The Block NZ's Emmett ties the knot 'THERE WASN'T A DRY EYE IN THE HOUSE!

The besotted reno champ exchanged vows with the love of his life in an emotional autumn ceremony

- India Hendrikse

The day before The Block NZ's Emmett Vallender tied the knot with his beloved partner Zigie Wightman, he decided he needed to practise his vows - so his reality TV buddy and fellow 2016 winner Sam Cable stepped in, pretending to be the beautiful bride-to-be! While Sam mightn't have looked the part, the experience was both comical and helpful. "Sam held my hands and it was actually a bit easier having my best man looking at me, rather than having Zig's face there!" laughs Emmett, reminiscing on his prenuptial nerves.

Zigie admits to rehearsing too. The physiotherapist, 31, shares that her stepmum recommended saying her vows to a photo of her 35-year-old fiancé. "It helped me a lot having had a couple of practices under my belt when I was choking up a bit.

Still glowing after their special day at Auckland's rustic but glamorous Kumeu Valley Estate, the new Mrs Vallender gushes to Woman's Day about the emotional ceremony. "We had quite a few friends and family say that our vows moved them. It was lovely to hear that people really felt the love we have for each other."

The couple's love blossomed after Emmett - who won $480,000 alongside Sam on season five of The Block - went to a physiotherapy appointment and spotted Zigie at work. A while later, when Zigie was newly single, he sent her a message online and they met up.

The lovebirds got engaged in 2020 and then, last November, welcomed their first child Leo into the world. The wee boy was one of the cutest sights at the wedding, wearing a suit that matched his dad's, complete with a black bow tie.

The six-month-old is still breastfeeding, so Zigie had to make that work throughout the big day. "I'm one of the lucky ones who doesn't leak," she laughs, shuddering at the thought of wet patches on her stunning dress.