A perfect day (Photos to come in the next few days)

"Time goes by...so slowly"
"Time goes by...so slowly"

If any lyrics to a relationship could tell a story, these words would describe the relationship between Chris and Narelle.

Sunday was the wedding we had all waited a decade for and I'm going to state this right now.

Sunday was one of the happiest days of my life.

The day started with me under an alcoholic fitness cloud from Stav's 30th birthday the night before yet the whole family made its way down to St. Martins Church to pray for a nice day ahead and also pray for a change in the weather as the temperature on Sunday was a pleasant 38 degrees with winds but a late change was expected. With that forecast, the desire to wear my very handsome tailor made suit wavered a little but i put the strongest B.O. spray on me that's legal in the Australia market (one step below liquid nitrogen) and hoped with the 4.p.m. start to the ceremony that the cool change will have made it over the beautiful St. Kilda Botanical Garderns.

For someone who was about to celebrate one of the most important days of his life, Chris was very relaxed. Today was the start of a journey as a married couple yet after being together for 10 years the wedding was more of a confirmation of their love for each other than a step into the unknown. After the family got back from church, mum was getting her hair done at the local hairdresser (who was nice enough to open the store just for mum) whilst Chris and myself started playing Guitar Hero on Playstation 2. Man that game is so addictive!! Dad made a nice bacon and egg (i had bacon and sausage) rolls for brekky and the three of us actually found some time to sit on the couch and watch a bit of the cricket.

A little later in the morning Chris' best mate (whose name is also Chris..for this update he'll be known as Chris M) and co best man made his way around. The three of us sat on the couch, watched more cricket and as the minutes went by the atmosphere in the house was starting to build. Mum came home and looked fabulous then was off again to get her makeup done. I had to run over to Narelle's house to get something for the flowers (mum did the flowers with her friend Jenny and they just looked so amazing. My mum is a genuis when it comes to flowers) as they were getting their makeup done much to the dissapointment of Chris who wanted to get one quick look at the bride to be.

About lunchtime the photographer came as i was still getting changed into my suit and i must say that suit felt like gold on me and i just love it. I looked the best i have for a long long time and i was really going to have a blast on this special day. After many photographs around the house it was time for me, Chris, Chris M, Dad and Narelle's sisters husband Davide (he's from Italy so the e stays on the end of the name) to squeeze into his car for the journey down to the St. Kilda Botanical Gardens. It waqs bloody hot in that car with 5 guys squashed in it but we made it and despite the drought and a stinking hot day, the Rose Garden looked sensational and it was a beautiful setting for this beautiful wedding.

At this time i have to say that Chris has found a wonderful wonderful wife in Narelle. They compliment each other so well and she is a pleasure to be around. I said in my speech which i don't know how i got one out considering it was so bloody hard to come up with the words that as individuals they are fantastic yet as a couple they are amazing and that everyone of the guests was so glad to have these two wonderful people in their lives. It really was magical to see the pure joy in Chris' face as Narelle walked down the isle (with a Norah Jones song playing i'm pretty sure) looking absolutely stunning. It's hard to describe what i felt actually except pure joy. The setting was perfect, the crowd were all waiting as Narelle and her sisters (Karen and Belinda) came to the gardens in a white Rolls Royce and all i can say about the ceremony is...perfect.

After the ceremony it wa time for hundreds of photos around the park and at the beach where the sight of a wedding party making its way between hoards of hairy guys in budgie-smugglers and kids eating ice creams from the Mr Whippy van with no clothes on (oh those days are long gone for me sadly) was a sight to behold and luckily just as we got back inside the reception centre, the rain started tumbpling tumbling down. There were about 90 guests at the reception and our great mate and ex next door neighbour Leigh had the honour of introducing the bridal party to the group. When my turn came up, i was introduced as follows "and with Karen is Mark 'The Love Machine' Pepper..and yes ladies..he's single).....bloody smartass. It was all in good fun though and now all those 90 people know me now as "The Love Machine."

The food and ther service was sensational at the fantastic Sails by the Bay on Elwood Beach (yes it was on the beach with a beautiful view over Port Phillip Bay). After the introductions and the entree the speeches were given and a lot of people have said they were the best speeches they have heard at a wedding. I'll try and get some clips of the day in the near future. The rest of the food was sensational and the dancefloor was full all night long. The band were sensational and the singer was so good, a few people thought there was a CD playing instead of someone singing. One of Chris' footy mates danced with my Gran and a little later on (due to fatigue and alcohol) Chris and I did a bit of a brokeback dance for no reason whatsoever. Chris also took centre stage and belted out a couple of his favourite numbers; those being "Crocodile Rock" and "Mustang Sally." Narelle was walking around chatting with everyone and i caught her seeing her new husband on stage singing away to the crowd and the look on her face said "That's my man!"

The night was filled with so much laughter and happiness and before i knew it it was midnight and time to finish up. I had the most wonderful day and i was so glad that every little detail of the planning worked to perfection. Months and months of planning went into the day and even though there were times where it seemed that something wouldn't work out right the day went off without a hitch.

As i said....a perfect day.