February 11, 2006: The BIG WEDDING!

Ben, Jack, Joh, Paula, John, Al, Lisa, Shirley infront of our lodge at Thredbo
[morning after the wedding]
http://www.talara.com.au

Saturday, February 11, 2006 Thredbo Village, NSW, Australia

What a perfect day!

My dear brother John married the Love of his life Paula Bousles on the rooftop of Australia. And we had to take chairlifts to get there! Except for the bridal party of course, who ventured up the mountain by 4WD. The ceremony was at the foot of Mt Kosciuszko - Australia's highest peak. And being mid-summer, the weather was golden and the sky so clear and blue. Very lucky!

And we all glowed with such pride. I shed some tears of emotion and happiness during the ceremony, especially on hearing their vows - which were so exceptionally beautiful and moving that another engaged couple proposed using them for their own wedding later this year. hee hee.

I was emceeing the reception, which was held at a restaurant called "Credo" down by the Thredbo Creek. It ended up being a very fun job to do, not to mention a real honour!

Memorable moments in the evening included

i) Con - the Father of the Bride's speech -- which was an absolute classic. Especially when he recalled his school teacher-like report card that he'd made about John, back in the early courting days; using himself as the benchmark to which to measure John's suitability - haha.

ii) Greek dancing ... and lots of it! No plate smashing but lots of traditional Greek tunes, hand-holding and circular dancing. Not to mention Paula's lovely solo.

iii) Photo Portraits of all the Guests -- but wearing a brown mullet and big plastic ears. Yep -- a nice prank cleverly arranged for Marty to execute, at the request of J & P.

Particularly meaningful were the numerous references and thoughts of Dad, whom we all so desperately wished could have been with us to celebrate such a special day. His photograph was put on a table-like alter (alongside Paula's grandfather's photo) during the ceremony, and we all mentioned our beautiful Dad at different stages in the evening. How we miss him so, and how incredible proud and happy he would no doubt be. Well we know he was with us that day..."hiding in the bubbly" as Penny said.