I think the photos are under that stack of boxes...
Nah, they're actually online - finally.
http://www.liliwedding.com/photos
4 days to go...
http://www.liliwedding.com/photos
4 days to go...
Labels: david, Pretty pictures, wedding
Our trip to Gosford, or how the salmon rissole won the day
We're just back from Gosford (about an hour out of Sydney on the NSW central coast - that's Australia) and our Australian post-wedding party.
As usual, we had a fantastic time staying with Grandma and Auntie Mavis (technically David's grandmother and great-aunt, but we tend to refer to them as "the grandmas"). We hung out, ate, hung out some more, ate, ate some more... You get the picture.
The ostensible purpose of the trip was a lovely post-wedding luncheon, but I'm fairly convinced that it was all part of a nefarious plot to convert me to eating salmon rissoles. More on that later...
The luncheon was really lovely. I got the chance to wear my wedding dress again (sadly, not the veil, though I tried hard to justify it!), and we all got the chance to spend some time with some of David's many relatives. It was much lower-key than the wedding: all we had to do was get dressed and turn up!
George, David's uncle, was the photographer for the day, and did such a fantastic job that we had trouble choosing which photos to put in the grandmas' album. As soon as we're packed and ready to move, we'll add some photos to my Flickr account.
After the luncheon - and the cake at afternoon tea time - some of the relatives came back to the grandmas'. For more food. Because in Gosford, you need to eat every few hours. Don't ask me why, it's just how it works (and it's lovely).
It was at this time that I was converted to the love of the salmon rissole. After numerous visits when I've declined the pickled herring, gefilte fish, and the rissoles, and any other fish-related dishes, I cracked.
Just as well, too - because the rissoles are amazing! They don't taste like salmon, which suits a non-fish-lover like me, and they are very moreish. I like them hot or cold, plain, or with horseradish cream and/ or spinach dip. I like them for breakfast, lunch, dinner or just as a snack in between.
It's only taken just over 5 years, and I'm converted. So converted, I have the recipe.
Considering how long it took me to eat any fish not covered in batter and deep-fried, I'd call this a huge success on the grandmas' part. Well done Auntie Mavis - they really are delicious!
As usual, we had a fantastic time staying with Grandma and Auntie Mavis (technically David's grandmother and great-aunt, but we tend to refer to them as "the grandmas"). We hung out, ate, hung out some more, ate, ate some more... You get the picture.
The ostensible purpose of the trip was a lovely post-wedding luncheon, but I'm fairly convinced that it was all part of a nefarious plot to convert me to eating salmon rissoles. More on that later...
The luncheon was really lovely. I got the chance to wear my wedding dress again (sadly, not the veil, though I tried hard to justify it!), and we all got the chance to spend some time with some of David's many relatives. It was much lower-key than the wedding: all we had to do was get dressed and turn up!
George, David's uncle, was the photographer for the day, and did such a fantastic job that we had trouble choosing which photos to put in the grandmas' album. As soon as we're packed and ready to move, we'll add some photos to my Flickr account.
After the luncheon - and the cake at afternoon tea time - some of the relatives came back to the grandmas'. For more food. Because in Gosford, you need to eat every few hours. Don't ask me why, it's just how it works (and it's lovely).
It was at this time that I was converted to the love of the salmon rissole. After numerous visits when I've declined the pickled herring, gefilte fish, and the rissoles, and any other fish-related dishes, I cracked.
Just as well, too - because the rissoles are amazing! They don't taste like salmon, which suits a non-fish-lover like me, and they are very moreish. I like them hot or cold, plain, or with horseradish cream and/ or spinach dip. I like them for breakfast, lunch, dinner or just as a snack in between.
It's only taken just over 5 years, and I'm converted. So converted, I have the recipe.
Considering how long it took me to eat any fish not covered in batter and deep-fried, I'd call this a huge success on the grandmas' part. Well done Auntie Mavis - they really are delicious!
Labels: Family, Food + drink, Laura, wedding
We did it! #3
The wedding day was just wonderful.
Like many couples, we'd had some stressful and anxious moments, and at times we'd wondered if eloping wouldn't have been a smarter choice. But looking back on it all, I am so pleased we persisted, worked through the toug stuff, and had the wedding that we did.
Thanks to our good doctor's prescriptive abilities, I'd had a great night's sleep, and had managed to shake off the rising fear and panic of the night before.
(Tip to all families of prospective brides and grooms: when you ask how they're feeling, and they look increasingly nauseous as you keep asking, they're not feeling too good!)
David left early to pick up my veil, which had been omitted when he picked my dress up the day before. After a quick drop-off, he set off on his errands, which left me alone at home, ostensibly to relax.
Instead, I tidied up in the kitchen and bedroom (doing dishes = very bridal), and had about 10 minutes' reading time before Eddie the hairdresser arrived. Che and Katie followed shortly thereafter, and the preparations began properly.
