Vanessa Arsen and Donna Allpress' wedding on the beachfront at Opononi on Saturday was memorable for more than the usual of reasons. It was Northland's first marriage of two women, and the first time a same-sex couple from Kaikohe had exchanged vows.
Then there was the gust of wind that blew the couple's marriage certificate into the Hokianga Harbour before the couple arrived. All was well though - a local teenager retrieved it, and it was dried out in time for signing.
Vanessa and Donna's romance didn't quite follow traditional lines either. They found each other on an internet dating site, and only decided it was time to meet after countless trans-Tasman phone calls and letters. Thirteen years ago Donna, who was living in Australia, flew to Hamilton where Vanessa was waiting for her patiently (the flight was delayed), their first sight of each other being across an airport lounge at midnight.
It was love at first sight according to Vanessa, and although Donna hadn't even seen a photo of Vanessa at that stage she had no trouble recognising her. And she knew then that they were meant for each other.
Donna, manager of the Kaikohe Returned Servicemen's Club, duly proposed to dairy farm manager Vanessa at a 'Pink' concert in Auckland the day same-sex marriages became legal. They had considered marrying overseas, but their relationship would not have been recognised in New Zealand, and neither fancied the option of a civil union.
