Day 12: Wedding Day

With Tim’s sister and her boyfriend and housemate staying in the same room as us at the hostel, there was much preparation being done in our room through the morning. We caused a line-up at the ironing board, where Owen and some random guy engaged in an extensive conversation offering each other ironing tips.

We met with Berian and Julia again this morning to go and buy a wedding card, and go to “Shake Away” – a shop offering over 100 flavours of milkshake. It’s kind of like the Goodberry’s of milkshakes, but with more flavours to choose from. They of course have the full range of fruity, chocolatey and other standard flavours. They also have an extensive selection of lollies and chocolate bars – including Aero, Jelly Beans, Skittles, Tic Tacs... Next add a variety of cereals such as Weet-Bix, Coco Pops, Blueberry Nutri-Grain... And finally, a few totally random things, like the one Owen ordered – Carrot Cake. Yes, it’s actually just bits of carrot cake blended up into some milk. Xavier carried over his Goodberry’s favourite by ordering a Banana and Mint Aero shake.

This is all possibly old news to Melbourne people, as apparently there is an outlet there as well.

The awesome foursome also went to a museum to look at a totally nerdy mathematics, measurement and science apparatus display (can't remember what it was called actually, but that's what it was about). Trust me, it was far more interesting than it sounds.

And then it was time – back to the hostel to get dressed, and off to The Wedding!

I will give a brief description of how the afternoon went, but will then let a selection of photos do most of the talking. Further questions are welcome and will probably be answered. I also believe that the “official” photographs (and possibly video) from the wedding will be made available online at some point.

The ceremony was at 2 o’clock in the Balliol Chapel, followed by drinks and finger food in the lovely garden just outside. Around 4:30 or 5:00, we all got called to make our way into the dining hall, where the reception was held. 3 courses, plus cake and coffee – speeches from Di’s brother, Tim’s brother, Di herself and Tim himself – piano performances from a couple of different people – general good times and plenty of wine. At around 8pm, people headed outside into the Balliol College grounds for family photos. There was croquet for some, a game of cards for others – both of which lasted until it was too dark to continue. Darkness (from about 10:00) saw people slowly starting to head off, but the tab at the bar kept plenty of people around for as long as the barman was going to be willing to stay on for.

The dining hall in which the reception was held was of the classic Oxford University College dining hall style – that is, it was like the one from the Harry Potter movies. The movies were filmed at one of the other colleges, but I think they’re all pretty much the same setup. It was pretty awesome!

For those of you wanting to know about fashion, flowers and food, here’s some introductory comments before I direct you to the photos to see things for yourself:

Fashion – There were no bridesmaids or groomsmen – up on stage it was just Tim and Di, with Tim’s brother as best man, and Di’s brother. There was a fairly small number of guests, most of which were male (therefore just suited up in the standard way). Di was not wearing a standard style wedding dress, which probably provides the most interesting fashion point of the ceremony.

Food – The menu and pictures of each course are in the photos. Also shots of the dining hall.

Flowers – Apart from the College gardens, there were very few to be seen. Di had a bouquet – but the only time I ever saw it was when it was being thrown. I think that was all.

To the pictures – a selection of Xavier’s photos from the wedding day may be found here:
http://s758.photobucket.com/albums/xx227/xueyam/

Until the Trudgian photos are available for all to see, you will have settle for the best of what I took. (And as much as I was able to upload using the poor internet facilities at this hostel)

PS - I've not time to write titles or comments on the photos - so if you don't know who is who and what is what, give it a day or two and there will be descriptions for all.