our wedding L: amphitheatre

While Werner and I were busy taking photographs, our guests waited in the amphitheatre at the bottom of the hotel's garden. They were served some delightful appetisers and as much sparkling wine as they could handle. We'd also set up a photo booth in the amphitheatre to amuse them while they waited.
We came back from taking pictures and, believing our guests to be well entertained, sneakily sat down in the reception area for a minute to catch our breath and have a bite to eat.
People kept coming past en route to the bathrooms and we'd tell them to pretend they hadn't seen us. It was such a nice, normal moment in between all the activity and excitement. While we were mostly just gobbling up basil-chicken-mayo crostini or washing down a strawberry-cream cheese bruschetta with some bubbly, we did share a very real, private moment of 'wow, we're married'!

I'd left the look of the photo booth entirely up to our capable florist / decorator. To be honest, when we spoke about a gold background, chaise lounge situation I was picturing a sumptuous Marie Antoinette style setup. What I got was a bit more Shaka Zulu, but that's fine too...

Here's a tip for future brides. A photo booth before plentiful alcohol is not nearly as much fun as one after plentiful alcohol. I thought my guests would be wacky interesting enough to create some crazy pics early on, but they were all disappointingly well-behaved!

Meanwhile Ian used the opportunity to snap some candid shots of our hyper photogenic guests.

Gorgeous Fashionista, aka Misi, the one who started it all. Mwah!

Then, finally, we were ready to arrive as Mr & Mrs. We came down the hill to the sound of "Can't take my eyes of you" by Frankie Valli and I was just happy, happy, happy. The party was about to start!

(sorry Ian, I've been messing with this picture...)

We'd been planning to sit in the front row of the amphitheatre seating, but when we got there I decided we'd take the chaise lounge instead. Front and centre!
Werner's siblings kicked off the proceedings with a short and very sweet toast to their parents. Fifteen year old Saskia stole the show with a heartfelt sentence delivered like a professional public speaker. The sentiment was "No one could ask for better parents than you, and I wouldn't."

Xander was pretty funny, but I'll have to see the video to remember what he said!
My brother Phil, order of events in hand at all times, was the MC.

Ankia toasted my parents. I need to hear that again too, but I remember her speech being very honest and true. No gross exaggerations or hyperbole. Just short, simple, stunning.

After the siblings, we had both the best men and two of my bridesmaids toasting Werner and I. Sadly the sun was setting and the wind was coming up, so we have no good pictures and it got quite chilly out there. I said a few words unprepared, I don't remember exactly what, except "I am loved and I am grateful". I cringe a little bit at having to watch it on video, but it felt right in the moment. After Werner's speech (of which I can recall nothing, how sad?) every last little formality was done and we could truly join the party as guests. Yay.