Thank you note

Dear Erin and Steve,

I know it's not customary for a guest to send a thank you note, but your wedding was so wonderful, I just had to say how grateful I was to be invited.

The setting was so serene, rustic and lush, like being in a postcard. The gorgeous (and at times amusing), music from the string quartet and Irish band created the perfect atmosphere.
The drink flowed freely and the food was abundant, all so delicious.

Erin, you were sumptously beautiful, and positively glowed. That hourglass figure wrapped in ornate brocade made you reminiscent of a Renaissance angel, topped with a veil of honey tendrils.

Steve, you were so charismatic, and generous with big, strong hugs (my favourite). I think everyone was in awe of how you commanded the room, but not surprised at how you stole Erin's heart. Oh, and you bake a mean ginger biscuit, so moreish!

Your love is so inspiring, you're so comfortable with one another, and your warmth radiated out to touch everyone present.

Your friends are amazing, if only the night was longer I could have met every one of them. They seemed so content within themselves, happy in each other's company, intelligent and witty. I'm so envious that they get to have you, and you get to enjoy them too. It's no secret that I have a bit of a girl crush on Allison, she's so smart I wated to soak up all she had to say.

If only every wedding I went to so perfectly fitted the couple. It just shows that if you can manage such a perfectly balanced union, you'll navigate the path ahead with ease, leaning on each other for support.

I hope the joyous feeling of the day follows you throughout your marriage, you lucky pair!

I love you guys! (hiccup)
xoxo

P.S. - Happy birthday to the bride!

The One

I thought it only right that I update the old journal, in fact, this post has been smouldering away for a few months, so lazy am I!

Obviously, there was a wedding, given the content of the last post.

This wedding, my friends, was all I could hope for. I am going to start sounding rather immodest here, but all this is just my praise and gratitude for those who helped to bring it together.

My gown was exactly what I invisioned - elegant, beautifully made by my mama, in just the right shades of white and pewter silk.

The shoes, oh, the shoes, snow-white kitten-heel peeptoe slingbacks with crystal detail. No one else saw them, but they were for me, it's nice knowing that you have something fabulous tucked under your skirt! I still wish I had a reason to wear them again - I may get another pair in an everyday shade.

My jewellery, heavy with rough hewn quartz crystal, had a vintage feel, that glistened rather than glittered - reminiscent of the whole event, really.

Invitations, bonbonniere, service booklets, thankyou cards and all the other accoutrements were similarly toned, chic in black, white and silver, with a nod to my Japanese addiction by way of a stylised cherry blossom print.

The cake, lovingly constructed by mum, was gorgeous, dripping with silver baubles and hand made blooms. It was also delicious, thick with rich, dark flavour. Yes, t'was fruit cake, out of respect of mum's preference (and the fact that I actually like it), but we had other desserts so all palates were catered for.

The venues also fitted our ideals perfectly - an original redbrick Anglican chapel, and a tasteful country retreat. No ostentation, just graceful refinement, focussing on the things that matter. Aside from forgetting the specially ordered guest book, I feel like we covered all the bases, and did so in a way that was so 'us'.

But really, that's all stuff. The whole day is about rituals, and gestures which represent the couple. The epitome being the ceremony, which was romantic, respectful, and very personal. The string quartet gave me shivers, so splendid was their contribution.

Most special were the vows, though it is fashionable to read the personalised vow, having memorised our sacred lines made them so meaningful to us. There was no repetition from an officiant, no flowery statements about the ocean, just us, making a solemn promise to each other, like millions before us.

My bridesmaids, parents, hairdresser - everyone really - were so supportive and kind, and I teared up quite a few times, so generous were their compliments.

Another personal touch was, by way of a game, to give my bouquet to the woman who had been married the longest, Stuart's Granny. I thought this far more civilised than tossing the flowers at my friends, and it meant to much to Granny-in-law.

Oh, and my delicious husband had secretly learnt guitar and visited a vocal coach, so that he could perfom 'our song' to me after his lovely speech. I cried, it was so wonderful. I still swoon to think of it!
I'm not surprised that he did it, because he's such a warm, generous soul, and that is what every day of our marriage has been like. We recently celebrated a year of wedded bliss, and despite the challenges that the outside world hurls at us, we get through it because we know we have each other, and we are so grateful for it.

Cluck Cluck

My hen's party rocked!
The right mix of people and activities meant that I had a fabulous time, and everyone else is saying how good it was also.

We started at my parent's house with a few drinks and nibbles.
I was given a red sash declaring 'Bride to Be', and the bridesmaids and mothers wore appropriate ones also. Not to mention the obligatory silver tiara with veil and fluffy pink sceptre!

Then we piled into a bus which was decorated inside with butterflies and silver and black balloons, where we sipped (and poured on ourselves) pink bubbly.

