Wedding Part 2 - The details

I was told the theme was shabby chic but I would say it was more old world elegance. We were at Point Nepean for both the service and reception. We had a bit of a wait prior to the service (we needed to be bused in & out) The Commanders House provided refuge from the rain which didn't spoil the lovely location and views. Silver bowls were filled with white lollies and chocolates to graze on before the ceremony.

Inside the marquee was beautiful. Two long tables filled the plastic sided structure. The lighting was interesting - it seemed to be cellophane and tissue paper scrunched around a wire frame - but as darkness fell they were very effective and beautiful. Flowers filled the space. Cream blooms mixed with green grey foliage and beautiful dull green hydrangeas (personal favourite) filled silver coffee and tea pots down the tables. Silver goblets held battery operated tea light candles which was a requirement for th tent but also didn't harm the silver. The randomness of the containers down the long uniform tables added to the beauty.
The personal touches were also lovely. The napkins were infact personalised tea towels and designed as a wedding keepsake. They featured a map of the area and significant locations to the bride and groom.The groom is of Persian decent, and hails from London, and it was lovely to see so many friends and relatives fly in to celebrate with them. This is a Persian wedding custom (and I am a sucker for traditions and customs - bring it on) whereby the table is offerings. There was fruit, nuts and even a goldfish. Each had significance (though I cannot recall it) and they actually ate from the table during the night. (This is the grooms reflection in the mirror as he awaits his bride)Speaking of eating - this brings me to the food. And the food was one thing - delicious. So delicious that I was too busy eating to take many photos.

The main was a lovely offering of chicken or steak which was actually really lovely. But it was the entree and desserts that are worth talking about. Both were served as grazing platters whereby you had a mini sample of a number of dishes.(Awesome for dessert)

Entree had mini minted lamb served on a china spoon, mini cheese souffle, delicious crusted calamari and a chicken salad. Each was yummy.

The dessert menu we had been salivating over all evening was a lovely selection. Mini pavlova (nee meringue) with raspberry, Persian love cake, mini white and dark chocolate mousse, the glass has some kind of cream thing with raspberry on the top. The top was Persian fairy floss. This topping was divine - it was much thicker and less sugary than what I know as fairy floss. Finally there was lemon meringue pie which was also the wedding cake - a unique and delicious alternative to fruit cake any day!! (in my personal opinion)

Wedding Part 1 - People

I love a good wedding- especially the dress. Unfortunately I don't have a fabulous picture of it - because while we were at the beautiful Point Nepean, the weather was not so beautiful. The ceremony was planned for outside, but it looked like the bride was to make her entrance on a white slip and slide (there was muddy plastic over the carpet) We moved inside the clear marquee for a beautiful ceremony accompanied by the pitter of constant rain. Here is our lovely bride and groom. (He is in a black suit with white tie) She is in an exquisite ivory/cream gown. It is Christian Lacriox embossed brocade fabric with the brocade detail picked out with beading over the bust.
The bridesmaides had beautiful navy stretch satin dresses with lovely subtle frill detail to one side of the neckline and also at the rear hem. They were cocktail length as the dresscode was cocktail.
Here is a better (but certainly not ideal) shot of the happy couple. The bodice is kept simple to highlight the frill which starts from a cream satin waistband on one hip and wraps around the skirt to the puddle train which you cant see. Love the satin peep toe shoes,
Here is a rear view - I love the ribbon edging on the veil which sat beautifully with the frills on the skirt. The dress was a Judith Valente design.
I managed to frock up too. My dress is a caranek sil with bust detail and a full bias skirt from the empire line. The bolero was from Jacqui E about 4 years ago. This dress was a rejected 'client' bridesmade dress (we had to make another one) and made mum and I call an end to that 'career'. However I came upon this dress it has had a few outings since. Oh and we can't forget the beautiful flowergirl in her Angelina Baccini dress.

Down came the rain....

You would think in drought conditions in Melbourne in Spring, you could be pretty sure of sunshine - or at least not rain. While that was true for our very public days - Derby, Cup and Oakes Day, today - Drew and Dern's wedding day - it was sadly not the case. Even sadder - their ceremony was outside in the Fitzroy Gardens.

The setting was lovely, with the chairs lined up, with white covers, an umbrella for shade and a pink carpet for the bridal party to walk along to the old bandstand where the nuptuals would take place but everything was soaked.
Beautifully dressed guests huddled together under umbrellas as the rain came sideways. The bride was stuck in terrible traffic caused by the rain as the mens suit trousers got wetter and wetter.
The bridesmaids ran across the road, in their lovely brown cocktail frocks- still being careful not to splash mud onto their bare legs.

The groom waited patiently for his bride - this has been 12 years in the making, and he has proposed more than once, although the bride didn't realise the first time.. so he is obviously a patient guy. Yet, given all of this, the bride arrived and glowed. You could not wipe the smile of her gorgeous face- and she showed why she was worth waiting for...

(Just FYI- A line dress silk dress - no petticoat with deep v front and back. Empire band went right around covered in silver seed beads with some crystal drop beads around bottom of band. Simple A line skirt with puddle train. She wore it with a catherdal length train)

The celebrant was one of the best I have ever seen - I thought he was an old family friend - the ceremony was that personal and intimate (not just because we huddled with them in the bandstand) There was no music available so together everyone was jollied along to even sing the hymn!

The rain stopped for the end of the ceremony, signing the registers and announcing of the new Mr & Mrs. I heard the bride say to her new husband - was this how you imagined today would be? But really I don't think it matters - it makes a great story to tell their future children, and I know everyone there will think of it as perfect.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!