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Home / New Zealand

Funeral wedding no solemn undertaking

Kurt Bayer
By Kurt Bayer
South Island Head of News·APNZ·
3 Sep, 2011 05:30 PMQuick Read

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Craig Payne and Sue Magson. Photo / Jonathan Doherty

Craig Payne and Sue Magson. Photo / Jonathan Doherty

A Christchurch couple will wed in a funeral home today, in their own bizarre year-on commemoration of the September 4 earthquake.

Craig Payne, 48, and Sue Magson, 46, stunned friends and family when they revealed their unusual wedding location - the crematorium chapel at Christchurch funeral directors, Bell, Lamb & Trotter.

Chris, who is an embalmer at the firm, said: "We've heard a lot of jokes about it - especially from my mates about burying my freedom".

The couple got engaged a week before the February 22 earthquake.

"We've both been married before so we didn't want the big church thing," said Sue. "This is a great intimate venue."

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Craig said the wedding would be fun.

"While it will be our celebration, there will be also some time for reflection for what has happened over the last year."

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