Northland's first Marry Me Quick competition has produced five finalist couples, one of which will win a wedding package worth $13,000.
The competition was the initiative of Shots Photography proprietors Steve and Danah Sharp - the organisers of the Diamonds and Ice annual Bridal Expo.
Fifty-two entries were received for the competition and judges have whittled it down to five finalists, who were notified on air during the Markby and Flash Breakfast Show on More FM last week.
Danah said the the organisers were pleased with the number of entries, considering the competition was a first for Northland.
"We had entrants of various ages, and they came from all over Northland," said Dana Sharp.
Some of the stories had been very moving, she said.
Entrants had to write a brief description of why they deserved to win the wedding package, and attach a photo.
The free wedding package consists of prizes valued at over $13,000, including the honeymoon, photography, rings, videography, dinner, dress hire, flowers, hair and make-up.
The wedding day is Thursday April 28, when the unsuspecting winners will be announced on air by a More FM representative arriving on their doorstep. They will then be whisked off to the radio station for an interview, before being pampered and dressed for the wedding. The wedding will take place at Laurie Hall Park. Everyone will be invited to attend the wedding.
The winning couple will also attend the Diamonds and Ice Bridal Expo on the following Sunday.
This week The Northern Advocate features one finalist each day. The couples is also being interviewed by More FM.
Now it is up to the public to decide the winners. The winning couple can be voted through the More FM website: www.morefm.co.nz or, if you prefer, you can send us your vote by post, to Marry Me Quick, Northern Advocate, PO Box 210, Whangarei. Cut-off is Wednesday April 27.
Sponsors include Stephen Gillingham House of Travel, Shots Photography, JDs Jewellery Design, Moving Memories, Deluge Restaurant and Bar, DresSensual, Morris Cutforth (celebrant), Whangarei Suit Hire, Celebrations City Florist, Shambala, Balloon Heaven, The Cheesecake Shop, Liquor King, Copthorne Resort Waitangi and Bagscene.
* Quick to engage...
Couple A in the Marry Me Quick competition are Kerikeri couple Denise Lloyd and Shane Creamer.
Ms Lloyd said she was taken by surprise when Markby and Flash from More FM called to say they were finalists.
"My daughter answered the phone and told them I was still in bed," she said.
"{When she came in to tell me I was one of five finalists, I was like, what? true?
"I rang back straight away. It was very exciting. Shane was shocked and a little bit bummed out as he would've liked to have answered the phone."
Ms Lloyd and Mr Creamer got engaged quick and would love to get married quick. They met in September 2003 and were engaged December 2003.
The proposal began with a surprise helicopter ride over the Bay of Islands and the hole in the rock.
"We landed on Cape Brett where, by the light house, Shane asked me to marry him," explained Ms Lloyd. "However, I recently found out that it will be another year before our engagement day will be paid off.
"Shane made this day so perfect and special for me.
"I would love to make our wedding day even more special by winning the Marry Me Quick Competition."
It's time _ marry me quick!
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