Friday 18th May was the day that our friends Joe & Lauren decided to tie the knot in Melbourne. This was not just any wedding however - this was their secret wedding prior to the real/fake wedding on 18th May 2013. Confused? I'll spare you the long story and to be honest, I probably shouldn't be putting this on the internet as it's all very hush hush! Pretty sure no-one will be reading this from NZ.....
To celebrate the occasion, Joe and Lauren very kindly paid for us to stay in the city in a lovely apartment with our other friends from Warragul, Chelsea and Gary. They also had a couple of friends from New Zealand present for their wedding. In total, there were 14 people in Melbourne Registry Office and the service was short but really quite lovely. George Harrison 'Here comes the Sun' was playing in the background prior the service and, with Joe looking very nervous and Lauren laughing/crying her way through her vows, it ended with a touch of Travis and the signing of the register. 15 minutes, done! Lauren looked stunning in a long dress she'd made herself, purple with yellow flowers, and purple suede shoes! Just like me.
To celebrate the occasion, Joe and Lauren very kindly paid for us to stay in the city in a lovely apartment with our other friends from Warragul, Chelsea and Gary. They also had a couple of friends from New Zealand present for their wedding. In total, there were 14 people in Melbourne Registry Office and the service was short but really quite lovely. George Harrison 'Here comes the Sun' was playing in the background prior the service and, with Joe looking very nervous and Lauren laughing/crying her way through her vows, it ended with a touch of Travis and the signing of the register. 15 minutes, done! Lauren looked stunning in a long dress she'd made herself, purple with yellow flowers, and purple suede shoes! Just like me.
Off we trotted to the botanical gardens for some informal photos and some champagne drinking from plastic cups. Class! Thankfully the weather held up and the sun even peeked out for a spell. Bob was looking very dapper in his full kilt alongside all the suits and all the girls were looking very glam too. Back to the Cricketeer at the Windsor Hotel for more champagne and cocktails before sitting down to a posh high tea in the Windsor for 2.30pm. It was fabulous and very much up Lauren's street (she loves to bake and drink tea).
We sat down to sparkling pink fizz and three tiers of pastries, quiches, sandwiches and scones, complete with delicate little petit fours. We also got to choose rather weird and wonderful tea from a thorough and detailed tea menu. One of the girls, Sarah, ordered a lotus tea, the lotus came alive while the tea was sitting there, very pretty! Our mate Gary looked a little out of place, being a typical country boy and all, and was very cautious of not making an idiot of himself by using the wrong cutlery etc etc. Chelsea kept him right and he looked like he was fitting right in until the waiter came over and told him to give him a shout if we needed anything else. "No worries mate, what's your name?" to which the waiter, from Indian descent, replied "Shiraz". We didn't know whether to giggle or cringe and hide under the table when Gary asked him, without any hint of intended racism or malice "Seriously mate, is that really your name?" Um....Silence. Shiraz didn't seem to bother though but it was a cringeworthy moment for the whole table. He was doing so well!
After high tea, and numerous top ups on the pink fizz, we all headed back to the apartment via a funky little bar called Trunk for a post-wedding tipple. Once everyone was seated with their drinks, Joe took the opportunity to stand up and give a speech. There was a bit of emotion there and the odd tear shed when he was telling Lauren how much he loved her. Ah, gotta love a bit of soppiness.
Back to the apartment for a disco nap and a quick change before heading out on the town for a pub crawl! Lauren, being the creative chick she is, had drawn out a little map of all the places she wanted to go. This map was photocopied and given out to everyone, with closing times, addresses and types of food/drink available all listed beside the map. Good work Lauren! First stop, 1806, a trendy little cocktail bar hidden away behind a big wooden door. $20 cocktails all round which took approximately two sips to finish and we were off to the next place, Mrs Parma's, for some beer tasting. We got ourselves a tasting palate of German beers and had a good laugh writing out some ridiculous tasting notes with the intention of handing the notes in behind the bar. Hmmm, perhaps they wouldn't get any benefit from 'too much banana' and 'tastes like cheesy feet' so we decided against that. Next stop, Madame Brussels! This place is famous in Melbourne, with artificial grass indoors and a lovely terrace outdoors which overlooks the twinkling lights of the city. Again, you would normally not be able to find the entrance if you were walking past, but as long as you find the right door and get the lift to the right level, you'll make it! We were ushered into a private room with 1920's decor and our own private cocktail maker and so we decided to ask the cocktail man if he could take the bride and groom through a cocktail making process which was quite entertaining! Bob and I managed to jump behind the bar as well for photo opportunities, all good fun. Then we were off for some food at the Supper Inn, terribly old-fashioned decor but pretty good grub! By this point, it was about 11.30pm and people were beginning to head back to the apartment. With the remaining party animals still going, we finished the night in a cheesy Elephant and Wheelbarrow before stumbling home.
Very bizarre but good fun and we wish them all the best! Brilliant day and night out in the big smoke and we've discovered some fab places to go!! xxx
