Thursday, December 2, 2010

21 today......

...actually, that should read 21 years ago today, as today is my wedding anniversary.

On a hot and humid Saturday afternoon, all those years ago (and it goes without saying that I was very young when I was married, some might say a child bride!) the adventure began. And it has been an adventure, which I should have guessed, judging from how the day panned out.

To give you some background info, Sydney was in the middle of a heat wave, and temperatures had been in the mid to high 30's all week (Celsius, that is). We'd chosen one of Sydney's oldest churches, the Garrison Church at The Rocks as our venue, and it really is such a beautiful place:




As we girls prepared early for the big day, starting with at the crack of dawn with a hairdressing appointment, the boys were still in bed. Of course.

In spite of organising a trial run, my hair looked more like this....


...than this:


..so after much angst, it was back to the hairdresser for a second attempt. Meanwhile, the boys were swimming in the best man's pool, eating pizza, and generally having a wow of a time, without an ounce of stress or worry.

Once my hair was somewhat presentable, and our makeup done, it was time to get dressed and wait for our cars to arrive. As I had four bridesmaids, I'd organised to have two vintage Rolls Royce, like this:



...but as the weather was so hot and humid, one of the cars - the perfectly colour-coordinated black and white car, broke down five minutes from my house. We had but one option - the girls had to drive themselves in a hot pink, 1964 VW station wagon...very similar to this one:



I'll set the scene for you:  four girls, dressed entirely in black (which was very daring for 1989 and quite unheard of), complete with Ray Bans, running to the car so we could make the 45 minute trip to the church on time. I'll never forget the look on the guests faces as they screamed around the corner, looking like four Penelope Pitstops. Priceless.



Meanwhile, let's check back in on the boys......


...oh look, here they are, having a few drinks at The Lord Nelson. And I have it on good authority (relayed with great relish by a few of the grand dames in attendance) there were a few last minute wardrobe changes, which took place out of the back of our campervan. Apparently in full view of said grand dames. Secretly, I think it was the biggest thrill I think they'd had in a long time.

After a lovely, (and thankfully non-eventful) ceremony, we finally made it to our reception venue - Dunbar House at Watson's Bay, on beautiful Sydney Harbour:



...where we did enjoy a great night, in spite of the soaring temperatures. I'm told my wedding cake was delicious:


...it's just a pity I didn't get to have any. It was very popular, so I'm glad all those many months, searching for the perfect sweet confection to round off the perfect day didn't go unappreciated.

After so much madness, drama and mayhem, wrapping up our big day was very bittersweet - for the very next day, we packed up all our worldly belongings and headed off to Queensland. 


Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing. Those little mishaps, dramas and things that didn't go quite according to plan made the day so memorable, and we still laugh over them today. A bit like married life really - all those twists and turns usually turn out to be the things you remember the most. It's been a fabulous 21 years, with lots more 'adventures' along the way, and I'm looking forward to many more to come. 

Hope you all have a great day, and as it's our anniversary (and my birthday too in a couple of days) we've got a big weekend ahead. What have you got planned?


23 comments:

  1. Congratulations on 21 years of marriage Kerri!!!!! I loved reading your wedding story, esp since I know all of those landmark venues! So did you grow up in sydney then move to QLD when you got married? Where is a wedding pic.... please pretty please? I want to see the blushing child bride :)
    Have a fantastic special day my dear and may you have 21 more years and more!
    Jxx

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  2. Love this Kerri, happy wedding anniversary!! Yes, i tell the children i was a child bride, marrying my handsome soldier in Sydney (at home, kept it simple at my parents beautiful home in St Ives) & we had the opposite, torrential rain, not that it mattered, i was just so excited to be getting married. We had a ball, so much so, almost forgot to do a bridal waltz, not that we were very traditional!! Then we were whisked off to the Northern Territory & 2 years laster started our family. Love it, best 13 years of our lives.
    Love all your venues, 200 years ago my family was land granted The Rocks, i know, why didn't we keep it?? Hmmmm. That Garrison Church is divine, popular with soldier weddings for sure. I loved the idea of Observatory Hill, but a logicistical nightmare. Love Posie

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  3. What great memories. Congratulations on making it to 21. That's three life sentences, you know. We had a croquembouche for our wedding cake too but I was lucky enough to taste it on the day. xx

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  4. Happy Anniversary to you both.

