18 SLEEPS!

It's getting even more real every day now! We're starting to see people for the last time until we meet again in Port Douglas - or until we come back married! When I was chatting with Deborah about all the little things that are stressing me out that I still have to do she assured me that I'm so organised and it will be very difficult to forget anything! Everyone we speak to is so excited - they can't wait!

I've updated our calendar of activities and to do lists and we really got packing last night. It's our second last dance lesson tonight but our practice has started to pay off and we're more comfortable with the entrance now - I actually know when to start moving which is going to help a lot!

We've finished all our ordering now and I'm waiting impatiently every afternoon to find out if any parcels have arrived. It sounds like Trav has the honeymoon all organised, that was the best idea letting him plot and plan and keep it as a complete surprise, what a lead up to my 30th birthday!

Another wedding nightmare

Geeze I really thought this one was real.

I was looking through a few pictures that our photographer took of the day to find that they were boring, were missing people and basically just had us standing in the one spot with different guests, staring straight at the camera. No! I only get to do this once! Don't tell me that this is what we got from that whole day! What about the ceremony?

Suddenly we were back at the reception, this wasn't Lure - it was a beautiful old ruined building in a wild garden and forest - but the dancefloor wasn't on the deck. There wasn't a deck! Why oh why didn't we pop in the day before just to make sure everything was as planned?

Everyone was dancing in a little room off to the side and some guests were dancing in a swimming pool. There were guests there who can't make it to our wedding and everyone was having a great time except me - trying to work out where the hell we actually were!

Then Trav was making his speech and admitted that he was *%*^ing drunk to which I cried "YOU PROMISED!" and let everyone know how strung out I was. Truth is I'm not even worried about him on the night.

Well only 18 more sleeps of wedding dreams, surely the dreams stop after you're married? Right?

Pep Talk

OK. I think I'm starting to lose it slightly. I was hesitant about offering the bus transfers since the charter company told us we'd have to collect payment ourselves and that meant a lot of extra time and effort (that we just don't have right now) to make it work. Nevertheless, we'd offered this to our guests so the information went out last night. I felt better once this was done - we were clear about what information we needed and by when. If we don't get enough solid info by next Wednesday at least we'll be able to say we tried but it's not going to happen.

Some replies have started coming in that don't make any sense; they're missing the exact info we requested, so they haven't read our email properly - help us help you people! And that was just the first 4 responses. At least 3 more people replied saying that they had organised their own transport - BONUS!

I vented to Belinda today about this, and how we really need to work on our dance and how stressed I'm getting now, hoping that if I get everything under control now, I can relax later.

'Guess what' she said. 'Stuff will still happen even on the day'. She reminded me to remember which things really aren't that serious because it really doesn't matter. She said looking back at some of her photos on the day she can see how angry she was and how grumpy she was with her new husband.

But really, let's step back. We've put an offer out to try and help our guests save a few dollars - if it doesn't work then too bad but at least we've tried to make things a bit easier for them.

We're going up to get married in Port Douglas, our most favourite place in the whole world and we've convinced 65 friends and family to join us. Everyone is already in party mode and they all just want to have a good time. They won't care less about all these little things and neither should I - as Catherine has reminded me more than once - 'as long as I've got my dress, and probably Travis everything will be fine'

The Bridal Dance

Last night we went to a special Bridal Couples evening at Arthur Murray. Francesca taught us a couple of ways to walk on to the floor (much less complicated than our own entrance) and how not to count while dancing. what to do when we stuff up, and how to walk off the dance floor. There were about 9 couples there and it was a really fun night. We got to see a couple who have had 15 lessons (and their wedding isn't until August!) perform their very sensual Rumba routine and another couple who have added a bit of hip hop to their routine (and they're not getting married until November!) We did a bit of social dancing at the end and when everyone left Trav and I practiced our dance a couple of times, I'm getting the hang of the entrance and we've sorted out the swivel bit and the last turns. I'm starting to freak out that we only have 2 lessons left - and we wouldn't even have time to book another one in unless we did it on the Saturday before we go!

It's starting to come together now

Our (OK Trav's) last minute place card has been a huge success. I got everything printed last night and it all looks fabulous (the lady at Officeworks was probably even more excited than I was!) The print on Trav's beer bottles is raised and the lacework and names on my champagne bottles look embossed. I'm thrilled!

