Wedding!
Categories: friends
Date: 28 February 2009 04:41:18
Truly a most wonderful wedding yesterday: the wedding of dear and beloved friends Annette and Max. I have only known Annette and Max since the late 90s, but I do count them as two of my nearest and dearest friends: and there are few greater joys than seeing two beloved friends marry and start a new life together, and it was truly a most wondrous blessing and joy to witness this yesterday. Photos here from the day.
God grant them many, many years!
The wedding was held at St Peter's Anglican Church, Cremorne, a beautiful brick church which is celebrating its centenary this year. The bride was on time, right on time: but we had to wait for the organist who was delayed! Once Annette set down the aisle, something typically Annette happened -- her train got caught on something so she could not move! Friends rushed to her aid, and as he was released she walked down the aisle arm-in-arm with her dad, laughing and smiling at it all. She looked, as always, exceptionally beautiful, as did the bridesmaids and the mothers; and Max, with his groomsmen and the parents looked very dapper. The service was relaxed and very moving: particularly when the vows were made and rings exchanged -- but also with the prayers for the couple. Some very, very beautiful and heartfelt prayers.
The reception was held at L'Aqua at Darling Harbour. As I was to me MC, I needed to get there a bit early, so my friend Grace [who looked absolutely stunning!] and I headed there and enjoyed an iced chocolate at the Lindt Chocolat Café: mmmmm. It was then time for me to head up and meet the DJ and event co-ordinator, and I also had a bit of a change of wardrobe too.
MCing: well, while I was honoured to be ask I will confess to very anxious feelings, particularly as the time drew nearer. A friend, now a minister, prayed for me beforehand which was comforting, and then it was time. I was told I did well: it did seem to go alright and I got a few laughs here and there. And an unexpected collective intake-of-breath when, on my way to hand the microphone to Annette's father for his speech, I hit a bit of liquid on the dance floor and fell forward on to my hands and knees. I did manage to hold my champange flute aloft though -- as long as the alcohol is safe all is fine! As I said, people, even strangers, came up afterwards and said 'Well done' so I am thankful I could contribute to the generally smooth running, bar the occasional fall!, of my dear friends' wedding reception.
And what a reception it was. The setting was simply superb and I doubt you could have got better: the perfect size, a great view over Darling Harbour, and the most wonderful and helpful staff. The food, a three-course meal, was absolutely scumptious. The DJ did a great job with the songs. The dancing took a little while to start, but once it did everyone was on the floor. And it truly was a most special and blessed evening. I enjoyed catching up with people from my former church, Cabramatta Anglican -- some whom I had not seen for 5+ years: kids have grown, jobs have changed...but they are still the wonderful people I remember. And it was a great joy to meet so many new people: as Max and Annette currently live in London a large number of their friends from London came over [any excuse for a holiday! :)] -- and they were all some of the most friendly, down-to-earth and simply wonderful people you could hope to meet. I also met a number of Annette's relatives from Malaysia [who put on the most wonderful feast at Annette's parents' place you could ever hope to have!] and also Max's cousin from Melbourne whom Grace and I picked up from the airport earlier that day: he is a musician by trade and it was amazing to hear of his job and his passion -- and he was an all-round great guy as well. Annette and Max are dearly loved friends and people, and it definitely shows by the number of people who came such long distances for their wedding.
Highlights of the reception? Three that I can think of that stood apart from all else. The Best Man's speech -- I have heard it all from the crass and sordid tales to in-jokes that no-one gets. Dilshan truly gave the best Best Man speech I have ever heard -- he was funny, he gave great [clean] stories and he just has a presence that captures your attention. We spoke throughout the day where he confessed his nerves as I confessed mine, but they were not on display then. It was perfect. The second: Max's speech. It ranged from tear-enducing laughter to tear-flowing emotion: a most heart-felt and warm speech, particularly to his parents and to Annette, and I think a speech all of us will remember for a very long time due to its sincerity and heart-felt emotion. The speeches by the fathers were also very, very well done and entertaining. The final highlight was Annette and Max's first dance. Not for them a waltz. No. Selections from songs ranging from Mamma Mia to Jump! Jump! to YMCA to The Macarena to Can't Get You Out of My Head to many, many more, were played, and for each they re-enacted the music video on the dance floor. It was wonderfully hilarious -- and so wonderfully Max and Annette. A great First Dance and one that will definitely be remembered: I can only hope the video goes up on YouTube soon.
It was a joy and blessing to be there for their wedding, and it was an honour and privilege to play a small part in helping the evening along as MC. Many, many years to Annette and Max!