Couple welcome the gift of publicity

From left, Patrick Jephson, Mary Jo Jacobi-Jephson, Antonios Papaspiropoulos, Victoria Tobin, Colin Mathura-Jeffree and Tony Strong. Photo / Michael Craig

What do you give high-flying publicists who have everything on their wedding day?

Easy ... give them more publicity.

On Friday, Antonios Papaspiropoulos celebrated the most important day of his life, his wedding, by handing out business cards. "It's always business," he said.

When Papaspiropoulos married Victoria Tobin on Friday at St Mary's in Holy Trinity Cathedral, his PR agency emailed this newspaper to invite a reporter and photographer. "Antonios is a renowned businessman and Victoria is fast becoming a Kiwi socialite," the press release boasted.

Papaspiropoulos ensured his nuptials would be attended by a former adviser to US Presidents Reagan and Bush snr; the former private secretary to Princess Diana; record producer Tony Strong; and fashion gadfly Colin Mathura-Jeffree.

"If you're doing good business, pleasure is associated with it. People you meet through business become great friends, like family, people you collect through various life associations."

Three months ago, Papaspiropoulos became managing director of Network Communications, with offices in Auckland and Wellington. His PR agents are presenting the 52-year-old as a young-at-heart, adventurous globetrotter, referencing his Greek heritage with images of smashing plates and Greek ruins - though he is half-Irish.

"I find New Zealand is milder, sweeter, in both a business and lifestyle sense. It's not as aggressive as I've been used to."

He met fellow publicist Tobin, 29, while working on projects in Western Australia, including a $52 billion gas plant in a nature reserve.

Tobin has become firm friends with Mathura-Jeffree. "I've taken Victoria out and I presented her like a royal princess," Mathura-Jeffree said. "I became friends with Victoria through the social scene. She's the perfect lady to take to an event because she's mad."