Wedding

We need to back track a little.  The middle weekend that we were at Otamure Bay (Whananaki) and the weekend before “the” stormy weather,  we hopped into the RAV and drove down to Tauranga for the weekend as our niece Jenna was getting married.  We left Otamure by 9am on the Friday morning, finally arriving in Tauranga at 5pm.  Yes, we did have a couple of stops along the way but not too many or not for long either!

The wedding took place on the Saturday afternoon at Mills Reef Winery, a lovely location.  The bridal party left from the motel we were all staying at which was not too far from the venue.  Jenna’s two younger sisters, Amy and Rebekka, were her bridesmaids.

Rebekka and Amy getting into the car

Arriving with her Dad, Keith.

 

Jenna & Chris exchanging vows

Jenna is Bernice’s sister Hilary’s daughter, which meant that 4 of the 6  siblings were there for the nuptials.

    Jeff, John, Jude, Sue & Bernice solving the problems of the world.  And yes, I did need a glass in each hand!

Rebekka and her boyfriend Paul

Bride getting an Uncle Roy hug!

 

Jenna & Chris cutting the cake.  The background image is of Bernice’s parents cutting their cake.

 

L-R Amy, Bernice, Roy, Hilary, Chris, Jenna, Sue, Jeff, Jude, John, Rebekka

A lovely wedding and weekend away, but it was a long drive back for us with a stop off at brother Steve’s (thanx for the lunch) in Auckland along the return journey. 

The end of a visit

No sooner had she arrived in the country, she was off again. Alex arrived back to Auckland on Sunday after her trip to Gore for Lee & Matt’s wedding where she was Maid of Honour. According to all reports, the wedding went off without a hitch and they all had a fabulous time. Lee put in a huge effort for her wedding day, to the extent of even making the unusual but beautiful bouquets.

Button bouquet.
Roy and I picked up Alex from the airport on Sunday evening where we then headed straight into Mt Eden for a family dinner. We were joined by Simon & Anita, Antony, Jacky & Chris (honorary family members). We enjoyed a lovely evening before heading on back to our van parked at Ambury Regional Park. Although we did witness an “interesting” event in the carpark as we were leaving, not that I can explain in detail here as it is x-rated!!!

Monday and we headed into Jacky’s to get Alex’s washing and drying done before she packed. That accomplished, Antony joined us and we headed off to the Fish Market downtown for a spot of lunch. Niece Erin just so happens to work not far from the market. A quick phone call later and she also joined us for a spot of lunch.

From L, Alex, Jacky, Roy, Antony and Erin

same as above except Jacky and I swapped places.

The rest of the day seemed to fly by and before we knew it, it was time to head out to the airport. This is always the hardest part of any visit, but we steeled ourselves and bade a fond farewell knowing that we would see Alex again in October.

Wedding day

Saturday dawned cloudy, with some overnight showers however we were optimistic that the weather would improve as the day went on. The morning was spent setting out tables, decorating and generally organizing things so that the day would go smoothly for Fran & Clive.

marquee looking lovely.

table setting
The bride arrive just as the clouds parted and the sun shone. Fran and her bridesmaids looked beautiful as they made their entrance for the formal part of the ceremony.

After the ceremony it was time to sign the certificates.

then it was time for photographs and then the wedding breakfast and speeches followed by party time! Oh, but first time to cut the cake

Then it was party time…

Steve, father of the bride, enjoying the first dance. The rest of the night was spent dancing under the stars, a glorious end to a lovely day. All the best to Fran, Clive & Bea for the future together.

Mahurangi

Mahurangi West is another one of the Auckland Regional Parks, with this one about 45minutes north of Auckland. However, we are not staying at the regional park camping ground, we are staying at the venue for our nieces wedding providing on site ‘security’, and what a lovely location it is. It is at the old Mahurangi School

The views are stunning overlooking the Mahurangi Harbour, and as we arrived the marquee had been set up and tables were being arranged.

We are parked tucked away on one side of the carpark area over looking the marquees and along from the wee hall.

But the view from the toilets would have to be the best.