Adventure, baby!

Month: February 2010

Wedding Part 5: Reception

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   

 
  
  
  
  

Wedding Part 2: Pre-wedding Photos at Lavender Bay

We had our portraits taken before the ceremony as we had no time between the ceremony and reception.

Our photographer suggested we take the pics at Lavender Bay, which was near our venue and offered a quiet park as well as harbour views. It was drizzling when we got out of the cars, but thankfully it cleared up enough for us to take the photos outdoors without needing giant umbrellas.

 
Group shot – clearly someone said something funny here.
  
Nice shot of us all full-length.
  
Dwarfed the giant tree.
  
Close-up! I love this photo.
  
With my girls, looking exceedingly happy.
  
Love the bright punchiness of green in the background on this gray day.
  
It wouldn’t be a Sydney wedding without the Harbour Bridge.
  
I like the colour and composition of this one.
  
The veil was problematic and didn’t fly in the breeze as hoped. We needed to stage a few scenarios of holding the veil and then letting it go to try and get a few shots with the veil in the air.
  
Love this photo. I had to hold up my dress the whole time to stop it getting filthy pre-ceremony. It weighed a tonne and by the end of the night my hand ached!
  
One of my absolute faves.
  
Sigh. 🙂
  
I just loved my dress, shoes, jewellery, flowers, make-up and hair. Yes, I felt like a total princess and I’ve never felt so beautiful in my life as I did on this day.
  
Our bridal party was amazing on the day – they gave both of us such support and love. Thank you guys, we love you!
  
My handsome groom. I was blown away with how gorgeous he looked all dressed up.
  
Most people would agree this is a typical photo of us …
  
Like a magical grotto. So pretty!
 

LOL!

After the photos were finished, we climbed back into the Chrysler and drove to the Gunners’ Barracks for the highlight of the day – our wedding ceremony.

Wedding Part 1: Getting Ready at Warwick Farm

I finally received the professional photos, so here we go, our wedding day!

I stayed the night before the wedding at my parents’ house. I woke up the next morning early, too excited to sleep in. There was not much going on, as people weren’t due to arrive until about 10am. So I got to potter around, play with the dogs and read the Sunday newspaper before everyone turned up en masse between 10 and 10:30.

I wanted to get ready at my childhood home, so everyone came to us; hair dresser, make-up artist, photographer, bridesmaids, groom, best man, and the groom’s mother. Add in the mix my brother, sister-in-law and cousin-in-law who were also staying there, it made for a full house, full of laughter and activity.

First up in the morning was giving gifts to my beautiful bridesmaids Rosalie and Shelley. I gave them each slightly different Swarovski earrings and Alannah Hill hair clips that I hoped they would like to wear on the day.

 
Rosalie opens her gift – gift giving is so much fun!
While I was getting ready, the photographer roamed around, taking photos of things like our rings and my accessories.
  
Alec’s wedding ring, my wedding ring, and my engagement ring. Alec’s ring is by a jeweller called Larsen’s in the Strand Arcade. Mine are both by Tiffany & Co. The bowl is by Paloma’s Nest.
In lieu of a flower girl, we had a flower baby. Rosalie’s beautiful little girl, Chiara, made her wedding debute for us on our big day. We had her with us while we were getting ready in the morning. She was such a little angel, loving being held and passed around.
  
Brushing up on my baby skills, bonding with Chiara.
I bought my hair jewellery and earrings from a local designer, Stephanie Browne. They were gorgeous quality and suited my dress perfectly.
  
The pearls and designs are vintage-style, perfect for our wedding theme.
I was among the last to have my hair and make-up done. My hair dresser of about 5 years, Yui, came out to do my hair for me – it was so great having her with me on my big day.
  
Patiently having my hair curled in my old bedroom.
  
My shoes from Midas.
My dad drove to the florist’s house to pick up the bouquets and corsages around lunch time. I used a lovely local florist called Katrina of Petals and Leaves. The flowers were just stunning and lasted for a week afterwards in a vase!
  
