Today's guest is the prolific and glamorous (well- look at that photo!) Melanie Milburne. I have known Melanie for some years but only met her infrequently when we're lucky enough to connect at Romance Writers of Australia or R W America conferences. I envy her the fact that she lives on the beautiful island of Tasmania where my eldest sister lives. The Babe Magnet and I were lucky enough to visit once - we'd love to go back.Here's Melanie:
Congratulations Kate and Steve on your fortieth wedding anniversary! What a wonderful celebration of two people who have lived and loved together for so long. Where on earth does the time go?
I met my husband via my big brother. We’d first met when I was seventeen but it wasn’t until we were at a conference when I was twenty-two that I actually spoke to him. I used to think he was so shy and reserved and boring! Little did I know that behind that cool reserve was a razor sharp intellect and a killer sense of humour. One quick-witted comment from him and my heart was won! I knew on our second date he was the man I was going to marry. I still can’t explain it. It was the most amazing lightning bolt of realisation -this is THE ONE. Luckily he felt the same way! We got engaged within six weeks and were married on the 3rd of July. It was a freezing winter’s day in Sydney, only 16 degrees Celsius, but I didn’t notice the cold even though I was wearing French lace. I wore my mother’s wedding gown and we were married in the same church my parents had been married in thirty odd years before.
We had a lovely traditional ceremony and then our reception was at our very dear friends’ lovely home on five acres. We had a marquee set up around the gorgeous gardens and the swimming pool where flowers and candles floated. It had occurred to us that there was a danger someone might fall into the pool after one too many champagnes but thankfully no one did. However, one of our elderly guests –a lovely old fellow who was known for his bumbling - fell in the fountain at the front of the house as we were leaving for our honeymoon!
I have a signed copy of it as a giveaway to the best answer to this question:
what is the thing you would do differently if you were to have your wedding day all over again, or, if you’re not married, what is the one thing you would absolutely insist on having at your wedding?
Best wishes,
Melanie Milburne
www.melaniemilburne.com.au
http://www.facebook.com/melanie.milburne
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Melanie-Milburne/351594482609?fref=ts
Twitter- MelanieMilburn1
PS From Kate - I hope you all noted the date Melanie was married - that's why her post was scheduled for today.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Melanie to you and your husband - and thanks for sharing your special day with us.
28 comments:
Congratulations to both of you. I hardly knew most of the people at my wedding. I had a headache and halfway through the priests talk I thought 'What on earth am I doing'
I don't think I want to even think of going through it again but I loved my daughters wedding at Easter this year.
Happy anniversary, Melanie and of course to Kate, who's also celebrating her 40th. I had three marriage ceremonies, although only one husband. We had a Christian wedding, a Hindu wedding and a civil wedding. The Hindu marriage was arranged rather hastily by my in laws, because I came to live in their house and they didn't want the scandal of an unmarried couple living under their roof. But my sisters in law had not yet reached to help me get ready. Hindu brides wear henna tattoo patterns on their hands and feet, but not having time to arrange this my mother in law just arranged two lumps of henna - like dough - and told me to it holding them for the longest time so I'd at least have henna colour if not patterns on my hands. Even today, when I see brides with their beautifully decorated hands, I feel a pang of having missed out. So obviously, I try not to think of it too much. I enjoyed my church wedding far better, as my sister was on hand to help me with my hair and make up.
No need to include me in the draw Melanie as I've a copy for review.
Oh poor you, Princess Fiona! It's a wonder more brides don't end up with a massive headache when you think of the stress of it all.
So glad your daughter's wedding was lovely. I always cry at weddings. It brings back the emotion of mine. I loved every minute.
Thanks for commenting!
Hi Maria,
Three weddings! Your henna thing reminds me of my reaction when I walk into a baby's nursery. We left Australia when our first born was just six weeks old to live in Scotland for four years. I never got to decorate my own nursery so I feel that same pang of regret whenever I see one.
Thanks for posting!
Can't think of anything I'd change, Melanie.
Times were so much different 32 years ago. I was 22 and my husband almost 32. My mom planned the majority of my wedding (it made her happy, and most details didn't matter to me as long as we got married). We had lots of friends and family able to attend. On the way to the church with my dad, the radio was playing "Going to the Chapel", so I sang along with it. The best part was coming down that aisle and seeing my husband waiting for me (sweating buckets, mind you, because there wasn't any air conditioning, LOL). The rest just doesn't/didn't matter (as noted above)....
