Photography: Jo Currie.
If anyone had told broadcaster Rachel Smalley a few years ago that she would be a bride again at 54, she likely wouldn’t have believed them. But life – and love – are full of surprises and on Saturday, January 24, in the garden of the home she shares with her now-husband Dave Pretorius, the award-winning journalist said “I do” to the man she loves.
There were tears as the couple exchanged their heartfelt vows in front of 175 friends and family. While stormy weather added an unexpected twist to their original garden-party plans, nothing could dampen the joy of the day.
When Rachel chats to the Weekly the morning after, she’s still buzzing. Having a new husband at this stage of life might not have been on the cards, but Rachel is so grateful she allowed herself to fully embrace “the whole bride thing”.
She enthuses, “It really was magical. I initially shied away from it… I was almost apologetic about getting married at 54. But I’m so glad I leaned into it because love is love and a wedding is a wedding at any age. “What I’ve learned is to embrace the day, wear whatever you choose – and if you want to wear a veil, then do it!”
A laid-back celebration at home
The wedding was held at the couple’s semi-rural property on Auckland’s North Shore. It was relaxed and joyful, with Rachel’s son Finn, 16, and Dave’s daughters Alex, 24, and Holly, 22, playing important roles in the day.
Rachel and Dave, who works in financial services, had envisaged a sunny summer celebration. But the week leading up to the big day brought relentless rain and storms, with floods and slips causing widespread destruction across the North Island, including the loss of lives.
A last-minute plan B was put into action, with a huge, clear-roofed marquee erected just in time.
The weather might have thrown a cat amongst the pigeons, but the couple took it in their stride, regularly reminding themselves that a rainy wedding day was no big deal.
Perspective in the rain
“The hardship and horrors that many people experienced completely put the weather into perspective for us,” Rachel reflects.
“It’s just another reminder that life is fragile, so the fact we were still able to marry meant the rain didn’t really matter.”
The morning of the wedding began early, with both Rachel and Dave, 52, pulling on gumboots and raincoats before heading outside to make final preparations. Paths were swept, gardens tidied and the marquee positioned.
One important detail remained – moving Rachel’s beloved vintage Massey Ferguson tractor into place to be transformed into a drinks station.
“It was a given my tractor would make an appearance,” she laughs.
“Everyone knows how much I love my Massey.”
Getting ready for the big day
At lunchtime, the couple said a quick goodbye and went their separate ways to get ready. Rachel was joined by her mum Shirley, bridesmaids Alex and Holly, plus several close friends who drifted in and out as hair and make-up began. Rachel, who credits wedding planner Erin Coldham from Wonder Events for ensuring everything went smoothly, was surprised by her sense of calm.
“I felt exactly where I was meant to be,” she says.
“Everything just felt right.”
With Kiwi fashion legend Liz Mitchell on hand to help Rachel into her custom-made duck-egg blue two-piece gown, she felt confident and ready. Rachel credits Liz, who also made Holly and Alex’s stunning bridesmaids dresses, with encouraging her to embrace this bridal moment.
“She said, ‘Of course you can wear a veil – you’re the bride!’” Rachel recalls.
“She was really patient, helping me through a few design changes and I love where we landed. I loved having her there on the day, too.”
Walking down the aisle
At 4pm, bagpipes played Amazing Grace – a nod to Rachel’s Scottish heritage. KD Lang’s rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah followed, as four-year-old Georgia, the daughter of a close friend, was the first to make her way down the aisle, before Holly and Alex appeared.
Finally, it was time for Finn, looking dapper in his Working Style suit, to walk his mum down the aisle to meet an already emotional Dave.
“I was trying so hard not to cry,” Rachel admits.
“But the whole moment felt incredibly special. Finn took his duty really seriously and Dave was just beaming, but I could see he was teary, too. Looking out at everyone, that feeling of being so held, so loved and supported, I’ve never felt anything like it.”