The time went really quickly: before I knew it, Brent had arrived for his hair intervention, and then Mark and Reiko arrived to pick Che, Mum and the flowers up.
I'm usually a low-key, no-fuss kind of girl, but I really loved having my hair and makeup done! I'd originally thought I'd have very low-key, natural makeup, but ended up with quite a glamorous look. It reminded me a lot of dress shopping: I thought I'd wanted a plain and simple dress, and ended up with a very elaborate dress with lace and beading, and a train.
We felt like movie stars as we drove to the ceremony. As we arrived, we were snapped by our photographer and videographer, and a number of random bystanders.
Walking to meet David, I couldn't stop smiling. Not a gentle, bridal smile - a HUGE grin! He looked so handsome, and I felt so happy to be marrying him. I'm not sure what surprised him more - how I looked, or that I remembered my vows without prompting!
A lot of the rest of the day is a happy blur of hugs, congratulations and photos. Some of my favourite things about the day are silly, little things - like giggling when our celebrant talked about our love blossoming, and having to keep kissing for the photos (it's a tough job, being the bride!).
One of the hardest things to get used to was being the centre of attention and having everyone compliment me on how "beautiful" - or, if they were boys, "hot" - I looked. (Again, a tough job, but I managed!)
It was such a wonderful day for us that I can really understand why people talk about the wedding day as being the best day of our lives. But I think I agree with Mum's speech: it may be our best day yet, but I hope we will have many more, even better days to come.
I wonder how long we need to wait until we can renew our vows and do it all over again?
Like many couples, we'd had some stressful and anxious moments, and at times we'd wondered if eloping wouldn't have been a smarter choice. But looking back on it all, I am so pleased we persisted, worked through the toug stuff, and had the wedding that we did.
Thanks to our good doctor's prescriptive abilities, I'd had a great night's sleep, and had managed to shake off the rising fear and panic of the night before.
(Tip to all families of prospective brides and grooms: when you ask how they're feeling, and they look increasingly nauseous as you keep asking, they're not feeling too good!)
David left early to pick up my veil, which had been omitted when he picked my dress up the day before. After a quick drop-off, he set off on his errands, which left me alone at home, ostensibly to relax.
Instead, I tidied up in the kitchen and bedroom (doing dishes = very bridal), and had about 10 minutes' reading time before Eddie the hairdresser arrived. Che and Katie followed shortly thereafter, and the preparations began properly.
The time went really quickly: before I knew it, Brent had arrived for his hair intervention, and then Mark and Reiko arrived to pick Che, Mum and the flowers up.
I'm usually a low-key, no-fuss kind of girl, but I really loved having my hair and makeup done! I'd originally thought I'd have very low-key, natural makeup, but ended up with quite a glamorous look. It reminded me a lot of dress shopping: I thought I'd wanted a plain and simple dress, and ended up with a very elaborate dress with lace and beading, and a train.
We felt like movie stars as we drove to the ceremony. As we arrived, we were snapped by our photographer and videographer, and a number of random bystanders.
Walking to meet David, I couldn't stop smiling. Not a gentle, bridal smile - a HUGE grin! He looked so handsome, and I felt so happy to be marrying him. I'm not sure what surprised him more - how I looked, or that I remembered my vows without prompting!
A lot of the rest of the day is a happy blur of hugs, congratulations and photos. Some of my favourite things about the day are silly, little things - like giggling when our celebrant talked about our love blossoming, and having to keep kissing for the photos (it's a tough job, being the bride!).
One of the hardest things to get used to was being the centre of attention and having everyone compliment me on how "beautiful" - or, if they were boys, "hot" - I looked. (Again, a tough job, but I managed!)
It was such a wonderful day for us that I can really understand why people talk about the wedding day as being the best day of our lives. But I think I agree with Mum's speech: it may be our best day yet, but I hope we will have many more, even better days to come.
I wonder how long we need to wait until we can renew our vows and do it all over again?
We did it! #2
The last post was maybe a bit oblique (I was lying on the couch in the recovery position with a IV drip of San Pellgerino and left over kitchen tea muffins) - yes we were married! And it was surprisingly fun! After a week or so of stressing, it all happened relatively smoothly. I was seriously worried that it was going to rain - I could see the rain clouds gathering over One Tree Hill from my parents' balcony - but it was all fine. All the various helpers turned up and did their thing. Laura looked beautiful! - the dress was hot. Our attendants were graceful / dashing. We remembered our vows. The limo was cool. The photos were fun - I knew modeling was easy - we were fierce (Tyra-style). Our reception venue looked great (especially when the extreme fairly light blinking was taken care of), our speeches went off and I didn't even worry about our first dance.
That night I still woke up worrying about wedding details and the day after was a huge anti-climax. It was the best party we've thrown and I didn't really want to end - I guess that means it was great.
