Newlyweds Allan and Jessica Reid wanted something different for their big day so what could be better than a marriage in Rotorua's mud.
The Australian-based couple - she's American, he's Scottish - got married at WaiOra Spa at Hells Gate on Wednesday. The entire ceremony, from the vows right throughto the signing of the licence, was conducted as they sat in a mud pool.
WaiOra wedding co-ordinator Emma Paton said the couple, who had been together four years, recently got engaged and were likely to have a big wedding celebration in America.
While planning their New Zealand holiday they came across Hells Gate on the internet and thought it would be fun and "ironic" to get married there, Miss Paton said. She said she suggested a ceremony in the mud and they replied "we'd love to".
So with two weeks' notice, Miss Paton and wedding celebrant Peter Duncan got to work planning one of their dirtier weddings.
The couple had no guests - "they just wanted to do something for themselves" - so Miss Paton and colleague Kathleen Bidois had the honour of witnessing the marriage. And although they offered, neither the two women nor Mr Duncan needed to get dirty themselves.
Miss Paton said the Reids had a fantastic day, which ended with celebratory champagne in the mud, massages and a special dinner at the resort.
Miss Paton said the resort loved hosting and planning all types of weddings and was now looking forward to its part in The Edge radio station's same-sex marriage promotion on August 19.
While the two winning same-sex couples will get married at Rotorua Museum, they will spend their wedding night at WaiOra and be treated to its Lover's Delight package.
