Wednesday, December 16, 2009
MEMORIES FROM WEDDINGS PAST

You have all probably heard about Coffs Harbour and major flooding events on the news.

It does make it rather tricky being a celebrant in wild conditions...I drove for an hour and a half in light rain up a winding mountain road to misty Dorrigo.  I  arrived early and called in to the bride's nan's house where the bride was getting ready. I had been neighbours with the bride and her family many many years ago.

It was 45 minutes before the start of the wedding.The bride was nowhere near ready and her dress wasn't even ironed!  The bride asked me would I mind ironing her dress and I thought it was a wise idea as who knows how long it would be before I see her otherwise. (I also happen to be a pretty whiz bang ironer and not shy about ironing wedding dresses)

She ended up only being half an hour late.  However by this stage it was raining solidly and the groom was pacing and hot in his 'Drizabone' outfit. It was a classic country bush wedding with hay bales and country music. They had a real ball once we got started! They had asked me if I would declare: 'Is there anyone here today who knows of any legal reason why these two cannot be married?'. I agreed knowing that there weren't any legal impediments to the marriage. When I asked the question all of the groom's men, pulled out shotguns... that might have been a legal impediment to the marriage going ahead if anyone had said yes!

After that lighthearted moment which made every one laugh...it was a beautiful ceremony and included a naming ceremony for their three boys.  There were umpteen certificates to sign with the naming ones and there were kids everywhere.

It poured with rain as I drove back down the winding mountain road in the dark to my next ceremony. This couple were surprising their guests by getting married at their combined birthday celebration.