A Wedding in Paradise

How does one get everything ready for a wedding in a foreign country while they’re still traveling around? I started to realize that I it was December 21^st and we’d just arrived to Ballarat and Christmas was right around the corner, how was I going to fix this horrid haircut I had before a wedding in 8 days?

Bill and I drove around town around 6 pm to see what possibilities I had for the next day but I was starting to fill overwhelmed. We found a few places by the mall area and took down their phone numbers. One opened bright and early at 8 but when I called they were entirely booked for the entire day. The other salon called Angels had a special hanging on their door which allowed for a half a head of highlights, a color, a cut and style for $99 Aussie Dollars just the cut I wanted. So we took my mom and rushed down before they opened as it said No appointment needed so I crossed my fingers.

We waited outside the store and other ladies started coming as well wanted their haircut ready for Christmas. Though when the doors open, I was the first in and they were able to take me for my cut and my mom as well for a perm straight away, how lucky was that? I even tried to go back and give her a tip, but they can’t accept them here….

Hair checked off now!

Now one problem with having your dress made in China and shipped to the US, you can’t quite remember what it looks like. Bill told me to have the girls take a few pictures so I could get a better look at the dress which helped a bit, but I wasn’t quite sure what my veil looked like since I didn’t have a picture with it showing the back view. And the problem with the cheap veil of China was that it didn’t include a hair comb or anyway to attach it to my hair. So I was having my doubts about it but kept putting off looking for it.

And so, when we flew into Brisbane, we decided to head South to he Gold Coast to rent the tuxedos for Bill and my dad before heading back up North to where we’d spend Christmas.  We thought this would be easier than trying to go to the Brisbane shop as we were going to rent them from the Gold Coast shop anyhow so we just went to the source. When we got to where we thought the tux shop was, we saw that it looked closed for the holidays. Bill and I start taking all the luggage out of the trunk to find the number while my dad walks the shopping center and finds it further down. Their bridal shop was closed not the tux, so we were in business. We couldn’t quite pick out Bill’s tie and stuff until his parents brought the vest but we had a rough idea and put that on order.

Tuxedos checked off!

Then we walked back to the car and noticed that there were two bridal shops right next to each other, and one of them was still open. So we walked in and sure enough they had some veils.   We took a look at two different styles, and then she let me know that today was the last day they were open before the holidays and wouldn’t open until January again. Still didn’t know if I should buy one or not. Then I kept looking around the shop and found a cute simple tiara and thought that might go with the veil I already had. My parents agreed.

But then I looked at the front view of my dress again where you see the veil and finally decided this one was much better and so just to go for it rather than be sorry. They even gave me a little discount for getting both.

New Veil Checked Off!

Now as for shoes, I’d been looking a bit as we saw shoe shops but it never taken very long to go into the shoe and disregard all the white shoes as they weren’t that many. We even tried payless, what was I thinking? But when we stayed in Brisbane, and went to the main mall, I saw a Nine West store and I’d always liked there shoes. And sure enough they had simple healed pump with an open toe, simple and classic. I tried them on before hugging a koala and came back for them when the store was very crowded since they were having a sale. And so, I got them half price coming to around $40 US dollars for Nine West shoes. I couldn’t complain!

Shoes Checked Off! Not too shabby for being in a foreign country though I think luck was on my side!

One thing that had to be done when we made it to the Gold Coast was get my dress pressed, but as we took a closer at the dress we noticed some spots. But after taking it down to the cleaners two days before the wedding and listening to all their warnings about the possibilities of the of the embroidery changing colors and you can’t spot clean a silk dress as the color will then change, and so we stuck to a simple press to make sure nothing bad happened.

Dress is finally checked off!

The wedding coordinator met us the day before the wedding with our celebrant. She had sent a fax on the day we arrived but the information had the wrong picture package, but when she arrived with all of our paperwork, everything was correct.

So how did we find this wedding coordinator? A simple search on yahoo looking for Australia and destination weddings led us to her website. At first we looked through the website and liked the beach wedding options, but a few weeks later (all before we left for this trip) we went back and the Q1 was added as a new venue and Bill and I both looked at each other and said, “That’s the one.” Since that point, we emailed Michelle (the wedding coordinator), got a date, made a deposit and the plans were set in motion and a wedding was planned by emails.

I upgrade the photo package and after the dress was made, I sent her a picture of the blue to see what bouquet I could get to match and so a white and blue orchard bouquet was sent back in return containing my favorite blue flower probably because natural blue flowers are hard to come by. Also, getting a marriage license in Australia was so simple for us and the coordinator took care of all the paper work.

