-
Speaker Lockwood Smith and bride Alexandra Lang - Source: ONE News -
Watch Video
-
Related
It's not often one chooses their place of work as a marriage venue, but parliament's Legislative Council Chamber provided apt surroundings for Speaker Lockwood Smith as he tied the knot on Saturday.
Dr Smith and Alexandra Lang were married in front of Prime Minister John Key, ministers and other dignitaries before guests moved to the Grand Hall for a reception.
The wedding had one hiccup when a young ring-bearer needed assistance after apparently passing out, but proceedings were otherwise smooth and Smith even sang to Lang shortly before placing the ring on her finger.
It was believed to be the first time a Speaker had married while in office.
Smith first met his wife-to-be in 1970 when they were both students at Massey University in Palmerston North.
The pair became sweethearts but parted ways when Smith gained a scholarship to study in Australia.
A chance meeting in 1999 reunited them when Smith visited an Auckland college where she was working when he was education minister.
Smith proposed on Christmas day last year.
