NADINE & DAN’S MAGICAL WEDDING
Surprise guests make a dream day truly perfect
It is the most dazzling day for a wedding. After a week of ominous forecasts, broadcasting star Nadine Chalmers-Ross and the love of her life, Dan Higgins, are blessed with blue skies and sunshine on the day they have chosen to commit to each other in marriage in the beautiful Bay of Islands.
Yes, it’s a picture-perfect late summer’s day in Godzone, but the good fortune for this bride and groom doesn’t stop
with the weather. Could there be a better omen at your wedding than a pod of dolphins – a symbol of protection for Maori – coming right into Mahinepua Bay, where the nuptials are taking place?
Locals say it’s a rare sight in the little crescent bay, but the dolphins stay and frolic all afternoon just a few metres from the very spot Nadine and Dan, both 31, have chosen to exchange their vows. It’s an impossibly enchanting scene – this union of soulmates made even more magical by the dolphins celebrating with those gathered, creating brilliant memories for generations to come.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. For now, let’s savour the special occasion for which we are gathered.
Standing on the edge of sparkling Mahinepua Bay on March 25, in front of 110 family and friends (and dolphins!), dashing Dan, in a blue Topman suit, waits nervously beside his handsome groomsmen, Steve McLeod, Mark Dye, Chris Henry and Leighton Fisher. His faithful German shepherd “page dog” Rico – wearing a specially made suit jacket – sits by his master as the groom eagerly awaits Nadine’s entrance. Dan hasn’t seen his bride-to-be today.
As guests gather around on hay bales – thankful for hats, sunnies and parasols – they’re charmed by a recording of
SesameStreet’s Grover talking to a boy about “What is Marriage?”. The sweet clip, found on YouTube,
signals the ceremony is starting.
The ballad “Singing in My Soul” by Kiwi band Fly My Pretties plays, then blonde cherub Tilly – Nadine’s three-year-old niece – pops around a corner wearing a crown of flowers and throwing rose petals from a basket. She is followed by Nadine’s bridesmaids, Laura McLeod, Kirsty Sweeney, Jackie Greer, and her maid of honour, best friend Emily Winstanley – all knockouts in champagne-gold, Art Deco-style gowns, with dark plum lips and wavy updos.
And finally, here comes the bride on the arm of her beloved mother and best friend Jan Chalmers. Always gorgeous, Nadine is even more breathtakingly beautiful on her wedding day – “off the charts”, as Dan would later say.
She wears a custom-made ivory gown by Jane Yeh, with a French lace bodice, crepede-chine figure-hugging skirt, low-back cowl neck and a long veil that catches the gentle breeze. With her smoky eye make-up – thankfully waterproof! – and her hair in a ’30s-style chignon, she looks old Hollywood movie-star glam.
Her something old is a diamond ring worn by Dan’s beloved late grandmother Mary; her something new is her dress; something borrowed, her earrings; and something blue, her shoes.
The gasps from guests at the sight of the lovely bride are audible – and Nadine and Dan’s first tears of many begin to flow. As the groom steals a kiss and takes Nadine’s hands in his, their good friend and celebrant Ria Vandervis – well-known as a star of
ShortlandStreet – officiates over this special occasion.
Ria speaks of how the lovebirds first met through two of the groomsmen, Chris and Mark, and began dating in 2011. She recalls how they soon became smitten – Dan by Nadine’s beauty and intelligence, and Nadine by Dan’s loyalty, strength of character “and derriere” after she spotted him stoking the fire at Malt Bar in Auckland’s Grey Lynn.
They soon moved in together and bought a house in West Auckland, where they now live happily with their “fur babies” Rico and Oscar the cat. They supported each other’s acclaimed careers – Dan in the film and TV commercial production business, and Nadine in broadcasting – through great ups and the odd down.
Friends and family are reminded of Dan’s elaborate proposal in 2015, transforming their deck at home into a romantic oasis with fairy lights and flowers before asking, “Angel, I love you and I love our life together – will you marry me?” He presented her with a diamond set in platinum from Naveya & Sloane for her to design into a ring of her desire. And then, as is commonplace with Dan and Nadine, the champagne was popped and friends joined them to celebrate … just as they are today in Mahinepua Bay.
Tears&laughter
Ria invites Dan to share the vows he’s prepared. Overcome with emotion, he struggles to compose himself, but with encouragement from the guests, Dan promises his “best friend and soulmate” that he will “never go to bed on a fight, to forgive, forget and love”. He declares, “I will be there for you forever, care
for you and love you even when we are grey, old and saggy.”
