In fact it was quite touch and go for a while there, all because of a couple of silly girls from Logan who went to Melbourne on a shopping trip (aka stealing trip) and then lied about it on their border re-entry. The stupid idiots got covid didn’t they, and that sparked a tightening of covid restrictions including the number of people you could have in your house, which was limited to 10. Ten! But I have 3 bridesmaids, 4 junior bridesmaids, 1 bride and a mother and father to get ready. Not to mention the photographer (Anne Taylor from school), make up artist (my good friend Fi) and two hairdressers (lovely Andy and Jessie). How was that going to work? I hadn’t even decided the venue for getting ready - it was either to be Mel or Beck’s - but each of those have their own limitations also. At Mel’s, we run the risk of trying to get the (secret) Cadillac up the driveway - a nightmare if its been raining, as the driveway would all be mud; and at Beck’s, well, its just a lot smaller. So I even investigated getting dressed at the church - but the only space available that met the 2sqm rule was a ‘hangar’ with no windows. Not ideal.
The other restrictions, all imposed because of these 2 girls from Logan, included; no dancing at the wedding; no walking around at the reception (everyone must stay seated at their own table); the number of people allowed at the reception; the list went on. Perhaps the most ridiculous was the fact that we couldn’t have a bridal table - because, even though we could sit with practically strangers at the same table at a restaurant (as long as we were all part of the same ‘group’), the restrictions do not allow for different households to sit together. So that meant that we couldn’t sit with our bridal party members, because they are all different households. Doesn’t matter that they’re all family. How absurd.
It was a veritable minefield, and poor Russell had to do most of the navigating himself, because I had loads of schoolwork. The biggest challenge was the reception venue, because they just wouldn’t respond to emails or phone calls (we had picked the Kookaburra Queen because it was so iconic, but with covid they had been shut since March and weren’t due to reopen until 2 days before the wedding). Eventually he was able to come up with a seating plan that met the covid requirements, although we had to have lots of small tables with just 2 people on them and so on. Fortunately the day before the wedding Armageddon Anna and Jihad Jeanette (as we fondly call the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Chief Medical Officer Dr Jeannette Young) decreed that the bridal couple and their parents can dance one dance at the wedding, and that people can walk around the venue if they have a drink in their hands. Madness.
Finally the day came. We had our rehearsal on the Friday night before, complete with our friends Lucas and Andrew who were doing our sound, lighting etc. I was getting a bit stressed just because I was trying to work out the timing for the bridal entry and it wasn’t working, but then Mel gave me half a diazepam and the night went very smoothly. Actually she gave me a full one but I only took half - this becomes important later though. Dad couldn’t grasp the concept of step, together, stop, step, together, stop - so I basically had to talk him through it the whole way down the aisle! You’d think, having walked 2 other daughters down, he would know - but I guess it has been 20 years between gigs.
Anyway, I spent the night at Beck’s house, which was lovely. I woke up in the morning to the vision of my dress hanging from the wardrobe door (we had to suspend it on a curtain rail because of the train) - just lovely. Then Beck and the girls came in for a morning cuddle and it was just one of those surreal moments, lying there all of us together in the bed and thinking “I’m getting married today” (which is weird because, well, we’re already married).
Bang on 6.30 and the door bell went, and it was Andy and Jessie, right on time - all systems go. Lou and Karyn turned up not long after, then Ava and Calise, then Mel and Bethany - then Fi - and we were off! What a jam packed morning. Karyn and the younger girls hair was done first, and Jessie did such a good job. Karyn had to be completely finished by around 9.30 to get back to Russell’s for photos with the boys. I felt myself getting a bit nervous when Russell rang to say the florist was running late to decorate the church and drop off the bouquets - so I took that other half a diazepam to calm myself and boy, the rest of the day was practically a doddle!
The morning just flew by. It was such fun to be getting ready with all the girls, such a lovely time with laughter and merriment. I was the last to get ready though and I was getting a bit nervous. I was particularly concerned about my hair as we had had 3 trials and the first 2 were disastrous. In the end Beck came with me to the 3rd one and Jessie came up with a solution that would work well. But all was good - hair and make up went smoothly. Anne, the photographer, was a little late turning up and I was a bit worried about that, but the diazepam helped and I didn’t let it bother me too much. So unlike me.