    Felicity x

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  5. Happy Anniversary to you both and congratulations on reaching maturity (I still insist that's 21, not 18!) I loved reading about your day...what a great story. Now ma'am where's the picture of the happy couple hmmmm! And aren't boys so predictable :)

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  6. Sounds fabulous fun - weddings are not the same without a bit of drama - as long as both the bride and groom both turn up of course! It rained and rained for ours and I didn't care a bit! Happy Anniversary A x

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  7. Happy Anniversary and Happy Birthday Kerri! Wow that is quite a milestone and probably deserves some jewellery don't you think? We have a big weekend too as we celebrate Bens birthday. I hope you enjoy yours. ;-)

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  8. A cool post, Kerri. Thanks for taking us back to the big day with you. You have such a way with words - I was sweltering away in the Sydney humidity with you (hmm, something I don't miss since we returned to Hobart). Yes, that church is delightful. And I could just see the boys at the Lord Nelson - classic! We also moved interstate a week after we married so I can empathise with you at the heady mix of emotions you felt. J x

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  9. Happy 21st Anniversary Kerri..what a wonderful story..and well told. Mum used to live in Kent St...just down from the Lord Nelson so Im very familiar with the area...the Garrison church is one of my favourites...so old and historical. Here's to another 21+ years :) xxx

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  10. Congratulations Kerri. A fabulous milestone.

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  11. Congratulations!!! its was mine last Sunday, lets catch up soon xx

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  12. Oh very funny.... a very lavish wedding needless to say...

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  13. Congratulations on making 21!

    Hope you have a very merry Birthday.

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  14. Congratulations Kerri! What a day, sounds beautiful...we were living in Sydney then, was it really 21years ago??? Best wishes for a wonderful birthday!
    It is snowing here... I am sure we will have a snowman or two by the weekend. Off to Australia on Sunday for my sons Uni graduation in Canberra :)

    Best wishes xx
    Jeanne

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  15. I do love a good wedding day story Kerri & yours fits the bill nicely! I think people who say their day went perfectly aren't being truthful. That Other Husband was 1/2 hr. late to the church, which did not impress my Mother one bit!! MOTH was much more punctual. We've got something happening @ The Hedge this weekend too. Enjoy your weekend to the max.
    Millie ^_^

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  16. Happy anniversary Kerri, I hope you have a beautiful evening with hubby! x

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  17. Happy anniversary...sounds like the perfect wedding day! The venue looks amazing too! Tracey xx

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  18. Congratulations Kerri, pretty big achievement getting to 21 years? Have a great weekend. We have some school and ballet break up parties -that's our plans.x

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  19. It's what makes memories so special. All the mishaps, the funnies, the escapades you didn't expect. Truth is always stranger (and much more precious!) than fiction. Happy Anniversary!
    Brenda

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  20. Happy Anniversary Kerri!! I love the story of your wedding and you are so right, all those little ups and downs prepared you well for wedded bliss, which you've clearly had for 21 wonderful years! I hope you have a great day together, and Happy Early Birthday...mine is in a few days too!

    Kat :)

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  21. Happy Anniversary Kerri, 21 years is certainly worth a special celebration. Your wedding tale sounds like a fantastic romantic comedy.

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  22. Happy Anniversay Kerri!!! LOL!!! your wedding day seems one of those you see at the cinema!
    Today I've posted about the your painting in my new home!
    Hugs!
    Mara

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  23. Happy Anniversary & happy birthday to you!! Every great day always has a funny story behind it, sounds like the perfect wedding.
    Congratulations!!!
    I have tagged you for a stylish blogger award if you have time for it, drop by my blog & pick it up!!
    Cheers xxx

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