Click to expand. Photo by Stephen Jaquiery.
The Mayan calendar predicts the world will end next
month, but a bevy of brides is set to appease the gods in
Waitati tomorrow.
Having a practice run at Doctors Point Beach this week are
(from left) Lynley Workman, Daisy Forest, Katie Peppercorn,
Mandy Mayhem, Vicky Renyard (obscured), Lynda Peppercorn and
Kate Springford with help from flower girls (from left) Poppy
Forest (5), Atawhai Turei (4) and Rose Mayhem-Haining (9) and
pageboy Maximus Mayhem (7).
Waitati resident Ms Mayhem (40) said she had planned the
ritual to save civilisation and was holding an "all brides
day" at Doctors Point Beach to worship the goddesses by
gathering 100 brides, she said.
"Because the bride is an archetype of purity."
Ms Mayhem would wear a red wedding dress to represent the
blood and passion of life and the other brides would release
99 red helium-filled balloons.
If the weather allowed, hang glider pilot Jonas Lobitz, of
Waitati, would cascade a sash of red fabric while gliding
overhead, she said.
Tribal drumming, bagpipers and a traditional pagan jumping of
the broom ceremony would also feature, she said.
"Then I'm hoping all the brides will link hands and dance
along the water."
The ritual would begin at 3pm tomorrow, rain, hail or shine,
and she was confident 100 brides would attend the open event,
Ms Mayhem said.
"But entry is by bride only - bring a bride or be a bride.
Crossdressers welcome."
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