Happily Ever After

A perfect day..

So. Last Friday, I got married... People talk about hoping that their wedding day is amazing and goes by without a hitch. Well wishers hope for you to have a brilliant day with good weather and everything going to plan. Last Friday hit another stratosphere of 'good days'. It was to me, essentially the 'perfect day'. It did not matter what the weather did, whether everything went to plan, or exactly how everything unfolded. I got to marry the love of my life, on a day filled with love, happiness, laughter and tears of joy. I was told by a family member that the day was a true celebration of love and family. The initial feedback from our guests was that the majority had a great time. In terms of things going 'right', we had most things go by without a hitch, enough food, music we were happy with, and an atmosphere that we had hoped for. Plus we both woke up the next day in a bubble of happiness and in a haze of a happy hangover. Cheers to love & cheers to beginning a new chapter with the man I want to spend the rest of my life with.

      Selfie while walking out the church!

Cruise control

I found the week leading up to the wedding relatively wedding stress free. I wouldn't label it totally stress free in life terms, but that had more to do with me having to sit an exam for university in the same week as the wedding. It was really not until I had got that out the way that I could truly set my sights on the big day.

As far as wedding planning goes, we managed to squeeze the works into an 8 week period (we only officially got engaged 2 months earlier) without too many hiccups. The key is to be decisive. If you have an idea what it is that you want and are willing to lock things in as they come up, then there is no reason that you cannot put together a wedding within a fairly short time frame. That is unless you have your heart set on a particular date or hard to get venue. Also, I found a dress that I liked off-the-shelf, that only needed some small alterations, however for those that have their heart set on a dream dress that needs to be made or ordered in, the reality is that most bridal shops require a 4-6 month minimum for those types of dresses. As someone who did not even do my debutante back in high school because I did not want to wear a girly white dress, I knew that I would find something that I was happy with without the full bridal experience. And yes I ended up wearing white, my nan would probably have turned in her grave if I didn't, 2nd wedding or not. My advice to anyone considering getting hitched soon.. Stick to what you like & don't feel pressured to stick with the traditional for the sake of it if it is not exactly what you want. 

   We like doughnuts more than traditional 'wedding cake'

It also helps when the Groom, who regularly runs sporting events and therefore has some good experience in this arena, is hands on. In fact, I think he had the most fundamental part to play in the majority of the event planning and coordination of most of it. More time for me to have cups of tea and cruise through to the big day.
My poor husband spent a very stressful wedding eve day running around, dropping off equipment and decorations to the venue, and last minute organisation, whilst I spent the day getting my nails done, pedicure, eyelashes, some last minute shopping, just in time to head over to my parent's place for a home cooked meal and glass of wine.

I do

After my run on wedding day morning

Doing normal things and having abit of a normal routine is a definite nerve settler. I kept waiting for the nerves to rear up, and despite a couple of minutes of nervousness just prior to stepping into the church, all I felt was excitement. The morning I slept in till after 8am, went for a 30 minute run, had a relaxed breaky. Jumped in the shower with 1 minute to spare before my hair and make up girl arrived at 11am, then spent time chatting and laughing with her until we were joined by my best friend, who brought champers to enjoy while her make up was done and we had a laugh until it was go time. Best and most relaxed preparation ever!

'.. Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars..'

Mentioning every detail about the day is not only tedious, but it is impossible to fully express the magic of the day. So instead, here are some pinnacle moments/highlights that sent me up onto a cloud 9 of happiness and contentment.

* Spending time with my bestie and parents at home in the morning - relaxed times and good laughs with 3 of the best people I could ask for in the lead up to the ceremony

My bestie & my folks. Love them!

* Turning the corner of the aisle and catching sight of my handsome husband-to-be, all suited up and as happy to see me as I am to see him

* My niece and nephew handing us the rings during the ceremony - complete with comic relief when my gorgeous 4 year old nephew went for a tumble and dropped the ring, recovered brilliantly and cutely turned to give a thumbs up to his folks when the deed was done. haha!

* Photos outside the church, and the happy realisation that I am now officially part of a rather large family with many members jumping in for photos and well wishes.

* The car ride alone with my husband to the venue, an opportunity to gather our thoughts and let the ceremony sink in

* Discovering a table tennis table at the venue, only then to further discover that my thoughtful hubby has organised to get a competition level table there for the night (surprise number 1) not only for photos but also so I can have a hit with my father and brother, who were also competitive players like me.

* The reception venue room filled with most of the people that we love most in the world

* The enormous surprise of finding 7 family members (Al's & my cousin) and him sitting on stools with guitars and in front of microphones, followed by a secretly organised rendition of 'Thinking out loud' by Ed Sheeran. Followed then by an impromptu bridal waltz to same song from this live performance. - I had no idea about this, and was absolutely blown away. It is impossible to express just how magical this moment was and what it meant to me to have these beautiful people and Al do this for me. The most amazing gesture of my life..

* The moment that my new mother in law began her speech by singing a hymn. A little quirky, definitely brave, and a woman that lives and breathes her beliefs with a quiet strength that is truly remarkable.

* Thinking that Al's cousin was actually getting arrested by police for theft (inside family joke) and spending a couple of minutes trying not to react outwardly before realising that the 'police' are actually dressed up family members playing a prank.. funny as!

* My husband's speech. The man has an ability to express himself in a way that I am in awe of. Followed by the incredible moment that he ends his speech by launching himself into song, singing the beginning of Dirty Dancing's 'Time of my life'. Romantic much??

* Packed dance floor. Watching people who have never met before dancing and singing together like old friends. I did not want the party to end

* Walking along the streets of St Kilda with my new husband to our hotel for the night. Completely forgetting that we are still in bridal wear and drawing stares and random congratulations from strangers in the street and outside nightclubs along the way.

* Polishing off a bottle of champagne and a plate of nachos with my new hubby at the hotel, guaranteeing a happy hangover the next day.

* Waking up on Saturday morning in the arms of Al, totally and completely elated and beyond happy to begin our lives together as husband and wife.

Best. Day. Ever.