Elijah Wood Reflects on Crashing a Hobbit-Themed Wedding in New Zealand

Ashlyn RobinetteFri, March 27, 2026 at 5:31 PM UTC

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Elijah Wood on 'The Drew Barrymore Show'; Elijah Wood (center) with Sharik and Jessica Burgess-StrideCredit: The Drew Barrymore Show/Youtube; Hobbiton Movie Set; Cath Ullyett -

Elijah Wood crashed a Hobbit-themed wedding last year while visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set in New Zealand with his family

Wood reflected on this experience during his recent appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show

The actor starred as Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings trilogy

Elijah Wood is recalling the time he crashed a wedding.

During his appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show on Friday, March 20, to discuss his latest project, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, the 45-year-old actor reflected on his experience crashing a Hobbit-themed wedding at the Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata, New Zealand, a location famously used for both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.

"There were some folks getting married in Hobbiton when my family and I were visiting. We were about to leave New Zealand, and I said, 'We gotta go and see this incredible, special, magical place,' " recalled Wood, who starred as Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Elijah Wood on 'The Drew Barrymore Show'Credit: The Drew Barrymore Show/Youtube

He continued, "We took the kids, and as we walked in, this wedding was happening, and I just thought, 'Well, this is beautiful happenstance, I have to say hello.' "

When Wood, who shares two children with wife Mette-Marie Kongsved, walked down the aisle to congratulate the bride and groom, Sharik and Jessica Burgess-Stride of Rotorua, the pair were "very shocked and very excited."

However, the Yellowjackets star didn't stay long in order to avoid stealing the spotlight.

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"I also was very conscious of not ruining their moment," he explained. "So I just popped in, gave them both a hug, and then left, 'cause it's not about me. It's their wedding, you know?"

Elijah Wood (center) with Sharik and Jessica Burgess-StrideCredit: Hobbiton Movie Set; Cath Ullyett

A TikTok video with nearly 23 million views posted by Hobbiton Movie Set captured the moment, with the caption: “POV: You’re getting married in The Shire and an unexpected guest crashes your wedding…” In the clip, Sharik could be heard exclaiming, “Oh my God!” as the actor walked toward them. The guests, most of whom dressed up on theme, clapped and cheered as Wood greeted the couple and posed for photos.

Hobbiton Movie Set General Manager Tourism Shayne Forrest said it was the first time a Lord of the Rings cast member had attended a wedding at the site.

Elijah Wood (center) with Sharik and Jessica Burgess-StrideCredit: Hobbiton Movie Set; Cath Ullyett

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The bride spoke to Waikato Herald in October about the wedding surprise.

"At first I thought, ‘Nah that’s not him’—then, ‘Oh s--t, it is him,’ ” Sharik recalled. “He shook our hands and said ‘congratulations’ and stuck around for a few photos before he left on a tour."

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”