Lee Anne & Andrew's Wedding
     

Planning our wedding

I brought one of each magazine, ripped out everything I liked and took each example together with my colour ideas etc to the suppliers. The Wedding Scene was a great source to find suppliers in my area. The best magazines I found were Gold Coast Weddings & QLD Brides.

Preparation  

Rehearsals really aren't that important, don't stress over them. Send out your invites in plenty of time, and make the RSVP 3-4 weeks before the wedding as people never RSVP on time. Selecting a dress is easy if you have an idea on what you want. Look through the magazines and get an idea before you go. 

I found Abbey Brides in Brisbane the best. You can get a whole package including your dress, veil, tiara & 2 bridesmaid dresses. Plus if you pay for your dress upfront you get a discount. Just what every bride needs (believe me).

Our best decisions and what we'd do differently

It is great if you get your photographer to do your thank you cards, as then the guests have a lovely picture of the event to keep. Our cards were fabulous, we had so many comments. Otherwise have them made by your stationers so they match your invites, they will be just as lovely.  

The best decision I made was of course to marry my lovely husband, but apart from that was to have fireworks at our wedding (by Spectrum Fireworks) - it was the most memorable thing. Everyone talks about it for a long time after, and of course my red dress, I still get comments to this day. 

I would keep everything the same and wouldn't change a thing. 

The big day! 

At 8am we arrived at The Villa. We had our own retreat upstairs where we could get ready. Full length mirrors, food, drinks and a fabulous view. The boys arrived about 10:30am and they had their own retreat downstairs for their preparation. 

We started by having our Makeup and Hair done by Impressions by Melissa (they were fabulous). The Villa served us some morning tea and champagne, then lunch time came around, food and drinks again! 

Then our photographers, UB Photo came. That is when it all gets exciting. We got dressed and had the fun photos. Then at about 1:30 we got ready to start. We waited inside till all the guests had arrived. Then we walked down to the side of the house ready to go. They had laid out a red carpet which went down the pathway to were Andrew was waiting. 

The music started and off we went. The page boy & flower girl first, my 3 bridesmaids and I. The song we walked to was (Jennifer Lopez - Dear Ben). 

Dad and I walked down the red carpet, it was so exciting. The ceremony was preformed by Helen Murray a Marriage celebrant, it was down in front of the lake at The Villa (perfect spot and perfect day) We had Andrews sister and one of our friends do a read at the ceremony which was great. We also had 2 Butterfly Releases which were great. The butterflies hung around for ages and one even stayed on my bouquet for 15 mins. 

After the ceremony we greeted everyone and than went for photos down near the lake with family etc. The villa also lent us their golf buggies and we went for a drive around the golf course (boys in one, girls in one and photographers in the other) That was great fun. The Villa supplied us with food and drinks. Than we had Classique Limousines pick us up and take us to the beach for photos and Video (also supplied by UB Photo and they did some great work). While we had the photographs taken, which was a lot of fun. The guests enjoyed the Villa with a Magician and singer provided by The Villa. 

We arrived back at about 5:45pm as everyone was seated in the reception room which was set up fabulously with our lovely bonbonnieres from Personal Vintage (Mini wine bottles with one of our engagement pictures on it for each guest) and our place cards from Creative Invites who did all our invites etc. 

The Villa organised the tables to have crystal candelabras and chairs with gold sashes. It was beautiful. We than were announced and the reception started. The food was fabulous, everyone commented that the food (buffet) was the best Wedding food they has ever had.

We had the speeches, then the fireworks thanks to Spectrum Fireworks (they were magnificent). We cut the cake some where in between as well. Then we danced. We had balloons hanging from the roof from ABC Balloons and a large balloon that the DJ popped and all little balloons fell out. It was all so lovely. Than we did the throwing of the bouquet and the garter and the goodbye circle. We were than picked up by the Limousine at about 11:30 and headed off to the Palazzo Versace. It was the most fabulous day. Everything went fantastic.

Our Choice of music, poems, prayers, speeches and entertainment  

Music was easy, just go through your CD collection and find at least 10 songs you really both like and then just sort them out. Where you want each song to be played. For eg. Ceremony, signing registry, Exit song, entrance into reception, waltz. 

The speeches are always funny, make sure the video person stays till at least the end of the speeches. 

We had a great DJ (Trinity Gold Entertainment), who played great music and he was lots of fun. 

My cake was lovely but it was the wrong colour (purple instead of red) but it was no big deal and not worth worrying about it. 

The Honeymoon 

We had a 25 day honeymoon, recommended if you can get the time off. Make sure you save your money though before you go as you'll spend a lot. As a suggestion, have a wishing well instead of presents and this will give you a great honeymoon,  you will be amazed at what you may get.    We started our honeymoon in Singapore for three nights, then off to Venice for four nights (this was the best place we have ever been to). In Venice we hopped on a Cruise for twelve nights through the Mediterranean - this is highly recommended if you go to this part of the world.  You get to go to some great ports and you get well feed all day long, and the food is lovely.

We had stop offs at Greece (Santorini & Athens) Italy (Venice, Rome & Naples) Croatia, France (Monte Carlo & Monaco) & Spain. It was so relaxing and they had everything you needed on the ship. It was great. 

We then headed to Dubai. This is another fantastic place. It is hot but there is so much to see and do and the shopping is great. There was also a Dune Safari, a group of 15-20 cars all go Dune bashing, it is great fun. 

There was a lot of sitting in airports and on planes but it was well worth it. We only get married once, so make the trip worthwhile.