We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Soy, a Chinese restaurant in Mornington which has such a modern but warm decor. They were even kind enough to position the round tables in such a way that they would accommodate the 15 guests.
We played a game throughout the meal, and the person who knew the most about me won a prize. Interestingly, the person who has probably known me the shortest time, won the game!

Back home in the bus, then more games (of course my mum engineered things so that my future mother-in-law won the fluffy handcuffs), drinkies, and the most generous dessert table I've seen (outside of a buffet!).
My sister handmade me a gorgeous scrap book, which held individually designed pages. Each guest chose their favourite page, and left me a personal note. I cried with joy at the love and effort that went into it. There was even a beautiful picture of Stu and I, which made me all the more soppy! I read it again yesterday, and cried all over again, it's so special.

Lucky me to have such a wonderful mother and sister to organise such a great party.
This all makes me feel confident that the wedding will be enjoyable for everyone, as the guests, who mostly did not know each other, mixed perfectly.

Can't wait - 12 sleeps!

Ta da!

For the first time in literally years, I am under 100kgs.
I've hovered close many, many times, but then became discouraged for whatever reason, and shot back up (right up).

I know the teeny weenies will think that's still mega, and yeah, it's not small, by any stretch of the imagination. But it's a mental goalpost that I'm delighted to have passed.

Happy days. Apparently the loss is most noticable on my shoulders. I never really thought they were a trouble spot, but hey, I'll take any compliment I can get.

I heart my work

I've always felt lucky that I fell into this job.
Sure, I've earnt the success that I've had with the company, but I feel that I could just as easily be working in an unispiring, underpaid position, had they scrolled past my application.

It's paying for our wedding, it means that we will be able to buy a (very modest) house in the future, and it keeps petrol in my car.

But more importantly, we've moved to a big shiny office in the past few months, and they've just installed a coffee machine - with a barista! And a big flat panel TV, hooked up with a Nintendo Wii. And a ping pong table (?). And a cushy lounge area. I don't think they want us to work any more!

I wish that all my favourite peeps could work for a company like this!

Update
I just read the blog of one of my dearest friends, who is not enjoying work quite as much as I am. Just wanted to make it clear that I wasn't boasting, but retrospectively, perhaps this shows that there is light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how long or dark the tunnel might be.
I'm thinking of you shnookins. xoxo

Everything's coming up roses

Yesterday we had our meeting with the Reverend to discuss the results of our questionnaire - and, no surprise, we're very compatible. He gave us each a list of about ten different facets, and we each had to tick three which we thought were strengths, and three which we thought of as 'growth areas' - we both had a really hard time naming anything as a weakness, because really, you should work on things before getting married, not just hope that marriage will fix things. Stu was so sweet and complimentary, even though he is very sick and snuffly right now, poor baby.

I won a three month membership at my gym for winning a weight loss competition - I lost 9.8 kgs in six weeks.
I've now entered the next comp, and one week in, have lost 1.7kgs. Hurrah!

But most exciting, I went to pick up my engagement ring, and it's bigger! Stu knew that I always wanted a perfect one carat solitaire, and he made it happen. Gosh, he's wonderful. And so is my beautiful shiny sparkler!

More of the wedding

On Saturday morning, we visited two florists in Mount Eliza, whose arrangements I've always liked. Both had differing ideas of how to deal with our vision, so we'll see what they come back with, and go from there.

That afternoon, we went into the city to drop my engagement ring in to be polished, the setting checked, etc. I probably won't get it back for 2-3 weeks. But in the meantime I get to wear the big pretend ring that Stu propsed with, which is rather sentimental.

On Sunday evening we had another meeting at the church, with a few other couples. We all completed a questionnaire (individually, to ensure that the answers were honest), which tries to determine where the strengths and 'problematic issues', lie in a relationship, and then provides ways to discuss them.
Our questionnaires have been sent off, mine will be compared against Stuart's, and then we have a 'fun' meeting with the priest. I actually quite like the idea - in no way will we be told that we're doomed, but in a time where far too many couples jump into relationships without really discussing their problems, and then (shock, horror!) divorce, I like that they're helping people to strategise their way through the relationship, and respect each other's differences.

Bad news however, Reverend Timbo, whom we thought would be officiating our ceremony, is moving to another parish. So we have no idea of who it will be, nor can the church confirm who it will be at this point. We might find out a month or two before the day. Ah well, we are assured that there will be somebody, and I guess that's all we should worry about.

Also, we were hoping to move the time forward slightly, but no can do, as another couple is also getting married that day (Grand Final day is apparently as popular as any other at this church!).
Eh, we'll cram it all in!

Sadly, Stu's grandma is saying that she wants to come to the ceremony, but is unsure about the reception - as we're arranging a room for her to retire to when she's had her fill, we really hope she'll reconsider.
Better than my grandparents, who, as they're in Queensland, and one is rather ill, don't think they'll come at all (Dad's working on them).