There’s always one of “those” moments during a wedding, and when celebrant Tim Shadbolt asked if anyone had reason why Paul Court and Chantelle Swanson should not be married there was a nervous titter of laughter from the guests, followed by an “I do” from Dave the unsuccessful groom.
While getting ditched at the alter is a common enough cliché, getting ditched then having to sit through the bride marrying someone else is a little outside the realm of the ordinary. I felt pretty sorry for the unsuccessful groom in the Edge’s Three Strangers and a Wedding promotion, but my sympathy was short lived (boy, I’m cold!) and the focus quickly shifted to Paul, who was about to become a husband.
Marrying someone you’ve just met for the first time has to be a pretty awkward experience but Chantelle and Paul handled it well and Paul’s goofy grin portrayed exactly what he was thinking of his incredibly gorgeous bride! Of course, watching a wedding where the bride and groom barely look at each other is a little unusual and I have to admit to feeling incredibly nervous for them when they went in for that first kiss at the end of the ceremony.
At the press conference after the ceremony that smooch was one of the first things Chantelle was asked about and she rated Paul as a good kisser (just as well, given the knot has been tied and there’s no going back now!).
Canadian native Chantelle’s path to marital bliss has been pretty rocky with her parents refusing to attend and putting a lot of pressure on her not to go through with the wedding. Evidently there were cold feet the night before, but she appeared calm and excited on the day (not to mention a little nervous – as you would be!).
She looked stunning in a beautiful Jane Yeh gown and I have to say her makeup, which was done using nzgirl products, looked perfect. Mr Nigel Russell, our Hairy Stuff guru, was responsible for the gorgeous hairstyles of Chantelle and her bridesmaids and he did a great job (I’m so stealing those ‘dos for my own up-coming wedding!).
Once her teaching contract in Auckland is up Chantelle has plans to move to Christchurch to be with Paul. This is the third time the Edge has married two strangers and it will be interesting to say if this union is as steady as the other two have worked out to be.
knot has been tied and there’s no going back now!). 
