Hands Full of Glitter and Tofu : 2011 Day 43 (Saturday 12 February 2011) - Goats, Metallica, and a Bath in Brighton

Today was the beautiful day that almost didn't happen.


No, I am not suggesting that the Earth's axis started to tilt to an alarming angle, as the sun waxed and waned imperiling the very existence of this day in time and space; it's more thawhat was supposed to happen on this day, and did, in fact, happen on this day almost didn't happen....on this day. Got that? Good.


What I am talking about is the wedding of my beautiful friends, Andrew and Monika, in Melbourne, which almost didn't happen when Monika was knocked off her bike last Monday on her way to work, sustaining a broken leg and various cuts and bruises. While those injuries may halted lesser people in their tracks, Monika was determined to frge in, and very quickly made it clear that the wedding was going to go ahead come what may!


....and so it did. The hospital got her a brand new wheelchair, all bright and sparkly shiny, her mother and one of her best friends got the dress altered so it would sit beautifully in the wheelchair, the speeches and formalities were moved to the start of the reception so they could be out of the way should she tire (she made it to 10.30 which was impressive, and a testament to the amazing woman she is, and the kick ass selection of pain killers she was prescribed...but mostly her determination!), everyone rallied to support her, and what resulted was quite possibly one of the loveliest and most heartfelt weddings I have ever been to.

The guys gather in Andrew and Monika's apartment (plus Andrew's parents)

The groom and I having a drink before we leave for the church

The bride rolling down the aisle

The priest, Per Anders, delivers his homily to an attentive bride and groom

I acted as one of the witnesses for the signing of the marriage register

Jane and I with the very happy couple

Coy behind the invitation

Ellen and I milling after the ceremony in the beautiful Swedish Church, Toorak (some of the Bible readings and a hymn were co-sung in Swedish which has a marvellous lilt to it).

Bride, groom and priest, Per Anders

Bride and Groom with the groom's mum and dad, Harvey & Roslyn

The view from Brighton Baths, where the reception was held

Listening to the Fathers of the bride and groom speeches

Jane and I begin our multi media speech

Witty bon mots and ancedotyes flowed freely

Toasting the bride and groom, or their mothers

Presenting the goat - they loved it!

The Wedding Cupcake Tower..... YUM!!

My co-speech giver Jane and her husband, Jeff dance part of the night away

I had the absolute honour of being Best Man for the day, and along with my very good friend Jane, who's a very close friend of Monika, we witnessed the signing of the register (an amazing honour), and also gave a music-augmented speech at the reception (including the best, and only I dare say, mash up ever of Do Re Mi from Sound of Music, and Enter Sandman by Metallica - Monika loves the Sound of Music, Andrew heavy metal hence the tagline The marriage of Maria and Metallica); and fantastic team work by my gorgeous guy, Jane's husband, Jeff and Ellen who formed a relay to ensure the music was played at the right times, difficult when the music room is hidden at the back of the ) which was equal parts comedy and heartfelt emotion which went over very well. It was wonderful to be given the chance to be part of their special day, and from the time we arrived at Andrew's place, and spent time with him and his family and other friends, to Monika being wheeled down the aisle by her proud dad to the glorious cocktail reception at Brighton Baths with it's stellar views of Port Phillip Bay (and delicious food like mini fish n chips, pork belly and baby hamburgers), the day was as perfect as a wedding can be. Her friends and cousins are a delight (I am talking about you Marnie and Kalle & Annika), both families as lovely as you'd expect them to be given they produced people as delightful as Andrew and Monika, and it was one of the few wedding days where you didn't want it to end. Although by the time we reached the hotel at 12.30 a.m., I was happy to slip off the shoes - standing up for five hours straight is exhausting - and go to sleep straight away....


To Andrew and Monika - you guys are the most down to earth, genuine, kindest, most fun people I know, and I wish you the longest, happiest, most joyful life together! Raise your glasses people!

**************

Leading up to this of course, my gorgeous guy and I raced around Melbourne from early in the morning - exhausting since our flight got in so late and we didn't hit the sheets till 1 a.m. - picking up a wedding present of Villeroy and Boch whiskey tumblers at David Jones - a new belt for my new snazzy Satch suit at MYER (which wore beautifully through the day and was very comfortable; thankfully too the weather was chilled sweating was kept to a blessed minimum) - some brunch in the Block Lane at a great cafe called C and B (killer omelettes and milkshakes! YUM!), buying a baby Metallica Tshirt at a shop called Blasphemy (for the plush goat Jane & I gave the happy couple as a memento of the marriage of Maria and Metallica; the Ebay obtained one never arrived), grabbing wrapping paper, scissors, sticky tape.... much to do and so little time to do it but totally worth it as it made the day really special for Andrew and Monika and gave my gorgeous guy and I time together to talk, laugh and enjoy immersing ourselves in the delightful city of Melbourne.