On July 30, Renae Weakley and Jeffrey Chard surprised family with a call from New Zealand to say they had married.
Renae is the daughter of Wendy and Vince Weakley of Narrabri and the grand daughter of Nita Richards of Gunnedah.
Jeffrey is the son of Rex and Lyn Chard and the grandson of Aileen Chard all of Glen Innes.
The couple had organised a holiday to New Zealand which to the surprise of family and friends included plans to be married.
Renae and Jeffrey along with Renae’s daughters Allira and Lily Tibbett flew to Queenstown where they had liaised with a helicopter flight company to organise the event.
On the designated wedding day, an unexpected snow storm was forecast for the afternoon so the decision was made to leave earlier to beat the storm. In windy weather the helicopter pilots found a sheltered spot at Round Hill, Cecil Peak where the wedding ceremony was performed by celebrant Tracey Maclaren.
A highlight of the event was the reading of a letter to the bride and groom by Allira and Lily.
The couple celebrated with a glass of champagne before flying to The Remarkables where it started to snow as they landed.
After playing in the snow, the family headed back to the hangar where the marriage licence was signed.
Renae’s mother Wendy Weakley was not prepared for her daughter’s phone call with the words “Hello Mum, we are married.”
However Wendy said the family is delighted and couldn’t be happier for the couple who have made their home in Narrabri.
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