Because we held the wedding at a private beach house which we’d booked for the weekend, it meant everybody could come and go as they pleased and stay as long as they wanted, so the event ended up more like a 3 day party (rather than just a ceremony).
Exactly the way we wanted it, it was just great!
It would be impossible to write the whole story here, but just a few of our favourite moments and memories were...
Friday night’s big game of touch rugby on the lawn – it was quite a fantastic sight to see all the boys and men running around so much and it realised Andy D’s dream of playing rugby with his son!
Alfie surfing with all his grandparents – and the looks on their faces the first time he caught a wave! Because he’s so little, his lack of weight made him go at the speed of light. Sheer panic for the grandparents, sheer joy for Alfie! Even more funny when he fell off and came up smiling!!Jake and I taking a sneaky midnight spa bath with Mark, Sam and Darren on Friday night. Go the spa bath!
Jake getting up at 2.30am when he heard the rain, and heaving all our hired furniture inside from the garden because he was nervous about whether the tables were waterproof or not.
Being able to hang out on the beach and swim in the sea just an hour or two before the ceremony (rather than the traditional chaos of being caught up in the stress of flower arrangements, hairdressers, make-up artists, etc). It meant I went into the ceremony with chipped nail polish and sticking out hair on one side and I’m still not sure if I should have spent a little bit more time on my appearance, but it was worth it for me!
My Mum & Dad’s efforts at holding me up while I attempted to walk out in my killer heels.Our Wellington friends Dave and Andrew’s Mihi, which began the wedding ceremony.
The poem about “Love” which Molly made up and read out (I noticed there were a few teary eyes at this point!)The sound advice given in Jenny’s reading (eg “Jake – remember to flush”).
The complete and utter seriousness with which Alfie took his ring bearing duties – including the pretend-lost-ring joke our celebrant had practised with him. Absolutely priceless!
Jake’s decision to replace my beautiful Ash Hilton wedding ring with the battered up shell which he used to propose to me on Sea Lion Island back in 2007. I did assume for a moment that Alfie really had lost the rings, but luckily the correct ring was brought out fairly quickly after Jake’s ‘joke’.
Walking into the swimming pool room to find 17 kids and several adults all jumping in after eating their wedding cake!
Not so great was when Hayden (aged 6) ran straight through a glass window as dinner was being served and we had to call the ambulance and window-repair man.... but luckily he was ok and hey, all good weddings need a little drama!
Other great stuff included a fun game of croquet on the lawn with my lovely friends and a fun game of table tennis with my little boy. And dancing with all the kids to the band as the sun went down over Kapiti Island. A stunning sunset, a shared tambourine, and some great tunes.
I could go on for pages here, but I think you’ve probably all got the picture by now....
Thank you everyone for coming and making the weekend so special for us....and for all those who couldn’t but sent messages and presents – we are stoked, we have a bloody good bunch of friends!!
What a perfect day, and certainly in keeping with your way of doing things by the sound of it. So sorry we couldn't be there, expect your Qatari wedding present in time for your 10th Anniversary, Inshallah! (postal service here is touch and go!) Much love to you all xxx
ReplyDeleteWe really missed you too Jo, love to all the family xxxx
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