Kate Adams (left) and Lyn Riesterer during their Civil Union ceremony at Opape Beach.
Saying "I do" has helped strengthen Kate Adams and Lyn Riesterer's relationship.
The couple have been in a same-sex relationship for the past seven years.
On April1, they formalised their relationship in front of about 100 family and friends at Opape Beach.
The ceremony, performed by former Kawerau mayor Lyn Hartley, was followed by a celebration at Opotiki's Opape Marae.
The couple are one of three in the Bay of Plenty who have had a civil union since the bill was passed one year ago on April 26.
While Ms Adams proposed six years ago, it was the legal stability a civil union offered which eventually convinced them to tie the knot, said Ms Riesterer.
"The biggest thing was the legal implications if something happens.
"This was the nearest thing to getting married. It gives us more rights as a couple. I wanted to have a say if [Kate] got ill and for her to be able to do the same." Going through a legal ceremony was about strengthening their relationship, Ms Adams said.
"It wasn't our initial idea to have a civil union but it has added that final full stop for us, strengthening our relationship. It's made that solid relationship more solid," she said.
The full significance of their action had sunk in the day after, Ms Adams said. "We just sat there and felt incredibly settled. "It was that outward token of our commitment for family and friends too. It had huge meaning," she said.
It was the talk of Opotiki also.
"We had complete strangers coming up to us and congratulating us," Ms Adams said.
