Surprise wedding held at retirement village happy hour

There were fascinators, velvet bow ties, tears and laughter when Ray Gilmore and Ngaire Crockett married the night before the royal nuptials.

And like the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Ray and Ngaire met on a blind date.

It all started over eight years ago when the couple were to meet on that blind date at the EziBuy cafe.

But Ngaire hid behind a clothes rack to check out her new date.

Ray asked Ngaire’s friend if she was meeting him and received a no.

As Ray was leaving Ngaire knew she liked the look of this man who eight years later became her husband.

The blind date progressed from coffee to wine a couple of weeks later, and when Ray sang to Ngaire, she said she was hooked.

The octogenarian couple who have a town house at the Julia Wallace Retirement Village (JWRV) kept their marriage secret from the village residents.

“Everyone dressed up in the theme of the royal wedding and went to happy hour, but did not know they were attending a real wedding,” the couple said.

“We wanted to have a quiet affair but Chrissy (JWRV sales advisor) and Sheree organised everything.”

One resident remarked to Ngaire at the happy hour; “Where on earth did you get that dress?”

The Atrium was decorated for the nuptials and the couple were married by celebrant Murray Mills, watched by family and the village residents.

They’re off on their honeymoon in September, but when they booked the holiday they did not know at the time they were going to get married.