The bride's account of the wedding

[Written 5th August 2003]

Since all the other ladies are too busy to pen their perspective of the occasion, here's mine. Bear in mind that my mind is actually on holiday - if that's possible at all. Actually, I'm on leave and feeling bored... already.

The morning of the wedding started earlier than I'd prefer given the owls both Ian and I are. It may have been less than two months ago but already my recollections of the day are somewhat hazy (didn't I say I'm an owl?). The highlights for me were...

...the worship in church was really enjoyable - wished it could have gone on longer but both Ian and I realised that if we were to prolong it, a lot of our guests would be bored. Worship's only fun when you mean the words you sing and enjoy the music and beat as well. If it weren't for the wedding gown I wore - a modified cheongsam - which restricted my movements somewhat, I might have had more fun at the worship. Ah well, the travails of a bride - big and small (and I'm bigger than the ideal figure for a slinky cheongsam)!

...an observation: I know on hindsight why my hairstylist refused to pile my hair higher even though I had assured her that the groom is tall enough for that. As I was getting into the bridal car, my hairdo hit against the top of the car door, which caused me momentary panic as I didn't want to make an entrance with hair in disarray - my hairstylist had just driven off in the direction of the church. I also had to make a conscious attempt not to sit upright (as I'm wont to do) throughout the ride to the church as my head kept bumping into the 'ceiling' of the car, threatening to ruin my hairdo. Sitting funny proved slightly tricky given the gown I wore. The travails of a tall bride with a long torso...

...walking down the aisle (the entrance bit) proved more enjoyable than I'd thought it'd be. The rehearsal two nights prior saw me getting a mini attack of nerves. I've always preferred writing to making speeches or doing anything that means everybody is looking at you all at once. So I was not quite looking forward to the bridal party's walk up the aisle as all eyes are normally on the bride. Thankfully, the first few seconds of jitters gave way to delight as I caught sight of familiar faces among the invited guests while walking up the aisle on Dad's arm. What was supposed to have been a stately entrance (I had been instructed to walk slowly during the rehearsal) went out the window. Prior instructions flew out of my brains, and buoyed by the delight I felt while greeting people I knew, I pretty much sauntered up the aisle, something I realised only on hindsight. Hubby told me during the honeymoon that I'd walked too quickly, causing him to panic as I arrived with Dad in front of him and the pulpit long before I was timed to, according to the song Ian was singing to me. Ian flubbed a few lines in panic and started singing faster - he told me so much later and the VCD verified this. I was too dazed (star-struck?) to realise all these glitches that day.

...the photo-taking session was quite fun too as friends I hadn't seen in a while came up to say hello.
.
...the exchange of vows and rings - the most important part of the event. I remember trying to concentrate so as to mean what I say from the heart (not just parrot after the officiating minister) since making vows before God and people is not something to be taken lightly.

Unfortunately, I've run out of time for now - Ian and I have to go for our dinner in another five minutes. Maybe someone else who attended our wedding can find some time to write another account of the day? I must say the best man's account was very entertaining.
[Back]