Couple show love conquers all - even Gita
If things get emotional at Lucy Kenny and James Nissen’s wedding in Golden Bay today all will be forgiven.
It’s been a stressful 12 months for the couple whose daughter Isla, now nearly 8 months, was born with a serious heart problem called pulmonary artersia.
On Wednesday, the couple woke up to the news that the Takaka Hill was shut due to the severe damage caused by excyclone Gita.
The highway closure meant 70 of their guests, including members of the bridal party, their celebrant and their alcohol for the big day was stuck on the wrong side of the hill.
‘‘We’ve had 12 months of mayhem with Isla who has had two major heart operations,’’ Nissen said. ‘‘And it keeps on coming.’’
After the year they’ve had, however, there was no way they were going to let something like a road closure stop them from getting married.
‘‘Hence the reason we are not holding back and launching into it,’’ Nissen said.
The couple had nervously watched the path of Gita and saw it was tracking for Golden Bay.
They thought the Bay had escaped the worst of the damage at Tata Beach, going to bed at midnight on Tuesday when the wild weather had passed.
‘‘I thought we were fine and that damage was nothing untoward. Going to bed the stars were out. It was sweet as; but Takaka Hill was getting hammered,’’ he said
With friends and family to support them, the couple went into full planning mode this week working out the logistical nightmare of ensuring the wedding went ahead.
There were some ‘‘pretty heavy discussions’’ and Nissen said it was only on Wednesday they decided to go ahead.
There was also plenty of time spent on the phone and social media setting things up.
By Thursday evening most of the details had been sorted.
Alcohol was purchased in Golden Bay, the celebrant Terri Everett from Motueka had a ride on the boat to Totaranui. She’s bringing the flowers from their Riwaka florist Suzette Bonar of Event Design, with her.
Other guests are flying in or arriving by boat from Totaranui.
Nissen’s mother is bringing two carloads of baking with her on the barge, which she was adamant she was not leaving behind.
Both say it’s been hugely stressful. ‘‘But not as stressful as heart operations,’’ Nissen said.
Isla has had two major operations in her short life, one at three days old and open heart surgery at five months.
For Kenny the hardest part has been not being able to help all her guests with their arrangements.
The couple got engaged two years ago and chose Tata Beach to say their wedding vows due to Kenny’s long attachment to the place. Her family have been coming to Tata for 30 years.
‘‘We just love the place. We’ve come up here every February for a holiday.’’
When they finally say their vows against a backdrop of Tata’s golden sand they will be relaxed if things aren’t quite as they planned.
‘‘It will all work out. We’ve had amazing support from family and friends,’’ Kenny said. ‘‘I think only four people aren’t coming which is pretty incredible.’’
‘‘What will be, will be,’’ Nissen said. ‘‘People will get here. I kind of think with what we’ve been through we can do anything.’’