As he looks at Nadine, tears falling freely now, he concludes, “You are my one – my love and my life, today and always. I love you.”
Nadine, in exchange, promises to love and honour Dan, then declares, “But I’m not promising to obey you – you know that’s not the kind of woman you’re marrying!”
Amid shrieks of laughter from the crowd, her husband-to-be turns away in mock horror.
But he turns back to hear Nadine say, “I promise to always be your biggest fan, just as you are my personal unrelenting cheer squad. I also promise to call you out when I think you’re in the wrong, forgive you when you get it wrong and say sorry when the mistake is mine. And I won’t keep score … even when I’m winning.”
Nadine vows to “never call you hubby, bubby, bae or my other half because I join myself to you in marriage, not as two halves of a whole, but as two equals who are a whole lot better together.”
It’s a brilliant declaration of love and after the exchange of rings and kisses, guests erupt in cheers and laughter, united in the knowledge they are witnessing the start of a wonderful new chapter for a couple they hold dear.
“I couldn’t have hoped for a more perfect day for our wedding,” says radiant Nadine. “I honestly couldn’t wish for anything more.”
Well, those dolphins have a different idea, putting
on a spectacular show for the crowd – waiting until immediately after the ceremony to finish before coming right in close to the shore. As wedding photos with family and friends are taken on the edge of the bay, excited guests can’t resist joining the beautiful sea creatures that have arrived at the celebration, some pals so eager, they don’t bother to get out of their suits.
Dan says, “Nadine and I took a moment to just stand back and take in the setting, seeing all the friends and family we love so much having such an amazing time. It was great.”
Then it’s off for the official bridal party photos for the newlyweds, who take a picnic and bubbles to keep them company. They knock off a few golf balls from the top of a cliff as they pass time.
Meanwhile, the guests – including former TVNZ colleagues Toni Street, Peter Williams and Sam Wallace – stay behind and enjoy the afternoon sunshine, lying on cushions under umbrellas, sipping champagne and nibbling on canapés.
The “perfect” wedding ceremony is the topic of conversation, with many
saying it’s the best they’ve ever been to. Certainly, the drama and grief of Nadine’s departure from TVNZ’s
Breakfast show in September, after eight years in a role she cherished, is now the furthest thing from anyone’s mind – friends remarking the couple look the healthiest and happiest they ever have.
The elated bridal party returns and everyone is told to “take a shot and take your seat” – the green nips of apple sours marked with a name and table number – and move to the marquee.
Guests are treated to a delicious menu from awardwinning Kerikeri chef Colin Ashton of Food at Wharepuke, choosing from smoked salmon, aged Angus eye fillet, chicken breast wrapped in prosciutto or baked eggplant gado gado.
There’s a dessert table laden with goodies and a stunning three-tier wedding cake takes centre stage. It’s been lovingly made by Nadine’s old TVNZ workmate Kellie Addison of Kellie’s Kitchen and faithfully delivered all the way from Auckland by SevenSharp host Toni. She had the nerve-wracking job of ensuring that on the drive there was no damage to the cake – two chocolate layers with raspberry chocolate ganache and one layer of carrot cake with cream cheese icing (Dan’s favourite). Toni succeeded, by the way – not one fondant flower scathed!
While the entertaining speeches take place, people get rowdy, some standing atop chairs, as the proceedings are interspersed with awards for guests, such as Fashion in the Field, Best Hair, Hottest Mum, Beard of the Day, Cutest Couple and Most Likely to Get Nude.
And while the bride’s vows drew the big laughs in the ceremony earlier, Dan’s heart-felt speech moves everyone gathered at the reception. He gives an emotional tribute to his family – in particular, his mum Anne Mullins, who he adores – but he saves his final words for the newly named Mrs Higgins.
Not normally one for quotes, Dan says he was flying home from overseas when he read sage and touching words that he thought epitomised a loving relationship. Amid giggles from guests, he explains, “Nancy Reagan said of Ronald, ‘My life didn’t really begin until I met Ronnie.’ And that is how I feel about you, my love.”
Dan goes on to quote the late US President Ronald, “Nancy came along and saved my soul … Whatever
I treasure and enjoy … all would be without meaning if I didn’t have you. I live in permanent Christmas because God gave me you.’”
