Wedding Of The Week - Joyce and Dave Carter

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It was the hottest day this year, with the hottest most colourful guests and vibrant decorations. 

When we (Joyce Lepper and Dave Carter) decided to tie the knot on January 5, 2013 they wanted a mix of cheerful, happy carnival atmosphere and bright cheery colours so chose a theme for guests to wear: PINK or glamorous hats or both.

What a perfect day! There was a 35degC  temperature, no wind, in a fabulous garden at our friends Paul and Shirley Bellugue's place (a very green and lush large garden with many natives and a pond which even had pink ducks on it for the wedding) and a changing room full of pink clothes for guests to put on something pink if they chose to!) 

Joyce was led down the garden path to the altar by her son Louis giving her away and also by a bagpiper playing Scotland the Brave. She was closely followed by her flowergirl (Georgi McKay) and six bridesmaids (Maureen Comerford, Veronica Simonson, Fiona Hewitt, Claudie Favre, Lorraine Soanes and Lynda Vanoosten). 

What gorgeous arrays of pinks among the bridal party. The guests embraced the pink /hat theme and an extravaganza of pink, glamorous  hats, music, ceremony, laughter, fun and happiness flowed freely all day among guests and wedding party alike. 

The wedding ceremony finished with cannon fire, which was spectacular and caused quite a stir among those guests not expecting it. 

Then approximately 30 seconds of rain brought the temperature down to about 32degC and what with the smoke from the spit roast created a steamy, almost monsoon jungle-like scene and atmosphere. 

During the service Po Karekare Ana was sung by Karin Reid and then the contingents of guests joined in enthusiastically. 

While the wedding photo shoot was occurring and while waiting for dinner to be served there was fabulous fiddling by Anna Bowen, which gave a lively happy village fair-like atmosphere.

Following this there was a delicious buffet and speeches, followed by the  fabulous dance band Bluestone, who played until after midnight. At 11pm, to the rhythm of the band there was also a spectacular performance of fire poi by Flair McKay. 

There were 160 guests at the wedding. Marriage celebrant Pru Muschamp performed an excellent ceremony, meeting us on a number of occasions to discuss what they would like for their vows and to personalise them exactly as we wanted. She provided excellent ideas as well.

All in all it was a magical day that was made possible by the many friends who contributed their help and talents to make our wedding day a very special happy occasion and everything we wanted it to be.