Dean and I were in the same year at
school but hung around different friends. In Yr 11 we started
to go to a few parties together and it basically just went
from there. It felt "right" from the start of our relationship
and has grown ever since.
After many adventures together we finally
settled back in Forster and built a house. It was June 2003
and we had only been in our new house for 3 months when
Dean came home early from footy training one night. I found
it a bit odd that he was home so early but continued to
cook dinner. He called me into our bedroom and when I walked
in, there he was in "normal" clothes, (not footy training
clothes) down on one knee and had a box in his hand open.
I nearly died.
After the proposal I was kind of numb
I think as I had absolutely no idea. He had gone to the
Central Coast that afternoon and bought the ring - we had
been there the weekend before for a weekend away. I'm usually
pretty cluey about everything so was just so shocked that
he had done all this on his own and without me finding out!
The funny thing was that I was standing there in my pink
flannelette pj's!! My parents and Dean's parents and siblings
then arrived after Dean had called them and they had known
all week. My poor mother had to keep the secret all week
- not easy to do!
I had always wanted to get married in
spring so we made the date for the following spring - October
2004. It was way too soon to have it that spring and we
probably wouldn't have been able to book what we wanted
anyway. So we had nearly 18 months to plan everything which
was plenty of time but I did leave a lot to the end which
was very naughty of me!
The first thing we did after our engagement
was set a date and then we booked the church, reception
& photographer. Happy that those important things were done,
we just cruised through the rest. We had decided to have
a 'smart' wedding with pink oriental lilies and an asian
style theme, with around 125 guests. My sister owns a boutique
in Forster so she, as my chief bridesmaid, totally controlled
the bridesmaid's dresses and accessories - which was fine
by me. I told her the colour and that was it. She did a
wonderful job too. Dean had the groomsmen totally under
control and we used Formalwearexpress which are a mobile
suit hire business, they were so easy and so helpful. I
left my dress to the last minute but it was worth it as
I found my ideal dress and was totally happy with it.
The whole week leading up to our wedding
was hectic and not to mention cold, rainy and very windy.
I was too busy to even worry about it but was reminded about
it from everyone I saw. The day before the wedding, the
bridal party all arrived (3 from Sydney and the rest from
Forster). The girls moved into a unit overlooking the beach/lake
at Sails. After a restless night I was awoken by Dean's
sister, Carlie waking me up to say that it was a perfect
day. I was so happy I nearly cried. After listening to the
wild storm that night I had given up hope!
I was very excited but also extremely
nervous about the day. Dad spoke with Dean later in the
morning and he was also extremely nervous and excited and
probably tired from a massive night before! We were up and
into it early and all headed down to the hairdressers/beauty
salon at 8.30am. We had totally taken over the whole shop
which was so funny and were giggling and laughing and crying
at each other the whole time. We all headed back up to the
room around 1pm and it was pretty full on from there as
the photographer and video guy had arrived and were snapping
away at us running around getting dressed. I nearly died
when I first saw our beautiful pink oriental lilies, as
they were just beautiful and perfect. After the photos were
done we relaxed with a glass of champagne and then headed
downstairs. Awaiting us was our cars - I had a Rolls Royce
and the girls had white Ford Ghia's.
Our church was beautiful up on a hill.
It had a lovely wooden interior, very traditional. Dad and
I arrived at the church about 10 mins late and were both
extremely nervous! We walked down the aisle to "Canon in
D" by Puchabel which was so lovely. I just looked at Dean
the whole way up as I was so nervous and there were 125
faces watching me. After a very moving and emotional ceremony,
we lit our candle, signed the registry to "Truly Madly Deeply"
by Savage Garden and walked out of the church to "Beautiful
Day" by U2. Outside the church was a haze of everyone giving
kisses and hugs and family photos.
The whole planning process although hectic
and tough at times, all worked out on the day. Every detail
I worried about or planned or worked really hard on made
a difference on the day. The biggest high was the whole
day and seeing all my loved ones together at the one event
was very special to us.
Our reception was held at The Wharf Bar
& Grill in Forster which overlooks the lake. It has a beautiful
big balcony also which was decorated with fairy lights.
Our room was totally pink, white and oriental lily theme
and was just so pretty. We served finger food on the balcony
whilst we were having photos and then had an entree and
main pretty much as soon as we got there at 6.15pm. We wanted
all the formalities over so we could party and hit the dance
floor. Our waltz was to "All my life" by Kci & Jojo which
was a song out when we were first together and had loved
ever since. The rest of the night was a total party and
everyone danced and had a great time until we left at 1.30am.
If I had my time over again, I wouldn't
change a thing, everything was perfect on the day. It was
such a wonderful and special day to us and one we will cherish
for the rest of our lives.
We honeymooned in Fiji for 10 magical
days. We spent the first 5 days on Matamanoa Island and
then the next 5 days on the main island at the Outrigger.
It was such a lovely and relaxing holiday and Dean had never
been overseas before which was also a highlight.
***** ***** *****
Photographs by East Coast Photography
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