Honeymoon a secret after private wedding

Daisy Aitken and Israel Dagg yesterday, the day after the wedding.

Groom Israel Dagg looked as snappy as his granddad ... according to his granddad. The World Cup-winning All Black wed high school sweetheart Daisy Aitken in his native Hawke's Bay on Friday.

The wedding was held at Mana Lodge in the Poukawa Valley, a country estate owned by the late Sir Paul Holmes. Guests were ordered to meet at Dagg's former secondary school, Lindisfarne College in Hastings, from where they caught buses to the lodge. Even the guests didn't know where they were going.

The couple were back at the lodge yesterday but their honeymooon plans remain as tightly guarded as the ceremony. Dagg's grandfather, Pat, said more than 100 attended the wedding with famous faces including teammates Victor Vito and Cory Jane.

"He's got a big family, Izzy, so they were all there, his mum and his dad of course, sisters and brothers.

"It was a family affair pretty much, scattered with a few All Blacks."

He said the younger Dagg looked impeccable in a suit and tie. "He always looks sharp - he takes after his grandfather."

Daisy wore a traditional wedding dress. "She looked lovely, of course - she looks lovely at any time."

Vows were exchanged on the estate's grand lawn next to the swimming pool and the reception took place in a marquee nearby.

"They were just starting the dancing and merriment when I went home," Pat said. "But I imagine they went to midnight or 1 o'clock."

Dagg's high school friend Conrad Reiter was best man. Pat wasn't sure of honeymoon plans, but the newlyweds were photographed at the lodge yesterday.