A couple's love for each other ensured Saturday's major earthquake wasn't enough to get in the way of their big day.
Raukura and Phil Beattie were to be married in the Christchurch Methodist Mission Church, but the building became off-limits because of damage.
Undeterred, they moved the ceremony to where the reception was going to be held, the Netball Function Centre, which still had power and running water.
Raukura Beattie, who's 25, says they only had to push the ceremony back half an hour but things were somewhat strained.
"It certainly added a lot of stress that morning and I was quite upset about whether it was going to go ahead. I was freaking out on the phone to Phil after the quake but he said 'at the end of the day all I want to do is marry you' and we'll find a way of doing that."
Mrs Beattie says not all of the guests were able to make it, because the airport was closed, but her wedding day overall was very special and particularly memorable.
The couple are spending time with family and leave for their honeymoon on Wednesday.
