Five days of Family, fun and food – The Wedding

Thursday began at 4am for Jaxon as it was the Brisket BBQ day,

I joined him for a Mother/Son moment at 6am on the beach to watch the sun rise and then got on with the last minute sewing jobs and ironing to ensure all the wedding ensembles were in order, as there would be no sewing after the mother of the Groom had her nails done! (in five different colours). The wind was dropping and the blue sky was promising a fantastic wedding weekend.

Russell Rose was blooming in the garden, having been watered daily in readiness for the big day.

The BBQ is a full day event and the wedding party started to filter in, in the afternoon to prepare for the big day. So Thursday day evening was a team effort to prepare a feast for 25 people at the Bonnici-Carter Cottage at the beach..

Round one…..followed by round two and three, a few quiet drinks (and not so quiet for Sue who was waiting for the Carter Family from Wanganui).  Most had an earlish night, except Sue and Brenda and Graeme (Carter), who brandy coffeed it until a little after midnight!

But it was an early start for Sue, with cars to wash and windows to clean and food shopping to be done (for the Hors D”oeuvre part of the wedding event at the cottage.

The Merc was delivered to Don for its wedding present (a deep clean and valet) together with Dons New BMW X3 for the bride and her girls! She is looking very smart I might say, and will certainly sell if I choose to take an offer, but I am enjoying driving her and might just hang on a bit longer!

The bridal party worked on the hall all day on Friday, and I (with the help of a couple of bubbly bridesmaids) prepared the BBQ (normal one) for another group feast!

The wedding day (saturday 11th January) dawned with a bluebird sky, no wind and promised to deliver as planned for the 4.30pm wedding.

Gazebo up, Awning out, tables and chairs and Ice bins in readiness for the afternoon festivities….Dan appeared with Floyd and I took a moment to have a run on the beach with the eldest son and canine….and soak up the morning sunshine.  Helpers for food prep were arriving at 9.00am and away we went…

The kitchen team from Te Anau, Coffs Harbour and George! Happy in their work with beautiful big smiles…

The Groomsmen and Jax worked all morning, finishing touches to the hall and around the cottage, filling up drinks bins, icing down and setting up tables and chairs.

3.00pm – setting up at the Beach, I took a stroll with Stephs
Family to the designated point where they set up the venue for the important bit, the wedding vows.  My job was to talk to all the daytrippers (and dogs and loud music and bikini clad pippi gathers) to advise them we had a wedding here and would they mind toning it all down at 4-4.30pm for the actual event!  I get the good jobs, but as it was such a nice day (and I am such a polite person) they all were very co-operative, some wanted to be invited even!

Meanwhile back at the cottage, my cousins Karen and Mark had taken over the kitchen, in good Bonnici Day out style, and had everything ready for the nibbles and drinks after the formalities, while the bridal party strolled around the beach for wedding photos!

So, back to the cottage, quick shower, find makeup (which hadn’t been worn for a long time and one should wear makeup to weddings, expecially your sons) Throw on frock, quick photo with Jaxon and down to the beach to await the arrival of the Bride.

The boys waiting patiently on the beach, suited up and looking very relaxed (if a little warm)….The crowds were gathering on the beach and the grass bank in readiness, tide slowing making its way in….perfect timing.

The beauty about a beachside wedding, there is something for everyone, Mary, Brenda and Graeme in prime position on the grass bank with the shade of the trees, or in the sunshine if they desired, sun now behind them so no squinting into the sun.

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Bonnici Boys in the front row (and only) designated seats, Dan, Dane and George….all suited up and also looking very smart (from the front as well)

And here she is….with her contingent of beautiful bridesmaids, all wearing wedding ensemble from Malta…and loving altered(by Sue) to fit Kiwi girls with bare feet (not the 5 inch heels that Maltese girls would wear!)

 

Signing the papers with their best man and best girl…..and waiting for….

THE KISS….Mr and Mrs Bonnici, Waiwera Beach, with Sugarloaf Island in the background!

Family photos, and all the guests and non bridal party family, strolled (or ran depending how thirsty they were) back to the Bonnici-Carter Cottage.  My Cousins ran a smooth operation with food and drinks and everyone chatted and soaked up the evening sunshine. Until we got the call at 6.30pm to head to the hall for the reception.

The only picture of me, in my Berlin outfit, beautiful silk jacket, which I have now wrecked by gentle washing (in machine), shrinking to fit a hobbit and green colour run into the gold….however it was very classy on the day, and lasted for my 2nd speech in four months (not my forte), welcoming the beautiful Steph into the Bonnici-Carter clan.

Dinner done and the beautiful cake, decorated by my cousin Trish….where the mountains meet the stars…then it was a big night, with drinks, music, dancing, noise control warnings and  back to where the celebrations started until the wee small hours (actually 5.30am!)

Needless to say it was a hiberation sunday for most except those of us who began the tedius job of cleaning up at 8am…..cottage and hall.  With the help of the oldies and a couple of young ones the mess was cleared, and Stephs family just had to deal with the sorting the decorations and returning hired stuff!

Today, monday saw a more relaxed holiday mode with me back at work (remotely at the beach), washing and sorting some space in our little beachside cottage. And George is 24 today! so a dinner out in Orewa this evening and no cooking!

Now we just need the boat fixed so we can go fishing….Early this week I am told