Mates tie the knot at Eden Park

Travis McIntosh and Matt McCormick. Photo / Mediaworks

Heterosexual Dunedin men Travis McIntosh and Matt McCormick were married by a celebrant before about 80 friends and family at Eden Park this morning.

Engineering student Mr McIntosh (23) and teacher Mr McCormick (24) tied the knot to win a trip to the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England in a competition run by The Edge radio station.

Gay rights groups have condemned the union, saying it trivialises what they fought for.

However, Mr McIntosh said this week the wedding was not mocking the institution of marriage.

''It's just seeing how far two good mates would go to win a trip to the Rugby World Cup.''

Mr McCormick, a teacher at Musselburgh School, said the friendship began after the two met at Pirates Rugby Club in Dunedin when he was aged 6.