West Aussie Wedding

My Sister

It's her birthday today!

Happy birthday FJ!!

Even though it's her birthday, she is catching a plane from Melbourne to Perth just so that she can come to my Hens Party tomorrow.. And be around for the lead up to the wedding..  Even though she works as a contractor and doesn't get holiday pay so having a week off wasn't the easy option. But she's doing it anyway. Means SO MUCH to me.

Love You little girl.

 

 

Tonight Mum, Dad, FJ and I are going to have a birthday dinner together to celebrate her being home on this special day.

Hurry up hometime!!

Gilberts Wines

There are Wine-Makers on the Mr. side of the family! Yes thats right not just drinkers, makers

My future Mother-in-laws family. They have a vineyard and winery in Mount Barker, Gilberts Wines, where we considered having our wedding but didn't because Mount Barker is just a little bit far.

But we thought it would be a really nice touch to serve their wines at our wedding.

They have lots of experience with weddings and are helping us work out the best crowd pleasing combinations to serve at the wedding. Yay for family!

For more information Gilbert Wines
  

name changing

image from neatocoolville's flickr

I've always intended to change my surname when I got married, but the reality of actually being called something different has only just started to dawn on me.

That my actual name was going to change. Like, be different from what it has always been. Since I was like, born.

As much as I love the idea of having the same name as my husband and future children, I feel a little sad that I will no longer have the same name as my wonderful parents and beloved sister.

I've always felt my current surname is a bit serious and manly sounding. But my new name will sound quite posh and I'm not sure what is better..

And it will mean a new signature. I only just got the knack of making my current one look the same every time.

I will be moving to the front of the alphabet after twenty eight years at the end. I've liked being at the back it buys you time during roll call.

I asked the Mr. if he would change his surname. He said no.

I said what if we both change our name into a brand new hybrid surname.

Which is funny because this would make us the Wilbots. We could have a robot themed wedding! (incase you were wondering what that robot photo had to do with anything) He said no again

He said of course I shouldn't change mine if I don't really want to.

But I do really want to. 

However that doesn't mean I won't feel sad to say goodbye to the old name. 

(And isn't it good to have the choice).

the little tackers

The decision whether or not to invite kids to the wedding turned out to be a toughie

image via Cores do Aquario

I didn't really want to invite kids to our wedding. I like adult parties.

The Mr, on the other hand was all for it. He really likes kids. He couldnt really understand why you wouldn't invite them.

Because they are noisy, because they are demanding, because they distract their parents from the partying at hand, I told him.

So what? he said.

Then over the last 6 months a significant number of my friends/family members fell pregnant. It's spreading.

I have done the sums and there will be quite a few newborns by the time the wedding rolls around.. I wouldn't expect anyone to leave a small baby at home, and it felt a bit mean deciding yes that kid can come but no that kid can't.. then there is the issue of people travelling from interstate and OS how would they get a sitter anyway.?. so I have given in, what the hell, if we are having a few we might as well have them all.

So the kids will be welcome, but I'm secretly hoping that most people opt to have a night off and leave the little tackers at home. And if not I hope they are on their best behaviour!

Mum and Dads wedding

I just got off the phone to Mum who told me today is their 31st wedding anniverary. Go Mum and Dad!

This encouraged me to scan some of their old photos which I've been meaning to do a while anyway...

They got married in 1978, at Caversham House.. (but this was before it was a big shiny reception centre)

They didnt have a professional photographer so the pictures aren't that crash hot but its enough to give you the jist.. 

Here is Mum with her Mum and Sister who was one of her bridesmaids.

   

And here Mum and Dad, with the groomsmen. Nice one Dad!

 

Mwah! And here is a closer view of Mums Wedding Hat! Which had flowers both underneath and on the top

 

These photos are so funny.. but the funniest thing of all was their honeymoon destination.. Hutt River Province, which is Australias oldest micronation.  

For a closer look at Mums dress see the pictures of me being a poser

Country Cookfest

I got a call from my Future Mother InLaw the other night.. she has offered, along with his Aunty and Sister-in-Law to make the desserts for our wedding.. At first I said thanks but no thanks because I didint want anyone to be put to work or have to stress on the day..