Mr and Mrs David Lilienthal!
That night I still woke up worrying about wedding details and the day after was a huge anti-climax. It was the best party we've thrown and I didn't really want to end - I guess that means it was great.
Mr and Mrs David Lilienthal!
We did it! #1
... and we need to thank the gods for holding the rain back.
By witnessing David and Laura making their vows to each other, we are all, in a sense, pledging together with them. To bless this connection I invite everyone here to remember those you love. Open your hearts and memories so we can expand this ceremony to include the histories of each of us, the connections that spin invisibly from this gathering.
Bring to this place the many loves that have enriched us and imagine the warmth and light from all these, gathering around these two, bathing them with strength, beauty, love and innumerable enriching qualities.
David and Laura, deep commitment is a practice without end. It can reveal to us our true nature. Through knowing and appreciating each other in myriad ways, through trusting each other in a multitude of circumstances, your relationship will become a great gift to others. This is a wonderful way to live your lives. Your families, your friends, whole societies, a vast web of beings have all brought you here together. This is a blessing.
Love benefits the whole world. May the love you have for each other continue to blossom.
Important question
If you were going to eat vodka jelly, what flavour would you want to eat the most?
Or, even better, rank the following:
Lemon
Lemonade
Lime
Orange
Strawberry
Cranberry
Or something else?
Please leave a comment - I'm trying to sort the hen's and stag nights' kick-off entertainment.
Or, even better, rank the following:
Lemon
Lemonade
Lime
Orange
Strawberry
Cranberry
Or something else?
Please leave a comment - I'm trying to sort the hen's and stag nights' kick-off entertainment.
Labels: Food + drink, Laura, wedding
A bower of flowers
Our house was a bower of flowers last week. Really.
First of all, we had the flowers I was given on the 19th when I left work.
Then on Tuesday we received a lovely vase and bouquet from our neighbours, aka the rockin' librarians.
(OK, that's not what we really call them, but it's how I think of them. Partying, fun-loving... they're not your mother's librarians... Unless you're me, though my mother the librarian is not that kind of librarian...)
But I digress.
So the second bouquet, which had beautiful pinks and greens and whites, to tone with the oyster-coloured vase. (Love that vase!)
Then Wednesday rolled around, and we met with the florist to go over the wedding flowers. At the end of the meeting, she gave us the flowers she'd used to demonstrate the styles: mostly white hydrangeas, but also lisianthus.
So much for needing to buy flowers to celebrate unemployment!
And if you're interested, Lili very obligingly took some photos of the flowers for me.
Labels: Laura, Pretty pictures, wedding
God is a DJ - but not ours
Bravely we decided not to get a DJ for the wedding reception.
The idea was that I'd compile playlists and plop them on the ipod and we'd be laughing - money saved, no gawky DJ in manky suit and bowtie.
But I really didn't think that one through. For one thing, the ipod isn't much chop as it will probably will run out of batteries at the most inconvenient time. And fumbling around on the scrollwheel in a dark corner to pause or replay a song isn't so great either.
So then I thought I'd use the laptop. That would be especially good, I thought, because I can use a player with volume leveling preventing our poor helper from running to and fro jiggling the volume when one song is too loud and the next too quiet. But then I find out the "background music" needs to be on CD, so a volume-leveling player doesn't really help. Never fair, I found a great little utility call MP3Gain which will boost tracks to a fixed volume without decoding and re-encoding the mp3. Now I remember the audio output on my laptop is a bit noisy (you can hear all the little pops and squeaks of the electronics) so I'll need to buy or borrow a USB sound card.
And this is aside from actually ripping and compiling the playlists. I'm using a simple formula to predict the complex upper / downer effect required from the music. Basically, as long as everyone behaves exactly like me, it should be perfect :-o.
The idea was that I'd compile playlists and plop them on the ipod and we'd be laughing - money saved, no gawky DJ in manky suit and bowtie.
But I really didn't think that one through. For one thing, the ipod isn't much chop as it will probably will run out of batteries at the most inconvenient time. And fumbling around on the scrollwheel in a dark corner to pause or replay a song isn't so great either.
So then I thought I'd use the laptop. That would be especially good, I thought, because I can use a player with volume leveling preventing our poor helper from running to and fro jiggling the volume when one song is too loud and the next too quiet. But then I find out the "background music" needs to be on CD, so a volume-leveling player doesn't really help. Never fair, I found a great little utility call MP3Gain which will boost tracks to a fixed volume without decoding and re-encoding the mp3. Now I remember the audio output on my laptop is a bit noisy (you can hear all the little pops and squeaks of the electronics) so I'll need to buy or borrow a USB sound card.
And this is aside from actually ripping and compiling the playlists. I'm using a simple formula to predict the complex upper / downer effect required from the music. Basically, as long as everyone behaves exactly like me, it should be perfect :-o.
