All posts by: Bride Columnist

It took a year to plan and felt like it was over in a minute. It was the most perfect day of my life, nothing went wrong. I was told my husband to be was more nervous than me, I couldn't stop smiling.It was a 4 o'clock wedding at a golf course and hair (4 hours it took) and makeup were done first. Then the dress, photographer and car arrived a little early all was fine. Finally in car and on our way, half way there Dad tells me he bought his wrong speech I felt so sad for him as he had been practising for weeks, but I was about to be married and I would be in trouble if I was late. Walked down the red carpeted aisle to my husband to be and told him I loved him. During our ceremony the celebrant made a few hiccups but that didn't matter as I was about to become someone's wife. I said 'I Do' and he said the same then came the tedious part photos. The taking of photos took so long but I know that is pretty much the only way to really remember your special day. We made it back to the reception and was introduced as Husband and Wife that was a funny feeling. Then we started eating, drinking, dancing and speeches. Before I knew it I had to say goodbye to everyone but I so wasn't ready to go. Everything just happens so fast. We didn't have a honeymoon as we were in the middle of building our new home together and sort of had no funds left. We had a wonderful night in the Conrad Treasary Casino a gift from where we had our reception. It was magical.

Our Wedding Day 2nd December 2007 was perfect! Everything we both ever dreamed of. The only day it didn't rain in December! Church was beautifully decorated by some of the parents at the school I work at. The ceremony was flawless. From the church we headed into the city for photos. First stop Mrs Macquaries Chair. Next to QVB building. This was sereal. The Christmas Tree, stain glass window and surrounds were perfect for photos. Finally we headed to Park Hyatt surrounds for final photos. WHat a spectacular view. From here we walked to our reception. The Watersedge was the most amazing reception place one coul have ever dreamed of. It certainly did make our dreams into reality! We thoroughly enjoyed the whole day and wouldn't change a thing. Everything went to plan and no hicups on the day at all.

The beginning of the day seemed so normal, even having the photos taken, but when we pulled up at the ceremony, we pulled up a little too far, so we had to reverse a little, Steve said his heart skipped a beat and he wondered what was going on! As soon as i saw steve standing up there, before i'd even gotten out of the car i had butterflies... my herat was beating so fast! i coudln't wait to get to him. The girls said as soon as i came into view i literally took his breath away, i watched him wipe away a tear or two as i continued to walk, he was still wiping at his eyes and i laughed telling him not to make me cry... not that it worked! we said our vows... they were both wonderful! he made me cry more and i made him smile when i remembered some of mine without our celebrant saying it first. the sand ceremony was lovely and the vase has come out soo well! our dance was a big hit!! all the oohs from the fireworks starting up and some comments called out... and a hum of oh my gods as the music played up and steve walked off... one of the girls said to me she was shocked and feeling really bad that it had all happened until he walked back on and the jive started... and the fireworks went nuts! the video guy said it came out brilliantly and i'm stoked... can't wait to see full footage... oh and to top it off... dad had organised for his friends torana to take us out at the end of the night... the look on STeve's face was brilliant! Our day couldn't have been more perfect!

Our wedding day was fantastic. We had a mixture of sun and storms which made for an exciting day and some fabulous photos. The majority of the day went without too much incidence (apart from our dog having to be picked up the morning of the wedding from an overnight stay at the vets after having a bottle cap retrieved from her stomach!). Our ceremony was held at a beautiful country church sitting atop a hill overlooking the valley and then we went onto a gorgeous winery with a homestead on site and beautiful rose gardens. We had approx 85 guests who had drinks and canapes in the rose gardens whilst we had our photos taken. We had a 6 hour reception which was so much fun. Luckily the rain held off and only let out some rain when we were in the cars driving to the reception and then once we had finished photos and entering the reception. All our photos were taken onsite at the reception venue so once we finished we simply walked over to the rooms and made our grand entrance (while thunder and rain poured outside).

Our theme was Summer Fairytale and everything about our day was bright and vibrant, with a colour scheme of orange and yellow. I truly felt like a princess in my Maggie Sottero ball-gown dress with crystals on the bodice and a long train. Gabe is a passionate guitarist, so music played an important part in our day. A classical guitarist welcomed in guests as they arrived. I walked down a long candle-lit, petal strewn aisle to "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls. The ceremony was touching, and it was so special to Gabe and I that we were married in our spiritual home at Paradise Church, where we have both attended for many years. Following the ceremony and family pictures in the parkland behind the church, we headed off to the Torrens with the Bridal party for more photographic shots. We were blessed with perfect weather - 26 and crystal clear skies. Gabe and I enjoyed a gondola cruise down by the river, while our party ate lunch at a nearby cafe. After more shots in Adelaide Arcade and then with the group at Glenelg, where we were nearly blown away, we all headed off to the reception at the Lakes Resort Hotel. Our 85 guests enjoyed a three course meal and the room decorated with candles and rose petals. Highlights of the night included the touching speeches from both our dads, and presenting Gabe with my surprise wedding present, a new Taylor acoustic guitar, in front of all our guests. He was blown away! We spent our wedding night at the lakes, and flew out to Queensland two days later. We enjoyed 5 nights in Palm Cove, and another 5 on Dunk Island. Pure Heaven!

