Westenra weds in secret

Arnaud Sabard and Hayley Westenra had been together for three years before marrying in Canterbury on Sunday.

Kiwi singing star Hayley Westenra has married her French fiance, Arnaud Sabard, in a secret wedding.

About 90 guests were present to witness the wedding in North Canterbury on Sunday.

A source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity as guests had been told to keep the ceremony secret, said Westenra had four bridesmaids, including younger sister Sophie, one of Mr Sabard's sisters and Paige, the daughter of Christchurch singer Elizabeth Braggins.

When contacted by the Herald, Westenra's father, Gerald, was coy, in keeping with the strict confidentiality deals the glossy magazines demand.

But the marriage was confirmed by Woman's Day editor Sido Kitchin, who has signed the couple to an exclusive magazine deal.

When news of the engagement broke last year Mr Westenra said both families were delighted and were looking forward to the wedding.

"We're very excited. [Hayley] didn't want to leave the country until she had that ring," he said.

Westenra is believed to have had her dress made by Christchurch wedding gown designer Louise Anderson.

Kitchin said coverage of the wedding was planned for the next issue of the magazine, out on Monday.

"We're delighted to be sharing Hayley and Arnaud's beautiful wedding exclusively in Woman's Day next week. It was a rainy day, but nothing could dampen Hayley's happiness. She looked exquisite."

Westenra first met Mr Sabard when he was working as a sound engineer on one of her tours.

They have been together for just over three years.

Mr Sabard proposed to Westenra - who soared to fame as a teenager - in early 2013 at Lake Wakatipu near Queenstown while the songstress was on a break from recording in London.

- Staff reporter