from 52 entrants, leading to interviews on air and in print in the lead-up to the event.
Nearly 2000 votes were received, some from as far away as the United Kingdom and the United States, and at 7.30am yesterday, the four finalist couples nervously awaited the breakfast crews' arrival on their doorstep.
"We were sitting around listening to the radio and peeking out the window," she said. "They were saying (on the radio) that they were coming up the drive but we couldn't see them."
It was their cat Vinny that finally gave the game away.
While the MoreFM crew were creeping up the drive, they startled the couple's cat, who scuttled across the drive.
"We went outside and they were there," said Cindy. "We were like stunned mullets. They definitely kept us guessing right till the end."
The couple were whisked off to the MoreFM station for an interview, before being pampered in the lead-up to the 12.30pm wedding.
With the sun playing peek-a-boo, the expectant crowd watched as Cindy emerged from the MoreFM vehicle, wearing a white princess-cut gown in delustered satin with daisy embroidery. Light rain fell as she was escorted by her mother and father.
Standing atop the bridge overlooking the waterfall, with the spectators below, Shane read a poem he had written for Cindy, which was followed by an emotional Cindy reading her own written vows.
Amid cheers from the crowd, the visibly relieved couple were pronounced husband and wife.
"It was an awesome experience," commented a beaming Shane after the event.
The free wedding package consisted of prizes valued at over $13,000, including the honeymoon, photography, rings, videography, dinner, dress hire, flowers, hair and make-up.
The competition was the initiative of Shots Photography proprietors Steve Sharp and Danah King - organisers of this weekend's Diamonds and Ice annual Bridal Expo - and was supported by the Northern Advocate.