9 January 2007: Just don't say 'No'

An Austrian couple have had their marriage postponed for 10 weeks because the bride made a joke during the ceremony.

When asked the all-important question, she said "no". Although she immediately said that it was only a joke, the officiating registrar was required under Austrian law to break off the heavily attended ceremony.

Austrian regulations stipulate that there must be a postponement for reconsideration of at least 10 weeks if one of the parties responds in the negative.

Whether the people present, and particularly her husband-to-be, enjoyed her joke, was not reported.