High-adventure couple take big leap into matrimony

It was a walk down the aisle that produced nerves of a different kind.

Holidaying Australians Brad and Loretta Bollard became the first couple to marry on Auckland's Harbour Bridge yesterday, before celebrating by bungying from underneath the crossing's apex.

After 22 years together and five children, there was never any doubt that Mrs Bollard was going to turn up to the wedding.

But the walk down the "aisle" - 600m of steel walkway, with the Waitemata visible far below - can't have been easy.

Before the wedding, Mr Bollard, who turned 39 yesterday, said they and friends Paul and Tanya O'Neill - best man and matron-of-honour yesterday - decided to come to New Zealand for "extreme weddings".

The O'Neills married in Queenstown last Friday, and were launched together off the Shotover Canyon Swing moments after saying "I do". Yesterday it was their friends' turn.

The AJ Hackett Auckland Bridge bungy and climb has hosted plenty of proposals, but until yesterday no weddings.

"We are going to take the plunge to get married, and take the plunge to say we'll do anything for each other," Mr Bollard said before the vows.

The Sydney-siders wore matching white helmets, harnesses and Canterbury Bulldogs rugby league jerseys as they exchanged vows.

Celebrant Zane Brown, who brought the wedding certificate out attached to a clipboard, said it was the most unusual wedding he had officiated at, "but I'm fine with heights".

After the vows, Mrs Bollard looked less than happy with married life as she and Mrs O'Neill edged forward for a tandem bungy, with Barry White's music blaring in the background.

After backing out the first time, she was persuaded to jump by her new husband.

And with a staff member holding back her veil from behind, she made her second leap of faith in a day.