But she said that was nonsense,  most of the preparation could be done a day or so beforehand, that they have cooked for large numbers before and it would taste heaps better than stuff done by a catering company, and would probably end up costing less than a cake.. It became apparent that she really really wanted to it..

So I've said agreed.. and I think its pretty cool.. they are each masters of good wholesome country cooking.. and I love the idea of a dessert buffet, where people can pick and chose from a selection of beautifully displayed goodies.. There is something really nice about the idea of cakes, slices and biscuits, all homemade by the Misters family! And the nicest part is I can tell that she is really excited and looking forward to doing it all, she keeps calling me up with different ideas and stuff. 

 I think all the desserts with be very sweet indeed.

Sort of a little bit like this 

image from Style Me Pretty

Me Wearing Mums Dress

Just for fun. I have dug it out. I have tried it on. Here it is.  

        

She had it made in a shop in Subiaco in 1975.. It cost about $500 which was a lot back then. She wore it with a wide brim hat... very 70's! 

I wish she'd gone for something a little more timeless as I LOVE the concept of wearing her dress, especially as her and Dad have a really happy marriage.. however this isnt the dress for me..

The rest of the pictures are here 

 

Engagement Party

We held it in my parents backyard, as its a beautiful space, with limestone walls, large private courtyard, big back room with french doors opening into the lush garden..  

We got a couple of kegs, some cases of wine, made some killer punch and cranked the bbq and had a very laid back backyard party with 100 or so of our friends and family.

It was so much fun, from beinning to end.

Planning was so effortless..We made some funny invitations , the Mr's parents supplied some fresh meat from their farm, we bought some gourmet sausages at a discount from local butcher. I made the punch from a great recipe given to me by my friend, my Mum made some delicious salads, My Aunty was in charge of the dips and nibblies and Dad did a great job setting up lights in the back yard. 

We got the alcohol at a discount through the pub where the Mr's Sister works. We have had fun making a playlist on our i-pod, and the Mr.'s mate bought round his decks for later on..

It was a roaring success, everyone let their hair down, we have had so many compliments on the food, the alcohol flowed all night, everyone loved the music, we are still getting calls from people thanking us for such a good time.  We are so stoked that everyone had a great time and think it was a good warm up for the wedding! 

I've been thinking about what made it such a joy to plan...

We held it somewhere easy.

People were happy to help and we were happy to let them.

We invited whoever we want.

We kept food and drink simple yet filling.

We werent too precious about any of the details.

We stuck to our budget.

We had fun doing lots of the fun stuff together.. music, invites etc

Ahhh I hope that planning the wedding can continue like this.....

Words Of Wisdom

Ariel from Offbeat Bride  posted a few months ago about a simple wedding which was planned in haste due to a terminal illness in the family. In it she says:- 

"..in many ways wedding planning will expand to fill as much time and/or money as you want to throw at it. If you have two weeks to prepare, you strip it down to the most important things and the result is deeply meaningful"

This is so true. Sometimes it does seem that the simple act of getting married becomes lost in a sea of incidentals. I recommed reading the full post here and reminding ourselves that calla lillies, personalised monograms, vera wang and 3 course meals do not a wedding make.

my best friends wedding

One of my closest friends is getting married soon...

Her Mum was really sick with secondary breast cancer two years ago. But after a long hard battle is now in remission.

So when Joansie got engaged she felt so thankful for the simple fact her Mum would be at her wedding.

Joansie is a pretty laid back soul and would have been comfortable with a very low key informal wedding.

Her Mum on the other hand has probably been dreaming of a formal affair for her daughters wedding since they were born..

There are a few aspects of the wedding where Joansie has compromised to keep her Mum happy.

Instead of getting married on a beach they are doing in at a winery.

Instead of having barefeet she is going to wear shoes.

Instead of a bbq they are having a sit down meal.

Her Mum thrives on minor details, whereas Joansie does not, so she has let her mum be in charge of centrepeices, flowers and favours.

Relenting to our relatives is something that most modern brides resist..

But I think in this case her compromises are BEAUTIFUL.

Art by Victoria Kelsey

Image from Art Works Gallery 

Daffodil Day- Canncer Council Australias largest fundraising event