September 26, 2001 - "Couple's Gift List Shockingly Short"
Traditional gifts are out. The invitation asks for financial contributions towards an overseas
trip. Accompanying it is a list detailing the destinations and tourist attractions guests can
help to pay for with a contribution of $50 to $350.
At the bottom is a voucher to attach to the cheque and post to the couple's wedding
coordinator at a post office box number.
The list covers about 40 items such as tickets to a Broadway show. At the top guests are
told the couple have enough tea towels and candles.
Strang and Devine have already sold their wedding story and photos to Woman's Day for
thousands of dollars. The magazine also paid them for their engagement story in May after
Strang proposed on a Sunday and contacted the magazine the following morning to
arrange a deal.
In the article, the couple said they would do everything traditionally.
The financial gift request has shocked some of the invitees, who feel it is not the New
Zealand way.
An independent wedding coordinator, Sarah Terry, said it was not common to ask for
money in lieu of gifts, but it did happen.
Sarah Terry, who is involved with 50 to 60 weddings a year, said that in some cases gifts
were not practical because often the couple were moving overseas after the wedding.
Devine, 21, was among cast members sacked from Shortland Street last November. Strang,
29, left the show in February for stress-related medical reasons.
Their guest list includes many of the actors axed from the show and only a couple of the
present cast.
By Louisa Cleave
Traditional gifts are out. The invitation asks for financial contributions towards an overseas
trip. Accompanying it is a list detailing the destinations and tourist attractions guests can
help to pay for with a contribution of $50 to $350.
At the bottom is a voucher to attach to the cheque and post to the couple's wedding
coordinator at a post office box number.
The list covers about 40 items such as tickets to a Broadway show. At the top guests are
told the couple have enough tea towels and candles.
Strang and Devine have already sold their wedding story and photos to Woman's Day for
thousands of dollars. The magazine also paid them for their engagement story in May after
Strang proposed on a Sunday and contacted the magazine the following morning to
arrange a deal.
In the article, the couple said they would do everything traditionally.
The financial gift request has shocked some of the invitees, who feel it is not the New
Zealand way.
An independent wedding coordinator, Sarah Terry, said it was not common to ask for
money in lieu of gifts, but it did happen.
Sarah Terry, who is involved with 50 to 60 weddings a year, said that in some cases gifts
were not practical because often the couple were moving overseas after the wedding.
Devine, 21, was among cast members sacked from Shortland Street last November. Strang,
29, left the show in February for stress-related medical reasons.
Their guest list includes many of the actors axed from the show and only a couple of the
present cast.
By Louisa Cleave
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| A site dedicated to beautiful New Zealand actress Katrina Devine |
Former Shortland Street actors Blair Strang and Katrina Devine
have asked their wedding guests for cash instead of gifts.
Strang and Devine, who played Rangi Heremaia and Minnie
Crozier in the soap, will marry on November 10 in Auckland.
have asked their wedding guests for cash instead of gifts.
Strang and Devine, who played Rangi Heremaia and Minnie
Crozier in the soap, will marry on November 10 in Auckland.
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