All posts by: Bride Columnist

There was a lot of planning and stress leading up to the day, tensions between family members, my dress needing alterations three days before, you name it, it ended up consuming my whole world! And you swear that won't happen to you :) On the day, Grant and I didn't communicate directly and sent encouraging messages through friends. My two younger sisters were bridesmaids and we were all stressed when the limo drive was late. Then he went on to take a wrong turn, needed to refuel, and almost caused an accident! Simultaneously the weather was gathering scarily grey thunderclouds over our heads as we sped toward the winery. We later heard that the power had gone out in the chapel for about 20 seconds and that Grant was seen literally wiping his brow afterward :) When I stood at the foot of the chapel the nerves were still strong but seeing Grant made me feel I could get down that aisle and his expression turning from terrified to relieved was pretty reassuring. When we were pronounced man and wife a huge thunderclap broke at that very moment which broke any tension and got a huge laugh. Our fantastic photographer worked around the weather and had us laughing with comments like "quick, run up that hill toward the light!" [not easy when you have to hitch your skirts up, because yes he was serious]. We entered the reception to Elvis' 'Burning Love' for some fun and everything went well. Grant's speech almost made me cry and he did it well. The food at the winery was amazing and after dieting I was very ready to get straight into it. Looking back, this day was so special and worth all the pre-event tension.

I spent the night before at my mums with Lochlan (our son) my mum, my Grandma (who came from Scotland) and my 4 bridesmaids. We woke at 6am to our hairdressers at the door and the day began! At 12 the photographer and Tony arrived and began the photos. Tony and I did a photo together before the wedding at the corner of my mums house so we could not see each other. My Mum handmade my dress and used fabric fom her wedding dress. So it is very special and made with much LOVE!! At 1.30 the car arrived and we set off for the service at 2pm at Brougham Uniting Church. I had a Piper play as my mum walked me down the aisel. We had a laptop that Skyped to Scotland, where my Dads side of the family woke at about 3am to watch the service. After exchanging the rings Lochlan came up and Tony gave him a necklace to as we wanted to include Lochlan. The ceremony was simply, elegent, personal and intamate. Everything we wanted. After the ceremony we let a balloon go in memory of my Dad who past away a year earlier. It was sad but a nice moment. After some photos on the stunning steps at the front of the church we went to the Adelaide Botanical Gardens and had photos with the bridal party, before getting KFC and heading up to Belair Country Club for the reception. The reception was amazing beautifully set up, the food was perfect, the cake was everything I hoped for. We had a photobooth, which was a hit! Tony and his groomsmen did the Haka as a suprise to me which was a big hit for me as well as all the guests.PERFECTION!!!