, the former flatmate of a woman Pongs used to date years ago. It was less six degrees of separation and more just a gib and plaster wall that separated the lovebirds. They met again,10 years later, on the day of her father's funeral... and love blossomed.
The smooth-talking Pongs, who has one marriage and one engagement (to TV babe
Miriama Smith
) behind him, announced earlier this week, with the bride-to-be by his side on the
Good Morning
couch, that he hit on her when they reunited again on the day of her dad's funeral. "It was bittersweet", the bride replied.
In a thoroughly modern love story, romance developed further through Skype and Facebook. Kirkland lived in London; Pongia in Wellington. Marriage plans followed quickly.
The former Tall Black went to great lengths to plan a romantic proposal last October. Getting down on one knee is for any lover; getting down on one knee in Iceland is for real Romeos. He booked the secret flights, and the details were later splashed across the pages of a woman's magazine spread.
It was reported the bride works as a lawyer in London. She doesn't. She works in the Human Resources department of a London law firm. Though, presumably Kirkland will up and move to Wellington to live with her husband and his television career.
Guests expected at the wedding this afternoon are likely to include Pongia's former dancing partner
Brendon and Michelle have likely sold their nuptial story to a woman's magazine. We can probably expect to see all the details in glossy print next week. I wish the pair many happy returns on their wedding day. Feel free to post your own comments to the couple on this blog.
Rachel Glucina
Pictured: TV presenter and ex-Tall Black Brendon Pongia sports an attractive moustache which he is growing to support Movemberin 2007. Photo / Supplied