My wedding story

[blossy]

Well, we woke up on the morning of the wedding to reports of "scattered afternoon showers, mostly about the ranges", so I was really hoping the rain would stay away, or would at least confine itself to the hills around Canberra. Nobody really slept in, but nobody was sleepless either, so it wasn't too bad.

My stepsons and Kenneth actually all stayed at the house, not exactly traditional, but it was nice to have him next to me the night before, knowing he'd understand if I kept waking up in a frazzle!

Barely ate at breakfast though, and figured that I'd have a late lunch at about 2.30ish, when I figured I'd be back from the hairdressers. My appointment was at 1pm, and I'd been told my hair would be done within the hour. Just one stop on the way home to pick up my bouquet and it was all supposed to be good.

And it was - though it took longer than expected, lol! Not home until 3.45pm, and with the makeup artist due at 4pm, I hurriedly ate a few bites (felt too excited for anything more anyway) and rushed off to brush teeth and get into my wedding underwear.

My makeup lady arrived bang on time, and the car arrived not long after. So while I was having my makeup done, we both had a giggle watching the guy try to back an extra-stretch Mercedes limo into our driveway. Pretty soon the makeup was all done, and the makeup artist and my mum helped me into my dress and put my veil in.

Voila! All ready to go, and with about 15 minutes to spare. About this time the weather wasn't so great - the wind was picking up, and the clouds had gathered. I was getting stressed but tried not to worry too much. Meanwhile the florist had forgotten to snip off all the stainy bits on my bouquet (she got some of them), but the limo driver noticed, so I spent the last few minutes at home snipping lily stamens off!

Into the car and driving towards the ceremony I got a bit stressed to see that rain was hitting the windscreen, but it was only a few drops and ended up holding off for the rest of the night. When we arrived, everyone was waiting, and I saw Kenneth and the boys in place and I suddenly stopped feeling nervous.

Here was where the only 2 little things of the day went wrong. Number one, Kenneth and the boys forgot to put on their buttonhole flowers. I had actually stressed in advance about this as I was so sure they would, and as it turns out I was right - but I think all my stress in advance had made me sort of expect it so I didn't care!! Plus, it meant my photographer got pics of me pinning them on the boys (my first official 'stepmummy' duties) so it was cool!

My parents were supposed to walk me to the top of the aisle and go and sit down, and Kenneth and I would walk down after, but of course with all the excitement of the day they totally forgot, so when we got to the top of the aisle, all 4 of us were just standing there, hahahaha! I had to tell Dad to go and sit down, so Kenneth and I could follow! I don't think anyone else noticed, I think they thought we were posing for a quick photo opp, so that didn't matter either!

The wind picked up but fortunately people could still hear, and apparently my veil kept blowing in Matthew's face (my younger stepson), but he and James looked great and stood up for us, and didn't forget the rings, and Kenneth and I got through our vows just fine. The celebrant actually got tangled at one point but we just had a minor chuckle and kept going. At the end of the day I think that is what made the little hiccups smooth over so much - everyone was relaxed, which I was so relieved about!

While we were signing I got a chance to see what a lovely job the decorators did with the chaircovers, and to listen to the lovely music our musician was playing, so that was great. Oh - a third thing that went wrong - it took twice as long to sign as the celebrant accidently got us to sign the wrong page of her book! But nobody noticed. When we got up so our witnesses could sign, everyone rushed forward to chat with us and the celebrant had to ask everyone to sit for a moment as she had a few more things to say, and a moment later she introduced us and it was done! The fantastic Boathouse staff brought out drinks (with my hibiscus flowers!) and nibbles, and the guests were especially happy because they were fed oysters and other yummy stuff for the next hour.

Meanwhile we had our photos taken , just in and around the venue, so we could still be a part of everything. Lots of photos of happy families, kids playing, the swans swimming up alongside us and bubbles being blown, so I really hope they all turn out well!

A quick freshen up and I (1) took off my veil and (2) decided going to the loo was too hard to do again that night! Then we were introduced as Mr and Mrs Hall into the reception and took our seats. I was totally stoked when we went into the room - the flowers were exactly what I wanted, the favours and chaircovers and candles looked exactly right, and I couldn't have dreamed the cakemaker would do such a brilliant job, considering I had a fairly unusual cake request (metallic copper icing on a perfectly cubed box with red, orange and yellow lilies). It was perfect! The dinner was perfect too, the speeches short and sweet, and everyone was happy. The kids enjoyed their kids booklets, though I think the adults actually got more of a kick out of them because they'd never seen them done before (I figure it will get very popular!)

Not many people danced, but I didn't really expect them too given who was coming, but Kenneth and I enjoyed our first dance to Ella James, "At Last", and stayed up to liven things a bit with "Candyman".

Before I knew it, our little personalised chocolates and coffees were being served, and the evening was drawing to a close. About 5 minutes before we were due to leave, our MC (the only one wise to the fact we were leaving by boat) raced up - the boat guy had called and said we had to go NOW, as the weather was deteriorating. So I gave small bouquets to the mums and my real one to my cousin (as I caught the bouquet at her wedding), and off we raced to the boat. The guests were totally surprised, and I think that waving from that boat while our guests waved and clapped will be a memory I have forever. The boat was slow - we had an hour to chat before we got to our hotel - but it was so worth it!

We woke up to breakfast with our families before jumping into a cab and heading for the airport - and off to Singapore and the Maldives. All great, and we loved every moment of it.

Just amazing how fast the wedding itself seemed to go - It seems like it was over in no time at all, and when I think back, the night itself flew by. But it was brilliant. And I want to thank all my BTB besties for all the help, ideas and support - you guys rock!

We all do!

Go Us!

[Tigger]

Congratulations Mrs Blossy. I am glad to hear that apart from a few tiny hiccups your day went well

[gigglepot]

Congrats to u! It sounds like a fabulous day and your pics look amazing :)

[kelzbelz05]

Awww I loved hearing your story Blossy! It sounds like all in all a wonderful day, thanks for sharing

[Sideways Sally]

oh Blossy it all sounds so wonderful glad to hear you had an awesome day!

[~Catherine~]

Oh Blossy it sounds awesome :)

[Karls]

I so glad you wrote that for us Blossy. I am so happy that it was all you dreamed and the rain held off. It must have been all that chanting we did ;)

[blossy]

I reckon - thank god for you girls and your anti-rain dance! The venue wanted to set up inside due to the weather, and they told Kenneth at 5.15pm to make a final decision, and he went with outside, against the venue and celebrant's suggestions.

I'm so glad he took a chance!

[Kristen]

What a fantastic story Blossy. Sounds like you had a gorgeous day. Congratulations.

[MoeyC]

Wow! That's awesome Blossy! Those misshaps are nothing but ripples in a pond. Fantastic!