Unbeknown to everyone apart from our parents, Dan and I had secretly been married on Wednesday 3rd of March. We really wanted Dan's Nan to be a part of our special day as she was our only living grandparent alive at that time. As she was unable to make it on the wedding day, we decided to get the celebrant to marry us at Nan's house on the Wednesday before the wedding. So in front of both sets of parents, Nan and aunty Shelly, Dan and I were officially married on Wednesday 3rd of March. That night we had all our family, friends and bridal party over for dinner and drinks to begin the festivities and little did they know we were already married.
I was lucky enough to have the most relaxed bridesmaids in the world. As we were getting married in Richmond my parents had hired a house for us to stay the night before and get ready at. It was an early 6am rise for us girls, walk and coffee of course, then into the chairs around 8am. We had visitors coming and going all morning including my 6 week old and 2yr old niece which made for light entertainment. At one point someone noticed that on the footpath in front of our place, written in chalk were the words "will you Marry me?" We have no idea who it was or if it was a complete coincidence however it was a funny little surprise.
We had a few speckles of rain as we were getting ready and then quite a cloudy day but that certainly wasn't going to impact our day. It was all very smooth sailing whilst getting ready, then Eddy arrived for some photos. Lots of bubbles and chicken sandwiches before we all rolled out the door in our big Mercedes van to go and meet the boys. Dan and I had our first look moment, in the Royal Botanical gardens which was a little delayed trying to find a park at school time on a Friday afternoon. Being teachers you think I would have worked this into the running sheet equation however I missed that detail. Lots of laughs and photos as a group in the gardens then it was off to Ugly Duckling on Swan St for some more champagne and downtime before the big event. We had booked out the bar for the bridal party to have an hour together before the festivities kicked off. This was just about my favourite part of the day and certainly my favourite group shot. Then it was the boys back in their van and the girls in ours and we headed to Butler Lane. Through the secret bridal entrance and up the stairs to powder our noses before walking down to meet Dan.
My sister Bridget walked down first with her daughter Evie, our niece Rosie and nephew Flynn then the bridesmaids to the song Baby I'm Yours - Arctic Monkeys. Mum, Dad and I walked down to Let's stay together - Al Green. As we were already officially married, we had my beautiful cousin Hayley lead our wedding ceremony. She was FANTASTIC! She had written up the entire ceremony and conducted it like a professional. It was a stunning surprise for all of our family as they saw H up the end of the aisle on the day and then saw her proceed to marry us. The sun came out as we read our vowels, then it was straight into drinks in the courtyard followed by a delicious meal, lots of drinking and dancing the night away.
Photographer: Ed Sloane
Florist - Nat Dullard Floristry
Videographer: Lindsay Swan
Venue: Butler Lane by Peter Rowland
Dress: Karen Willis Holmes
Bridesmaids dresses: The girls were all different - Bec and Bridge, One fell swoop.
Hair & Make up: Milco
Styling - Twig & Type
Em and posse wore Adeline Shirt Dress.