We cut out one of each last night and Trav proudly stuck his straight into a stubby holder - perfect!

I'm just waiting for my fairy floss sticks so I can stand them in the gift boxes, we'll get these all cut out and assembled over the next week - hopefully with the help of some good mates of mine... (nudge nudge wink wink)

We've also got the bus charter information so we'll be sending it out to all our guests this evening, hopefully they'll appreciate that we have to facilitate this ourselves and will help by sticking to the deadlines, I really want it to be as swift as possible.

I've also decided to feature a Port Douglas icon on FaceBook each day until we leave - a nice teaser for our guests!

Counting the sleeps...

I started packing last night! Well, when I say packing I mean hunting for all wedding related items and throwing them on the bed in the guest room along with the suitcases.

Our place cards are ready to be printed tonight and the sticks should be on their way. Tamra's volunteered for a mini wedding bee session and just Wait til you see the finished products - I just love playing around with graphic design! It's a shame that I only really know Publisher but boy do I know it well!

I've created a Guest Locations map to help us drop the welcome postcards off and have spoken to the two resorts that we'll be posting to.

Still waiting for Coral Seas and Lure..... waiting waiting waiting. I won't have a chance to call them tonight but if I don't hear from them tomorrow then look out! I just don't want to leave the bus transfers until the last week, would rather set it up and let the bookings begin.

Last night I flicked through my original mood book - all the pictures and words that inspired me to create our ideal wedding. We've really stuck to the original mood we wanted to create and I got a little tingle when I flipped over to some Port Douglas wedding stories. I think I'll add a few more images I loved and some mementos from the Bridal Shower and Hens Party.

The well-wishes and last pieces of advice are coming faster now,

'The big day is fast approaching – remember to enjoy the moment,  it’s so special + lovely.!'

Tina

'remember to take a moment to step back and just watch it and caputure the moment in your head as it goes so quickly.'

Melinda

Just another day in paradise...

Have a look at the beautiful blue sky up in Port today!

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Last night was our third last dance lesson and we learned our beginning! The lesson went so quickly and we've got lots of practicing to do. On Thursday we're attending a Bridal Couples only class where we can learn about what to do if we stuff up, and how to enter and exit the floor. We'll take any extra help we can get!

After speaking to Sim about my dress (and sending through some pics) she said it'd be best to carry the train in my left hand otherwise I'll hang myself with my underarm turns. To my relief she taught us a very modest dip where my foot doesn't even leave the floor. Phew!

Tamra's dress arrived safely yesterday which was also a big relief - she'll be looking forward to trying it on tonight!

I had a quick peek at our massive to-do list and was pleasantly surprised that we're pretty under control.We've got most of our thank you gifts sorted and Trav came up with a great idea for the boys!

We've got a good start on the seating chart and Trav also suggested a brilliant place card idea. Now if only Lure would get back to us and things would start arriving in the post!

The next major thing to tackle is the bus charters, I'm seriously starting to regret this one but we just wanted to help our guests as much as possible. Hopefully Coral Sea Villas will be in touch soon with their provider and we can ask our guests to contact them directly. We've got most of their times recorded and could fill a couple of mini buses if everyone was interested... the sooner we get this started the better. And don't even talk to me about return trips!

Weather Update - 4 weeks to go

Dress Rehearsal

It was all about the dress again this weekend. I woke early (before 7am) at Mum's place on Saturday morning to the sound of cats fighting on the deck. I raced out to check that Rossi wasn't out there and couldn't find any cats but upstairs I saw the beginnings of the most beautiful sunrise that I decided to grab a cup of tea and blanket and watch it. It took a good 10 minutes for me to realise that I should be watching Sunrise the program to catch snippets of St Mary's by the Sea in Port Douglas during the weather updates. They were filming there because Carnivale was on.

Soon Mum was up and we spent the morning chatting and deciding on the vases to use for the sand ceremony. We had all morning but managed to tip over a bowl of cereal and forget my hair extensions when I left for the hairdresser!

We tried out two styles and the clip-in extensions were seamless, they were such a good pick!