Once she arrived though it was literally, boom, go. The girls were still in their dressing gowns because we wanted a photo, and I was still getting make up done, so Anne told them to hurry up and get changed. Gabby had a minor wardrobe malfunction that I was vaguely aware of, as Mum had to hurriedly sew something, so with Mel and Beck involved in getting their girls and Ava ready, when it was time for me to get dressed, there was no one around. So Andy and Jessie did it. Later Beck would say to me that she regretted not being there to do it, but anyway.
Next thing I knew, Ray and the caddy had arrived, and we got a few family photos and bridesmaids etc, then suddenly, we were out to the car. Beck’s neighbours had come out to see us and wave at us (she had warned them of the activity because there would be lots of cars parking in the area etc).
The ride to the church was quite surreal. Ray was talking with Dad about the vehicle. I don’t remember much else.
Finally we were there, but as we pulled in, the girls had gathered off to the left and stopped us from driving right up to the entrance. They suggested we go around the back, so as to enter unobserved from the congregation, which we did. Next minute Harry was escorting Mum to her seat - the cue that we were ready - and we were off.
I organised everyone in their processional places, and listening faintly to the strains of Nimrod, I was directing them when to enter. The procession went smoothly, just as I dreamed it would, timed perfectly. I guess my only regret is that because Dad had such problems with the ‘step, together’ thing, I had to coach him the whole way down - and I later found out that people could hear me. Makes me look like a control freak or something I guess.
The service was just beautiful. Firstly because I got to have my all time favourite hymn, the founders song! But mostly, because we had already gotten married, rather than do this as just a rehash with nice clothes, we took the opportunity to turn it into a blessing on our marriage. So yes, we did the covenant, but then Shelden sang a beautiful song that Russell had composed, and then we had anointing with oil and a prayer circle. It was lovely.
The piece de resistance though, was the bridal exit. At the rehearsal we used the Mendelssohn bridal March, but for the real one - I had doctored up the Throne Room music! So we had Star Wars at our wedding!!
As is usual, photos ensued afterwards. Anne took lots of beautiful pics of the family groups. Then we all headed off to Shorncliffe pier for the main pics. They are gorgeous. We had a lovely time posing on the pier and enjoying some fun pics.
The Kookaburra Queen provided more excellent photo opportunities on the roof. My favourite is that the Story bridge was lit green and purple!
Our entrance music to the reception was “Accidentally in Love” because this is my ringtone for Russell. The food was wonderful, the atmosphere brilliant, and all had a good time. A couple of stand out moments for me - the cake that my friend Naomi made was stunning - Star Wars themed. Actually she made 2 cakes because with covid you can’t serve the same cake you cut because you know, you might breathe on it and give covid to everyone. So she made a huge cake for everyone to enjoy - although what I don’t understand is why the Kookaburra Queen people cut it so small. Uncle David did a brilliant job as MC, with more Star Wars themes, and the speeches were good too. Beck’s and Bob’s particularly! The bridal waltz was another fave moment - especially because it was Dad playing Anne’s Theme, a piece that always has a special place for me, and also because darling Katie lost it and bawled on Russell’s shoulder. Also our ‘song’ to Russell - ‘Sisters’ in a quintet, with doctored lyrics by Dad. So funny.
All too soon the cruise was over and we were back to the dock. Funny moment here - Beck thought that the Kookaburra Queen would chuck away the flowers so she started giving them away to everyone, including the vases - but they belonged to Gemma from Borrowed and she was waiting there to take them back. I don’t think she got them all unfortunately!
We then said goodbye to everyone and headed off to the Stanthorpe. Our friends Michael and Karen, Pete and Nicky had booked to stay there so Michael had checked our luggage in for us. We wanted to meet them in the bar for a drink afterwards (it was only 10pm after all) but it was closed. We tried to go to the nearby Port Hotel but some of us (myself included) didn’t have ID so they wouldn’t let us in - Qld’s infamous lock out laws - so we got takeaway and went back to Michael’s room and had a lovely debrief.
It truly was a fairytale wedding. I know I have perhaps given more detail than the average person needs to read, but this is my blog, and my diary, and I want to be able to remember every detail from the most important day of my life for years to come...
