Perfect backdrop to say ‘I do’

They may have came last at the trivia night but Alana said she actually won in the end as she met the love of her life.

“I was 15 and Alex was 17 and we instantly clicked,” Alana said.

“He looked like a nice country boy with brown hair, blue eyes and a smile I couldn’t go past.”

Seven years into their relationship Alex finally popped the question.

“We were out shooting when we stopped overlooking a dam to let our dog out,” Alana said.

“Alex asked me to hop out of the car and I saw our dog Tuff had a ring around his neck.

“He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.”

The pair were married on October 7, 2017 on their family’s farm in Murringo, 30km east of Young. They were surrounded by friends and family including Alana’s parents Steve and Leah Thomas as well as Alex’s Rolf and Petra Rotzler and Heather Ritchie.

The ceremony was held on Alex’s family farm and then the reception was at Alana’s parent’s property.

“We wanted our day simple sophisticated and country and that’s exactly what it was,” Alana said.

“The ceremony was in a paddock on the hill overlooking the valley with the sheep creating the perfect backdrop.

“Then we went down to the lucerne flats for the reception with a marquee that Alex and I styled ourselves with an outside dance floor surrounded by festoon lights and hay bales. It was truly our perfect day.”

The maid of honour was Cassie MacDonald with bridesmaids Meg Armour, Lucy Rodwell, Ashlee Hennock, Stacey Handley and Gavin Thomas. The best man was George Lawrence with groomsmen Ryan Thomas, Will Cookson, Dan Rowson, Zac Smith, Robert Jones and Kurt Tidswell.

The pair, who now reside at Murringo, didn’t go on honeymoon as they had to run their business Rotzler Motorcycle and Small Motor Repairs. But they plan to head to the Top End later in the year.