After the wedding coordinator left, it was time to hit the mall to get our nails done and both Kathy and my mom wanted their hair done. We picked up the tuxedos first and picked out a black tie to go with Bill’s blue vest. And so, Bill dropped us off at the mall. We headed straight for the nail salon and found out since it’s close to New Years they didn’t have any nail appointments until 3:00 and it was around 11 at the time. So we made the appointments and headed to check out the hair salons.

The first one gave Kathy an appointment at 1:45 and my mom around 4. The second salon took my mom right away and gave Kathy an appointment at 1:30 but she liked the feel of the first one better so she kept that appointment and the other two were cancelled. In the meantime, Kathy and I got coffee and nachos to tide us over.  Though on our way back to check on my mom, we saw a tooth whitening booth, something I’d been thinking about doing before the wedding. The question is would Bill do it too?

We had arranged for Bill to pick us up at 1:30 as we had no clue how hard it was going to be to get a nail appointment. And so, when he arrived, we all ambushed him and were trying to convince him to get the teeth whitening. He left to park the car, but when he returned, he mentioned that he couldn’t get a hold of anyone back at the hotel and so he’d been sitting by himself while waiting for us. The problem being that the guys were suppose to be waiting for the cleaners to drop the dress off, and Bill, of course, can’t see the dress.

So I go back with Bill as I technically do not have to be back at the mall until three. When we get back, we find everyone in the room upstairs waiting for the dress like they’re suppose to. The problem was Bill only called the rooms and never walked up so they didn’t hear the phone from the balcony where they were watching for a van and the lady at reception knew as well. We were staying at the Windsurfer Resort who were so helpful with all our wedding needs and making sure things went smoothly even making sure the front door was open before 6 for my make-up artist to come.

Back to the mall Bill and I went. We saw my mom, gave her the update, and headed for the teeth whitening booth. It took 20 minutes as they put a gel in your mouth and expose you to a light. I also bought the whitening touch up brush to help for the wedding as well. And I finished before Bill, so we headed to the nail salon. Both Kathy and my mom had hair ready for the wedding. I got gel tips nails first and then a pedicure while my mom got a manicure and pedicure and Kathy got a pedicure.

Finally, the nails and hair are done!

Jim comes to pick us up and scold us a bit for making Bill wait around being our driver. He had sent Bill to the beach with his brothers and my dad. Bill came back from the beach with a hurt eardrum as a wave took him hard. So we’ll see if he can go diving now. Bu t we’d decided to eat out tonight for our “rehearsal dinner,” even though my dad had brought steaks but we figured that would be better tomorrow night.

And so, from the advise of our wonderful hosts, we walked down to the Lazy Lobster. And we had some champagne to celebrate and toasted to tomorrow. We all enjoyed the food but during dinner the thunder first started and then the pouring rain followed. It was so windy that we were feeling a bit of the spray at we were sitting under at open canopy part of the restaurant. They zipped down the plastic to keep the rain out but we knew someone would have to go back for the car as Kathy nor my mom could get their hair wet after having it styled today. So Jim went back for the car, but Bill and I decided to walk back as well since we wouldn’t all fit in the car and by that point it was only a light sprinkle.

Wedding from Michelle’s perspective…

And so, after the rehearsal dinner I sent Bill off to his parents’ room and went to my parents’ room to pick up the dress. I went to check the alarm Bill had set for me and noticed he had it set for 5:20 pm and so, I promptly changed it. As I was trying to get to sleep reading a bit, there was a knock at the door and I thought that better not be Bill, but it was actually my mom. She just wanted to give me a hug and have a little mother daughter cry as she was unsure how she should feel as she said, “I’ve never had a daughter get married before.” And then she gave me a hug as she went off to use the hotel internet as she couldn’t actually sleep.

Then I read a bit until I feel asleep waking up at 2 not really able to get back to sleep. But then before I knew it, it was at least 4 but still another hour until I had to get up. And so finally 5:10 came and I got up before the alarm and turned it off. Hopped in the shower and got dressed. Just before 6, someone knocked on the door and it was Kathy. She stayed with me until the make-up artist came at 6 am, and I told her to tell Bill that she had to wake me up because the alarm was set wrong. Besides, someone had to give him a hard time.

And so, the make-up artist brought all her gear in which included her own chair as who knows what you’ll get in a hotel room. She asked me how I wanted my hair and I replied, “I’ve always wanted it down, but I’m not sure if it will look better up with the tiara and veil. She replied, “We’ll get the curlers going and you’ll have it down.”

