Editor’s letter
The moments leading up to a wedding can be a pressure cooker of emotion and stress because, understandably, the couple want the event celebrating something as special as their love to be seamless.
I have never been to a wedding I didn’t enjoy, but I have experienced guest speeches that have turned into over-sharing sessions, hecklers in the audience, and people turning up uninvited. Thankfully though, these cringeworthy moments have always been overshadowed by the good parts of the day – and are more often than not somewhat humorous.
Sometimes the things that go “wrong” are also the most heart-warming. At a family wedding recently, the celebrant, who was a close friend of the bride, had to take a few moments before she could start the ceremony, because she was so moved seeing her friend walking up the aisle.
High-profile sporting couple Richie McCaw and Gemma Flynn had some unique challenges to face when they tied the knot on January 14. They had no unwelcome hecklers at their wedding and the speeches were impeccable, but they did have more than just their invited guests in “attendance”.
The highly anticipated marriage meant public attention was at peak frenzy – people watching their smartphones waiting for news of what Gemma was wearing, who was there and itching for details of the ceremony. While it was first and foremost a personal celebration for the couple and their guests, the official album leading this issue is Gemma and Richie’s way of sharing their special day with you.
In attendance in Wanaka, our writer Kelly Bertrand found that despite the pressure the elevated profile of the wedding put on the couple, the most important thing came through in spades on the day – the love of two people who were delighted to commit to sharing their lives together. Richie, who has faced enormous pressure during his career, was visibly emotional when his bride walked down the aisle, and he stroked her hand while the celebrant welcomed guests to the ceremony – little signs of love that remind us what the day is truly about.
What was also clear was the importance of family to the pair. Gemma’s one personal request of this magazine was to run a picture of her with her beloved grandmother, whom she holds very dear. The McCaws’ wedding wasn’t a who’s who of attendees, but a celebration with close friends and family.
We are delighted to share with you the official wedding album of Gemma and Richie’s big day. We know, like us, you will love poring through the pics and being a part of the celebration in stunning Wanaka, witnessing the happiness of the newlyweds.
Editing The Australian Women’s Weekly has been a joint effort this month. We are thrilled to welcome Michele Crawshaw to the team as our new Editor. Michele is an award-winning editor of both market-leading news-stand and newspaper inserted magazines, including Woman’s Day, Viva and Canvas.
Her wealth of experience means the magazine is in good hands.
Congratulations Michele on your new role, and congratulations Gemma and Richie on your marriage.