Another stunning day. Hot but with a breeze.  The high was 37C and that continued for the next day also. 

After breakfast it was all on for preparation. Pauline and I joined the bridesmaids for the pre ceremony beautification. There were 2 hairdressers and one of them also did Pauline’s and my makeup. The bridesmaids got makeup lessons from JenY (she’s been to a course and watched multiple UTube videos) and had also given Sarah a pre wedding lesson. There would never have been time to do all the bridesmaids as each one took between 3/4 and 1.5 hour just for their hair. 

We had lunch delivered to the room which was cool. When nearly ready the Prosecco was opened. Just perfect, and not enough to cause  a problem 😂. 

At about lunchtime, JenY realised she’d left her veil in London. Oh well. She agreed it may have wrecked her hair, which looked fantastic. Funnily, mid ceremony Pauline realised she’d forgotten to wear her matching headband and I realised I was only wearing one earring. What a trio of duffers!

The group of bridesmaids are lovely. They comprised Sarah (maid of honour) and Jen plus 4 of Jens friends from school, uni, or work. 

The hairdressers did a fabulous job. Each bridesmaid picked her own preferred style.  

The wedding started on time at 4.30 amongst the olive trees behind the vege gardens. It was lovely. 

I was very glad of my hat and there were fans and parasols on the seats also. 

Jen did a lovely reading as part of the ceremony and Pete, the celebrant (a former rowing crew mate from University) incorporated a Māori introduction (with translation) that gave it a real kiwi feel. We were so proud. 

The post wedding function was a short walk away beside the vineyard. That’s where we had delicious canapés and then speeches; first from Pauline, then Yama (Jens mum and dad), then me then Mike. 

The speeches went really well. Mike and I had put a lot of thought into ours (as had Pauline and Yama) and we were thrilled with how they turned out and were received. Mike finished his with a short poem which brought tears to many including Craig. (You came too, by Nikki Giovanni)

The dinner was held nearby amongst olive trees festooned with lights. It was a fabulous meal. 

After there was a live brass band, tuba and all, that played all sorts of music. The grass was the dance floor. At one stage (fortunately during their break) the sprinklers came on and the band lost the use of some equipment (someone at Guadalupe forgot about that and there will be compensation payable to the hire company) and the band moved into the pavilion by the bar. It was actually perfect as everyone was dancing. 

Later we went back outside for more dancing and a disco. 

Mike and I lasted until 3.30 and then went to bed but there was an after party in the best man’s apartment until 4.30 (5.30 for a small hardy group) so many didn’t make breakfast event though it was extended to 11.00am. We didn’t make breakfast 🤣