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Elijah Wood Surprises Couple at Hobbiton Wedding in New Zealand

Hobbiton says it was the site’s first wedding appearance by a Lord of the Rings cast member.

Overview

  • Sharik and Jessica Burgess-Stride were married on October 27 at the Hobbiton film set in Matamata when Wood appeared during their ceremony.
  • Wood, in New Zealand for the Armageddon Expo, made a stop at the Shire set and approached after being recognized by onlookers.
  • Wedding photographer Cath Ullyett invited him to greet the pair, after which he congratulated them, posed for photos and remarked, “This is amazing,” noting guests were dressed as hobbits.
  • Hobbiton’s TikTok video of the moment went viral, and the venue and photographer later posted stills that confirmed his identity after brief online confusion.
  • Hobbiton general manager Shayne Forrest said no cast member had attended a wedding there before, underscoring the rarity of the encounter.