Olympic cyclist Rebecca Petch only managed to snatch four hours of shut-eye the night before her wedding to long-term partner Jarrod Browning.
“I was too excited to sleep!” the BMX champion-turned-track cyclist confesses to Woman’s Day. “But then when I woke up, I felt pretty relaxed. I was surrounded by my amazing bridesmaids. It was so special to have them all there. Whatever I needed, they helped with.”
Rebecca’s bridal party included her maid of honour, BMX star Baylee Luttrell, along with close friend Emma O’Keeffe, sister-in-law Emma Bethell and cousin Hayley Smith. The women spent the morning at an Airbnb, lounging in specially made matching dressing gowns, chatting, getting their hair and makeup done, and toasting the occasion with a glass of sparkling rosé.
Rebecca with her “amazing” bridesmaids (from left) Emma Bethell, Baylee, Hayley and Emma O’Keeffe.
For spouting specialist Jarrod, 26, it was a relaxed morning of golf with Rebecca’s brother Cameron Petch, who was also his best man. Jarrod and Cameron met while racing each other in BMX, and his groomsmen, Joshua Jordan, Harris Thurgood and Rob Nepia, are all pretty handy on a bike as well.
“The wedding party is definitely a very BMX group,” chuckles Jarrod. “I’ve known them basically all my life. I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch.”
Jarrod with his BMX besties (from left) Joshua, Cameron, Harris and Rob.
The couple picked Takapoto Estate, a stunning 242-hectare property that sits on the waterfront on Lake Karapiro, for their big day after Jarrod proposed to Rebecca in Rotorua in December 2020.
“I asked Rebecca on our five-year anniversary,” says Jarrod. “We went to the Redwoods Treewalk. I thought it wouldn’t be that busy, but it was actually packed out. I was trying to rush through it to get
a gap, so no one could see what was happening. I was sweating and nervous, then I found the highest platform with the glass floor and got down on one knee.”
An overjoyed Rebecca, 24, said yes and the couple have since bought a house together in Te Awamutu, adopting a cat and a dog. Their relationship also survived Rebecca purchasing a coffee cart, Little Petchy, which they gutted and renovated themselves. “We’re lucky we made it to the wedding after that,” laughs Rebecca.
“But she makes the best coffee in Cambridge,” adds a supportive Jarrod.
Sweet details: A romantic bouquet of roses and dahlias
With their hearts set on their dream venue, they swiftly settled on a date that fitted in best with Rebecca’s training for the Paris Olympics in 2024.
After she picked up gold at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in a sprint team with Olivia King and Ellesse Andrews, Rebecca shelved her BMX aspirations in order to pursue track-cycling glory.
“After the Commonwealth Games, I was intending to get on my BMX and I did, but then I realised I couldn’t do both at the level I wanted to,” Rebecca admits. “I did a lot of thinking and decided to commit to track cycling. It was a big decision, but I’ve enjoyed it ever since.”
Winning gold at Birmingham alongside Ellesse (left) and Olivia.
Jarrod continues, “We decided 2023 was the best time for Rebecca before the next Olympics. So we had two years to lock down the venue, the photographer and the videographer. The planning
has been very smooth.”
The pinnacle of Jarrod’s contribution to the wedding planning were the four Mercedes G-Wagons that ferried his beautiful bride and her party to the ceremony.
“That was cool,” Jarrod enthuses. “They revved their engines as Rebecca stepped out of the car.”
Jarrod chose the wedding wheels – Mercedes G-Wagons! “They revved their engines as Rebecca stepped out of the car.”
He admits he choked up a bit when he first saw Rebecca in her custom-made Brooke Tyson gown. “She looked absolutely stunning. I was lost for words.”
Rebecca had a hard time keeping it together as her father Barry was in tears as he guided her down the aisle, plus she could see Jarrod’s chin quivering.
“I tried not to look at my parents or my nana because I knew if I saw Mum crying, I’d start crying too,” tells Rebecca.
Tearful dad Barry walked his girl to her soulmate.
Looking into each other’s eyes, a nervous Jarrod started with his vows.
“My darling, I remember back in 2015, when we started a Snapchat streak, I knew I’d have to pull out all of the stops for you to like me. Rebecca Petch, the champion BMX rider, goody good, who to this day has never been stopped by a police officer, and me, the complete opposite!
“I promise to always support you in anything you choose to do, even if it’s building another coffee cart. I promise to be there for you through the good times and the bad times, and everything in between. You are the greatest thing to ever happen to me and I cannot wait to see how far we can go together. I love you.”
An emotional Rebecca followed: “Jarrod, from when I first met you with your long ginger mullet, a lot has changed. We have grown closer as the years have gone on, taken on challenges together, started to build our lives together. But most importantly, we have always been there for each other.
“I can’t wait to continue our journey of life together. You are my best friend, my soulmate and my love.”
With the formalities over, the happy couple were whisked away for photos while their 110 guests played lawn games, mixing and mingling over drinks and canapés.
“We actually cut our photos short because they looked like they were having so much fun,” says Jarrod. “We joined in and it was great just getting to hang out with all of our favourite people.”
They both say one of the highlights of the evening was their first dance, which they had choreographed and spent hours practising to perfection.
“I was so excited about the dance,” gushes Jarrod. “And we absolutely nailed it. From the first lift, everyone was cheering. They were all so surprised!”
Rebecca, who doesn’t usually wear heels, not only managed the steps, but also finished the dance by dipping Jarrod, which earned a round of applause and more than a few laughs.
Swept off her feet: “I did wake up the next morning with blisters on my toes!”
“I was so proud I did that in heels!” tells Rebecca. “I did wake up the next morning with blisters on my toes. I’ll definitely stick to my cycling shoes in future!”
Both Rebecca and Jarrod agree that their wedding day was perfect. “I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better day,” shares Jarrod. “The only problem was, it went too fast. I wish I could relive it.”
The cake was the grand finale.
The occasion concluded with the guests gathering to form a sparkler arch over the newlyweds. “It was such a beautiful end to the ceremony – I was slightly worried that my dress would catch fire, though,” giggles Rebecca.
Later, on honeymoon in Queenstown, they agree that they’re looking forward to the future together. Jarrod hopes to start his own business and Rebecca aims to find success in individual track-cycling events, as well as the team sprint.
“Coming from such an individual background with BMX, I also want to compete in individual events in the track,” she says. “We’re focusing on qualifying for the Olympic team sprint, but that is helping with all of the individual events as well.”
They both say it’s weird calling each other husband and wife, but they’re delighted to have officially tied the knot.
“My parents have been married for 28 years,” says Rebecca. “Seeing them have a happy marriage and build a family is quite special, so I guess I want the same for us – to have a happy marriage
and live a happy life. You don’t have to put a ring on it to do that, but it feels right for us.”
