Well, all the build up to the wedding, I guess we better say something about it.
Sounds funny but, ours was the BEST wedding I’ve ever been to!
My bridesmaids (Ains, Katie, Jess, Kaylea and Kiarra) slept over the night before and we watched ‘27 Dresses’. Partway through the movie there was a disturbance outside. When we looked out the door and there was a very familiar Suzuki Vitara full of boys hooning down our street…gee I wonder who that was?
We tried to go to bed early - was probably 11 o’clock. We were meant to get up at like 7am the morning of the wedding but we all slept in ’til about 8am. We woke up when Simone, my beauty therapist, arrived. She allowed us to have some breakfast and then began on the make-up. Jenna, my cousin and hair stylist, arrived not long after and she started doing the girls’ hair. Mum was not excluded from all the pampering. She had her own personal make-up artist and hair stylist in one - Aunty Vallie, her sister.
Aunty Jean also popped in for a sticky beak. (Thank you for cutting up all that fruit and sandwiches for us!) My uncles, the drivers, also popped in to wash their cars - with Dad’s tank water. Aunty Leigh, our photographer, arrived and took many photos of us getting ready. And Belinda, our florist, dropped in with the bouquests and corsages. It’s crazy to think just how many people were at our house that morning!
After many photos, and so much going on, Aunty Leigh left to take some pics of the boys. We were like, ‘what do we do now?’ It was the lull bef0re the storm. Then we went to the church. I was starting to get excited. I had to keep reminding myself that it was real, I was driving to the church to get married!
When we were waiting in the foyer, lined up ready for the music to start, Dad kept asking me questions. “Are you excited? Not long now…” I was kind of ignoring him and just saying, “Kind of. Yeah. Mmm.” and then he said, “Talk to me I’m getting nervous!” So I gave him a hug and a big smile.
Then the music started, the girls timed their entrances beautifully - and then it was my turn. We walked to our position in the middle of the back of the church and waited for our cue. I could see Josh at the front of the church. He had the biggest grin on his face that I’ve ever seen! I couldn’t help but beam back at him. Dad and I walked down the aisle and I was looking mainly at Josh, being careful not to trip. A quick kiss from Dad and I was passed on to Josh. “You look beautiful,” he whispered. That made my day! Then, when we were on stage, I looked at the groomsmen and was surprised to see Gareth, the best man, with tears in his eyes! He gave me a sheepish smile and I said to Josh, “Gareth’s crying.” He just laughed.
Pastor Daryl spoke well and the music was beautiful. Everyone had their part to play and it all ran smoothly. We said our vows, and ‘I do,’ and signed the register. Jacquie and Dan performed the ‘The Wedding Song’ perfectly for us while we signed. And that was it. We were married!!! I was Mrs. Rachelle Barrie.
We had afternoon tea then and got to catch up with lots of people. I couldn’t believe how many people were there. It was awesome! So many hugs and kisses and ‘congratulations.’ It was really heartwarming.
We spent the afternoon at the bay with our bridal party, drivers and photographer. Laughing, talking, posing, eating and enjoying each other’s company.
The reception was at Shangri-La Gardens at Wynnum. The room was set up beautifully. We had a wonderful night with 130 of our very closest friends and family. The food was fantastic, the speeches were funny and the dancing was fabulous. I feel like I didn’t get to thank everyone who was there. So, thank you.
Thank you to Uncle Michael, our MC for the night with his ‘powerpoint’ presentation, quiz and stories of our first meeting and first date. (Thank you also for sharing your wedding anniversary with us.) Thanks to Uncle Tony who said grace and Gary Epps who prayed at the end, you both mean a lot to us. Thanks to our Dad’s who made speeches and spoke very well, with not too many embarrassing stories. Thank you to Jess for reading her lovely poem about love and marriage written by ‘anonymous.’ Thank you to Gareth who won the hearts of the ladies with stories of his antics with Josh in high school. Thanks to Zac for his humorous and humbling speech about the real Josh and Rachelle.
Thanks also must go to those people who lovingly decorated my car! Streamers, flour, balloons it was all there! Thank you so much for that lovely end to a lovely night. (By the way, we know where you live and have photographic proof of who you are!)
Thank you to Trish and Kaylea for making our wedding cake. Thank you to Mum for being my wedding planner and organising everything with me. Thank you to my family and to Josh for putting up with me while I stressed on the little things. We got there in the end and it was perfect. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Also, to Josh, I love you babe. Thanks for marrying me and making the day all worthwhile. I love you.
