Qld Holiday Day 13 - The Gap - Martin & Linda's Wedding

Weather-wise, the day could not have been more perfect. It probably sat somewhere around 30 degrees all day, while the sun did not overplay its welcome by burning too hot.

Isn't it good luck to be visited by a bush turkey on the wedding day?

Of course there had to be more craziness ensuing today, as the girls all headed off to the hairdressers together to get their hair done for the day, while Martin and Fraser headed over to see his parents. That left you-know-who to remain at the house, the venue of the wedding, and start preparing the settings. Good job Bill, you really know how to get yourself roped in.

Jess and Katie with their hair stylist creations.

Maddi enjoyed getting a wave in her hair too.

Throughout the morning, and into the afternoon, it was time to pretty up the palace to ensure it had a party atmosphere around, while not taking away from the already-tranquil outdoor setting of the garden.

The garden and staging area

The food and beverage area

The outdoor seating and drinking area

Maddi in her party wedding dress

Thanks for the message Bono.

Though the ceremony was to start at 3.30pm, all of the guests had arrived well before, with most of the Wade's there by 3.00pm (an extraordinary occurrence in the Wade family at least).
The ceremony went off without a hitch - that I noticed at least - and everyone seemed reasonably pleased with the outcome.

Katie sings "Love Me Tender" with her accompaniment

The new parents-in-law

The afternoon moved into the evening, with differing levels of drunkenness being achieved. later in the evening there was a Christmas present opening ceremony from all the kids who had yet to received theirs from various uncles and aunties, which livened the evening up for the kids. Then there was a large procession of taxis ordered, often one straight after the other, in order to ferry off all the guests to their various locations. By just after midnight, the party had concluded.

And I should go on the record here by saying that, although there were a couple of tiffs and noses put out of joint at different stages on a very minor scale, this was an event where every member of the extended Wade family attended that didn't end up in a blowout of some proportion. In fact, the first actual full get-together in three years, and the first without an "event" in probably 12 or 13 years. Amazing stuff. Can it be repeated in the future?