Miss Lawyer's wedding : The Wattle Park Chalet

Yet another wedding post folks. Hang in there...

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Continuing from the previous post about THE MORNING.

We were late to the venue about 5 minutes, give or take. Upon arrival, guests were ushered out to the garden and the ceremony pretty much started soon after. It was a garden wedding and my first time attending one, a Western Wedding too! Everything was just interestingly beautiful and touching. Definitely a lot of wonderful moments.

Miss J said that everything went on pretty well during dinner time but I told her this,"for us, the bridesmaids, it was pretty much smooth and good but for the bride, she'll notice everything and somehow, something will not be perfect.". Speaking from a bride's perspective and it is true!

I am not saying as the bride, we want to pick the nitty gritty details of the day apart and just look for an excuse to say the day wasn't perfect but it is because of the need of wanting the day to be perfect that one can't help but notice even the slightest imperfection!

Mostly relevant to brides and not grooms because men in general are laid back and can't be too bothered about details they deemed insignificant to their wedding which in a way, they have got the right approach to their own wedding. LOL. Just enjoy the day and bask in all the attention and love.

Awwww...

Mona the Celebrant did her thing. Guests were welcome from far and near. Letters from bride to mum and groom to parents were read out loud and especially the bride's letter brought tears to many pair of eyes especially her own and her mum's! I had to hold mine in check as the tissue I had in hand was for the bride and none left for me! ;p

Quips and advise from best man, groomsman, bridesmaid and friends were also announced for all to hear. The words 'abusive' and 'crippling' were linked to the bride, unfortunately and much to her slight embarrassment. Vows were exchanged and according to Miss Lawyer, Mr. CL wrote part of it and it was lovely though I can't quote them word for word now. During rehearsal on Thursday, when they did a mock practice, I felt so touched by their vows that I almost teared. Almost being the operative word. LOL.

Groom's mum's prayer for the couple was yet another touching moment. And finally, the signing of the papers making Mr. and Mrs. CL legally binding to one another! ;)

Us, in our lilac bridesmaids dresses

It was a really sunny day albeit a tad too warm. I was sweaty a little bit (not mentioning where) and I really feel for the guys in their jackets! It is a Western Wedding and very much formal despite it being an outdoor event. Many were shielding from the sun and sunnies were used to shade ones eyes.

I guess a sunny weather despite the warmth is a welcome sight as opposed to gloomy skies and showers that were Melbourne's weather for the days leading up to the wedding! I prayed everyday that it would be beautiful sunny day with cool breeze. Am still waiting for the cool breeze but definitely not complaining. ;p

After the ceremony, a quick photo group shot was done. The photographer was just amazing and very well organised. From the moment we arrived in the vintage car till after the ceremony, from the group shots to the bridal party shot leading up to the dinner time and after, I reckon they managed to catch lots of good moments and also especially just the bride and groom!

The photographer was friendly, concise and engaging as she directed people where to stand and the pose she wanted. She asked the bride and groom to kiss, put hands around each other etc and I think it is important as #1 the bride and groom would be reeling from all the activity of the day, #2 to be greeted left and right by friends and family, each wanting to take individual photos with and/of them and not forgetting... #3 you are after all paying the photographers to do their job which is to #4 take lots of pictures of the day.. of the bride and groom with respective family members and with friends, of course.

I am still waiting for my wedding photos but if I am not wrong, Mr. C and I only kissed once and that was him giving me a peck on my cheek! I don't recall taking a proper picture with my brother nor having any portrait shoots with Mr. C! ;( Despite the wedding taking place two months back, I still have lots of post-wedding issues to deal with. In fact, I semi wish (I know it's crazy) I could re-do everything and perhaps, get it right this round. LOL.

Oh well, the idea of perfection can be idealistic and poisonous eh.

The vow

Scallop with asparagus and cherry tomatoes

So, weather was good. Checked! Celebrant was smooth and clear. Checked! Groom and his men was there and ready. Checked! Bride and her maids were all pretty. Checked! Vows were uttered fluently albeit a teary tone. Checked! Friends and family looked happy with canapés and drinks. Checked!

Dinner reception began about 7pm with the bridal party entrance lead by the parents, the groom's men and bride's maids. There was a minor hiccuped whereby Mr. CL's parents went in before the DJ announced them but it's alright. However, I do take slight offence that he mispronounced my family name!

I know it can be tricky to pronounce 'NG' without any consonants but he should have verified before hand the actual pronunciation. LOL. He pronounced my family name as Neng and I only know someone else who has ever called me that and up till this day, it has stuck! ;p

Quail buried under some sort of peas with tomatoes

Entres were either quail or scallop. I decided to play safe and have the quail. After all, it falls under the chicken family doesn't it? And how hard it is to make yummy chicken?? Turns out, it isn't easy as the quail was a tad dry whilst the whiff of the droolsome scallops assailed my nose from Miss Lawyer's platter rendering me to salivate.

My choice for mains, salmon atop asparagus

After that, it was speeches from Miss Lawyer's brother (a really well delivered one), the father of the groom (short, sweet and humourous), the best man and the groom, himself. Next up was the mains. The couple never had the chance to sample their dinner as they were going about greeting and saying their 'hellos' to the guests.

Medium rare beef surrounded by sautéed mushrooms

Risotto for the vegetarians

The happy bride 'dipping' during her bridal waltz

There was some delay in the program of the night as many wanted to talk to the couple and have their photos taken with them. Finally, the DJ got them to cut their lovely three tiered white wedding cake with lilac ribbons. I managed to hook up Miss Lawyer's loooong train to her back before then allowing her to cut the cake and proceed with the rehearsed bridal waltz.

Half way through their waltz, the best man and grooms man led Miss J and I to the dance floor to showcase our box foxtrot that was never rehearsed and bear in mind, it was Miss J and my first time meeting the two guys and vice versa.

Thanked my lucky stars that my dance partner was more down to earth and we ended up in a comfortable swinging left to right and back to left in a relaxed swaying manner, you get the picture. The other dude was trying to be more 'free' and wanted to 'winged it' in his own words. Not sure what he did but let's just say, I was glad he wasn't my dance partner. LOL!

Second song onwards, the dance floor was open to the guests. Mr. C had to come and claim the dance with me or I would've been stuck with the best man the entire evening. Dancing with Mr. C is funny because he.just.can't.dance! I give him points for trying though.

By then, my feet was hurting like crazy and I had to beg reprieve. Time flew by pretty fast for the evening signalling a time happily spent. I was worried with my seating at the bridal party's main table, he would be bored as he only knew two other people at the wedding apart from the bride and groom. All in all, Mr. C had a good time and it was all good. In fact, I think he had a better time getting to know people.

To cut the long story shot, we, the guest saw the couple as they 'rode off into the sunset'.

Western wedding is different in that sense amongst many other things. For ours, a Chinese wedding, we the bridal party stood by the entrance and saw our guests off as we shake each and everyone's hands thanking them for attending our wedding. Miss Lawyer's western wedding saw the guests all crowded around to say their goodbyes to the couple and see them off!

Mr. C and I stayed back and helped with the tidy up, saw the bride's family safely into a cab and dropped some of the friends at Carlton and made our way home. It was a loooong day and a tiring one.

After all the hassles and what not, it was a beautiful occasion and who knew 10 years ago that I would be able to witness my friend's wedding, last weekend night. A truly blessed night. Mr. CL was ever gracious and grateful for all the help they'd received and I can see that they are both happily in love and found their happy endings with one another.

Now, they're on their honeymoon. A moment to relax, rejuvenate and destress before they slowly make their way back to Malaysia for their second wedding!