When Suzanne Paul and her husband Duncan Wilson think back to the time of their lavish Fijian nuptials in 2005, the memories are bittersweet. They’d just lost their house and all their money in their failed kapa haka cabaret venture, Rawaka, but the ceremony was a blast and they were confident they could recoup some of their losses in new business ventures.
Instead, when the newlyweds returned to New Zealand, they were betrayed by their business partners, then plunged into five years of financial strife and bitter legal battles. Last year was another annus horribilis for the entrepreneur couple, who were hit hard by the economic crisis and knocked for six by the death of Suzanne’s beloved mother Eileen, who had been living with them on their rented Auckland property.
However, while the former infomercial queen still suffers moments of grief and their finances continue to hang by a thread, rather than dwell on their hardship and heartache, Suzanne (53) and Duncan (43) decided to celebrate five years of marriage by renewing their wedding vows with an intimate ceremony at the luxurious, newly reopened Hilton Lake Taupo.
“What better way is there to kick off 2010?” asks Suzanne in her famous Wolverhampton accent. “There’s light at the end of the tunnel. I’m the eternal optimist and I’m positive that this is the year all our hard work is going to pay off. This is a new beginning for us.” Duncan adds, “It’s also a promise to never take each other for granted and a reminder of why we fell in love in the first place. It’s a reinforcing of our commitment and a symbol of how our love has grown through all the bad luck.”
But while their love hasn’t wavered, Suzanne and Duncan’s attitudes to walking down the aisle have definitely changed since tying the knot in that first Pacific ceremony. The earliest sign of this is when threatening clouds mean the venue has to be changed from the hotel’s beautiful garden to a slightly less-scenic indoor setting.
“It doesn’t worry me,” says Suzanne, refusing to cause a fuss as she wrangles her unruly hair into place just half-an-hour before she’s due to walk down the aisle. “Five years ago, I used to be a complete control freak. I’d be so stressed making sure everything was just so, I’d forget to enjoy myself. Since I’ve been with Duncan, I’ve learned what’s important in life.”
Another sign of Suzanne’s mellowing is her dress. As she steps down the red carpet toward the celebrant, arm-in-arm with her husband, the eyes of the 25 guests, all close friends and family, are on the gorgeous cream lace outfi t she’s wearing. But it’s hardly a new designer number. Suzanne laughs, “This has been sitting in my wardrobe for 13 years. It’s by Lisa Ho and I’ve only worn it once, to someone else’s wedding.
Years ago, I’d never have needed an excuse to buy a new frock. But then I was having a clean-out of my cupboards and I thought it’d be such a waste if I didn’t recycle it.” A new organza jacket from Suzanne’s designer friend Liz oitchell completes the bridal outfit. “It’s a bit of old and a bit of new,” she says. “I feel really pleased with myself because I’ve come a long way.” And, most importantly, Duncan, who donned the same Indian-style kaftan he wore for their 2005 wedding, couldn’t be more pleased. “She looked like a princess from a story book. She was simply divine.”
The celebrant, Tony Israel, speaks about the couple having experienced “more than their fair share of trials and tribulations”, earning nods from the pair’s assembled guests. “But they’ve learned that love makes burdens lighter because you divide them,” he adds. Grinning in agreement, it’s then time for Suzanne and Duncan to reaffirm their vows.
Suzanne, with tears in her eyes, pledges, “Duncan, you are my one true love. I will laugh with you and cry with you. I will stand by your side and sleep in your arms. You are my once-in-a-lifetime, my best friend and my world.” Duncan, his face tense with emotion, echoes, “Suzanne, I love you with all that I am, my beautiful girl. You are my love, my life and my happiness. You are my world.”
The beaming couple then exchange the wedding rings fi rst worn back in 2005, handed to them on the same cushion used during the Fijian ceremony, the date of the nuptials embroidered into the silk. Presented to their friends and family as or and ors Wilson once again, a delighted Suzanne lets out a “yay!”, then announces to their guests, “Thank you very much. That’s it – it’s over!”
But, wait, there’s more: After the touching ceremony, drinks are served in the garden and, ever the entertainer, Suzanne does the rounds, laughing, joking and telling stories to the guests.
one who has flown all the way from Australia for the occasion is Stefano olivieri, the man who helped Suzanne waltz her way to the Dancing with the Stars crown in 2007. Stefano is considered to be part of the family after spending Christmas with Suzanne and her mother one year, and he’s quick to tell the bride how gorgeous she looks. “It’s all Natural Glow,” she laughs, brushing at her trademark makeup.
Introduced to Stefano’s new boyfriend, she jokingly demands, “And what are your intentions, young man?” Sydney bank manager Steve Nixon giggles nervously, then recounts how he and Stefano met. “It was at a nightclub and I paid no attention to him. He chased me around for about six hours – and it worked. our first date lasted five days.”
Stefano (32) and Steve (24) have spent the past nine days touring New Zealand, visiting the well-known dancer’s celebrity partners Temepara George and Geraldine Brophy, plus buddy Barbara Kendall, in their hometowns. However, the highlight for the pair is defi nitely Taupo.
“It’s amazing,” says Steve. With a cheeky wink behind his boyfriend’s back, Stefano tells the Weekly, “I’ve got a good feeling about this one!”
Another group of special guests are Duncan’s children from his fi rst marriage, twins Rachael and Hamish (19), and Zoe (17). Their proud dad says, “Having the kids here is the icing on the cake. They couldn’t be with us in Fiji and it’s not often we’re all together. Sharing my love for Suzanne with my children reinforces the love I share with them.”
The children join Suzanne, Duncan, Stefano, Steve and Duncan’s mother Val at the head table during the reception at the Hilton’s restaurant, where guests dine on Angus steak fi llet and Akaroa salmon.
After a stirring speech from Duncan’s best man, Wayne Gosling, in which he praises the bride and groom for their solidarity through adversity, a choked-up Suzanne delivers a touching tribute to her late mother. Through tears, she smiles, “There is one lovely lady who’s not here in person… but I’m sure she’s hovering around us somewhere.”
once the toasts are over, the guests pile out on to the hotel balcony with glasses of wine to watch a dramatic sunset. The sky over Lake Taupo slowly transforms from a soft yellow to fi ery orange, then a deep, passionate red. All gathered agree it’s an enchanted end to a glorious day.
However, the fun isn’t over yet. Suzanne and Duncan invite their guests to join them in the Hilton’s thermally heated swimming pool, where they spend hours chatting and relaxing in the luxurious warm water. Despite the delicious meal earlier in the day, Suzanne manages to work up an appetite and orders a plate of chips to munch on in the spa.
She giggles, “It’s so relaxing after our long day. I’ve still got my tiara on, so I must look a sight, but it’s defi nitely one of the most memorable parts of the day. We just want to make the most of every minute as Duncan and I haven’t been away together, even for one night, in the last four years. It’s simply magical.”
Though the happy couple return to Auckland the next day, Suzanne says she feels like she’s still on honeymoon. “It’s like we’ve just got married for the very first time,” she smiles.
There’s absolutely no doubt in her and Duncan’s minds that their marriage will last a lifetime. “our struggles have only made us stronger,” says Suzanne. “We’ve dealt with everything as a team and we still managed to fi nd pleasure in each other’s company. That’s how you know you have a strong bond. Imagine how easy it’s going to be when we don’t have those worries!”
After the success of their ceremony, Suzanne says she and Duncan plan to renew their vows every five years in exotic new locations. “See you in the Elvis chapel in Las Vegas next time!” she laughs.
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