In the first style Kimberley used some small plaits to give my hair body around the side, and twisted it over to one side. I loved the effect of the 'swoop' from the top of my head and also might invest in a couple of small crystal pins.

Because we had to take it all out again she didn't put too much product in so it will need more oomf on the day to keep it looking good (as Louise pointed out - all those hugs can take their toll!) I also hope my fringe will be longer by then and am not sure about having hair down at the front, it will have to be trimmed to suit on the day.

The next style was in the centre, and although pretty, we both liked the first one better! We looked at the clock and 2 hours had gone in a flash!

I came home and enjoyed a chicken and champagne lunch with Mum before stepping into my beautiful gown and putting on my jewellery and shoes. I was standing over the warm floor vent and we took some pics of my Marilyn Munroe moment!

Louise and Bronny arrived soon after and the swooning began, Mum had set up some mirrors and I practiced a few steps - when bustled the dress still seemed a bit low when I stepped backwards so I slipped the loop over my left hand. It didn't really hold up the lacy side enough so I tried the right hand - bingo! This might just work. I tried a few dips with leg lifts but this was a no go for modesty reasons! Will have to practice leg-down-dips. I also tried turning with my right arm and wondered whether I'd get tangled in the train. I'll have to ask Sim about this.

Louise suggested getting slightly higher shoes to give more clearance around my feet and I've also since thought of hooking the train on one or two buttons higher. I'll have to try all these things next time!

I even managed a couple of glasses of sparkling without spilling a drop and mastered 'sitting gracefully' too.

I really enjoyed chatting with Louise about everything we're planning to do - Daniel is having his birthday drinks in Port Douglas on the Wednesday night! 

When Kimberley arrived she put my veil in and mum kept clicking away on the camera. Bronny carried my train as I descended the stairs - as my honorary bridesmaid, it was such a fun afternoon!

I did it my way

Case in Point #1

Us: Hi Mums, here's a picture of what our cake will look like, but in different colours, isn't it beautiful?

Mums: Question. Will you be having a smaller cake on top to keep for your first anniversary of the Christening of your first child? It's usually fruitcake.

Us: No

Case in Point #2

Mums: So have you thought about what transport you're having on the day?

Us: No. It's just down the street, we're walking.

Case in Point #3

Mums: Well we need the ribbons on the flowers on the pews in the chapel to match the bridesmaids dresses.

Us: No, we're not having flowers on the pews, we're having paper lanterns.

Mums: Oh. Well you'll have to organise rose petals to be sprinkled down the aisle for you to walk on.

Us: No. Not having them.

Do it your way. They'll get over it.

Hypothetical...

Time flies. I can't believe it was almost 2 years ago when I was invited to a friend's wedding in Port Douglas this June. Now June 2010 is fast approaching and I just can't wait. I've never been that far north before and this is such a brilliant idea - we can escape the Melbourne winter for a few days!

Our friends set up a website with lots of travel info and recommendations and they've been updating us monthly with their plans and any changes - they also told us when there were cheap flights available!

I can't wait to get up there and see all these places they've been going on about, Four Mile beach sounds amazing and I want to see what the fuss is about over at the Iron Bar. When I arrive I'm dropping my stuff off and going straight to the beach.

Their wedding is on the Friday at a little white chapel that has a view of the ocean and I think the reception is in a restaurant right on the marina!

I honestly wouldn't know where to begin organising a wedding from that far away, ours was in Melbourne and it was hard enough. They're not only organising the wedding day, but there's a brunch the following day and they're helping all of us with accommodation and flight queries and even offered to arrange charter buses! They are wedding planners and travel agents all at once! They have been up there once before and I think they even had a couple of days for recon in early 2009 - any excuse will do!

They've really been so helpful with suggestions and information, I'm sure they're looking forward to getting up there and just relaxing, it will be great fun having a holiday so far away with a big bunch of friends, and they must be touched that so many friends and family are traveling that far for their wedding. I know I would be. It must have felt like a big leap of faith when they announced their plans.

I'm glad they're doing it their way, they must be getting so excited now! They've done so much hard work and preparation to try to give everyone the best chance of coming along, I just hope they take it easy when they get up there.

See you in Port!

We've got an idea...

