A star-studded line-up of guests was in Queenstown to see popular All Black Ali Williams marry his long-time partner.
The World Cup winning lock, nicknamed Comical Ali because of his love for pranks, tied the knot with his girlfriend of seven years, Casey Green, in a ceremony shrouded in secrecy yesterday.
All Black captain Richie McCaw was in the wedding party, while other guests included fellow All Black Dan Carter, with new wife Honor, former All Black coach Graham Henry and his wife Raewyn, All Blacks Jerome Kaino, Tony Woodcock and Isaia Toeava, and socialite Aja Rock.
The wedding was held at Stoneridge Estate, a five-star luxury venue 15 minutes drive from Queenstown, featuring five hectares of vineyards, water gardens and panoramic views of the Southern Alps and Lake Hayes.
Allied Security had four men on the main gates from mid-morning yesterday until later in the evening, turning away anyone who was not an "invited guest".
The function began shortly after midday with guests transported by bus as well as several wedding cars.
One security guard said they had been instructed to keep an eye out for cameras and media and told to "confiscate camera memory cards" if photographs were taken.
Upon leaving the public venue of the Lake Hayes showground across the road, the Otago Daily Times car was followed towards Arrowtown for a kilometre by a security truck.
Williams proposed in April this year, and he and his dance instructor fiancee were seen in Queenstown in July this year shortly before the All Blacks went into their World Cup training camp.
The guests appeared to be keeping a low profile in Queenstown.
Colin Russell, one of the owners of Queenstown's Flame Bar and Grill, said he had been expecting some All Black visitors because members of the team had publicly spoken about his establishment, but no one had shown up.
Kaino, who also married this summer, was seen wandering about the town yesterday and visiting a bakery.
The New Zealand Woman's Weekly will publish exclusive details of the Williams wedding on Sunday.
- additional reporting ODT