Our Special Day

[stakka]

Thought it was probably about time that I posted my story! Some of you will have already read it and seen the pics, so I have tried to include a couple of different ones!

Sorry there are so many pics, I just love them all and these are only a small selection. PLease note however that these are pictures of pictures - we don't get digital copies of our proofs so that's why the quality doesn't look as good. Chev has seen them so she might be able to vouch for me :smile:

Our hairdressers arrive and the day begins, it took Anita nearly 2hours to do my hair, but it was so perfect I couldn’t believe it – loved it. Throughout the morning I experienced constant waves of emotion, being so excited and then all of a sudden feeling quite nervous and teary at times when I thought about the afternoon ahead. Our makeup lady was due to arrive at 10.30am – I already knew she would be late (long story but I just knew) but I didn’t think she would be over an hour late – it was 11.45am when she started to do my makeup and I had wanted everyone ready by 1pm, fat chance that was going to happen. I was thrilled with what she did on me (that was the reason I booked her because I knew how good she was) but she got quicker and quicker with each person after me and although no one would have noticed, the girls did and had to go and check their make up after she had finished to make sure she hadn’t missed anything. By this time it’s 12.30pm, the videographer and photographer have arrived and it’s finally time to get into my dress. I giggled away as my MOH was doing my buttons up, while trying to balance on one foot at a time as my BM’s helped get my hoop on and in the right position, then my dad walked in, he went all red eyed and I started to cry. During the creation process of my dress I had not really allowed myself time to just stand there and think how much I liked it because I was so busy scruitinizing every detail to make sure I didn’t miss a thing, and it seemed to have paid off because I was totally in love with every aspect of my dress and I truly felt like a princess.

The next hour was a blur, constantly infront of the camera as Steve snapped away but he didn’t have to tell me to smile once because I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face! 1.45pm and both the photographer and videographer left to go and set up at the ceremony so all that remained in our room was me, my BM’s, my parents and our flowergirl. I was fine for about 10mins but then I started to feel sick like I wanted to throw up, I sat down but started to shake and felt dizzy. The ceremony wasn’t due to start until 2.15pm and I had told the celebrant that I was going to be on time, it was now 2pm and I couldn’t wait any longer! In the end I sent dad down to the chapel to ask the celebrant if I could come earlier, I just couldn’t sit there any more! Dad was back within moments and said “Ok everything is ready”.

My mum walked out first and took our FG with her even though she was meant to come with the BM’s, but she had started to cry and wanted to go with mum. Dad walked out, then a BM to make sure the coast was clear and then me followed by my MOH and other BM as they held my flowers, veil and train. We made our way onto the path and all of a sudden I hear our entrance song start “What the f!*k are they doing” was all I could think as I started to panic. I knew the song was only 3mins long and we were all still 30metres from the entrance doors and I still hadn’t put my veil on. I kept thinking that by the time I walked in the song would have finished I would walk in to silence which I didn’t want. My 2 Bm’s went ahead and lined up ready to walk in and looking after my FG who was now happy to walk in with one of them. My MOH and dad were still with me on the path as I tried to pull my veil up over my head, at this point my MOH grabbed my hand and said to me “Stace just settle down”. So I behaved and stood still while her and dad fixed my veil and handed me my flowers. We walked down the path and I linked my arm into dads, he said “I love you” and I tried to say it back while chocking back tears – I didn’t want to cry yet!! The girls walked in one by one but we couldn’t leave nice big gaps like we had planned and I know I walked in too fast but the song was coming to an end and I was determined to beat it!!!! I remembered what my MOH had told me “Remember to smile when you walk in, and look up, don’t look at the ground” I was very proud that I remembered to do both things :smile: As we walked up beside Craig and I had to turn around, the song faded out – perfect timing.

Most of the ceremony is a blur, I remember taking the time to look out at our guests and seeing the grins on their faces and I remember dad squeezing my hand just before the celebrant asked “Who gives Stacey to be married to Craig”. Before I knew it we were pronounced husband and wife and were walking out the chapel doors. We stood in the resort gardens receiving congratulations from everyone, I felt so much more relaxed and full on excitement had now kicked in. The sky was blue with hardly any wind and the sun shone through the trees beautifully as we had photos with friends and family.