We were having dinner with Kathryn and our folks at the Mona Castle after viewing the Riverview Function Centre (aka Footscray Rowing Club) as a potential venue for our engagement party. 

We casually mentioned that we'd had a bit of a think about what sort of wedding we'd like. Everyone leaned in closer, I looked at Trav - he bounced it straight back to me so I said in a brave voice


"We'd like to get married in Port Douglas"

Trav's Mum looked stunned, my mum was trying to think up something encouraging and diplomatic to say and Trav's dad declared "I think that's a brilliant idea!!!!". So it was settled.

Happy stress

Flashback:

On the evening we picked my dress up, Louisa and the girls at Brides of Melbourne joked 'Aren't I married yet??!' I assured them that I hoped this was my last visit. My dress felt fairly loose under the arms this time and I started to worry that my upcoming detox may not be the best idea. Louisa said if it was going to be a problem I should come over to her house for a big bowl of spaghetti!

She also gave me these very important words of advice - 'When you get to your boarding gate, head straight for a friendly looking married female flight attendant if possible, she's more likely to take extra care with your dress than anyone else!'

The last few nights have been filled with wedding discussions, emails back and forth between suppliers and countless spreadsheets and to-lists. I really don't want to be a wedding planner or travel agent when I get to Port Douglas so I hope that being extra careful (OK pedantic) now will mean I can sign off on Tuesday afternoon. Afterall - it's our holiday too right?

Last night we allocated our seats for the flight up and guess what - we're in row 18! They also noted that I'll be travelling with my wedding dress and cake.

I also picked up some possible vases for the sand ceremony from highpoint, when I was chatting with the sales assistant about how much I still have to do for the wedding she said - 'well it's happy stress isn't it - it's the best kind of stress to have!'. True. Very true.
When am I next going to be able to deliberate over bus transfers, napkins or which colour parasols to have? I want to make a conscious effort to pretend I'm not getting married so I can clearly look at all the things we're planning and really get excited - pretend to be the guest instead of the guest and wedding planner.

When I was talking to Kyle today about our weekend plans (mine being busy with a hair trial, dress try-on, wedding planning with mum and suitcase shopping with Trav) he said - 'well you're busy but at least it's all exciting stuff - it's plans for your wedding and travels'. True again.

All our guests we're speaking to are so excited. Can't wait. Want that holiday. I'm only thinking about everything that needs to be done. I should be more excited than everyone but I don't seem to be letting myself relax yet. Hope this wears off soon.

I just hope the more planned and organised I am now, the more relaxed I'll be later.

PS - I just sent this affirmation to Trav

We’re getting married in Port Douglas next month just like we planned and 63 of our closest friends and family want to come! I’m starting to believe it now!

29 days to go...

Our good friend David came over for a chat last night, recently married he said was pleasantly surprised with the small changes in their life since they married in April. That's nice to hear because there's plenty of people out there who say nothing changes at all.

He also had this to say when we talked about helping our guests with transfers from the airport to Port Douglas,


'They're all grown ups, if they can't organise it themselves don't go around wiping their a#($s for them, make sure you relax and enjoy yourselves before bothering with anyone else, it's supposed to be about you." 

No regrets

You might remember I mentioned my workmate Belinda got married at the end of April. She had all sorts of challenges to face on the day, from hairstyles that just wouldn't stay, to broken flowers, late cars, and one very angry Priest. The only really happy moment Belinda could recall from the day was the speech her sister made, and when they woke up the next morning and it was all over. Finally.

She was a very stressed out, cranky bride to be and nothing could please her for most of the day. Did I mention that it was raining during their wedding photos? And that the groom and groomsmen were wearing the wrong colour boutonniere?

She was angry at her new husband because he had stalled the car and almost cost them their ceremony booking, and at their hotel that night he was too busy in the bathroom to help her out of her dress.

Yesterday she said to me that she wished she'd been kinder to him, and happier on the day. She regrets being so angry and worried about all the details and really thinks she could have been more gracious on her wedding day.

I choose not to have these regrets, it's one event that you can actually rehearse the day before but on the day every moment should be cherished. Take nothing for granted.

Reality Check!

Whoah!

I got my first 'Chillax!' today - uh-oh, does the 1 month mark automatically tip brides into an deep, unavoidable frenzy? (hmm I looked up frenzy for want of a better word and got delirium, lunacy, hysteria, craze and fury - take your pick).

