First legally recognised Pastafarian marriage takes place on pirate ship

"Does ye take this feisty wench to be yah lawfully wedded best mate? Does yea promise to stay at the helm even when seas are rough?"

Not your traditional wedding ceremony perhaps, but the first couple to become man and wife in a legally-recognised Pastafarian wedding ceremony have tied the knot in New Zealand.

Donned in eye-patches and a spaghetti bridal headdress, two New Zealanders have celebrated their marriage on board a pirate ship, in a milestone of recognition for the new global religion.

Groom Toby Ricketts and bride Marianna Fenn explained why they were getting married on a pirate ship:

The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, whose stated beliefs are in a god made of spaghetti, have amassed followers around the world.

The group initially formed as a sarcastic criticism of Christian creationist teachings at schools in the United States.

Followers who wear colanders on their heads and revere pirates insist that they are not a spoof church and that their beliefs are genuine. The group also celebrates holidays such as 'Talk like a pirate day'.

New Zealand's government earlier this month agreed to an application from member Karen Martyn to become a legal marriage celebrant - or self-declared 'Ministeroni' - after the group was deemed to comply with the country's regulations.

According to the 'Ministeroni', many more Pastafarian weddings are being planned.