Smug marrieds: Deputy Editor
by Metropol | September 2, 2026 8:34 am
I was a late-comer to the marriage party. I didn’t sign up for my matrimonial loyalty card till I was 45.
Strictly speaking, I had a brief dalliance with it in my mid twenties but I don’t really count that one. It was more of a green card situation with my boyfriend of the time. I’ve now been properly married for 13 years, which is why I’m writing the Editor’s Note for this issue. Real editor Nina Tucker has not yet taken her vows to enter the institution so she’s asked me to introduce this special wedding-themed issue of Metropol.
Personally, I love being married. Him Indoors is my best friend and I wouldn’t want to get old with anyone else. That’s not to say I think it’s for everyone. Marriage has a dubious and murky past. It hasn’t always been the celebration of love that it is now. Back in the day (from about 4000 years ago), marrying off your son or daughter was about securing economic and political alliances and ensuring inherited wealth stayed in the family. Love didn’t get a look in. It was all about bloodlines and concentrating power.
Today though, here in Canterbury, it’s all about the aroha. And also about the fun in spades. When we posted on Metropol socials asking for photos of recent local weddings, we were inundated with hundreds of incredible photos. Some of which made me genuinely tear up. Huge thanks to everyone who emailed in. We wish we could print them all. Enjoy the ones we’ve chosen on pages 38-39. The ones we couldn’t print will be going up on our Facebook so keep an eye out. And if a wedding is on your horizon, our special feature from page 35 has everything you need, from venues to dresses, photographers, florists, celebrants and jewellers.
As well in this issue, we bring you interviews with New Zealand’s wedding photographer of the year Johannes van Kan (page 10), chief executive at Cancer Society Southern Christine Prince (page 12), and author of an exceptional new book on South Island Māori rock art, Philippa Graham (page 92).
In the fashion section, we bring you a wrap up of the exciting looks seen on the runway last month at New Zealand Fashion Week, some from Cantabrian designers. And for the lovers of home and style, see pages 74-75 for a look at some stunning local homes that were winners in the recent architectural design awards. All that and much more. Enjoy! Karawhiua!
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