Nadine “resumes bawling” as Dan then speaks from his own heart, saying, “It’s hard to put into words how much you mean to me. From day one, you have always had my back, cared for me and given me so much love. I’m so proud of who you are as a person, and you amaze me every day with your intelligence, grace and beauty.
“You don’t give yourself enough credit for how amazing you are. We can all see it and drift along in your wake of brilliance. You have made my life better than I ever thought it could be.”
After toasting Mr and Mrs Higgins, it’s time for the first dance to “Message to My Girl” by Split Enz. The wedding guests are soon swarming the dance floor … and it doesn’t clear until the wee hours.
Nadine – teased in speeches for being a “party napper” after years of 3am starts on Breakfast – lies down to give Rico a cuddle during the evening. “But I thought, ‘I can’t go to sleep at my own wedding; and got myself back out to the dance floor!”
Besides, she says, she just loves wearing her wedding gown and doesn’t want to take it off. “I hadn’t dreamed of my wedding dress my whole life, but I knew what I didn’t want. I did a lot of trying on dresses in stores that were hilariously hideous, so I decided to get it made instead. Jane Yeh was fabulous to work with and I’m in love with the final result. I was aiming for elegant and understated, and I think Jane achieved that.
“I kept the dress secret from
Dan, but I did ask him what his favourite feature of my body was so I could work to that. But he said legs, so that wasn’t helpful at all! It feels great and just fits so well.”
The bridesmaids’ 1930s style was a nod to the Art Deco capital of Napier, where she hails from.
Nadine says she and Dan made a great team organising the big day. He took the lead on logistics as he has an “amazing ability to cope with stress” from his years as a producer, while she concentrated on the “creative bits”. But both acknowledge it was lovely local wedding planner Susi Liddington, who they chanced upon online, who made the day so special with her imaginative touch. Susi also helped organise guest accommodation, catering, transport and all the rustic decorative touches that complement the relaxed seaside vibe. “We can’t thank Susi enough,” says Nadine.
And what’s next for Mr and Mrs Higgins? They’ve booked a week in the Bay of Islands to enjoy the friends and family who have come from far and wide, including London, Scotland and Australia.
A honeymoon’s on hold for now as Dan is busy in his new job as General Manager of Eight Productions, but the pair are talking about tacking a holiday on to his work trip to Cannes later in the year.
Besides, encouraged by Dan, Nadine recently enjoyed a month-long holiday in Europe soon after leaving TVNZ – a much-needed break she thanks her new husband for in her wedding speech. “What a man who says, ‘I know you have that itch to scratch, so go do it while you have the chance’ – despite the fact we had a wedding to plan. I love him for that.”
Nadine is now freelancing in radio, print and MCing, and co-owns media company Format Productions with Dan. “We’ve also recently set up a food truck with some friends called Yeah Naan and we’re launching after the wedding.”
Family & future
There’s no rush to start talking about kids yet – in fact, Nadine dreads the cliché questions that follow immediately after a wedding – as they want to “enjoy being married for a bit first”. But seeing them both with nieces, nephews and children’s friends in the Bay of Islands, not to mention the way they dote on their “fur babies”, there’s no doubt a family is on the horizon.
Both fiercely loyal to the relatives they have invited today, Nadine and Dan are devoted family people. But it is each other they hold most dear today as they celebrate their marriage.
“Our wedding has been so perfect and I just want to take little mental snapshots to sear on my mind for always,” tells Nadine. “Today has honestly exceeded my expectations in every respect. We just wanted it not to rain after awful forecasts, and for our friends and family to have a fantastic time – and that’s what we got.
“As soon as I clapped eyes on Dan at the ceremony, the tears started rolling and he choked up too. Dan can have a bit of a tough exterior, but I love that today people saw the big, kind heart of the man I love so much.”
With a grin, Nadine adds, “And what about the dolphins? That has to be a highlight. Seeing half of our wedding party in the water with those majestic creatures was amazing. The timing was impeccable. It’s got to be a good omen.”
As she looks out at Mahinepua Bay – which translates as “white woman blossoms” – and reflects on the day, Nadine sighs in happy contentment. “I’m just so glad we have each other,” she says. “It just makes life so much better and makes me feel like anything is possible. I’m looking forward to continuing what we’ve always done – building a life and enjoying it together.”
But right now, there is more celebrating to be had – and as Nadine looks for Dan, she spies him grinning from ear to ear as he pops another bottle of champagne.