I have to admit that was quite hard work so I will need so speak to my more experienced bloggers mates to give me more tips. But I promise to be back to tell you more, ie the Melbourne wedding and pics and of course the honeymoon, Zanzibar! C xx

The beginning, Cape Town wedding, 11 October 2008

I have decided to take up Blogging, mostly to communicate with Tim and my family and friends all over the world. This is a new years resolution, a little early, but as I know I am rather rubbish at communicating (regardless of my Gemini rising sign!).

First things first I will go back to 11 October and tell you all about our wonderful wedding. Actually I shall start the week before as that is when the fun started. On Friday, 3 October my then perspective in-law’s arrived. Rosemary and Bruce as well as Brother-in-law-Matthew and wife Heidi with their lovely children Flynn (5) and Bridie (2 ½). Tim had collected them from the airport but we both hurried home form work that day to go and see them at their very cute cottages they were staying at and can recommend. It was wonderful to see them all I had not met Bridie before and she proved even with jetlag to be brimming with character, I already new Flynn was a cutie.

And the rest of the week was the same as more family and friends arrived and we partied hard and harder. Sarah and Susan put together my hen party/kitchen tea on the Wednesday evening. It was great fun. They bought me a wonderful T-shirt that said “Bride to Be on it, which I wore again on the Friday and the mum’s had sashes stating who they were, which flashed, hilarious! Us girls had loads of fun and laughs and I was truly spoiled with lovely gifts and wisdom. The ladies also made book of recipes for me which Sus had carefully made the cover for with pics of me and Tim.

Saturday, 11 October arrived after a relatively restful night. I got up a 06:45 and ran myself a bath and used some of camomile bath bombs to keep me calm, I could only lie there for 10 mins and then had to get out and pace again!! We had some egg on toast with some champagne and then thank goodness the make-up lady arrived at 08:00 and the day really began.

Lori worked her magic on Sarah, Susan, Mum and I and was gone by 12:00, I grabbed a sandwich. The photographer arrived at 12:30 and was gone by 13:30. In between all of that I had wonderful Skype calls from Mum’s family in Bickley and the MC’s in Lewes (thanks).

The piper arrived at (the piper was Brian Kruger a father of an old dancing buddy, Lynette) and it was time to walk to the church. It was great fun we had loads of neighbours waving and wishing me well, nice to bring excitement to the burbs. From there walked straight into the church where Tim was waiting.

Dad escorted me to the front of the church where, my knees began to knock, now I have heard of the phenomenon before but never had it happen to me before. But the wedding ceremony went off without a hitch, Tim looked dashing and the deal was sealed with a kiss.

We then headed to Palm House where we cut the cake, so my guests could have tea and cake and bask in the sun while the immediate family headed for the all important picture.

We arrived back at Palm House for a quick glass of champers and then it was time for dinner, speaches and dancing. It has to be said that the speeches were great and it was obvious a lot of hard work was put into them. Tim and I had had some dancing lessons and we wowed our guests with a few moves, no Fredy and Ginger but we have the next 50 years to improve our steps. ;) Later the bouquet and garter were thrown and funnily enough were caught by Jono, Tim's brother and bestman and Michelle, Jono's only weeks later fiancé!! How funny is that!

All in all the day was a wonderful success, the bridesmaids and bestmen (Tim's brothers, Jono and Matthew) were supportive and fun to have around and Tim and I are very grateful. Tim and I are also grateful to all those you travelled from a far: Isobel, Michael, Carol, Rosemary, Bruce, Matthew, Hiedi and kids, Jono, Michelle, Kate, Hayden, Susan, Lionel, James, Nicola and of course Sarah, Jason and newbie (my nephew)!

Tim and I awoke the next morning on our lovely honeymoon suite at the Palm House where I doned my new t-shirt organised by my bridesmaids, with the slogan "Mrs Drane". This pleased my husband very much, thanks girls.