8 Jul 2022

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A Christchurch couple who tied the knot in a surprise sunrise ceremony have become the first couple to get married at He Puna Taimoana hot pools.

Sophia and Robbie Hart got married at the hot pools in front of small group of friends and family who were unaware of the couple’s wedding plans until just moments before the ceremony.

Sophia and Robbie say they love being spontaneous and after enjoying a night at one of He Puna Taimoana’s sunset sessions earlier this year, they knew they had found their dream wedding location.

“As soon as we walked in we were like ‘wow’. There was a beautiful feel and energy to the place and we knew we wanted to get married there,” says Sophia.

“Weddings can be so stressful and it can be boring for guests. We didn’t want something boring. We wanted something special and fulfilling.

“We always knew we wanted a surprise wedding, so we invited about 25 of our closest friends and family to join us at the pools. We only told them to meet us there the day before so they were all blown away when I came out in my wedding dress.”

Sophia said they didn’t have any expectations on how the day would go but staff made it smooth, easy and accommodating.

The couple’s celebrant Taurapa said while it was an ambitious move, with so many things possibly going wrong, everything fell into place on the day.

“Incorporating te reo Māori was really important for Sophia and Robbie. I was disguised as a lifeguard as the guests arrived. As soon as I started speaking in te reo I think they all started to click,” he says.

“It’s definitely the most out there wedding I have been a part of. I don’t know how they got all their guests to a surprise wedding at 7am in the middle of winter, but it worked. Everyone was really happy, it was a nice celebration.”

He Puna Taimoana Manager Merryn Skipper says hosting the first wedding at the hot pools was very exciting.

“It was such a magical morning. The team really came together to pull off something special for the bride and groom and their guests. We loved being a part of their happy day.

“Our sunrise sessions have been so popular. It is such a stunning part of Christchurch and we’re so happy that Sophia and Robbie chose to have their nuptials here.’’

And how did the couple celebrate saying I do?

“We kept our vows short and sweet and were wearing our togs underneath. As soon as we finished, we jumped in the plunge pool and joined our guests. It was perfect,” says Sophia.

* Photo taken by Danni Karlytzky