The admiration of Katherine Ewer’s five other partners in Christchurch firm MDS Law as to her considerable intellectual and sporting attributes soared even higher through the way she calmly handled matters on “earthquake day”, 4 September, which was also her wedding day.

By 8:30am guests had received a text to say that the receiption venue in the Great Hall at the old University site was damaged and therefore unusable. The reception was transferred to a vineyard just out of Christchurch.

Katherine then found that the lovely rock-walled St Cuthbert’s Church at Governors Bay was severely damaged. The ceremony took place on the lawn outside the church with a solo guitar player substituting for the organiser. Hymns that day were sung with great gusto – and a certain feeling of relief – by all present.

The saga did not end there, however, as the reception vineyard was without power or water. A hose for water was arranged from an artisian well in a paddock. Mobile toilets were installed and the reception was held totally in candle light with torches being used by speech-makers to read their notes. A very romantic setting. The caterers managed extremely well with a mobile catering truck.

Katherine’s husband David is English born, and his family and friends who were staying in Christchurch had to evacuate their hotels at 4:30am. They were very impressed, as we all were, with the calm “show must go on” attitude brought to bear by Katherine and David.

It was a very memorable day.

Lindsay Lloyd is a partner in Christchurch law firm MDS Law.

This article was published in LawTalk 760 on 11 October 2010, page 8.