Close friend and celebrant Sophia Malthus led the ceremony, sharing the couple’s love story and speaking of their compatibility, shared values and mutual commitment to making a difference in the world. Sophia, who became a tetraplegic after falling from a racehorse, reflected on Dave’s long-standing involvement with the CatWalk Trust. The trust funds spinal cord injury research in New Zealand. She also highlighted Rachel’s advocacy through The Medicine Gap, her campaign to address the country’s underfunded medicines crisis.
A heartfelt tribute
“Sophia said something really beautiful about us being two people who care deeply about the causes the world has forgotten,” tells Rachel, who was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2024 for services to broadcasting and health advocacy.
“It caught me off guard and made both of us quite emotional.”
Dave’s connection to the CatWalk Trust is deeply personal. His family was involved in a car accident in 2010, in which his son Adam, four, tragically died, Holly was paralysed and Alex also suffered injuries. Channelling unimaginable grief into action, Dave became closely involved with the trust, serving as its chair until late last year and remaining passionately committed to its mission.
In fact, the couple first met at Auckland Airport in 2018, when they were en route to the New York Marathon, which Dave was running to raise funds for CatWalk. The following year, Rachel also ran for the trust. Their friendship later deepened into romance and their love story truly began. Rachel says she was drawn to Dave for his positivity, magnetism and joyful approach to life.
“I think he recognises that life isn’t guaranteed, so you’ve got to live and to live well,” she shares.
“He’s always looking for the good. He’s the most positive person I’ve ever known.”
A proposal in the snow
Together, they’ve embraced their blended family and set up a happy, busy life together. Dave proposed a year ago in the snow at Whistler ski resort in Canada.
“I said yes a thousand times over,” shares Rachel.
“I still can’t believe how lucky I am.”
As Rachel and Dave made their vows, it was clear to see just how much this moment meant. Dave told Rachel she was his “all-in-one support group”, saying that if life were a story, she was his favourite chapter.
Rachel told Dave he had changed her life by the way he holds their blended family together.
“I will love you forever, exactly as you are and with everything I have,” she said.
The rings were exchanged, and the couple shared their first kiss. As they walked back up the aisle as husband and wife, September by Earth, Wind & Fire played. The crowd erupted in cheers, celebrating the newlyweds.
“It was such a moment,” Rachel laughs.
“We were handed Champagne and it just rolled on from there.”
Heartfelt speeches and toasts
Cocktails and canapés were served first. Guests then listened to heart-warming speeches. Finn thanked Rachel for being the greatest role model, followed by best man Martin Abert, and finally the bride and groom.
“I talked about how it takes a village to host a wedding at home, but it takes an even larger village when a tropical low rolls in,” she jokes.
“But I also spoke about Dave and why I love him, and how he breathes light, energy and love into every room he enters. Dave spoke after me and his words were just beautiful.”
Doing things their own way was just how Rachel and Dave wanted their celebration to go, and they couldn’t have been happier.
“There was no first dance and no cake,” says Rachel, who loved the fact she and Dave felt no pressure to follow every wedding tradition.
“Instead we had a giant tiramisu.”
After dinner and speeches, it was time for the wedding party to move into the barn. The barn was beautifully decorated with festoon lights and a checkerboard dance floor. Hit Kiwi DJ duo Sweet Mix Kids provided the music. At 9pm, fries were served to keep energy levels high. The dance floor stayed lively until midnight. Throughout it all, the newlyweds were at the centre of the celebration, enjoying every moment.
A night to remember
“The party flowed all night and I think the bad weather had a lot to do with that because everyone was really close and connected,” she shares.
“I felt completely euphoric the whole time.”
And when a weary but happy Rachel chats to the Weekly, she’s basking in the joy of newly married life.
“I think I’ve called Dave ‘husband’ about 20 times already today,” she laughs.
“‘Hello, husband. Where’s my husband? Would my husband like a cup of tea?’”
Rachel is simply over the moon to have found someone so special to spend the rest of her life with.
“The thing is, when you marry at 54, more of your life is in the rear-view mirror than ahead of you,” she muses.
“But instead of winding down, I feel like we’re winding up. “I feel incredibly lucky to have this second shot at love.”
