Kiwis win vote for dream Fiji wedding

Reporter·NZ Herald·

22 Jan, 2014 04:30 PM2 mins to read

Aveael Webb and fiance Murray Armstrong after being told they're the winners of their dream Fiji wedding. Photo / NZ Herald

Kiwis urged to back pair's bid for $26,000 Turtle Island nuptials

A Kiwi couple have won their dream wedding at a luxury Fijian resort thanks to public support.

Aucklanders Aveael Webb and Murray Armstrong appealed for help to out-vote nine other couples from around the world to win a $26,000 ceremony and honeymoon on Turtle Island, Fiji.

The Waiuku couple, who have been together for nearly two years, beat their nearest rival by more than 3000 votes during the 60-hour voting period with their video of a horseback proposal at sunset on Karioitahi Beach.

As the only New Zealand-based couple in the running Ms Webb, 37, a lawyer, and Mr Armstrong, 38, an electrician, appealed for the country to get behind their cause and yesterday the news was delivered during an elaborate surprise presentation at their home.

"They said that they wanted a catch-up with us to do an interview because we got into the top three," said Ms Webb.

"They came over and asked us to invite some good close friends around who could also be interviewed.

"After a good 20 minutes the questions came right down to the nitty gritty and I thought it was definitely just an interview.

"Then a group of people came around the corner from Turtle Island, singing and with flowers in their hair and it wasn't until they said 'congratulations' that we knew."

Mr Armstrong said he was speechless at the announcement, but the couple wanted to thank those who had voted for them.

The director of marketing at the Fiji resort, Matt Buchan, said he was surprised to find the couple had beaten their US and Australian-based competition.

"Aveael and Murray weren't the only couple to get media support and promotion but clearly New Zealand got behind them 100 per cent," he said.

They will wed over Valentine's Day weekend.