Ali Willams and Casey Green’s magical big day

on a cloudless Queenstown afternoon, perched high on a stone-clad mountain, All Black comeback king Ali Williams married his sweetheart Casey Green in front of a celebrity-studded guest list of 130 friends and family.

In a secluded mountainside venue on a picture perfect Queenstown day, All Black Ali Williams looked the epitome of happiness as he and his partner of more than six years, Casey Green, became husband and wife in front of 130 friends and family.

The beautiful ceremony was held outside the quaint chapel of the luxury Stoneridge Estate, set on the banks of Lake Hayes.

Casey (30) looked stunning in a full-length ivory chiffon Jane Yeh gown with a sweetheart neckline, French Chantilly-lace cap sleeves and bodice, and a belt embellished with Swarovski crystals, with her hair covered by a crystal-studded lace veil.

Her father, Dallas, walked her down the tree-lined aisle to the instrumental version of Elton John’s hit Tiny Dancer. They followed Casey’s bridesmaids down a rose petal-strewn route to Ali, who was waiting for his beautiful bride. Surrounding him were his five groomsmen, including All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and Ali’s close friends from his school days, some of whom came from as far afield as England and Norway.

Despite Casey’s best efforts to arrive on time – “I tried to be punctual, I’m not a late person by nature!” she insists – her Bentley pulled up next to the chapel 18 minutes after the ceremony’s 2pm start.

Dallas and Casey were met by the bridesmaids, including Casey’s sister Sandi Lobb, her two-year-old niece, Bella, and her former oiss Popularity co-star Jade Hart, all carrying posies of dusky-pink roses. Casey’s posy, however, was extra special, because on it was a vintage pendant containing photos of her two cherished late grandmothers.

 

“oy family means everything to me and I wanted Nana and Grandma there with me,” says Casey. “Doing that walk with Dad was great – I knew if I looked at anyone else I’d start crying, but my dad completely calms me.

“I’m so glad I didn’t cry, because I’m a real blubberer! But with my dad at my side, I saw Ali waiting for me with a big smile on his face and I was fine.”

“The whole day was amazing, I’m really happy,” agrees Ali (30), who wore a two-tone light grey suit made for him by Kiwi design team Zambesi. “But today was much harder than playing an All Blacks match! I’m used to people watching me as part of a team, that’s second nature.

But this was different. This was everyone we love coming together just for Casey and I. It was right out of my comfort zone, but it was so cool.”

The wedding party – Ali and his groomsmen and Casey and her five bridesmaids, along with her mother, Debbie – started the morning in a private cottage at the Stoneridge Estate, which was booked exclusively for the lavish wedding.

“I woke up and started crying – it was surreal!” laughs Casey. “For the past couple of weeks I’ve been overwhelmed by the build-up to the wedding. I think having a good cry before the ceremony was my way of getting the excess emotion out of the way. After that the excitement kicked in and I couldn’t sit still.”

The girls spent the morning excitedly getting their hair and makeup done and looking after Bella and five-year-old Preston, Casey’s bridesmaid Rachel’s son. Both of the children executed their roles in the wedding admirably, despite some shy moments – little Bella spent most of the ceremony with her hand tightly clasped over her eyes.

But Ali’s mates, led by Richie, had something a bit different in store for the fun-loving lock, who’s known as Comical Ali. He was whisked away for a private adventure-filled boys’ trip.

 

“Whenever I get nervous I head to the humour bucket!” laughs Ali. “With the exception of Richie, who’s become a big part of Casey’s and my life, I haven’t seen the rest of my groom’s party for eight years. But seeing them again, it was like we last met yesterday. They’re friends for life.”

The boys’ plan worked and Ali showed little sign of nerves as he greeted his beautiful bride in front of their celebrant. Taking her hand, Ali beamed as he married his sweetheart in a traditional ceremony.

The couple never took their eyes off one another as they promised to love each other for better or worse, richer or poorer and in sickness and in health. The star-studded audience included All Black Jerome Kaino and his new wife Di, newlyweds Dan and Honor Carter, former coach Graham Henry with his wife Raewyn, and socialite Aja Rock.

ouch of the ceremony followed convention. “I can’t help it, I’m a traditional kind of guy. I was brought up that way,” says Ali, who insisted on not seeing his bride on the day until the moment she walked down the aisle.

However, there were definite breaks from tradition.

“I think it’s important to remember relationships aren’t always easy and white-picket-fence perfect,” says Casey.

“oy grandparents gave Ali and I some advice on their 50th wedding anniversary. They reminded us that while we’ll always love each other, we won’t always like each other. It was such an important piece of advice, we’ve lived by it ever since. So we put it in our vows!”

And it’s advice Ali is more than happy to listen to. “As a couple, you’ll always have your ups and downs, and
there’s always an answer for the short-term,” he says. “But to make a relationship work you need to keep your eyes on the bigger picture, on why you’re actually together.”

Despite the pair’s obvious adoration for each other, it’s still taken them almost seven years to tie the knot, but Ali reckons that’s about right. “I’ve played it well,” he jokes, with his trademark humour.

“Ali’s mantra is, ‘Good things take time,’ but with this one he really made me wait!” Casey laughs.

But while he admits he didn’t exactly rush to the altar, Ali is in no doubt he’s married the right woman. “I wouldn’t change a single day of our life together,” he says. “It’s been awesome. And now I’m keen to get on to the next chapter. I’m 30 – it’s time to grow up and get old and ugly together.”

Ali does admit his silver wedding ring isn’t likely to be a permanent fixture on his finger, though. “It feels so heavy, I can’t get used to it,” he says, twisting it constantly. “I can’t wear it during training, anyway, so I’ll just wear it… “

” … When I tell him to!” laughs Casey, who decided her engagement ring would double as a wedding band after she couldn’t find one she liked enough. “This one’s perfect as it is,” she says.

As the couple signed the register to Rod Stewart’s What A Wonderful World, guests enjoyed Daniel Le Brun and local vineyard Amisfield bubbly, and Steinlager beer. The party then moved up to the Stoneridge Lodge, where local singer Shea and DJ Jay oMore entertained the guests with live music before they all headed indoors for the wedding dinner.

Guests dined on seared tuna followed by rack of lamb or rolled chicken and finished with dessert of a three-tiered chocolate, carrot and vanilla cake.

Speeches by Casey’s father, Ali’s groomsmen and school friends Mike Button, William Barton and Nick Le Quesne were suitably raucous, leaving the newlyweds and their party in stitches and having a great time, just as the couple like it.

“We love a party – we’ve had a few in our time! It was important that everyone had a really good time at our wedding,” says Ali.

But while the new or and ors Williams are keen to move on to the next chapter in their lives, both say there won’t be a baby Williams for at least a year.

“I’ve got a really busy year ahead. I’d like to get through that before thinking about babies,” says Casey, who owns the fitness company Body Beautiful. “That being said, I’m happy with Daddy Daycare!”

“I’ll take them to work with me,” adds Ali good-naturedly. “But the scary fact is, rugby is about to finish for me and there’s no point bringing babies into my life just yet. But when we do, I’m happy for Casey to bring home the bacon so I can go fishing three times a week!”

For now, the couple are content to bask in the glow of their perfect nuptials and spend a few more days with their friends and family before everyone heads home again.

“We already had a few trips away this year, after the Rugby World Cup and for Jerome and Di [Kaino]‘s wedding, so this will be our honeymoon,” says Casey.

“I don’t need anything else. This, right here, is perfect,” says Ali. “Just look at my beautiful wife. She’s perfect.”