Our day started with a parkrun of course… a wedding themed one! Everyone was invited to wear veils, fascinators or bow ties ☺️. My dad sat about 500m from the finish line waiting for me to come back, then walked the final part with me, wearing a bow tie AND a fascinator! One participant insisted I wore her veil – so I put it on under my hat!
The wedding
We invited a small group of people that were special to us. We wanted the wedding to be a low key, casual affair. With the guests meeting at the band rotunda in Queen’s Park. We had already sussed a direction from which Dad and I were coming from, being a wide open part of the park, a secret approach was difficult and had to be planned!
Dad and I arrived in a separate car and we got there a bit early so parked up in the car park by the gates, hiding out for a bit longer before making my approach! Although I didn’t have a white dress on, I did have a new dress (one that I chose for the ability to wear it again) and no one had seen it, or my new leg cover.
While sitting in hiding, my phone rang. It was Ann, who had come down from Arrowtown – lost in the park! Instead of trying to give her directions, I picked her up and drove her to where we were intending to park. We laughed about her arriving with the bride! So I gave her 10 mins to now locate the band rotunda before we headed off then called Peter, who was with the guests waiting for us. I told him to look out for Ann and that I wanted to make sure she actually got there before I did! That is the phone call Peter is taking at the start of the video clip. Make sure you listen to what he and the guests say when you watch it!
So, off we set, walking towards the band rotunda to start the ceremony when I came upon two more guests (early for the wedding reception!) I invited them to get closer and watch the ceremony too, I’m not sure if they did or not!
Here’s our video of the ceremony, taken with my GoPro – given to John, Peter’s brother.
We wrote our own vows, which were as follows:
Peters vows
Love has brought us together and our devotion and companionship with keep us together.
I cannot wait to face the many adventures of life, with you by my side.
I am the luckiest person alive to be standing with you today and to be facing life with you every day.
You are the sunshine in my life and the one that makes my world go round.
Melanie’s vows
Today I marry my best friend. I give you my hand, and my heart. You accept all of me, support me, love me, inspire me. We have laughed, we have cried, we bring out our best, and support through our worst. I promise I will always be there by your side, for the rest of our lives.
True love gives with open heart
And true love can conquer fear
True love makes no harsh demands,
It neither rules nor binds
And true love holds with gentle hands
The hearts that it entwines.
Peter’s ring vow:
With this ring, I promise to stand with you as we share this life, and cherish the memories we make together.
You are my best friend and everlasting companion. You have brought me the truest happiness I have ever known. I take joy today in committing my life to yours.
John’s reading
This is a poem written by John and Peter’s mother Joy MacCormick
Wedding photos
Massive thank you to Liz for the majority of these photos, plus anyone else has sent theirs through to me.
Congratulations to you both!
Thank you ☺️
This was a very special day for you both & it was a great joy to be apart of. The atmosphere of the whole day was truly amazing.. Thank you Melanie & Peter for this amazing day. 😘 ❤️
Thank you so much, we were so happy to have you with us in the Deep South. 🥰