As she was wrapping the curlers in my hair, my mom came by looking smashing in her sparkly teal dress. Kathy followed soon after also looking lovely in her blue dress, and gave me a status report on the boys who were doing okay. But Bill’s response is, “I couldn’t have set the alarm wrong, the time must have been am then.” (but both the time and alarm where pm) When the curlers were all in, she started on my make-up and told me, “I’m going to work backwards by doing the eyes first and then the face. You can tell everyone that down under we work at bit different.”

Then the wedding coordinator came by with the flowers, and she went upstairs to put Bill’s boutonniere on.  And before I knew it, it was time to put my dress on. My mom and Kathy had tried to tie the back of my dress before for me to try it on, but they left it to the make-up artist who has done a ton of these. And the final touch was the veil. Actually, the real final touch was some body make-up as I had broken out on my arms, chest, and back putting on tons of sunblock so I would tan for the wedding and not burn. Go figure I got another problem instead, but the make-up covered it up. And now it was time to get in the car.

Bill and all the guys had already left and where at the tower waiting for us. Both moms came with me. And so, we drove away from the coast highway as it was quicker and we were running a little late. During the ride Kathy bet my mom that my dad would get weepy as he looks tougher than he really is. My mom took the bet and lunch was on the line. With food involved, I figured it was a win win for either. When we arrived, the driver ran around to put out the red carpet and cover the tire to ensure my dress wouldn’t get dirty. As we were walking to an elevator an older lady stopped and said, “Is she really a bride.” And one mom answered, “She sure is!” And I had already thought it but was really feeling it at that moment that I was simply playing dress up. The only problem with that is I never really dreamed of being in a big white dress like some girls, and so when it came to designing a dress, I really had no idea what I wanted.

And before I knew it, we were in the elevator ascending 70 floors rapidly and I knew Bill was waiting for me. Michelle told me to wait in the foyer, and she’d go get my dad and bring him over to walk me down the aisle. And sure enough my dad did get a little weepy (so Kathy won the bet), but at that moment I did too. Michelle directed us which was to go, and as we were walking towards the front not sure we were going the right way, I figured this is why there is a rehearsal but for such a small wedding it really doesn’t matter.

My dad got me to the front and I was standing beside Bill wondering what he thought of the dress now that he finally got to see it. Well, not quite thinking that as I was just so nervous and squeezing his hand really tight trying to smile as my dad was answering that he gives me away. The celebrant for good measure asked Bill’s parents too and they willing gave him away.

And then the celebrant was reading the vows and Bill responded, “Yes.” I wondered what happened to I do? So when it was my turn I made sure to say, “I do.” We kept going back and forth about whether we’d write our own vows or not, but we never did so we just repeated the vows the celebrant had and they were actually quite lovely. And then the rings came and Bill put my wedding ring on my left hand, and the ring I have to match his on my right which I will wear around the world as not to lose my wedding rings. Then before I knew it, it was time for Bill to raise my veil and kiss me. We were married.

Though instead of walking down the aisle right away, in Australia, we walked over to the table and signed all the wedding certificates. We didn’t have a best man or maid of honor, we had our dads as our witnesses. And then it was time to walk down the aisle as man and wife.

And the champagne was passed out and we were asked to cut the cake. I basically just put my hand over Bill’s while he precisely cut the cake using his engineering skills. We fed each other with forks as it was a thick chocolate cake, which we weren’t suppose since with the teeth whitening we were to avoid dark foods and drinks for 24 hours.

After the cake, I finally got to walk around the tower and enjoy the view. Bill had plenty of time before I got there. But as we walked around, the photographer took pictures. But it was amazing to stand next to this view in my wedding dress trying to let it really soak in that I just got married. It all happened so quickly, and then it was time to drive to the beach to get all those shots.

First, we stopped at a beach close by to get the Q1 tower behind us. I had to take my shoes off and hold my dress as we trapped along in the sand with everyone starring at us. We then headed down to Burleigh beach where we took the rest of the beach shots. The scenery included the water but also the rocks and trees giving a great spot to take our pictures. We headed down to Mermaids restaurant right on the beach for our breakfast as the wedding coordinator had suggested it.

I finally got to sit down and relax as we had yet another bottle of champagne, but this time we added orange juice to get a mimosa. The only trouble I had was sitting in my dress with the big puffy skirt that was itchy. But we enjoyed watching the beach and finally eating some food. We still had the rest of the day ahead of us.

