Photography: Amour Weddings.
They say a little rain is good luck on your wedding day. A little, sure, but perhaps not a super-storm! The day after intense rain and wind buffeted the entire country – with flights cancelled and power down across much of New Zealand – in Tauranga, TVNZ sports reporter Michelle Prendiville and former Highlanders star Marty Banks waited anxiously to find out if their loved ones would make their wedding day, with guests stuck in Christchurch, Dunedin and on the West Coast.
However, while Michelle, 30, was fraught with worry, working out plans A, B and C in her head, Marty, 36, stayed cool as a cucumber.
“It was an interesting 24 hours!” Michelle recalls with a wry smile.
“But, look, the most important thing was us getting married.”
A radiant arrival
Just hours later, with clouds parting and a bit of sun peeking through, Michelle radiated in a stunning Hera Couture gown as she walked down the aisle toward her soon-to-be husband, in front of all the guests.
“She looked so beautiful,” Marty shares.
“The tears were there, definitely!”
From blind date to big day
It’s been almost seven years since the power couple first met on a blind date in Auckland, despite the fact the date wasn’t supposed to be for them – they were there as support for two friends who were meeting for the first time.
But sparks flew and after a few years navigating Marty’s international playing career, the pair settled in Dunedin, with Marty proposing last year. Fast-forward to their big day, despite the travel chaos and traffic mayhem, their 95 friends and family were gathered at Tauranga’s Black Walnut Venue to watch the couple exchange vows. Hilariously, as guests mingled, the father of the groom, Richard – who arrived just as Michelle’s wedding car pulled up to the stunning venue – was quickly changing into his suit in the bushes!
The groom awaits
Looking handsome in his 3WiseMen suit, Marty – flanked by best man Kieron Fonotia (a former Crusader), as well as groomsmen David Lineham, Richard Buckman and Greg Pleasants-Tate (the latter two both ex-Highlanders) – waited nervously as the classic Can’t Help Falling In Love played.
Then bridesmaids Melissa Simpson, Tori Vao and Frances Davies (a former Black Sticks hockey player who won Commonwealth Games gold in 2018), plus Michelle’s maid of honour, her sister Stephanie Mellsop, walked down the aisle in their custom Blak Bridesmaids dresses.
A whoa moment for Michelle
As a cover of Tina Turner’s The Best began, Michelle emerged on her proud dad Steve’s arm, carrying a bouquet by local florists Hand-Picked.
She recalls, “It was such a nerve-wracking feeling, but I was so ready for it. I looked up at Marty at the top of the aisle and I just started crying because it just felt like everything I had ever wanted was right there. It was a woah moment. It was so, so special.”
A celebrant with a personal touch
The pair’s celebrant – Michelle’s former TVNZ colleague Maddy Lloyd, the friend who inadvertently introduced the pair on her fateful blind date – welcomed everyone, before inviting the couple to exchange their self-penned vows.
Marty declared, “You are my best mate, my smile no matter the time of day and the one to take up all the bed, then tell me you have no room. You are the love of my life and I am very lucky to be standing here in front of you today. “This Reefton kid has well and truly struck gold because I’m so lucky to be standing in front of you today to call you my wife. I love your courage with your alopecia. I love your cooking, even with the mess. But I also love your determination. You don’t stop till you get to your destination.”
Michelle’s touching response
“I can’t wait to be there beside you through more of your goals and life’s challenges, through the ups and the downs, where we celebrate the highs and pick each other up through the lows. No matter the weather, it’s far better when we are doing it together. “I promise to love you today, tomorrow and every day after that. I’m forever yours.”
To which Michelle responded, “I can still remember the day we first met… Curly hair, a white shirt that was a tad too tight and those pasty white ankles out on display. Your jokes were blunt and your words weren’t exactly smooth, but you had this cheeky energy that kept drawing me back for more.
Michelle’s ode to her soulmate
“I couldn’t put my finger on it at the time just what it was about you, why there was this magnetic pull, but now I understand that is the feeling of meeting your soulmate.”
“There are many layers to Marty – the legend, the footy player, the guy who has to talk to every bloke in the bar, the one who has to win everything and the other who is always right. But there’s also the Marty who makes the baby voices, the one who will pull funny faces and the dog dad who whips out dance moves! “The devoted son, a loving brother, a proud uncle… But my most favourite of all is my best friend, my Marty – the fun in my day, the calm to my madness and the love of my life.”
Rings, confetti, and “Mr & Mrs Banks”
After exchanging gorgeous rings from The Diamond Shop – a custom heirloom gold band for Michelle and a titanium ring for Marty – Maddy pronounced them Mr and Mrs Banks. Walking back down the aisle to thunderous applause and clouds of hand-cut confetti to LAB’s Cassanova, the groom declared, “Now it’s time to party!”
Once the formalities ended, the most Kiwi of wedding receptions kicked off, with teams from the North and South Islands competing in a “boat race” to scull drinks.
North vs South
“The South Island won by a substantial amount,” Marty says proudly.
There was even a meat raffle during dinner.
Michelle grins, “Would you believe that a vegetarian won? We couldn’t! She was stoked, though. She had a barbecue to go to the next day and she could bring some meat for once!”
Guests – including ex-Blues player Dean Budd, former All Blacks Ben Smith, Elliot Dixon and Lima Sopoaga, as well as TVNZ reporters Jordan Oppert and Zion Dayal, Sky Sport’s Joe Wheeler and Sport Nation’s Guy Heveldt – were treated to custom cocktails made with Reefton’s finest Little Biddy Gin. Michelle’s was called the “Prime Time Prendiville”, while Marty’s was the “Banksy Kicker”.
Family-style feast and sweet finale
For dinner, there were delicious family-style beef and lamb dishes prepared by caterers Hidden Truffle, followed by a beautiful three-tiered cake carefully made by Pretty Baked. Then the dance floor well and truly kicked off, with former More FM radio legend Paul “Flynny” Flynn as DJ.
Marty delivered a humorous yet heartfelt speech, Michelle led guests in a spirited rendition of Hooked On A Feeling, and the groom’s rugby mates surprised the newlyweds with a haka.
“Honestly, it was the best day of our lives,” says Michelle, with Marty adding, “We wouldn’t change a thing.”
Laughing, Michelle continues, “Well, I did spill an entire espresso martini on my dress before the reception, but luckily my sister has a five-month-old baby, so she knew how to get the stain out!”
With the couple now on honeymoon, they’re still revelling in their post-wedding high and incredibly excited for their future together.
Michelle smiles, “Being married hasn’t changed anything for us in terms of how we feel about each other. The only thing is that we now get to call each other husband and wife, which is really cool. We’re just so, so happy.”
