Groomsman’s delight

By Tania Martin
EMERALD’S Margaret Hames’ wedding day was anything but usual.
After more than 17-years, Margaret and her partner Matt Hames took the plunge with a Celtic inspired ceremony on the weekend.
But what made the day unusual was Margaret’s mode of transport and her 35 bridesmaids.
She chose a very different way to arrive for her big day – Puffing Billy. Creating a stir, Margaret and her bridesmaids, who were all dressed in varying shades of green, alighted at Emerald Lake Park.
The women gathered at the popular tourist attraction just after noon last Saturday.
Margaret said it was too difficult to decide on just one person to be her bridesmaid. Instead she decided to pick all her close friends to join her on the day.
The spectacle saw a number of tourists stopping to take photographs with the bride.
The group travelled down the line to Emerald Station where the groom and wedding guests waited.
A piper played the Road to Gundagai as the bride and her 35 bridesmaids’ rode into town.
Matt helped his bride from the train before stopping for photographs. The guests then formed a guard of honour as the piper led a procession to the couple’s house.
The pair were then married in a private ceremony and later celebrated their nuptials at the Emerald RSL club.
Margaret chose to have a Celtic wedding because she comes from Irish and Scottish heritage.
“I just love the colour green and thought it would be a great way to get married,” she said.