Speaker Vincent Tarzia ties the knot with fiancee Charissa Duffy at Rostrevor College Chapel
VINCENT Tarzia is used to being the centre of attention in Parliament House. But on Saturday, he wasn’t in Parliament and the focus was on the best day of his life.
VINCENT Tarzia is used to being the centre of attention in the house of Parliament.
But on Saturday afternoon — in the house of God — the parliamentary Speaker was happy to play second-best when he married fiancee Charissa Duffy in front of friends, family and Liberal party colleagues at powerbrokers at Rostrevor College Chapel.
“This is definitely the best day of my life,” the former college head prefect and Dux of the school said just moments after tying the knot.
“For me it was a really good 2018 State Election campaign but it has just been a beautiful day.
“The bride was definitely the most important person inside (the chapel) today, normally I’m up there as Speaker when we are in Parliament but (I was) very happy to take a back seat.”
Among guests were state colleagues Premier Steven Marshall, Treasurer Rob Lucas, Deputy Premier Vickie Chapman, Police Minister Corey Wingard and Industry Minister David Pisoni.
South Australian federal MPs Defence Minister Christopher Pyne and Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham were also in attendance.
Mr Tarzia and Ms Duffy met in 2012 and their first date was at Norwood’s Bath Hotel.
Mr Tarzia, who retained his seat of north-eastern suburbs seat of Hartley at the 2018 election, proposed to Ms Duffy, 30, at Penfold’s Magill Estate in September 2016.
The 31-year-old was rewarded with the Speaker’s role in recognition of his effort in defeating SA Best Leader Nick Xenophon in the hotly-contested seat.
Mr Tarzia said it had been a tough 12 months for his family, culminating in the recent death of his grandmother, Irma.
The newlyweds share their wedding date with that of their maternal grandparents.
Ms Duffy wore a chantilly-lace gown designed by Goodwood boutique, Rapsimo, and shoes by French fashion designer Christian Louboutin.
The chapel was lined with pink and white roses and Ms Duffy walked down the aisle carrying a matching bouquet.
The bride and groom exchanged vows in a Roman Catholic ceremony, which incorporated the Ukrainian “crowning” in a nod to Charissa’s family heritage.
The only spot of drama was when a magpie attacked a drone that was taking pictures of the special day.
The wedding reception was tion in front of 220 guest at Adelaide Town Hall.
The couple left on a 10-day “mini-moon” in Paris and Rome — ensuring the Speaker is back in the chair when State Parliament returns on September 18.