Riverboat wedding: Best friends begin their married life on Whanganui River

Newlyweds Tracey-Lee and Vincent Hopkinson celebrated their wedding aboard the historic MV Wairua riverboat. Photo / Greg Tinnion

When you're marrying your best friend there's no better place to tie the knot than a Whanganui riverbank, according to newlywed Tracey-Lee Hopkinson.

The bride and her groom sailed upriver with their three young children and a small party of "nearest and dearest" family and friends on the historic riverboat MV Wairua to a perfect spot selected by skipper Sam Mordey.

Vincent Hopkinson had been Tracey's best friend for four years when he convinced her that he could be something more.

"We have now been together for seven years and have three children together," Tracey said.

"When we decided to get married we didn't want a big ceremony but one that would be fun, that would be about us and would include our children, close friends and family."

Whanganui marriage celebrant Kelly Scarrow was recommended by a friend and Mordey knew a quiet spot near Upokongaro where there would be room to disembark for a wedding ceremony.

"It was perfect," Tracey said.

"We were a bit worried about our little ones, who are all under four, and whether they would be safe on board but Sam arranged an area downstairs where they could be easily supervised and fed.

"Vincent and I were able to relax and enjoy the celebration."

Mordey said as far as he knew, it was the first wedding party to be held aboard the Wairua.

"I could ask the previous owner, but I worked for him for 10 years before I bought the boat and I don't remember a wedding," he said.

"After the success of this one, I think we might look at offering it as a service."

Tracey-Lee and Vincent Hopkinson kept things local for their wedding day celebrated aboard the Wairua riverboat. Photo / Miracle B

Scarrow said it was the first riverboat wedding she had officiated at.

"There have been a few unconventional weddings but this was a first for me," she said.

"I thought it was really special to incorporate the awa in their celebration, and Sam did a fantastic job of accommodating everyone.

"On the way back people paddling on the awa were waving and cheering when they saw the 'just married' sign on the Wairua.

"It was a small, intimate wedding but the community got to share the joy."

The newlyweds have postponed their honeymoon for now as the bride was booked in for surgery on her arm on the Monday after the wedding.

"It went well, and as soon as my arm is healed Vincent and I plan to have matching wedding ring tattoos done by a local artist," Tracey said.

"We wanted to make our wedding a true Whanganui experience so we booked everything with local providers. They have all been amazing."

Meanwhile, Mordey is consulting on an appropriate celebration of the Wairua's 117th birthday on December 31.

"She works hard and deserves to be celebrated on her birthday," he said.

Suggestions so far include all-day sailings and a midnight sailing to see in the New Year.