We here at Taranaki Weddings love a classic Love story and Beth-el and Marks Story is just that! First meeting in high school, becoming best friends and then choosing to spend the rest of their lives together, settle in everyone… this ones a goodie.
Mark and Beth-el wanted to share a bit about how they came to meet and what they have achieved in their 8 and a half years together.
They met each other outside the high school gym, Beth 14, Mark 15. This is where later Mark proposed to Beth-el, as it was a memorable moment… for Beth that is, if you hear Marks side of the story – his first words to her were “What do you think of my mate?”.
Mark and Beth later became best friends, spending that year of school often walking laps around the school, him visiting her in the art room and often getting asked whether they were dating or not.However Mark left school to study at WITT and Beth went… well.. to school like she was supposed to. Two years after they first met, Mark reached out to Beth who knew, if she met with him again, this was it. Somehow she knew he would win her heart forever. After much persuasion, on Marks behalf, they began their journey together.
Over the years they have become one another’s family and on 21/03/20, the day after Beth-el’s 25th birthday, they finally united their families forever. (Planned that way so they could remember their anniversary down the track).
After 7 years together, Mark decided to propose. Together they chose the engagement ring and a few weeks later, Mark proposed outside the school gym – where they first met -while out walking the dog. Beth said “Yes” in an instant because – in her words:-
“I can never imagine marrying or spending the rest of my life without him, he has an amazing sense of humour and I have watched him grow into an amazing person over the years who would put anyone else above himself. I knew before we started dating that if I was to date him, this was it, and he would be my forever person.
Sometimes I get scared as the only way I could lose him is if he passed away for some reason, so we never leave the house without kissing each other goodbye and never go to bed angry with one another.”
In their 8 and a half years together, Mark has become a fully qualified electrician, a sales rep and now owner of his own electrical company. Beth has completed her nursing degree, become a Mental Health Nurse in her dream job, and completed paper after paper coming that much closer to her masters – they have supported each other throughout.
Mark and Beth flatted for while – which for Beth was a little traumatic – living with 4 boys! Together they have since owned two houses and become parents to their fur baby Boof who they cart everywhere! They have also traveled to Australia together, always pushing each other out of their comfort zones and have always sought council from one another.
When it came time to start planning their Wedding – they turned to Pinterest for inspiration and their special day grew from there. They didn’t so much have a theme, but looked on Pinterest and saved the images they liked. Beth-el sent images to her mum and her parents worked together to make the decorations for their big day. Beth-el’s Mum has a chronic injury and so working on Wedding decor gave purpose to her days with goals to achieve. She surprised everyone with her dedication to make her first born’s wedding magical.
The wedding day itself was absolutely perfect. Mark had been encouraging Beth-el to get back into her hobby of song writing and singing after spending so much time studying so she decided to write her vows in the form of a song and preform it at the ceremony she said:-
“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done but I am so happy I was able to do it and show my love to him.”
For their first dance they performed a full dance that included bringing their parents in at the end which they had all practiced together. This was a poignant moment as Mark’s Dad has Parkinson’s and Beth-el’s mother has a chronic injury. Beth-el also mentioned:-
“It was also so amazing to do as my parents only remarried two years ago after 10 years being divorced. This has taught me true love always finds a way and it’s not always easy.”
Sadly a lot of guests couldn’t make it on the day due to the coronavirus restrictions – this included guests from overseas, family who had just returned to New Zealand and had to self-isolate, and friends with little ones or babies on the way. However Mark and Beth-el videoed the wedding so they wouldn’t fully miss out on the day.
Beth-el and Mark have the following advise for couples currently planning their big day:-
“Don’t stress the little things and go with your gut. I had to make the call whether to cancel or not due to the virus, it was a hard decision but followed my gut and went ahead. I am so glad we did, the weather, venue, decorations, people just everything went as well as I could have hoped. We also got extra food due to us being the last wedding for a while until the virus settled down. The day goes so quick, I ended up enjoying the moment’s in-between photos where we just talked. Our photographers caught those moments where we were relaxed and just natural in each other’s company. When photos are taken, get the bridal party together, but then go off on your own for couple photos, it was the best thing. I love the fact that I now have his name, and I know our children will have the same name. His family are so proud of their heritage and I am so happy to be a part of that.”
Thanks Beth-el and Mark for sharing your special day with us!
Vendors:
- Photographer: Megan George Photography and Knightly Images Taranaki.
- Hair: Suburban Hair with the help of Revive hair and beauty.
- Makeup: Shania Gwerder
- Flowers: Julie Oliver
- Cake: Eulene Mileham – Cottage Baking.
- Brides Dress & Accessories: Etcetera Bridal
- Bridesmaids Dresses & Accessories: JJ’s House.
- Grooms Suits & Accessories: Barkers.
- Planner/Stylist: Kristal and the Devon Hotel.
- Venue/Catering: Devon Hotel.
- Invitations: Maid of Honour – Aimee Hinton.