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Courtney MacKay, one half of The Block NZ darlings Emma and Courtney, has married her Super Rugby beau, Highlanders player Joe Wheeler in Marlborough.
26-year-old Courtney and 30-year-old Joe said “I do” in front of family and friends in a romantic and relaxed ceremony at Saint Clair Family Estate.
Fellow Block contestant Emma Diamond was a bridesmaid and Joe’s Highlanders teammate, former All Black Ben Smith, was a groomsman, with Ben’s daughter Annabelle serving as a flower girl.
To calm their pre-wedding nerves Courtney and her bridesmaids indulged in some pre-wedding yoga at Courtney’s parents house where they were getting ready. The men were equally as relaxed in the lead up with the groom even giving a radio interview on the day.
Courtney looked stunning in a simple but elegant ivory gown while the groom and the groomsmen were dressed by Barkers, complete with cheesecutter hats.
After the ceremony the pair jetted off in a helicopter for their wedding photos with photographer Jessica Jones, doing a low flyby over the guests on the way back. They danced their way into the reception – an elegantly decorated marquee – wearing custom made jackets with ‘Just’ and ‘Married’ emblazoned across the back.
In a quirky touch, guests were treated to custom made Speights beer bottles with Courtney and Joe’s faces on the label.
The pair have been together for 8 years after meeting in a bar in Courtney’s hometown of Blenheim, and became engaged in December 2015 when Joe surprised her with a chopper ride, getting down on one knee on the top of a mountain overlooking Tasman Bay.
They chose Saint Clair Estate as the location for the wedding because of Courtney’s long running connection to the vineyard. Her parents have been friends with the owners since before she was born and growing up she worked for the company during school holidays.
“It’s nice that we were able to get married somewhere that has a connection for us” Courtney said. “We’re both from here, Blenheim is still home and it would feel weird if it was anywhere else.”
