IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE PERFECT TO BE PERFECT
MR T & ME
I thought I'd kick things off on this blogventure with the story of my own wedding!
I did a typical Aussie thing and went to the UK on a 2 year Working Holiday Visa ( a long time ago). After a quick stop in Zimbabwe, I landed, as green as ever, in London. About 3 months later I met Mr T.
In a pub.
As you do.
( Well did - I hear it's now all about Tinder! )
Fast forward nearly 2 years and Mr T comes to Australia on his 1 year working holiday visa. Fast forward another 8 months and Mr T whisks me away on a romantic weekend to Mt Warning Forest Hideaway where he's been in cahoots with the owners, and proposes.
That night we celebrate, drink a shit load of booze - with the owners - who very kindly cooked us dinner - and pretty much planned our whole wedding then and there.
Just over 3 months later we went back to Mt Warning Forest Hideaway and got married.
Prior to my travels abroad, I had spent a few years working in the Hospitality Industry and 'worked a wedding' nearly every weekend. A lot of 'traditional' weddings. I knew that wasn't for me - but as we only had about 3 months, I actually didn't give 'what I did want' too much thought.
What we ended up with was one of the best days ever. We had sunshine, we had a remote location all to ourselves, we had 50 of our favourite people there and we pretty much did it 'our way'.
But that wasn't the whole story.
Oh no.
Just three days before our wedding, our venue was flooded in - and as we were planning on having our ceremony on the banks of the river, I really did think we'd be getting married in a row boat. I even attempted at spray painting some gumboots (Wellies) pink ( I wore a pink dress ) - FYI - that doesn't work very well.
But alas the sun made an appearance - so much so that Mr T got sunburnt on the days leading up to the wedding while setting up the marquee and dance floor (with the help of my Dad and brother - both Engineers - am sure there's a 'too many Engineers' joke in there somewhere!). That and being in the swimming pool having a beer about 15 mins before I walked down the aisle'! #WeddingPhotosWithARedNose
I'd picked a photographer - who was not currently a wedding photographer - but had been a couple of years previously. The plan was that he was going to come down and hang with us for the whole day/night and just document the day - that was what I really wanted. Nothing posey - a couple of group shots ( for the family - not my preference - but that's a whole different blog post I reckon!) - just mostly documentary. HOWEVER - his longterm girlfriend dumped him just before our wedding and so he wasn't really in the mood. WTF?? I was clearly clueless back then and just accepted it. BIG MISTAKE. So he arrived just before the ceremony and left just after the first dance.
It continues...
- as we sat down for the reception, Mr T accidentally spilled red wine down the back of my dress. Although at that point it really didn't bother me - I was having the best day and was totally buzzing with good vibes.
- we had a hangi for our main meal - but the rocks cracked earlier in the day, so the caterers had to take all the food away and cook it in the oven - no one knew the difference really
- Mr T's nephew screamed blue murder as we were about to start the ceremony
- our celebrant was barefoot and I'm pretty sure, bra-less (no judging, just a fact) and ran her house power off about 50 car batteries stored on her front porch.
- 2 days after our wedding, the venue was flooded in again!
- there were a few other bits and pieces, but I've been paid for my silence! ;)
All in all it was a wonderful day. And if there was one thing I could tell my 27 year old self - it would be to spend more time and money on the photographer. And I'm not just saying that because I am now one - but we ate all the cake, the flowers all died a long time ago, I don't fit into my wedding dress any more ( thank you Cherryripe addiction) and the one thing that has lasted are the less than awesome wedding photos.
I have 2 on display.
They are my favourite.
It took me 10 years to get them printed and on said wall. Doh!
Also - silver lining - I did get one of my most favourite photos of my Dad. It's very typical of his true nature - completely laid back and without a care in the world - this was taken about 3 mins before the ceremony! :)
