WATCH: Green Party leader Elizabeth May ties the knot on Earth Day. Tess van Straaten was there.
With church bells ringing, guests make their way into Victoria’s Christ Church Cathedral for Elizabeth May’s Earth Day wedding.
Others gathered outside to catch a glimpse of the Green Party leader.
“I have so much admiration for Elizabeth May and I just think it’s such a romantic story,” says Philomena Hanson.
“There’s no time to lose,” adds Meg MacMillian. “They’re in love and it’s exciting.”
Waving to the crowd, the 64-year-old May was all smiles.
Her wedding dress, adorned with ferns and flowers, was made by Salt Spring Island farmer and former costume designer Sue Earle.
“She was inspired by spring and all that new growth brings and the hope and the sense of joy you get walking through a garden,” Earle explains.
The bridal party was in yellow and May’s daughter, Cate, walked her down the aisle in front of the huge, standing-room-only crowd.
May’s marrying 71-year-old John Kidder, an entrepreneur and brother of the late actress Margot Kidder.
He ran for the Greens federally and helped found the B.C Green Party.
Sparks flew at a Green Party convention last September and Kidder proposed a month later.
“It’s just a reminder of how precious life and love is and how important it is that we remember that,” says wedding guest and B.C. Green Party MLA Sonia Furstenau.
The wedding ceremony was full of love and laughter and there were roars of laughter when guests were asked if anyone objected.
The ceremony also touched on politics and one of the notable guests was Jody Wilson-Raybould, who is rumoured to be possibly considering a Green Party run in the next federal election.
“I’m keeping my options open,” Wilson-Raybould told CHEK News outside the church. “I’ve had several conversations with Elizabeth, no decision’s been made yet and I’m here because I simply believe in love.”
Flanked by an ‘honour guard’ of inflatable orcas, the newlyweds kissed on the church steps, giddy with excitement.
“Deliriously happy!” a beaming May says. “It was kind of amazing, yeah!”
The pair hugged friends and family before taking off in a Tesla, part of their carbon-friendly ceremony.
They’ll spend their honeymoon on the train from Vancouver to Ottawa.
Tess van Straaten
