The next morning we had to take down all the decorations and generally tidy up.
While moving the side board, that had been used to support the camera for the instant photo booth, back into the side part of the barn I stubbed my big toe.
That slowed me down for a while.
Mid morning, some people turned up for the promised barbequed bacon and egg rolls. But this wasn’t going to happen. Instead there were a couple of trays of savoury wraps and other breakfast like items. Quite a few hangovers were being nursed. Some people didn’t rise as early as others.
At lunch time, a party of a dozen or so set off to a pub to meet one of Steve’s mates, an Army chap who was on assignment in Canberra.
With the ceremony planned to begin at 2:30pm we still had quite a few tasks left. Graham and I went to Mittagong to purchase several bottles of wine, to replace those which had been imbibed the previous night, 20 large bags of ice and more bacon.
Then, after more setting up, the groom’s party, plus Graeme and myself headed off to Bowral for breakfast, a sneaky beer and a bit of a soaking from an uninvited rain storm.
By 1:30 the place was ready for the wedding guests, who started arriving, quickly filling up the car park and overflowing into the overflow car park. The iffy weather started to clear and the sun broke through the clouds.
When the guests had gathered in the meadow overlooking the lake, the wedding party made their entrance. There were two bridesmaids, to balance the two best men, two flower girls (Ava and Isla), and finally Rachel accompanied by elder brother Graeme.
After saying their vows to each other Rachel and Mike were duly married and the party began, with drinks in the meadow.
All of the wedding guests had been assigned two tasks by the official celebrant.
Make friends with someone you don’t know
Take a silly photo.
Here’s my attempt at task number 2.
The wedding party went on late into the night. We were watered and fed to excess. Some of us smoked huge cigars. We met many of Mike’s and Rachel’s friends and danced with quite a few as well. By the official end some were less sober than others. Bed about 1:30 am for me.
