So, picture this...an emerald green field perched on top of a steep hillside, sweeping views of the Atlantic, Putsborough Beach and headland down to Willacombe Bay and out to Lundy Island. Add to that a massive marquee, deluxe dual loo's and a diesel generator to run the kitchen and coolers as well as the music and lights for dancing later on. This is the venue for Arrin and Julia's wedding reception and is truly breathtaking.
Mix this rural majestic venue with 5 weeks of rain and the final week with heavy showers and there is major drama's. Vehicles are bogged down and need towing out by the hosting farmer... then the big drama - a storm warning is posted for the area 18 hours out from the wedding day...the happy couple are shattered as their dream day looks to be going down the drain with all the rain. Enter Super Farmers Andrew and Jane who muck in and clear a grain barn, stack haybales and assist in any way possible to get the marquee interior erected in the barn. With helping hands and open minds the venue is resurrected and looks tops! Julia and Arrin breathe easier and we look forward to a great day.
D-Day. Heavy overnight rain turns streets into rivers and closes roads. The route to be taken by the wedding cars is a washout and gets redirected. The sodden fields are draining onto the roads and water is running everywhere. On the bright side - the high winds forecast aren't eventuating and the rain eases to showers as the day progresses...game on.
Mix this rural majestic venue with 5 weeks of rain and the final week with heavy showers and there is major drama's. Vehicles are bogged down and need towing out by the hosting farmer... then the big drama - a storm warning is posted for the area 18 hours out from the wedding day...the happy couple are shattered as their dream day looks to be going down the drain with all the rain. Enter Super Farmers Andrew and Jane who muck in and clear a grain barn, stack haybales and assist in any way possible to get the marquee interior erected in the barn. With helping hands and open minds the venue is resurrected and looks tops! Julia and Arrin breathe easier and we look forward to a great day.
D-Day. Heavy overnight rain turns streets into rivers and closes roads. The route to be taken by the wedding cars is a washout and gets redirected. The sodden fields are draining onto the roads and water is running everywhere. On the bright side - the high winds forecast aren't eventuating and the rain eases to showers as the day progresses...game on.
The lads - Arrin, Martin and Steve were based at Arrin and Julia's house while Julia spent the night at a rented house on the farm where the wedding reception was held. The preparations went without a hitch with the exception of flooded roads. The actual ceremony was held at Woolacombe Bay Hotel which is a fancy as place with a number of function rooms and the ceremony was held in one which looked onto a patio filled (by coincidence) with New Zealand flaxes. A beautiful and moving ceremony with three readings from Julia's friends and some live singing and violin playing. Photo's were inside the hotel due to weather, but a break in the clouds allowed Arrin and Julia to dash off to get some solo snaps. Up to the farm for the big to-do.
The place looked awesome!!!! After a few quick drinks and piccies the food was served and it was to die for. The speeches started straight after and were great. Julia's dad's, Arrin, Julia, Corrina, Marty and Steve all said their bit...laughs, tears and even a didgerie doo solo by Julia...then party on. Great music - loud and full of dance track classics - no dodgy old ones, straight into boogey mode with everyone up and shaking their groove thing. A great night that ended too soon, but allowed almost all paticipants the opportunity to wake up feelin fine and ready for a BBQ and drinkie at the farm on Saturday.
With a few notable folks missing due to 'illness' we went to the farm and wandered to the marquee site to take in the atmosphere and marvel at how wet it was - then true to form down came the rain, making it obvious that it was fortunate that the venue was moved. A yummy lunch awaited and the bubbles flowed. Relaxed conversations and laughs were punctuated by the dis-assembling of the site so Andrew the farmer could resume work on Monday. Again many hands made light work and the bubbles were on tap as Arrin and Julia opened their gifts which were amazing - no double up's and everything in one piece. The day after was almost as good as the big day -more relaxed and lots of laughs, thanks to Pam, Pete, Simon and Sarah for being soo welcoming. AWESOME two days.
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