Well it all sounds a little outdated with
modern technology and internet dating, but my husband Gilles
and I met at a local Nightclub on the 8th June 2002. He migrated
to Australia when he was 5 from Mauritius and was studying
at Ballarat University. I was 18 years old and fresh out of
school. We hit it off instantly and were living together within
6 weeks.
After 18 months of being girlfriend and boyfriend
things felt perfect. Gilles and I spent a romantic weekend
in Melbourne to celebrate Valentines Day, but instead of the
proposal taking place at dinner or on a picnic, it happened
on the escalator at Myer in the perfume department. A quick
"will you" followed by an "ok" from me and before you knew
it we on out way to Michael Hill to pick a ring. Not the most
romantic of proposals, but hey I wasn't about to say no!
There was a 3 year break between the engagement
and the wedding. I was only 19 when we got engaged and we
wanted to make sure it was the right decision.
The planning went very well. We really didn't
have to do much running around, which was great since we live
in Ballarat! We found the dress and the bridesmaid?s dresses
in one day in the same store. The reception venue, cake provider,
florist and band were all the only ones we checked out.
The photography and the Videography, were
the hardest to select. They are a very big financial chunk
of the wedding, and the travelling to Melbourne to meet with
each one was quite hard. You never really knew if you had
picked the right one and this was stressful. In the end we
selected our videographer who recommended the photographer
to us. Luckily we got it right!
The day was typically Melbourne. Fresh but
sunny, threatening rain in the morning then giving us bright
sunshine and wind for the afternoon. The evening was still
and quiet, perfect for the horse and carriage ride departure.
We were both pretty calm throughout the day, me especially.
Gilles I am told was a little nervous. The entire day ran
smoothly, apart from the occasional drunk St Patrick's day
green person on the way to our photo shoot!
The ceremony was simple. It was held in the
Atrium at the Rendezvous Hotel. No readings by family, everything
read by the celebrant. It was 15 minutes maximum, with 3 songs.
I walked down the aisle to "all in the way" by Mr Friend the
Chocolate cake, signed the register to Elton John's "Your
Song" and then walked down the aisle to "All my Loving" by
the Beatles.
Our reception could be described as, very
creamy and vanilla like. I had over 80 vanilla candles burning
as well as hand made place cards and bomboniere on all the
tables. I had selected all the music. If I had my time again,
I would remember to enjoy myself more and not forget to buy
the guest book! I'd also practice dancing in a longer dress,
as out choreographer dance didn't work because of my train.
The reception went from being very formal
to being very Mauritian. My husband was soon being carried
on the shoulders of his family to the sounds of Sega music.
Our horse and carriage ride was the absolute
highlight! People walking down the street and our 110 guests
gathered to wave us goodbye on the footpath. It was magical
leaving the reception like that and really completed the day.
For our honeymoon we went to Thailand, spending
some time in Bangkok and Phuket. We can?t wait to go back
again - it was romantic and the shopping was amazing! |