Since I had a wedding in peak summer, my flower choices were limited. I had roses, chrysanthemums, raspberries and dahlias.
Around lunchtime, Alec, the best man, Daniel, and Alec’s mum all arrived in the Chrysler. Alec and I had a lovely moment where we exchanged gifts – I was beyond excited when he gave me a box from Tiffany – as evidenced by my expression in the photo below. Alec’s gift to me was an Elsa Peretti Diamonds By The Yard bracelet. I gave him a box of goodies including a pair of Atlas cuff links from Tiffany, a photo book I had made of our relationship thus far, his favourite chocolate biscuits (Mint Slices) and a toy frog with chocolate inside from Haighs.
  
This photo is the very definition of “surprise”.
  
Alec’s cuff links.
  
Items from Alec’s goodie box.
It was getting close to leaving time, so it was time for my make-up.
  
While I was getting done up, Alec chilled out, reading his book.
  
Meanwhile, upstairs, the girls were getting dressed. It was so surreal putting on my wedding dress … I just adore my dress beyond words. I can’t believe I don’t get to wear it again.
  
Rosalie helps me with my shoes.
  
Putting on the veil.
Leaving my bedroom dressed as a bride, with my two close girlfriends of my childhood – what an amazing moment. I was so excited and happy. No nerves at all, I just wanted to get married!
  
The boys finished getting dressed in preparation downstairs.
  
Alec gets manhandled by my dad and his mum at the same time.
Last step – putting the corsages on the boys. I totally failed at it and bent a pin, so had to give mine to someone else to finish for Alec.
  
  
Alec and his best friend, Daniel. Ready to go!
  
With Rosalie and Shelley – this photo is one of my favourites from the day.
  
I love this classic shot. The flowers look stunning and the lace on my dress shows up well.
Then, after hours of what seemed to be doing nothing, it was suddenly time to go.
  
Couldn’t leave without saying goodbye to my pooches. Kahlua was totally disinterested.
  
In the Chrysler, ready to depart.

Alec and Daniel with the beloved car. Daniel was kind enough to lend us his vehicle – and be our chauffeur for the day.
Then we were off on an exhilarating car ride with suicide doors, no seat belts, air con or power steering. Our next stop – Lavender Bay to have photos taken pre-wedding.

Out and About, February

I’ve been a bit behind with blogging since we moved. Thankfully we have internet at home again now, so I’m back in the land of digital communication.

Jamie and Lisa’s Valentine’s Day Massacre party last weekend – it was 1920s themed.

 
  
Visiting Katia and her new little baby Jenson – so tiny and cute!
  
  
  
In the new house with the cat. Xenia loves to wrap her tail around things like our wrists or, in this case, Alec’s neck.
  
  

Valentine’s Day with my Husband

Our first Valentine’s Day as a married couple. I think V Day is cheesy-as, but it’s a bit of fun so I’m happy to make a day of it. It’s only a good thing to take time out to spend appreciating your loved one, regardless of what day it is.

I gave Alec these chocolates – a bit silly, but they’re tasty, so win!

 
We had lunch at Khacha Thai in Crowes Nest – our fave North Shore Thai eatery.
  
Despite the tropical weather, we still drove into the city to do something a bit different just to get away from all the moving and unpacking and have a little fun with each other. 
We went to my favourite photography exhibition – the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition which is held at the Australia Museum annually. The photos are beautiful and inspire me to take better pictures.
  
Our house is extremely tropical. The humidity is astounding. So we went to the movies and saw Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief. Good solid fun for a sticky, hot day.
Home with the cat – she’s always happy to see us despite how cranky she looks in the photo.
 

Moving Week!

I haven’t had much time to blog this week as Alec and I are moving house. We’re moving to a bigger house in a nearby suburb with a large back yard for the girls.

It’s been a trial of a week, and the solid rain hasn’t helped. Everything is soggy and smells foul. The apartment looks like a bomb has hit it. I’m struggling with all the upheaval – I don’t take well to major changes! I hope this horrible weather passes and the move goes smoothly. I badly can’t wait until everything is sorted in the new place and I feel like it’s my home.

Happy Birthday Dad

Moving weekend also co-incided with my dad’s birthday. And torrential rain. So we packed, packed, packed, then had dinner with my parents, then moved the next morning. Exhausting stuff. We met my parents for dinner at a restaurant halfway between our houses – Bin 24 in North Strathfield.