Former Miss SA Suzette van der Merwe elopes and gets married in New Zealand

Cape Town - Former Miss South Africa Suzette van der Merwe and her fiancé businessman Mark Weston tied the knot in December. 

The couple met six years ago, on a blind date, and have been engaged for five years.

Suzette and New Zealand-born Mark married on Pink Beach on 14 December, in his home country - with only Mark's father and stepmother in attendance. 

The newlyweds are planning to host a traditional wedding when they return to South Africa on 10 January. 

According to Huisgenoot, Suzette wore a bright pink gown, which reminded her of her bougainvilleas at her parent's home in Stilbaai. The colour pink has been a popular hue in the couple's relationship, as Mark also wore a pink shirt when the pair met for the first time at The Palazzo Montecasino in Johannesburg. 

Both have children from previous relationships, who plan to be at the second ceremony. 

Sharing a photo from their wedding day on Instagram, Suzette wrote: "We did it! On December 14th, 2019 we eloped and got married!"

Mark shared the same Huisgenoot cover, writing: "It's official! Suzette and I got married at Kauri Cliffs, Kerikeri, New Zealand." 

Messages of congratulations have flooded in, including celebratory notes from former Miss South Africas, Tansey Coetzee and Jo-Ann Strauss. 

SEE THE HUISGENOOT COVER HERE: 

Compiled by Graye Morkel (Sources: Huisgenoot)

(Photo: Gallo)