This was a wonderful (long awaited) occasion!
Paul and Julia have been going out since Julia was in Year 12 at school, and Paul finally proposed on Julia’s 31st birthday, last March, nearly 14 years later. Then followed a very happy and busy six months, planning the big day.
We were delighted that Laura was able to come from San Francisco, and that Anna and Pedram could come from Sydney, so our whole family could be together for this happy day. Unfortunately, Arend wasn’t able to come from San Francisco – his current visa would let him out of USA, but not back in.
Anna and Laura both had some interesting dress issues for the wedding. Laura had bought a very stylish one-shoulder dress – which turned out to be exactly the unusual colour that Julia had chosen for her wedding dress. Julia said she didn’t mind, but Laura said she wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing the same colour as the bride, which resulted in an intense day’s shopping and another dress.
Laura’s first dress (from the catalogue).
Anna had bought her beautiful red dress in plenty of time for the wedding. The night before, while she and Pedram were out, I was ironing it for her, going well, when suddenly the iron melted a big hole in the middle of the back, making it quite unwearable. The sight of the ironing board cover showing through the fabric of the dress is an image which will haunt me for many years to come!
Early the next morning (the day of the wedding) I took the dress round to my wonderful sister. She brought in reinforcements from next door – 82 year old Val who used to be a bridal dressmaker. Bob just happened to have some red material the same colour as the dress – would you believe it. Together we worked out that a red patch could be sewn under the hole like a partial lining, attached at the neckline and centre back opening, with a similar patch on the other side of the opening so the dress would hang evenly. Val offered to do it, and I most gratefully accepted. Val also had some clever iron-on dressmaker’s glue, which attached the edges of the shredded bits of dress to the lining so they didn’t flap about. By lunch time the dress was as good as new! I was very thankful that I had decided to iron the dress the night before (even though pretty exhausted after a major all-day choir festival) rather than on the day.
“Invisible mending” – the back of the dress looks as good as new.
So after that bit of excitement, we all put on our finery and set off.
Anna and Pedram
Laura
Mum and Dad
Because there were five of us, we ordered a maxi taxi, which turned out to be rather battered, so we pretended it was a stretch limo. At a pinch, I could imagine that the back of the seat in front of me was a drinks tray.
When we arrived, Paul was already there, looking very handsome in his new suit, so we took the opportunity for a family photo.
Mum & Dad in the park.
(Can you see why Pat had to have an aqua tie?)
Paul said that wearing a suit was like wearing a portable filing cabinet. Filed away in one of his pockets were the wedding rings.
Paul watching for Julia to arrive. (This is one of my favourite photos.)
Here comes the bride!
We were delighted that Father Bernie, although recently retired, was able to marry Paul and Julia. Our family has known him for the last 20 years, while he was Parish Priest at Bracken Ridge, and Julia’s family knew him before that, when he was Parish Priest at Wooloowin.
Father Bernie joined their hands.
Sitting for the readings.
Anna read the first reading. (It was a bit windy.)
Father Bernie reading the Gospel.
The vows
Father Bernie blessing the rings.
With this ring……
….let's make sure we get the right finger.
Paul’s ring.
You may kiss the bride….
….and give her a hug.
Husband and wife at last.
Yes, it’s really true.
Signing the register.
Julia’s friend Jenny and Paul’s friend Man had both come from London for the wedding.
Signing the register.
Father Bernie gives Paul and Julia their Certificate of Marriage.
What a wonderful day!
Paul and Julia have been going out since Julia was in Year 12 at school, and Paul finally proposed on Julia’s 31st birthday, last March, nearly 14 years later. Then followed a very happy and busy six months, planning the big day.
We were delighted that Laura was able to come from San Francisco, and that Anna and Pedram could come from Sydney, so our whole family could be together for this happy day. Unfortunately, Arend wasn’t able to come from San Francisco – his current visa would let him out of USA, but not back in.
Anna and Laura both had some interesting dress issues for the wedding. Laura had bought a very stylish one-shoulder dress – which turned out to be exactly the unusual colour that Julia had chosen for her wedding dress. Julia said she didn’t mind, but Laura said she wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing the same colour as the bride, which resulted in an intense day’s shopping and another dress.
Laura’s first dress (from the catalogue).
Anna had bought her beautiful red dress in plenty of time for the wedding. The night before, while she and Pedram were out, I was ironing it for her, going well, when suddenly the iron melted a big hole in the middle of the back, making it quite unwearable. The sight of the ironing board cover showing through the fabric of the dress is an image which will haunt me for many years to come!
Early the next morning (the day of the wedding) I took the dress round to my wonderful sister. She brought in reinforcements from next door – 82 year old Val who used to be a bridal dressmaker. Bob just happened to have some red material the same colour as the dress – would you believe it. Together we worked out that a red patch could be sewn under the hole like a partial lining, attached at the neckline and centre back opening, with a similar patch on the other side of the opening so the dress would hang evenly. Val offered to do it, and I most gratefully accepted. Val also had some clever iron-on dressmaker’s glue, which attached the edges of the shredded bits of dress to the lining so they didn’t flap about. By lunch time the dress was as good as new! I was very thankful that I had decided to iron the dress the night before (even though pretty exhausted after a major all-day choir festival) rather than on the day.
“Invisible mending” – the back of the dress looks as good as new.
So after that bit of excitement, we all put on our finery and set off.
Anna and Pedram
Laura
Mum and Dad
Because there were five of us, we ordered a maxi taxi, which turned out to be rather battered, so we pretended it was a stretch limo. At a pinch, I could imagine that the back of the seat in front of me was a drinks tray.
When we arrived, Paul was already there, looking very handsome in his new suit, so we took the opportunity for a family photo.
Mum & Dad in the park.
(Can you see why Pat had to have an aqua tie?)
Paul said that wearing a suit was like wearing a portable filing cabinet. Filed away in one of his pockets were the wedding rings.
Paul watching for Julia to arrive. (This is one of my favourite photos.)
Here comes the bride!
We were delighted that Father Bernie, although recently retired, was able to marry Paul and Julia. Our family has known him for the last 20 years, while he was Parish Priest at Bracken Ridge, and Julia’s family knew him before that, when he was Parish Priest at Wooloowin.
Father Bernie joined their hands.
Sitting for the readings.
Anna read the first reading. (It was a bit windy.)
Father Bernie reading the Gospel.
The vows
Father Bernie blessing the rings.
With this ring……
….let's make sure we get the right finger.
Paul’s ring.
You may kiss the bride….
….and give her a hug.
Husband and wife at last.
Yes, it’s really true.
Signing the register.
Julia’s friend Jenny and Paul’s friend Man had both come from London for the wedding.
Signing the register.
Father Bernie gives Paul and Julia their Certificate of Marriage.
What a wonderful day!
Wonderful photos Jan (and Helen). Paul and Julia look so, so happy. I wish them many years of love and happiness!
ReplyDeleteSandra