Wedding from Bill’s perspective…

For weeks it had been a big thing not to let me see the wedding dress. I had to leave the stall where it was being made when they brought it out. It traveled in a black garment bag to the dry cleaner to be straightened. It was delivered from the dry cleaner while I was out being a chauffeur as everyone got new nails and hair styles. It was stored in Michelle’s parents room which we were not using as a common living space. Every time Michelle showed the pictures on the camera to someone I had to turn away, they were even stored on the internal memory of the camera so I did not accidentally see them. And all this was for a wedding dress that I drew up and gave to the lady while Gigi explained what Michelle was thinking. The things we do for tradition.

The night before the wedding I was banished from our room and slept on the floor in the sitting area in my parents and brothers room. All of the couches were too short to lay on so I just took the cushions off and slept on the floor. But I slept well and before I new it there was a buzz of activity in the room. So I got up ate some breakfast, took a shower, then got dressed up in my tuxedo. Everyone came by asking if I was nervous or ready to go. We left at like quarter past seven to insure that there was not a chance of seeing Michelle or the dress before the wedding.

When we got to the Q1 tower the gate to the parking area was locked so we had to wait while Paul ran up to the desk to get someone to open it. Jim the celebrant had followed one of the workers in and was waiting on the other side of the gate. As we waited for the elevator we ran into the photographer and we all headed up together. We had arrived at approximately a half hour before the wedding was to start. Everyone took a walk around the observation deck to see the incredible view down the Gold Coast. After 10 minutes I got called over to do some test pictures with the photographer and get some last minute instructions from the celebrant. After these were done I set up our camera and Dan’s video camera to try and record two angles of the wedding hoping that one would turn out decent. Both got the wedding though we did have some difficulty seeing the whole thing with all the people standing.

After a little more admiring of the view, my mom came running over to wish me good luck as my dad shepparded everyone to a seat. And then Paul was sent out to walk Michelle down the isle. The music started and they started the walk from the elevator to the area that had been set up for our wedding. With only two rows of chairs the isle was not very long, but the walk from the elevator down the ramp to the observation area did provide a long walk for Michelle. So I had finally got to see the wedding dress, the veil, and all entire combination of all the pieces that I had helped get. She looked absolutely beautiful, very nervous, but gorgeous none the less.

When she got up to the front her hands were freezing cold and she was shaking slightly. She locked her eyes on mine and smiled and Jim began the ceremony. I don’t remember many of the words he said, Paul said that it was very nice, but I just remember the smile on Michelle’s face as she stared into my eyes. Everyone was asked to be seated and he started with the vows. I blew my only line and said “Yes” instead of “I Do” but at least they mean the same. Next we exchanged rings I had to twice try and get a ring onto Michelle’s finger as she had her wedding ring and a ring to match my ring for her right hand. I got the knuckle and she slipped them on the rest of the way. When she put the ring on my finger she just crammed it on. Finally it was time to flip the veil and give her a kiss. The ceremony had flown by and most of it was a blurr.

Next we had some administrative things to take care of signing the marriage certificate, cutting the cake, and taking a ton of pictures all around the place. When we got done the photographer told us that he would meet us at the beach below the tower for a couple picture then we would head to Burleigh Heads National Park for more pictures. Before we left, we had about 15 minutes to walk around enjoy the view and eat cake and drink champagne. We left and go a ride to the beach where we walked across the sand all dressed up and got a lot of congratulations from all the people we saw until he decided he had the perfect picture.  Then we headed to the beautiful Burleigh Heads and posed for a ton more pictures all with the rocks, beach, and water in the back ground. But all of these pictures seemed so easy because all of stress that Michelle had seemed to have lifted off and she started to enjoy herself again. Something I am not sure that she had been doing in the days leading up to the wedding.

That night we enjoyed the barbeque at the hotel. Our parents had got together and it was nice to relax in the pool area and have some good home cooked food. After dinner, we were presented with tons of cards and best wishes from family and friends. These cards were suppose to be a surprise, but the first night we were in Brisbane, Jim made a comment, “Some of your students wrote cards,” and Bill and I had pieced together what had been done. But the biggest surprise was how many wonderful wishes we received. Everyone sat patiently as we read through every single card. It was great to have everyone’s spirit with us and feel their blessing as we know they’ll celebrate with us when we return. And yes, I even received some cards from my former students thanks to my friend, Heather, who has some of them this year. We realized two of the cards were suppose to be opened before the wedding as my dad’s cousin, Julie Ann, gave me a old handkerchief to carry and my friend, Dee, gave me a sixpence to put in my shoe, but the overall the cards just made us feel loved and enjoy our special day even more as we felt everyone there and wishing us well.

The Newly Married Bill and Michelle DeKeyser

P.S.  If you want to see pictures from our photographer go to: http://www.australianwedding. com/newsview/michelle- lenichek-and-william-dekeyser- 243