I'm usually the sort of person who doesn't like to think things are too easy - don't want to jinx anything so I tend to err on the side of caution and double and triple checking.

But so that I don't lose my nut over the last crucial weeks, let's have a look at the worst case scenarios (no point worrying about something that hasn't happened yet anyway.

We forget to bring something

Depending on how disastrous this is, we have some options

If the missing item is at our place we'll ask Matt & Kat or Marian & Egan to pick it up(they both have keys)

If it's at mum's we'll ask Marian & Egan to drop in

If no one can pick it up and it's not that disastrous, we'll get over it

If it's quite disastrous, we'll buy, beg, borrow or steal it

Moving right along ...

The weather might be cold

However cold the weather is, it won't feel cold to us hardened Melbournians

Toughen up ...

It rains on the day

We'll get wet

We'll get a lift to the chapel instead of walking

Rain can make wedding photos look really beautiful

Maybe this one will help me to decide on parasols - rice paper ones might not be the right way to go so it could be fabric ones afterall - not that they'd do much in a tropical downpour!

And anyway - don't they say it's good luck for your marriage?

The show will go on and we'll still be married ...

I forget my dress

I won't forget my dress

See? Nothing to worry about! Whatever happens, I'm pretty sure you won't be able to wipe that grin off my face all week long!

Happy 18th! (already??)

Yes, 4 weeks to go and about 100 things still to do!

The weather isn't something I've thought about much in our planning process, I thought we'd be guaranteed a beautiful blue sky just like our two visits up north have been. Alas this week I've started to hear that things are expected to be a bit chillier than normal in QLD this winter. So as anyone would expect I had a mini-melt down and looked up the Elders  28 day rainfall forecast, but that wasn't very helpful as it only goes as far north as Brisbane

The BOM outlook

source

 And of course current conditions in Port Douglas itself...

Finally, a quick check of the trusty webcam at Zinc restaurant confirmed that there's been no rain today!

My make up artist explained that their wet season was a bit later than normal this year so April was a lot wetter than normal, but she said the weather was beautiful and blue where she was standing so not to worry too much - just concentrate on things we can control. A good reminder is that during our last June visit, the locals were wearing ski jackets when we were in shorts and tees; so the meaning of 'cold' is different to everyone. I'm sure I'll be happy with anything warmer than a Melbourne winter, but that won't stop me from including the weekly forecast in here during this last month anyway.

I just saw some beautiful pictures of Lure at night time and I can't wait to be dancing on that very dance floor - and looking out over that very marina!

This Saturday is another big exciting day for me! Mum and I are going to see Kimberley my hairdresser for a hair trial and then back to mum's to try on my beautiful dress - must remember to practice some dance steps, turns and dips with the bustle and the wrist loop - just to ensure that everything will still be left to the imagination on the night!

In the afternoon Mum is going to help me with a few last projects and decisions and then we'll be playing email ping-pong with our suppliers for the next few weeks. Oh - we have to buy a suitcase too!


So just like Matt warned me, 'don't you ever dare to wish your time away'


PS: Can you get addicted to webcam?

Orange Windsor (The After Party)

We met a few more friends (including my cousins Sam and Rachael) at Orange on Chapel Street afterwards and I was given 2 pages of dares to complete - so with a little help from my friends and the good sport Michael I got..

A guy's philosophy on marriage written on a napkin
A single guy's phone number on my arm
A guy bought me a drink
A single guy's business card
A photo with a taxi driver (Excuse the angle)
A photo with a cop
A photo with a guy's chest hair (didn't have the heart to rip it out)
A 50 cent coin from our year of birth
A happy meal toy (must return that to Rachael)
A menu
A pair of guy's jocks (thanks new little sis!)

Some chewing gum

And the prize? Yes! I did all that for a ... you guessed it - a talking vibrator!! Totally worth it - even if just for the photos...

On the way hope we stopped off at a highly acclaimed 24 hour cheescake shop and this is about where my fun ended... no explanation required.

 some of my loot

The Artful Hen

Our parties were nothing like the dream I'd had on Friday night - my hens party was a magic show which was overrun with zombie Pugs that wanted to take a bite out of everyone's shoulder, if they got you then you became a zombie and so on....yeah don't ask me.

