Friday November 8th, 1996

*VIRTUAL 'FIRST' LEADS TO LISA AND ANDY TYING THE INTERNET KNOT
Love at first byte!
WELLINGTON factory worker Andrew Hunt 'logged-on to love' and met his future bride via the Internet.
Computer buff Andy, who works at Relyon, married Lisa Grosso, who comes from Florida, at Taunton Register office last Friday.
The couple met in person just 11 weeks ago after a virtual whirlwind romance via the super highway. Lisa, 40, was introduced to 33-year-old Andy through her best friend on a computer programme called Relay Chat.
They soon organised a meeting and wedding plans were set. Now Lisa, who worked as an interior designer, has left her home of West Palm Beach and moved to Wellington.
After tying the knot 'officially' at the Register Office, the couple did it all over again before a congregation of thousands of 'logged-on' well-wishers on the Internet.
There was a 'virtual' usher to welcome guests and Lisa's mother logged on from Florida. The extra ceremony was conducted at Taunton's Cyber Cafe with the help of Rev Bugal from Florida.

TRANS-ATLANTIC ROMANCE - Lisa and Andy, who will make their home in Wellington, but still remain only moments away from their world-wide network of friends.

It is thought to have been the world's first Internet wedding.
After the ceremony, Andrew said: "I have to admit this is not the first lady I've contacted through the Internet but Lisa is the first I've met in real life."
Lisa said: "There were people 'signing in' from all over the world including Bahrain, Japan, Ireland, and Scotland, so many of our Internet friends were on-line and involved."

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