Haley & Glenn Thompson

Photographs by Tim Skinner Photography, Nelson

In a real life case of the Princess and the Pea fairytale, Haley slept on her engagement ring for three days!  Glenn figured under her side of the bed was the perfect hiding place, "shows how often I make it doesn't it!" laughs Haley.

When Glenn proposed on their third anniversary, Haley was delighted.  "It was special because he had chosen the ring himself - it seemed more real with the ring rather than me choosing one later," comments Haley.

Living in Wellington, they spent the next 19 months planning their wedding at Old St Pauls and The Granary at Founders Historic Park in Nelson.

Despite the Cook Straight, plans went smoothly with Glenn and Haley doing most of the work themselves.

"I made the invitations, orders of service and place cards.  We did all the decorating - the Friday before the wedding was full on stress!  We coiled ivy around the pillars and tables and arranged the centre-pieces of decorative glass bowls filled with water, orchids and floating candles. Around these we scattered gold and silver chocolate hearts," explains Haley.  

"My wonderful Mum made the nibbles and desserts and Dad helped with the entire set up, as well as the important job of walking me down the aisle. We hired seven candelabra and had candles everywhere for lighting, it was lovely."

Haley even made hearts in purple, pink and white to decorate their cake.

After all the rush to get ready, Haley was glad to relax the night before with her bridesmaids, Mum and Grandmother and "did girly things ­ looking very attractive with a green face-mask and wedding shoes with socks!" remembers Haley.

Haley chose a white embroidered satin strapless dress with train, tiara and veil. "I had never intended to wear white, I was sure I would spill something on it, but once I tried it on and we had decided on bridesmaids dresses, it had to be white."

Her bridesmaids, best friend Jenny Street, and sisters Melissa and Sharla Lochhead, wore aubergine satin dresses with sequence straps, matching wraps and shoes.

Kimberley, Haley's sister aged seven, lived every little girl's dream.  "Kimberley rang up when we first were engaged and told me she was being my flower girl "cos a girl in her class had been one and got to keep the dress!"  laughs Haley, "What could I say?"

"I had her dream dress made and bought her a tiara. Her face was a picture - she thought she was the bees knees!"

Glenn, best man Jason Jones, and groomsmen brother Michael Thompson and friend Richard Price, looking fantastic in Maverick-style black suits, arrived just early enough to take advantage of the on-site brewery indulging in a lager for courage!

Family and friends spared no efforts to make the day special.  Sister Sharla came home from Scotland early to be at Haley's hen night and Phil Masden, a good friend of Glenn's, sang at their reception.  Phil also gave them a pre-release copy of his new CD single 'Beautiful' to play during the ceremony.

Back in Wellington, enjoying a well-earned rest, Haley and Glenn are planning their honeymoon.  Hopefully it won't take another 19 months!