Happy Anniversary to you too! :) Me, not married... so I imagine the one thing I would want at my wedding is a groom... ;)
Lois
Been thinking about this and the only thing I would want is people who were truly happy for me. If not I would just want me and my husband to be there. Private and no stress from other sources. In fact if necessary I would have two strangers as my witnesses. Then we'd tell everyone afterwards before heading off on our honeymoon. Leaving them to talk about it to their hearts content. With us out of earshot
Would want pictures of the actual event
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
Hi Laney4,
You're right-times were so different back then. My mother tried to take over my wedding too but I somehow managed to remind her it was my day and my husband's, not hers. Had to be diplomatic about it,however! I wonder if it's because mothers want to relive that special day and don't want anything to go wrong for their daughter?
Thanks for commenting!
Hi Lois,
A groom would be very handy!
Thanks for posting.
Hi Ginette,
I think you are spot on-only people who love you and support you should be there. I think small intimate weddings are wonderful. I've been to a few now and have really enjoyed them.
Thanks for joining in the comments!
Hi bin 100,
Funny you should say that. We didn't get our photos as we couldn't afford them at the time so the photographer assured us he would keep the negatives, but while we were overseas the company he worked for was sold and our negatives were lost. We only had the little print out sheet showing all the shoots. It wasn't until digital printing came in that we could get the photos blown up. Fifteen years later!
Thanks for your post.
Congratulations on your wedding anniversary, 28 for me last January and three kids down and personally my only regret it went too fast and didn't get around to see everyone at the reception. All my family and best friends were there and we had a ball, even got a meat pie from a very close family friend (inside joke) wouldn't eat anything but meat pies not even a roast when I stayed with them while mum and dad were away and did not want me to starve at my own receptions haha :P best day ever lots of laughs and love and yes still so today well most of the time ;)
Hi Jan,
Wow, a meat pie at a wedding! Sounds intriguing.
I know what you mean about not having time to talk to everyone. The day just flashes past. I remember a friend telling me before the day to freeze a few moments in my memory as the day progressed so I could think about them later. It really worked. I have some very clear snap shot moments.
Thanks for posting!
Happy Anniversary Melanie. I too wish I had a few more photos of the day but I do have some great memories.
Hi Kaylee,
Yes, photos are lovely but the memories are what count. So glad yours are happy ones too.
Thanks for posting!
Happy Anniversary!!
I've been to Tasmania. It is very beautiful.
There is really only one thing I would change from my wedding and that would be to have it how I wanted it. My MIL took over and my husband-to-be kept saying that to keep the peace just let her have her way. I had the wedding of HER dreams, not mine.
I can see now that my man should have been fighting for me, not his Mother. I was young & in love & happy to please others.
The marriage didn't last and let me tell you that THAT woman would have a fight on her hands today.
Hi Mary,
How awful for you that must have been! Your ex should have put his foot down but it's not easy for men to do that to their mothers. We are all wiser in hindsight, aren't we?
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Melanie,
Happy anniversary to you both.
I have only been married once, this year we will celebrate five years together. There was a point I never thought I'd get married.
My hubby Paul and I wanted a caricature done after the ceremony but as the limo pulled up outside the Excaliber Hotel I had to drop the tail of my dress in a pool of mucky water. So instead of having a nice drawing done, I had to go get changed :(
Happy Anniversary Melanie.
I have not marriage yet but what I want the most is all my family can come to my wedding even if they live in different country :)
Happy Anniversary to you both. Wish you many more years of happiness
Happy Anniversary Melanie and Kate. I admire you both for being happily married. I have not been married - close to it - but not quite lol and what I would make sure I'd do at my wedding is have a great photographer. I've had friends get married with all sorts, from professional to home help photographers and since it's the only memory one has after the fact it's helped me realise when the day comes a photographer who knows what he/she's doing is VERY important.
Hi Taylor,
What a disaster for you and your dress! I've seen videos of brides falling into the ocean or getting caught out by waves. All that hair and make up gone to waste. The muddy water would have been awful. But at least you can laugh about it now!
Hi Eli,
Having your family and loved ones there is terribly important. I always feel sad I missed out on my older brother's wedding as we were living in Scotland and we didn't have the money to fly back. It's the only family wedding I missed.
Thanks for posting a comment.
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for your wishes for many more years. I have a feeling the next 31 are going to go even faster than the last. Because of all the on call my husband has done as a surgeon I feel we have only seen each other for half of that time!
Thanks for posting.
Hi TashNZ,
I think the photographer is terribly important too. I've seen some great shots of brides and grooms from the really creative ones. I have a nephew who is brilliant at it. He really captures those wonderful little moments that are so artistic and poignant.
Thanks for commenting.
Would Maria Perry Mohan email me at melaniemilburne@gmail.com? You are the winner of the giveaway. Three wedding ceremonies was hard to beat!
Excellent blog! Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers?
I’m hoping to start my own blog soon but I’m a
little lost on everything. Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option?
There are so many choices out there that I’m completely confused .. Any tips? Bless you!
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