Taking the plunge

KELLYHODEL/Waikato Times

WET WEDDING: Dee Brown and Scott Devine met while kayaking got engaged while kayaking and decided to get married the same way.

Relevant offers

It was a nice day for a wet wedding.

And like any good bride, Hamilton woman Dee Brown kept her husband-to-be Scott Devine waiting, on Saturday afternoon.

But it was not at a church altar - he was paddling ahead of her in a kayak on the Waikato River.

But there were no signs of cold feet, even though both were shoeless as they reached the riverbank at Hamilton Gardens and the awaiting wedding party.

The loved-up and well-dressed couple decided to tie the knot in the unconventional way after meeting during a moonlight kayak trip.

"I run guided kayak tours along the river and met Dee that way," Scott said. "After three or four tours I felt a bit greedy charging her. We met while kayaking, got engaged while kayaking, so we thought why not get married kayaking."

Dee had no problem with the idea, even if it meant squeezing her wedding gown into the boat.

"A few people thought I was mad, but I loved the idea of it. Its just the most amazing place [the Waikato River] and Scotty's just an amazing man too."

The couple headed along the river, taking off from the shore near Malcolm St, and paddled down to their guests on the riverbank. In other kayaks were Dee's bridesmaids Jenny Boyd and Shani Benton and Scott's best man Kevin Symons, who was accompanied by Dee's daughter Samantha, seven. The kayaks were decorated with yellow roses and ribbons to add to the occasion.

Celebrant Sandra Walters said performing such a wedding ceremony was "a real first". "I loved it when they came to me with the idea.

"I like to go outside the square sometimes and it suited these two. It's the first time I've stood in the river in my good clothes.

- © Fairfax NZ News