First Openly Gay All Black Campbell Johnstone’s Wedding Is Full Of Surprises And Love
Former All Black (New Zealand’s national rugby team) player, Campbell Johnstone and his husband Ben Thomson pulled off a wedding full of surprises, as told by NZ Herald. Held at The Flaxmill in North Canterbury, the couple made a dramatic entrance, arriving via helicopter piloted by rugby icon Richie McCaw. The grand gesture was just the beginning of a day designed to break all wedding traditions.
“Richie did this really steep loop around the property, and I lost my stomach a bit,” Ben told NZ Herald, laughing at the unexpected thrill of their arrival. Their parents greeted them as cameras clicked, officially kicking off a wedding filled with unforgettable moments.
Some may remember Campbell from his feature in DNA #285, where he shared the emotional story of coming out as New Zealand’s first openly gay national rugby player. In that issue, Campbell introduced us to his fiancé, Ben, and gave readers a glimpse of their love story through stunning photos from their romantic holiday in Turkiye.
Fast forward to now, their love story has reached a new milestone, and their wedding was nothing short of unforgettable.
A Secret Ceremony No One Saw Coming
The couple exchanged rings atop a mountain, accompanied only by photographers and videographers. “It was literally just us on that hill,” Ben reflected. A week later, they signed their official marriage certificate during a low-key gathering at Christchurch’s Pink Lady rooftop bar. The privacy allowed them to focus completely on each other. “We just wanted it to be for us,” Ben explained. “I couldn’t have done my vows in front of so many people.”
Unforgettable Fun And A Name Vote
On the wedding day itself, guests from around the world were greeted with a quirky twist – a voting station to decide whether the married couple would take the name Johnstone or Thomson. “Technically, I lost that competition,” Ben joked, “but I’ll happily take that loss.”
The festivities included a screening of their mountaintop ceremony, live violin music, heartfelt speeches, and a jaw-dropping mille-feuille dessert. Later, a flash-mob dance inspired by The Perfect Couple got guests moving before a UV-lit rave with a saxophonist carried the vibe into the early morning hours.
After a weekend of glamping and extended festivities at The Flaxmill, the couple is now looking forward to a luxurious honeymoon. “We’d love to do a safari in South Africa,” Ben shared. Campbell added, “We’ll just be traveling, eating, drinking, and enjoying each other’s company.”
Read Campbell Johnstone’s inspiring coming-out story and the romantic way he proposed to his husband Ben in DNA #285.