I was in the kitchen at Trav's buck's party heating up food to send out to the man cave and everytime he came back inside I asked him if the girls were warm enough.

Weird.

Well that's not how it happened at all. It was 100 times funner!

My evening started with Tamra, Louise and the mum's enjoying some pink champagne at my place - before heading over to .... Pole Divas? No way. This is too easy!

I still had no idea even when we were sitting in the foyer waiting for everyone - it wasn't until our host came out in her 'Artful Hen' apron that I clicked - it couldn't be? Is it? This is what I'd wanted to do! I couldn't believe my luck! A Life Drawing class was just the right compromise between class and nakedness for me - I was over the moon!

Everyone was dressed up in red and black with very appropriate devil horns, so I definitely stood out in my pink tutu inspired dress and very virginal white veil with crooked halo.

Before we began I had the honour of 'removing the towel' from our muse David and then the 11 of us were taken through a series of techniques - from drawing without looking at the paper or removing our graphite from the page, to drawing left handed, progressive drawings (which had some of us running from one end of the room to the other several times!), using axis and finally it was my turn to pose with David (no I didn't undress). Funny - we were up there for five minutes and everyone was concentrating so much on their drawing that they only peeked out from behind their easels now and then - it didn't feel quite as confronting as I'd expected.

We had a short break half way through and David poured us drinks and chatted with everyone and We ended the evening with a photo shoot and some group shots (for these one he wore the apron!).

It really was the best idea ever and everyone who went along had been really looking forward to it! I highly recommend it to all the bridesmaids out there who are looking for the perfect idea for their creative hen!


Next up... onwards to Orange in Chapel Street....

Mad Hatter's Tea Party Album #3

Doesn't Kat's dress have an uncanny resemblance to Amsale's Kennedy gown???

We survived!

I had twice as much energy than normal on Sunday morning - same couldn't be said for Trav but I bounced out of bed and made the girls pikelets for breakfast.

We looked through all the masterpieces that the girls chose for me as well as mum and Louise's photos. I also created my very own art exhibition of those masterpieces up and down our stairwell!

I couldn't get the grin off my face all day and was probably a bit too chatty for Trav's liking. When I saw him at Henry's first birthday party the first things I noticed were his split lip and the massive bruise on his arm - and of course his inability to make more noise than "Ugh" and "Hrmph".

So we took it very easy that evening, replenishing our selves with the finest, fastest fare we could find...

And soaking it all away in a nice warm bath...

I could hardly sleep that night because I kept remembering how much fun we'd had the night before. Thank you girls!!

A picture tells a thousand words...

I'm ready

After a fun shopping trip with Kate I'm ready for whatever tomorrow holds...

source

It's amazing what a dress can do for your confidence!

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Last words of advice

Belinda from work just dropped in to wish me a fantastic hens night and reminded me that

'It's all about the Bridesmaids'

Someone help me...


And my good friend Marissa had this warning just before all the fun started on Saturday evening

'Don't get arrested'


Good one - thanks 'Riss!

The last word goes to my friend Kat...

 

The Great Escape?

We haven't really put any thought into our getaway plan for the end of the reception. I think we'll both be exhausted but won't want to miss out on any of the action so leaving before our guests doesn't sound that appealing.

There are so many clever ways we could do it...

Dog-gone holiday

Our guests have seemed quite shocked when we tell them that Rossi won't be joining us in QLD? Not sure why - I mean I'm sure he'd love the hot humid weather and being chained up all day while we're out and about. Sounds like a great holiday...

Can't you turn me around or something?

Don't talk French, I'm trying to count...

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What's old is new again

I've found so many wonderful ideas that I've wanted to include in our wedding over the last 2 years, and unfortunately I couldn't have them all...

Mad Hatter's Tea Party Album #2

Mum absolutely loved decorating her house...

from the White Rabbit at the front door,

to the Cheshire Cat on the stairs,

and the special throne just for me,

Me and the Queen of Hearts

Mum, Louise, Tamra and Kathryn had been busy

preparing all these delicious treats

The exclusive new season, totally eco-friendly Bridal Fashions

 It's quiz time!

Smack That!