It was perfect blue sky with no clouds in sight. The day started off quite well but as expected a few hitches went off. We had such a ball but we also made sure that we also took a step back for the day to sink in. Our priest was very funny, during the Greek Orthodox ceremony the groom has to bow his head, our priest decided that Taso hadn't bowed his head low enough and gave him a helping hand, roars of laughter rang through the church, when he finished saying his blessings from the bible, he gave Taso a whack on the head, Taso ended up blushing from the embarrasment. When we came out of the church they rang the bells for us which was such a lovely gesture. We had some beautiful photos taken at Cabarita bay by the water and in the park. At our reception my gorgeous groom decided (for a laugh) that for a wedding present to me he would give me a broom, he also gave me a heart pendant which splits in two. After we cut our cake we heard our first dance song come on so we started dancing, we were so unaware that our MC hadent said anything but when we looked at him he said to us that he hadnt told us to start dancing so we had a laugh from embarrassment and stopped, they brought out a huge bunch of red roses that my new husband had bought for me.

We wanted our Wedding to be a relaxed affair; casual and with a sense of humour. Our ceremony took place in the Sydney Botanic Gardens, under a beautiful Morton Bay Fig tree, at a little used spot, next to a carving called the Split Drum. On the walk there with my bridal party, my veil flew off in the wind. I knew Kain and I had promised each other not to let silly, little things spoil the day, so I flung the veil over my father's arm and happily continued on. I walked down the garden aisle to Jose Gonzalos' 'Heartbeat' (well known from the Sony Bravia bouncing ball ad). Our readings were song lyrics, which got a good giggle from the audience, and we included light-hearted moments in the ceremony. Our cocktail reception was held in The Rocks at The Argyle Function Centre. This meant that everyone could easily walk over, stopping for a drink on the way if they wished. The Reds Room is an old wool store, so it had beautiful floorboards, wooden beams and exposed brick. Our main colours were red, white and silver, for an old-school Hollywood feel. My cousin is a theatre designer, so she helped me source props from the Sydney Theatre Company to compliment the beautiful pieces from Decorative Events. We had plenty of live music thanks to my brother and uncle. Kain and I sang a song together and our talented friends performed a medley of dance faves. The iPod was loaded with tracks, so people could choose songs themselves. Our cake was a Krispy Kreme tower and our bridal waltz changed spontaneously to a mash between 'Lady What's Your Name' by John Swan and Kiss's 'I Was Made For Loving You'. All in all it was an awesome night!

Our wedding day was perfect, everything went to plan. We had our wedding at Noosa on the beach. As I was walking along the beach to get to the ceremony my nerves vanished as walkers by wished me their best wishes. As I arrived to the String Trio playing beautiful music and I could see all my family and friends waiting. I felt amazing walking down the aisle to be with my soon to be husband. As we spoke our chosen vows we did not take our eyes off each other. I felt so overwhelmed with emotions I hugged him when we were announced husband and wife. Afterwards we were whisked away to get private photos along the beach and boardwalk along Noosa. Our photographer was fantastic, helping us feel comfortable and taking natural photos. Afterwards we walked 5 metres to our reception at Seasons Restaurant for a celebration with the people close to us for lunch. The food was delicious with the most important part - sharing our special day with our families and friends. We had some funny moments, like when my veil got caught on the step walking down the aisle and after the reception we got changed and on our way back to our honeymoon suite from my brother's beach house for dinner a police car pulled us over to do a breathalyser test. Daniel passed the test and we continued our amazing wedding day through to our honeymoon and now continue to love each other every day sharing our precious moments together.

Our day started about 7am when myself, my bridesmaids and my mum woke got up. Our hair and makeup artists arrived about 9.30am and we had breakfast and chatted while they made us up. Once we had our hair and makeup done, the photographer was there and asking us to get dressed. He took some photos of us around the house and garden and then it was time to head off to the park for our pre-wedding shoot with my groom and his groomsmen. The drive to the park was a very nervous one for me as I was heading to see my future husband. Our photographer set up our meeting and there were a few tears shed as we saw each other for the first time. The photo shoot was great fun but before we knew it, it was time to head off to the ceremony venue. The ceremony went by so quickly, and I managed to hold off the tears till after we'd been pronouced husband and wife. After the ceremony and the signing, it was off for a few more photos before the reception began. To start our reception, myself, one of my bridesmaids, my mum and my fellow dance troup performed a belly dance show! It went down really well and everyone commented on how good it was and how surprised they were. Before we knew it, it was 10.30pm and time to leave. Vaughan and I said our goodbyes and got into the limo that was waiting for us and we were whisked away to our hotel room for the night. Didn't get any sleep though as I was too buy recounting our day!

February 3rd on a 29 degree day and everything re-confirmed. My hair and makeup were complete and my dress on ready for photos. Once photos were done, I was ready to go....but wait, where were the cars LATE! They arrived and got me to the church at 2.20pm for a 2pm mass. The men looked anxious and Paul nervous but we got through it! The wow factor when I walked in the church was amazing! We then went to 3 locations for photos including the venue which had incredible landscaped gardens and enjoyed a well planned wedding reception with 170 guests at Ballara Receptions where the staff, food, location and atmosphere were perfect. A truly unforgettable experience that was enjoyed by family and friends. The band Melody Line were the best band I have come across in a long time, she was so accommodating and professional the dance floor was never empty. They event had to ad-lib with the songs at the end of the night as our farewell circle went a lot longer than anticipated. The bridal couple departed Ballara Receptions about midnight and were welcomed by the night staff at the Sofitel Melbourne On Collins with congratulations and a brilliant room with champagne and strawberries and late departure was a must. This really complimented a long day and welcomed a much needed rest.