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Uluwatu, Indonesia

The day before the wedding, the wedding party left Kuta for the wedding venue. Some of us were excited, stressed, sick and slightly nervous. The wedding party consisted of: Mum, Dad, Dave, Me, Adriaan, Allison, Chris W, Rhian, Anita (following on her motorbike), Nibbs who had really bad Bali sickness and Chris who had salmonella poisoning. Those who were well enough to move, headed straight for the pool where Bintangs awaited. We have chosen to get married at Bayuh Sabbha villa, a private villa on the Cliff top off the Bukit peninsula. As it’s located between Dreamland and Padang Padang, the 180 degree view of the ocean looks over both. When Dave and I, and our trusty assistant Chris, looked at this venue a year ago we knew we could stop looking. Maybe I am biased but it was jaw droppingly beautiful then and today is no different. The villa is big enough to have the wedding party to stay and be entertained in its 2 pools, library tennis court and gym. Food is served to order in the outdoor dining room by the six lovely Balinese staff who are there to ensure a relaxing enjoyable stay.

In typical Julia style, after all the jobs were done, I found something else to stress about. That was spending 3 hours perfecting the wedding walk with Dad – a bit daft considering it ‘s all over within minutes but we both wanted it to be perfect, as two perfectionists would. After a group dinner, Dave and the boys went to their side of the villa and us girls went to the main house. Allison and I were up in the master suite. We were reasonably good about not staying up all night nattering.

IT’S OUR WEDDING DAY!! Allison and I woke at 6.30am and the first thing we saw was blue sky. Every bride wishes for that blue sky the morning of her wedding. I could have kissed the ground but instead I was thankful for not paying $400 for a weather God to bless the rain away, as suggested to us. Mum and Dad joined us girls in bed for my last morning of being unmarried. It was exactly how I imagined the day should start.

After the boys left for surfing at Padang Padang, the coast was clear for us girls to enjoy a champagne brekkie, yoga and meditation overlooking our 180 degree view of the ocean. It was perfect and was exactly what I needed to unclutter the mind and enjoy the day and the most amazing villa.
Eka and her team of makeup ladies arrived at 10am and started beautifying the girls. Chris, Mum and I headed down to the tiny little ‘Impossibles Beach’ next to the villa and ended up having a quick swim in our undies. It was one of the highlights of the day, spending time with just them. After a morning of pure relaxation my hair and make up began. Before we knew it the time was here and guests had arrived. I put on my dress with 8 photographers and videographers chasing my white bum around the dressing room – literally – and it’s all on the full length video – how kind of them! The moments before we walked out the door for the final time went so quickly.

The moment you put on the dress, the hair and make up is complete and you look into the mirror – that’s when it becomes real. At that point I just wanted to see my Dave. There were so many emotions going through my head as my Dad walked me down the aisle. I held back the tears until I saw Dave standing on the floating stage. I will never ever forget that moment.
The wedding day went off without a hitch but with A LOT of sweat. 42 degrees and the boys were in full three piece suits and the dress was hot. Fortunately the delay in the ceremony commencing (hair and make up took so long) meant less photos and we could get straight into enjoying the night. The food was perfect. The decorations were exactly how I imagined (and of course planned!) and the speeches were speechless (haha) . The words in mum and dad’s joint speech and Ruth speech will be with us forever. Brother Chris did the best job of playing MC. The hours of effort put into learning how to dance around a pizza box paid off with the first dance and the cocktails helped the dancing get started.

To all those people who came to Bali and to those who sent love and support from afar, thank you for making it the most perfect day. It really was the best day of our lives.

The next day Anita took us down to the beach to get photos in the dress, apart from the lack of time on the wedding day, it was just too hot to leave the hotel grounds. My aunty and uncle, Peter and Helen and Dave’s cousin Jenny and Uve joined us for a family lunch the next day. It was the perfect way to end the stay in our wedding villa.

Link for photos
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= a.10151686231763690.1073741829.74120868 9&amp;type=1
and
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= a.10151686218628690.1073741828.74120868 9&amp;type=1

and for video (short version)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p0iuwu xy6c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsgjeJm v60c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwPP0Hh 9Gu8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-dP9iC ZXJQ

May 20th, every year will be remembered with treasured memories of that day and all the years after.

Today is the first day of the rest of our lives, together as Mr and Mrs Morton.

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