Overview
- Rotorua couple Sharik and Jessica Burgess-Stride married on October 27 at the Hobbiton movie set in Matamata when Wood walked down the aisle to congratulate them.
- Wedding photographer Cath Ullyett spotted the actor watching, invited him to join, and he posed for pictures after saying, “This is amazing, and everyone is dressed as hobbits.”
- Hobbiton’s official TikTok of the moment drew millions of views within a day, and follow-up high-resolution images confirmed Wood’s identity after brief online confusion.
- Hobbiton Movie Set general manager Shayne Forrest said this was the first time a Lord of the Rings cast member had attended a wedding at the venue.
- Reports note Wood was visiting New Zealand for the Armageddon Expo that weekend and stopped at the attraction with a small group before departing shortly after the photos.