The Wedding Givers competition is due to close on February 10, 2010. Soon to be married, Gene Paul and Kim Stevens are giving away their wedding experience to a worthy couple who cannot finance their own. The wedding of the winning couple will take place the day following Gene and Kim’s, February 28, 2010 at Mystery Creek Events Centre.

The quality and quantity of submissions has been significant, and with so many deserving of the wedding, it will be a tough decision for Gene and Kim in selecting the winning couple. The recipient pair will receive a dream wedding worth over $10,000, with almost all aspects supplied. The wedding has been organised by Mystery Creek Events Centre staff, experts in event management; ensuring the day is seamless and stress free for the pair.

In such difficult economic times, the amount of people willing to offer their services, products and hospitality is heartwarming. Since inception of the competition, further sponsors have come on board to help make the wedding day even more special. Professional photographers, One2One photography, will photograph both weddings, valued at over $8,000. Blakes Company Hire has committed to supply table dressings for both weddings, joining florist, Bouquet Cottage, who will provide table arrangements. A Waikato woman even offered to lend her wedding dress, in the event Kim’s is not the correct size for the winning bride.

There has been an incredible amount of support from all over the Waikato region. A huge thanks to; 89.8 ZM, Mystery Creek Events Centre, Super Liquor Te Rapa, Kiwi King Spit Roast Company, Zibido Hair, Gem’s Gems, Celebrant - Anne Purnell, Five Cross Roads Cake Kitchen, One2One Photography, Bouquet Cottage and Blakes Company Hire.

To enter yourself or a deserving couple you know, visit the Wedding Givers page of this website. Entries close on Wednesday February 10, 2010. The winners will be announced on February 12, 2010.

For further comment contact: Ariana Tucker, Communications Advisor, Mystery Creek Events Centre 07 843 4497 or 027 434 3651 arianat@mysterycreek.co.nz

Congratulations to Felina Makiri and Oreon Kee of Turua, who have been revealed as the winners of the Wedding Givers competition. Their dream of a wedding has finally become a reality for the pair, and is set to take place on February 28, 2010 at Mystery Creek Events Centre.

Over 40 deserving couples had entered the competition; although only one winning pair could be selected. The couple's lack of control over their situation and compelling story were the main reasons for them being chosen as the wedding recipients. The wedding givers, Kim Stevens and Gene Paul were moved by the unique challenges Felina and Oreon faced, saying their circumstances “touched us the most.”

With only two weeks to prepare for the wedding, the winning couple are understandably extremely excited about their big day. When Kim and Gene announced the news, both Felina and Oreon had very different reactions. Oreon was speechless, while Felina could not control her overwhelming joy. “I haven't stopped crying since,” wept Felina Makiri.

Ibis Hotel Tainui Hamilton have also been inspired by the competition, offering both couples a room for their wedding night and complimentary breakfast the following morning.

Hamiltonians, Gene and Kim, want to share their wedding experience with a deserving couple to take place the day after their own wedding on Sunday 28 February, 2010 at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton. The soon to be wed pair feel privileged to be able to afford their own wedding in this difficult climate and empathise with couples who are unable to realise their own dream of a wedding. Therefore, with the generous support of a variety of sponsors, Gene and Kim would like to gift a duplicate of their wedding to a worthy committed couple.

To be considered as the ‘Wedding Givers’ recipient, potential applicants must be eligible to marry and be experiencing financial hardship which has made the dream of a wedding an impossible expense. Their financial difficulty could be caused by many reasons, some of which include; a casualty of the recession resulting in redundancy or business loss, serious health issues concerning their partner/child or any other difficult circumstance beyond their control.

The selected couple will receive a wedding on a similar scale to Gene and Kim’s, on Sunday 28 February, 2010. The ceremony and reception will be held at Mystery Creek Events Centre at the Heritage Village and the Bledisloe venues.

Interested couples can either enter themselves or be nominated by family or friends through applying online, before February 10, 2010, with a description as to why the couple truly deserves the gift of a wedding. Submissions and conditions of entry can be sourced here.

Through the generosity of sponsors, all major aspects of the wedding have been covered. Kim has even offered to lend the winning bride her own wedding dress. This promotion could not be possible without the help of the following sponsors; Radio station ZM, Mystery Creek Events Centre, Super Liquor Te Rapa, Kiwi King Spit Roast Company, Zibido Hair, Gem’s Gems, Five Cross Roads Cake Kitchen and Anne Purnell of the Celebrants Association of New Zealand.

For further information contact:

Ariana Tucker, Communications Advisor, Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton
Phone:  07 843 4497 or 027 434 3651 Email: arianat@mysterycreek.co.nz

Nicola Greenwell, Business Development Manager, Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton
Phone:  07 843 4497 or 027 479 7707 Email: nicolag@mysterycreek.co.nz