From very early on in our engagement, we decided we wanted a unique and different wedding, as well as one that reflected us as a couple. The main idea for our wedding was to get married at 9pm at night under a full moon. Our day started in the usual way, with us both getting ready at our own homes. Daina spent the morning getting hair and makeup done with her two bridesmaids at home. Chris had decided not to have any groomsmen, and spent his last few hours as a single man with his family. We had decided that we still wanted to have a daytime photo shoot for our wedding, so at 3pm we met on the River Torrens in the exact spot we would be married just six hours later. Even though we saw each other before the ceremony, it was still a really special moment for us both. Our photo shoot was lots of fun, and we spent our time having gorgeous pictures taken on the River Torrens and in the University grounds with our bridesmaids

At 5:30pm we returned to our ceremony site to meet up with our brothers, parents and grandparents for family photos. As we were having a cocktail reception after the wedding, we still wanted to have a small sit down meal with out families for dinner before the ceremony. We chose to have it at our favourite restaurant La Trattoria and we definately turned a few heads during the night! Finally, after our wonderful dinner it was time to part before meeting again at the ceremony. Daina and her bridesmaids checked into the couple's hotel to freshen up before the ceremony. Finally, by quarter to nine, Daina, her bridesmaids and parents were waiting under the other side of the bridge for the ceremony to start. It was so exciting to be standing just out of view, knowing it was all about to happen!

Finally the ceremony began, and Daina's parents walked her down the aisle to where Chris was waiting to "You Only Hide" by Something For Kate. There were a few tense moments when a faulty torch refused to work, but then the ceremony was underway. Go here to read about our ceremony. Before we knew it, we were pronounced husband and wife to the sound of Alex Lloyd's "Amazing". We spent a few minutes greeting our guests before walking across the King William Street Bridge to our Reception at Jolley's Boat House.

The rest of the night vanished in a blur, with lots of food, drink and laughter. The speeches were quite funny in parts yet touching at the same time. Everyone seemed to enjoy the novelty of a bright blue wedding cake!

Finally it was time to leave. Chris had spent the night before the wedding telling his mates how much he didn't want a Farewell Arch....so of course they were the very ones to organise it! It was a really emotional time saying goodbye to everyone, especially people from interstate and overseas. Evenually we got downstairs and got into our stretch limo. Many of our guests were planning to go to the Casino afterwards, and our plans were to meet them there. In the end we went to the hotel after driving around a bit, realising we wanted to finally spend some time together alone for the first time that day and relive all the amazing things that had happened. It truly was a wonderful day, everything was just perfect and well worth all the planning!

The next day we headed off to our honeymoon, a secret which Chris had kept from Daina for several months. We spent four great days in beautiful Sydney which we will never forget. It was a perfect end to our wedding and start to our marriage.