Orawee and Blair

This was certainly a different wedding for me because there was a company which came to manage their wedding.

This meant that I was simply to wait on the beach and watch everybody arrive - this was wonderful - the things that I saw.

But this meant that I actually watched what was going on - and I saw a great idea (one to add to my wedding ideas blog).

When the guest arrived they were able to choose to put on some clothing - hats, glasses, cigar etc and pose - certainly different photographs!

The groom arrived and we waited for the bride -  who arrived as the sun began to come down. Words were spoken (and translated into Thai) and kisses were shared.

The party moved to the Panwa House where the celebrations continued.

Congratulations Orawee and Blair.

Hannah and Jarrad

The day began quietly with us ensuring that everybody got what they wanted to eat and the speeches were correct - I believe that everybody arrived who indicated to Hannah that they would be.

The girls quietly retreated to their room to get ready and I am not sure where they boys went to get ready but they were ready on time and on the beach.

We all travelled to the beach on the tram and the groom waited - but it was clear that this was all going to be on time. 

An elephant waited at one end of the beach whilst we all waited at the other. As we were told to prepare ourselves we could see Hannah in the distance walking along the beach with the elephant - lovely and I do not know how many people took photographs of her whilst she came closer.

Dad walked her down the aisle and calmly passed her to me and I passed her to Jarrad. Words were then spoken and promises were shared - note the spelling was changed (sorry).

Kisses were exchanged with the bride and groom and then the elephant even joined in - what is an elephant kiss on a Wedding Day?

Photos were taken and the guests prepared themselves for a night of celebration. 

Flowers were thrown from the balcony of Panwa House and caught by a lucky lady  and more photographs were taken.

Then the garter was removed but what does it mean to the person who caught it?

Congratulations Hannah and Jarrad

Emily and Justin

Breathes were held, fingers were crossed and blessing asked for - after the 4 days of rain and the crashing waves and wind yesterday morning it was still not clear what the weather was going to be like!

Even I was a little worried - but I could not tell them - we had a second plan...

The weather was not good in the morning and then IT STOPPED. Emily went to get ready in the Spa and the boys in the room. The water was calm and the sun began to shrine.  Justin was calm but I think that Emily was calmer and then Emily was on time! - something which she is not renown for!

We set up and waited... It was then that I realised that I was nervous and the grass was muddy - this was not good.

Chatting with Justin and the boys made me realise that I was not the most nervous! I had not taken any photographs though - never mind there was no rain and it looked like there was none coming.

The music started and Emily made her entrance - and what  a walk with her father - fantastic. The words were read and Emily and Justin began their vows, which Justin had tweaked just a little bit and I found the whole thing quite amusing -"partner in crime" was a comment which I had never read before but I might just use it again.

Rings were exchanged and kisses given - lovely. We moved to the beach and I remembered to take a photograph.

The bride and groom had some photographs of themselves on the beach and then they moved to the Sunset at Cape Panwa Promenade - lovely again. The locals all enjoyed it as well.

They all returned to have dinner at Top of the Reef.

Congratulations Emily and Justin

Ae and Darren

This was a Traditional Thai Wedding so I was not as intimately involved as usual!

This meant that when Darren needed his cigarettes I could find them for it - see I was still important! Then it was time to decide how I was going to record this special event? I tried a video - mainly because I wanted to capture Varoons cry for the last days of freedom (that's what the boys told me! - the girls told me that it meant something else) but I digress.

So the team go off with the family to pick up Darren - wonderful atmosphere.

On returning with Darren it was clear that the chaos was not really chaos and Darren knew that I knew what was going on but had decided to to explain too much.

Darren had his shoes polished and passed through the gates (obviously giving tips as he went) and then was off to find Ae - Assaree never really helps but it is always fun watching the Groom being misled!

The ceremony with the monks passed simply and peacefully - in fact their little boy chose to sleep all the way through!

Coffee was given to the monks - blessings were shared within the families and drinks were poured. Next is a dinner at Panwa House...

Congratulations Ae and Darren