The couple, who celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary today, were married at St Paul's Church in Oamaru on March 31, 1951.
Following the reception, they travelled by train to Christchurch where it "absolutely pelted down" as they waited for a taxi.
The dye came out of the feathers on Mrs Burden's new hat and ran down her back - all over her new coat.
"I thought, what a start. It wasn't good," she laughingly recalled.
The Oamaru couple (both aged 82) met at a dance at the Scottish Hall. After getting engaged, Mrs Burden and two female friends left Oamaru for three months and travelled to the North Island.
While away, her fiance wrote to say he had bought a section in north Oamaru on which they later built their first home. Trained as a dressmaker, Mrs Burden (nee Pullan) made her wedding dress along with her trousseau, and a bridesmaid's dress for her sister.
Mr Burden started work at Hallensteins in 1943 and retired in 1988, having been manager for 26 years. It was a job he loved.
Mrs Burden, who enjoyed gardening, sewing and handcrafts, believed it was important for couples to have their individual hobbies, while also having some shared interests.
Mr Burden has been involved with numerous organisations including Lions, St John, Probus, the retailers association and Cardiac Support. He received a Waitaki Citizens Award in 2001.
He is a life member of the RSA bowling club and quipped that his wife often felt like a "bowling widow". The couple, who have three children and five grandchildren, agreed the years had gone quickly.
"Everybody has their ups and downs. You work through the bad days and you enjoy the good days," Mrs Burden observed.
