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We met in early 2001, when Craig responded to a 'flat-mate wanted' advert I had running. Within that year we really hit it off - our friendship strengthened; we saw each other at our best. .. and at our worst; we realised we had similar interests and so much in common, and our friendship blossomed into the wonderful relationship we have today.

The Proposal

Craig proposed to me on my birthday, in January 2004. Unbeknown to me (and my Mum!!), Craig had sought 'permission to marry' from my Father a month earlier, at Christmas.

He took me out to my favourite restaurant for breakfast, and proposed beneath a chestnut tree, in the rain, alongside the Avon River (Christchurch).

Our Wedding Day

After a week of hot, sunny and muggy weather the day began with rain - they say rain is good luck on your wedding day! I was, however, quite worried how this could affect our outdoor ceremony!

My two bridesmaids, younger sister Abby & good friend Kelly, who had both travelled from out of town and were staying at our place over the wedding, joined me in bed that morning for a bit of reflection and nerve-settling, before we all got up and waited for our hair and make-up artists to arrive.

With hair done and faces on, it was time to adorn our wedding attire.

My dress - 'Venus', white and strapless, with an A-line skirt, train and boned bodice, embellished with embroidered flowers and intricate beading detail. My look complemented with veil, pearl & diamante jewellery, and my bouquet of white roses.

My two girls wearing long black strapless dresses, with rouched bodice, finished with chartreuse-green coloured organza wraps which had detailed embroidery on them (similar to that of my dress), handmade jewellery of the same colour and their bouquets of pink Asiatic lilies and 'Super Delilah' roses.

Whilst getting ready and sipping on our glasses of bubbly, we noticed that the rain had dried up and the sun was breaking through the clouds - certainly reason to top up our glasses!

After some pre-wedding photos, the three of us were on our way to the venue Our good friend, Lance, chauffeured us in his 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback, which he'd spent a long while perfecting for us, for our day. Billy Idol's, "White Wedding", blaring thru the stereo!

We arrived to the venue, Lansdowne Homestead & Gardens, at 3pm in the brilliant sunshine with all of our guests seated outdoors beneath a large oak tree, and with Craig and his two groomsmen, Ken & Damon, looking on, as the Mustang meandered down the drive.

My father, Barrie, walked me down the rose-petal aisle to Sarah Brightman's "Nella Fantasia", with both Dad and my Mum, Jenny, giving me away.

Our ceremony was beautiful, intimate and moving - with Craig and I declaring our love for each other in front of our closest family and friends, in our own words - it was magic.

As the ceremony came to close, the sun moved behind a cloud and the echoes of thunder were heard around the hills. We promptly moved into position to get our group and family photos done, in the gardens on site, before the weather worsened ..... , and it did! Part-way though our photos, at 4pm, it began to hail. .... huge, hard hail stones! And after a short while, it began to pour with rain ..... and did so for the rest of the afternoon.

As the wedding party left (in the rain) for more photos, our guests were kept entertained by the weather! and our band, Acoustic Solutions (also friends of ours), and were well looked after with drinks, nibbles (and heating') by the wonderful staff at Lansdowne Homestead.

We opted for photos at the Arts Centre, the new Art Gallery and the Canterbury Provincial Buildings, which proved fantastic choices; incorporating the old and traditional, with the new and very modern. We had a lot of fun for the few hours we were away, and certainly had to get creative in the pouring rain with our brollies!

We are greatly indebted to our photographer and friend, Kate Ward, who was able to work with the extreme conditions to get some fantastic photos.

We arrived back at Lansdowne for our reception, as the weather began to clear.

I was so pleased with how my vision of the guest tables had come to fruition. White cloth draped tables, black napkins folded with the guest name cards (which doubled as individual menus) slipped inside, and a centrepiece on each table of small black pebbles, with a cylindrical vase atop and pink lilies and grass inside, with tea-lights alongside, and silver & green heart-shaped chocolates.

After the wonderful speeches and gorgeous meal, the room was abuzz and full of smiling faces. Craig and I danced our first dance to U2's, 'All I Want Is You' and we enjoyed the rest of the evening spending time with our friends and family.

We both had the most wonderful day, with everything going off without a hitch (you can't do much about the weather! i). We've loved hearing our guests raving about every aspect of the day, and we are so thankful and blessed with the many friends and family we have who played such a big part, especially whose skill and expertise we were able to incorporate into our day, which made it so special.

The Date - Sunday 26 November 2006

The Venue - ceremony & reception at Lansdowne Homestead in Tai Tapu, Christchurch Photographer - our friend, Kate Ward

Cake - Divine Cakes & Desserts, Christchurch

The Dress & accessories - Davis Bridal, Christchurch The Flowers - The Flower Room, Christchurch

Hair & Make-up - GlamU, Christchurch

Celebrant - Beverly Blanch

Band - Acoustic Solutions

Decorations - Acropolis Hire, Christchurch Groom/Groomsmen Attire - Deans Suit Hire, Christchurch

Bridesmaids Attire - dresses from Max, modified with black organza along the bust line and accompanied by handmade green organza wraps

Stationary - Pure Impressions, Timaru