Three weddings and a funeral director

David Hallett The Press

Maurice Gray (front) and Geoffrey Hall leaving Christchurch District Court last year.

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A bridesmaid, a bestman and several witnesses say they did not see Anglican Minister Rev Maurice Gray at a wedding he was supposed to be presiding over.

Gray, 53, from Cashmere, and 55 year-old funeral director Geoffrey Robert Topham Hall, of Pines Beach, Kaiapoi, are jointly charged with falsely pretending to be a marriage celebrant and knowingly making a false declaration _ the signing of the marriage papers.

They deny the charges.

Amanda-Jane Bryan, who was bridesmaid at the wedding and had known the bride for eight years, said she had not met Gray but knew what he looked like through dealings at her work but did not see him at the wedding.

Best man Keven Anthony Donaldson, Bryan's husband Carl Bryan and wedding MC David McNaughton also said they did not recall seeing Gray.

Earlier in the morning the court was shown a video of the wedding, which including a segment with Hall conducting the vows.

The marriage licence was originally filled in with Hall's name but the application was rejected because he was not a celebrant. Gray's name was then substituted.

Hall was a trainee and not a registered celebrant, and evidence would be given that he performed the ceremony. Evidence would be given by members of the wedding party and guests that they did not see Gray at the ceremony.

Gray had made a false declaration, knowing it was false, when he signed the marriage papers, she alleged.

Gray had told the department that he had intended to be at the ceremony but may have had to leave to attend a crisis. He had been there for a time and had watched discreetly from the top of the stairs leading to the venue. 

The case is continuing.

- NZPA