The day's celebrations began with a tea ceremony at the Bride's home. The Groom turned up with his Groomsmen and a dozen of friends in tow with 'offerings' for the Bride's family, including a roast pig!
The Bridesmaids' job was to not let the Groom and his Groomsmen pass so easily, so little tasks were set to ensure the Groom was 'worthy' of the Bride. The Groom and his Groomsmen were asked to sing before they could enter and they chose Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. We could tell Jason (David's older brother) was well-versed in nursery rhymes as he even did twinky hand gestures (Must be good practice with the kids).
Ceremonies for Mel and David to serve tea to the elders of the Bride's family began precisely at 9am. Aunty Kew summoned elders and Aunty June helped the Bridesmaids work the tea cup rotation.
After professional photos, it was off to the Groom's home to do it all again.
Lunchtime was nearing and Mrs Lu (David's Mum) had prepared a delicious feast for the guests before it was time to change Mel into her wedding gown and get to Garrison Church at The Rocks.
The dress design is one of Mel's own creations, It was made as a gift from the fashion house she currently works for called Bebe/Grace & Hart Sydney. Mel also designed the Bridesmaids' dresses (and Bebe/Grace & Hart Sydney made them based on measurements emailed from Paris and London!).
Nice work Mel, considering working full-time and planning a wedding sans international Bridesmaids. Finally, she also designed (and Bebe/Grace & Hart Sydney made) the Mother-of-the-Bride dress.
At precisely 1pm, the Bridesmaids led the way down to the alter to the traditional Wedding March. The Father-of-the-Bride and the highly anticipated Bride followed.
At the alter, the ceremonies began, led by Reverend Howard Barnett. Hymns were sung, readings were read by Aunty June, rings were exchanged (and sealed with a kiss), certificates signed and lots of congratulations occurred out the front of the Church under the Sydney sun.
The congregation and Bridal party made their way up to Observatory Hill, the grassy knoll overlooking the Church, The Rocks, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Harbour. Lots of congratulations and catching up continued.
And lots and lots of photos including some neat photos of the identical shoes worn by the Bridesmaids and Jess! We should credit here Mel's choice on the identical shoes (which also fit perfectly!) while the bridesmaids were still overseas.
As the congreation headed off for the afternoon, the Bridal party hit Sydney city for the photo shoot. We should mention this was not without having a break for food including much coveted Twisties by the bridesmaids which cannot be found in Europe.
Our first stop for the shoot was Hyde Park. Will and Christina kindly chauffeured the Bridesmaids, and Albert was the driver for the Bridal car for the day. At Hyde Park, the photographers and professional video guy set up under the canopy of fig trees which line the park's central pathway.
Using the available sunlight and shadow-creating trees, the photographers put their magic to work.
Later on, the Bridal party were met by Mel and David's friend Amy, who also got married earlier that day. She had her own Bridal party and photographers with her, and we did some shots together.
The second and final stop for the day was Martin Place, for its modern city setting. Martin Place's towering historic buildings and expansive paved pedestrian precinct provided a backdrop for some other great shots including this tongue-in-cheek shot of Mel and the Bridesmaids in front of a fashion store window. Mel could have easily passed as one of the mannequins.
The schedule was spot on and we made it to the Marigold for the reception in the early evening to prepare for the night.
The night kicked off with a welcome from Sam, the bi-lingual MC. Up first, in the events and entertainment for the night, was the Bride and Groom's first dance. Mel and David showed us their waltzing moves on the dance floor, later joined by the Bridal party and parents.
The first dishes of the (10-course) Banquet meal were served, which were to begin a night of delicious dishes including (huge) lobster, sharks fin soup, steamed fish, abalone and lucky long-life noodles just to name a few!
Mel and David's good friend, Demetra, treated us to some live vocals to songs chosen and dedicated to Mel by David. David accompanied Demetra on stage on the guitar.
Next up were speeches. Father-of-the-Bride, Father-of-the-Groom, Brother-of-the-Groom and Best-friend-of-the-Bride gave short and sweet speeches, stories and reminders of Mel and David. Father-of-the-Bride did a super-sized toast to the couple, up-sized later in the evening by Grandfather-of-the-Bride.
Mel and David completed the speeches with some words of their own and the cutting of their wedding cake.
A short interval saw Sam's band play while more food was served. A small surprise activity was in store for Mel, as announced by Sam. Mel was blindfolded and a small group of David's friends came to the stage to help assist in a little game resembling the description of 'Bride-needs-to-guess-the-Groom's-butt.'
Mel did very well, commenting among others, "Too small" and "Wrong fabric." She couldn't even be foiled by the exchange of jackets by David and his friends.
It was now time for the girls to take action in the throwing of the Bridal bouquet.
Followed shortly after by the throwing of the Bride's garter (after David's efforts to get it with his teeth and hands tied behind his back).
This completed the repertoire of entertainment for the night. The final dishes were served, dancing took place and more photos continued till the end of the evening.
The post-reception party was held at the nearby club Equilibrium and the Bride and Groom retired to the Sydney Harbour Marriott after a truly magnificent and magical day.
