World champion cyclist Alison Shanks (30) had her
husband-to-be watching the clock as he stood outside their
wedding venue in Dunedin yesterday.
Craig Palmer (37) and his three groomsmen arrived at First
Church half-an-hour before the wedding.
Mr Palmer wore a light grey suit, the groomsmen dark grey.
Each wore a white rose boutonniere. As he waited, incoming
guests shook the groom's hand and slapped his back, offering
reassuring words as he waited and chewed gum. In a quiet
moment, he took a page from his pocket for some quick
revision.
After more than 100 guests had made their way inside - a show
of smart suits and flowing summer dresses - the hellos,
handshakes and kisses on the cheek continued, as flower girls
in white dresses and pageboys in black suits peeked out from
the church doors into the courtyard.
All the guests were ushered into the church, including Dame
Lois Muir and Silver Fern Anna Harrison, to await the bride's
arrival.
And the minutes passed. Then a VW Golf arrived and three
bridesmaids in purple dresses appeared holding colourful
bouquets.
Then another VW arrived, 10 minutes late, with his and hers
racing bikes on the roof rack.
From the car, the bride emerged in a traditional long white
dress, with a longer veil, which caught in the breeze and
trailed behind her as she climbed the church steps. After
husband and wife emerged from the ceremony, smiling and
stopping to kiss on the church steps, the crowd came out for
photos.
The groom's family were photographed first, then the bride's,
then the friends, then the group photo was taken before
guests went back to their cars to drive to the reception at
Larnach Castle.
- shawn.mcavinue@odt.co.nz
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