​​​​​​​Raindrops & Row-Mance Olympian Joe's Wedding Joy

It’s a perfect day, brollies and all!

- Kelly Bertrand

As a gold medal-winning Olympic rower and America’s Cup cyclor, water has been a big part of Joe Sullivan’s life for as long as he can remember.

But standing in front of Auckland’s magnificent Hunua Falls, hand-in-hand with his beautiful bride Jordyn Raggett Brierley, 23, as the heavens open and raindrops pelt down, even Joe, 30, admits he could have done with a little less of it on his big day!

“Ah, what can you do?” he grins as he rushes to grab a couple of umbrellas to shield Jordyn from the sudden downpour. “Everything has a way of working out – today’s no different!”

And despite the weather meaning the loved-up Auckland couple’s ceremony has had to be hastily moved into their reception venue – a rustic shed on the grounds of the Country House Farm in Brookby – it’s still a beaming Joe who’s waiting at the end of the makeshift altar. Fairy lights twinkle overhead as the first strains of Ellie Goulding’s “Love Me Like You Do” ring out.

And finally his beloved bride, stunning in her Sue Barrett Bespoke lace gown, emerges at the back of the venue and makes her way down the aisle on the arm of her mum Jo Brierley.