3.30pm came and it was time to head off on the photo shoot. Originally when we discussed with our photographers where we would go it seemed that Bunkers Bay was going to suit what we were after – a coastal location without being directly on the sand and a decent amount of protection from the seabreeze should it be strong. But as we were starting to head up to the limo Steve came and spoke to Craig & I and said “I was thinking we should go to Wyadup, the weather is perfect to get some real dramatic shots” We both agreed, knowing both him and his wife (who was like my 4th bridesmaid for the day) are brilliant photographers so we trusted their judgement. We arrived at Wyadup, still right on the coast with stunning views – but no protection – and it was pretty windy. Steve showed me where to stand, wanting to get some pics of just me on my own but it was a bit of a waiting game as there was some patchy cloud cover and that’s what he wanted – the cloud cover. So in between clouds I just stood there, watching the bridal party and my husband organise the drinks and scoff down the canapés we had bought with us, and then I remember just looking out over the ocean and thinking “This is my wedding day” it was a very peaceful and almost scerene moment for me. We were there for quite a while, and as much as I hate wind – it didn’t bother me one little bit.

Next stop was a well known winery and what a busy place it was! 3 brides and their respective bridal parties drove past in their limos/old Bentleys, we waved and yelled congrats to each other along the way! Amazingly when we got here, there was not a breath of wind, it was so still and perfect. We got some gorgeous pics infront of the vines and in amongst them too, while our bridal party kept us entertained with their funny antics!

Eventually 6pm came and it was time to head back to the resort and get ready for the reception. We had about 20mins to go back to the room and freshen up, I took my veil off and the girls re-touched our makeup. I think the reception was the part of the day that went the fastest for me, we walked in at 7pm and it seemed like we had only been there for 2hours and it was midnight and we had to leave! Overall our reception was excellent, everyone had a great time and this was reinforced to us the next day when we had a number of different people come and tell us how much they enjoyed themselves and it was the best wedding they had ever been to, and it made us feel good to hear those comments. There was a lot of dancing and laughter, the speeches were all very moving. There were a couple of little things that I was a bit disappointed in at the reception, but I think Craig & I were the only ones who noticed so we haven’t let them worry us.

I feel like there are still so many other things I could say, all the little things that happened so uncannily to make our day so perfect when it could have quite easily gone the other way. But I’ll stop here as this story is too long already! I guess what sums it up for me, is that if someone came up to me tomorrow and said that I could have my exact wedding day all over again, but I would have to go through all the stress, emotion and tears I endured in the months leading up to it – I would do it in a heartbeat.

[menica22]

Too Many nice photos to choose from. which ones are you getting Blown up?

I love 1779 and that on of you is so beautiful!!!!! Thanks for sharing the stories and the pics again!!!!

[Chevlimo]

Originally Posted by stakka

Sorry there are so many pics, I just love them all and these are only a small selection. PLease note however that these are pictures of pictures - we don't get digital copies of our proofs so that's why the quality doesn't look as good. Chev has seen them so she might be able to vouch for me :smile:

I can most certainly vouch for all your beautiful photos Stacey. There was not one bad photo in amongst them and they captured every beautiful moment of your day. Absolutley stunning bride, perfect 'dramatic' weather and awesome locations combined with a fantastic photographer. I don't know how you are going to pick your enlargements but it won't matter which ones you choose as they are all perfect.
I feel so privilged to have been able to look at all the photos. Thankyou again darl

[stuzzy2003]

They are stunning photos..

And your dress is just beautifull...

[Christine]

OMG your photos are stunning, you are so photogenic and beautiful and I loved your dress! Thanks for sharing.

[stakka]

Dom - I have no idea which ones we are going to get enlarged! I definitley want one from the winery and one from the rocks and then I might get a few smaller ones to scatter around the house - is that overkill??

Chev - Aww thanks! It was lovely to catch up with you too, but I forgot the DVD!! /sorry/

Chris - You made me blush! I've never been told I was photogenic before

[Tigger]

Lovely story and Gorgeous Pics Stakka

[~Catherine~]

Love them all, thanks for sharing

[Jessamine]

Originally Posted by stakka

Dom - I have no idea which ones we are going to get enlarged! I definitley want one from the winery and one from the rocks and then I might get a few smaller ones to scatter around the house - is that overkill??

at the moment i nearly have wedding photos on all hooks in the house! i figure ill just replace them slowly as we get more stuff and do more significant things :)

[Jessamine]

forgot to say i LOVE all of your photos. all the dresses are amazing and 1662 and 1870 belong in a magazine!