Our wedding NIGHTMARE has a happy ending
THE COUPLE’S BEACHSIDE CEREMONY WAS INITIALLY THWARTED
Like many couples before them, Tracey and Ali Hilton could picture what their dream wedding looked like – a relaxed affair in a special location, sharing their vows on a beach surrounded by their loved ones.
But this dream was nearly curtailed after the pair were refused their fairytale wedding in Rarotonga because they are a lesbian couple.
Eight years ago, the women first locked eyes on each other and formed an instant connection, Tracey reminisces.
“We met through horses because Ali is an equine coach and both of my daughters ride horses. A good friend of mine suggested I take my kids to Ali for riding lessons – and that was it!” Tracey (41) giggles.
“We had a really good friendship and found ourselves wanting to spend more and more time together, and it all grew from there. Both myself and Ali had never been in a female relationship before.”
As their love blossomed, the women made their relationship official in 2012. Their first holiday to Rarotonga ensued, followed by their engagement.
“Getting married was something that came naturally,” tells Tracey. “We wanted to be with each other and didn’t want to be with anyone else. Our relationship is pretty fantastic, so that would be the ultimate commitment.”
When it came time to plan their nuptials, they went along to an expo last January and to their amazement won a dream wedding in Rarotonga! But that was to be the beginning of a nightmare five months.
“We knew a legal marriage wasn’t possible in Rarotonga for same-sex relationships,” says Ali (51). “But we thought if we won, we’d use it for our honeymoon. We went through the conditions and there was nothing stating that we couldn’t enter or couldn’t claim the prize.”
But after making contact with the expo and the resort the couple would be travelling to, Tracey says it became apparent that neither groups had banked on a same-sex couple winning the grand prize.
Both ladies began to panic when their emails to both parties went unanswered. After all, they had friends and family waiting to book their travel, and the prize had an expiration date. So after a month of silence, the women went to Fair Go.
“Fair Go managed to get hold of them rather quickly,” says Tracey. “We were then told that the resort was going to do a ceremony for us and we’d do the legal side back here in New Zealand. We were rapt!”
But once again, their excitement was quashed when an elder chief in Rarotonga forbade Ali and Tracey getting married on the island. There was to be no trip whatsoever!
With their dream wedding “turning to custard”, Tracey and Ali had to accept the prize was just not meant to be.
“It was really horrible,” shares Tracey. “It made you feel like there was something wrong with you. If I was ’Trevor’, there wouldn’t have been an issue. To be discriminated against because of the person you love – which there should be nothing wrong with at all – it should be joyous and celebrated, not
’Ooh, that’s not right.’”
But nothing could have prepared the couple for how many people were rallying to give them their special day. Fair Go got to work and came up with a package for the couple
– a wedding in Hawaii!
“Air New Zealand came to the party with flights to Honolulu, The Best Wedding Hawaii organised our ceremony with a photographer, videographer and we were even serenaded down the aisle by ukulele!”
In October, Tracey and Ali became wife and wife in front of 21 of their closest friends and family.
“It was an absolute dream come true to finally get married! My personal favourite memory is when I walked around the corner and saw my beautiful wife-tobe,” Tracey says, looking adoringly at Ali who chuckles to mask her emotion.
“I cried a lot,” Ali admits, tearing up again. “I’m not an emotional person normally – I think it’s because it was such a journey to get there. But just standing at the altar, holding Tracey’s hands and looking in her eyes – that was my favourite.”
Both women were blown away by all the support they received, even from strangers. “People are like, ’We saw you on Fair Go – we are so happy for you!’”reveals Tracey.
“I love calling Tracey my wife,” Ali laughs. “It’s official, it’s legal, it’s real!”