Waking on the morning of October 26, I opened my eyes to a very grumpy flower girl, and my sister first in line for the shower.
The make-up artist and hairdresser were due to arrive by 8am, giving everyone four hours to get wedding-attire ready and move into town.
We were prepared for the weather that was blowing a gale, with heavy showers and the hail that followed, and kept our cool as the morning went on.
This was until it came time to leave for the bed and breakfast, where we were meeting with the photographer at 1pm.
Panic came over me when I realised my dress would most likely get wet when making our way to the car and if we somehow managed to keep it dry, we still had to get it inside to the bed and breakfast.
My maid of honour and I pulled up in town and waited until the rain let up and made a run for it when it did.
The BnB exceeded my expectations with its beautiful antique furniture, clawfoot bath and coffered ceilings.
My beautiful dress was hung up for photos while we waited for the bouquets and my two sisters to arrive.
Nerves got the better of me when the time came to put on my dress, and I could feel my legs start to shake as the realisation of the day kicked in – I was getting married today.
The weather had put on a show of rain, hail and shine but I had my girls who were also my ‘something blue’ and my sister's beautiful veil in my hair as my ‘something borrowed'.
My ‘something old’ was my parents’ wedding doll that my grandmother had dressed to match my mother on her wedding day – she was a little creepy, but I loved her and knew she would be riding up front with me on the day.
We got a call from the venue at 2pm to say the ceremony had been moved inside due to the weather and I reminded myself as long as my groom was there, it didn’t matter where we were married.
Finally, the time arrived for us to pile into the wedding cars and make our way out to the venue – my dad and I in one car and my girls following in another.
The wind was still howling as we arrived and as we waited for my bridesmaids to enter the building, my veil and dad’s tie were blowing with it.
We walked down the aisle and I saw my handsome groom waiting for me at the arbor.
The proceedings started with our celebrant sharing our story when Dave whispered in my ear that he didn’t feel well – he was going to faint.
Our celebrant brought us a chair and Dave was handed a glass of water before the ceremony continued.
It was then I noticed the sweat developing on Dave’s forehead and we stopped again as he ran out the door of the building.
The ceremony was put on hold for more than 10 minutes as we waited in anticipation.
When Dave was feeling better, we walked arm in arm back down the aisle together to continue with the ceremony and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Our vows were filled with laughter, tears and memories of the life we had built together, and we were finally pronounced as husband and wife.
We thought getting photos with our two border collies was going to be an issue but surprisingly it was the wind that took the crown for the most difficult encounter on the day.
Our photographer and videographer went above and beyond for us to make sure we got the perfect shots captured to treasure our special day forever.
Everybody raved about the catering and choice of wine put together by the venue and our entertainment that stepped up at the last minute to also become our master of ceremonies.
For a wedding that didn’t go to plan, I can safely say I enjoyed every minute of it - I got to marry the man I love and celebrate it with my friends and family.
It is a memory both Dave and I will cherish for the rest of our lives.