The Reception

Welcome to happy hour. While Lisa and Dave were getting their photos taken, our guests were enjoying the brilliant sunset over the scenic gippsland landscape. Here we see (left to right) Doug, Bibi, Stu, Derek (photobomb), Llew, Carly and Tristan.

We entered to the classic "Rockin Robin" by Bobby Day, which Dave permitted ONLY under the condition that Lisa "did the dance that goes with it". Naturally, she did, and with such confidence and aplomb: Twiddly-diddly-dee.

We then cut the cake, which was a heart in mouth moment - we'd spent so long with Faith leading up to the creation of this cake, and we know how much she put into it, so it was understandably difficult to take a knife to it. I mean, we still did, but we didn't do a good job. Fortunately, the professionals at Parnassus took it away from us and carved it up for the end of the night. Spoiler alert, there was NO cake left at the end of the evening.

We love this photo of Alice and Bibi, our sisters in law, in the spirit of the evening. They had a great time on the dance floor.

Mark enjoyed the lamb, and we love his enthusiasm.

Dave and Lisa have been learning to dance at Dianne's house, weekly, since April. For those interested, our chosen song was "Till there was you", by Peggy Lee. The latin beat suited itself well to a Rhumba, and we hope we did such a beautiful song justice. This was our first dance as a married couple, and we're delighted to have not slipped, tripped or headbutted each other.

Our dance was immediately followed by the father-daughter, mother-son dance. I'm sure it's got a classier name than that, but we had a great time. We danced to "The Twelth of Never" by Johnny Mathis, and showcased a combination of two step and waltz together.

A beautiful photo of Dianne and her sister Judy. We didn't have very much extended family at the event, so we were glad of the few we could have there.

Darcy and Sarah, who are both friends and foes, being on different sides of the Girl-Guide and Boy-Scout divide. Darcy has been a lifelong friend of Lisa's from the TV industry, and Sarah has grown up from being one of Lisa's young guides into one of her respected colleagues looking after the young girls of the future.

The Lissenden family who have been with Lisa for decades. Faith, of course, but also her younger sister Verity, and of course, Lisa's 'second mother' Carol.

Llew and Sarah, competing with us to be the the most charming couple of the night. Llew and Dave have known each other for nearly twenty five years, and we are delighted they were here to share our day. There are other photos of Llew from the night, but in the interest of keeping this family friendly, we'll send them to him directly. Or perhaps just to Sarah.

Lisa with Lily and Olivia. It's been so long since Lisa's seen them, and it was so lovely to see how much they've grown. Lily looks so much like her father, Ben, and Olivia so much like Claire. Claire is Lisa's oldest friend, and it was so nice to have her family together on our wedding day.

The youngest member of our reception tonight, we think perhaps didn't quite understand what was going on. We will say though, Dante, you looked dashing in your cardigan.

Mike, Alaina, Olivia, and Zac came all the way from Canberra. We were able to share in their wedding a year and a half ago, and we are so glad they were able to make it to ours. Mike and Dave worked together for a number of years, and Mike offered friendship when Dave was working alone in a foreign city. Their warmth and humour has been appreciated throughout, and we always make time to visit whenever we're up north.

Corinne, Rachel, Lisa, Scarlett and Cini, also known as the "Kodak girls". They'll assure you that it's because "Everyone wants to take our photos", but it might also be because they worked together at the Berwick pharmacy in their youth. They have kept in touch all these years, and they've all been to each others' weddings, and it's lovely when old friends are new friends always.

Dutch (Tristan) and Carly are among our newest friends, but we are fast friends, and we've already babysat their dear Herbie, and feel like we're now family. Herby was kind enough to gift us one of his treasured toilet rolls, which might seem weird here, but trust us - it's touching as hell.

Bec and Charlotte getting their groove on, on the dancefloor. Bec is Lisa's closest cousin and has always been there as Lisa's closest confidant when it comes to dating. It was delightful to see Bella and Charlotte hit the dance floor. Here are the girls posing for photos in the Parnassus garden.

The men of the Sloetjes family. Like father, like son, like son-in-law? Is that a thing?

Kelly, Lisa and Marcus, trying to look charming and putting aside all of the sibling differences. This is a treasured photo.

We will never know what it was that Linda was telling Lisa, but it's clear that it's something quite serious and perhaps a little concerning. She may have averted some substantial disaster shortly before this - that's what I like to think when I see the look of concern on Lisa's face.

Chris smiling is a rarity in photos, but this one it's clear that he's the cat who got into the cream.

Lisa and her two brothers - one biological, and the other by choice. Jaymie, we're so glad you made it to our wedding - he travelled all the way from Echucha to be with us. We loved having you here for our special day.

When Lisa first mentioned her "sister cousins" to Dave, he imagined something with moonshine and hayrides, but she later clarified that it was just that she had three cousins with whom she is so close that they are like sisters to her. Here're all three together with Lisa and her actual sister - Kelly, Bec, Lisa, Lydia and Aleida.

Tracy and Tony came down from Sydney. Lisa described Tracy to Dave as "Me, but in Sydney", initially, but she meant that they share the same role at work in two different cities. Tracy is one of Lisa's mentors, and she also took on the role of official photographer for the wedding. They're fantastic, Tracy - you've done such an excellent job, and we're thrilled you were able to help out so much. Tracy was also the first person Lisa and Dave visited after they became engaged, and she managed to put together an amazing impromptu celebration with no warning whatsoever. Thanks Tracy!

Al and Steph. Al's Dave's best man, and his closest confidant. Al's been such a support to us, but also, he's responsible for getting Dave onto eHarmony in the first place, where he met Lisa. Dave was so thrilled to hear about Al's romance and subsequent marriage to Steph, and he's been delighted to share the same journey with Al throughout, and it's been amazing to be able to lean on Al for advice and ideas all the way.

We can't pass up the opportunity to showcase their ridiculously cute son, Tyler, here shown with a cow.

Bear hugs between Hannah and Charlie

We're so glad to have Hannah be one of our flowergirls, and we're delighted to capture in this photo her enthusiasm and charm.

Faith and Tanya, who are Lisa's best friends and her closest comrades, professionally styled and looking amazing. Tanya looked after the photo booth and the children's activity packs, and Faith the cake, the informal photography, the pinterest boards, the maid of honour, and so much more between them. They both spoke so marvellously during the ceremony, and they both reminded us of moments from Lisa's history so charming and lovely. We're so blessed to have you with us on this day, and for the months leading up to it, and we couldn't have imagined doing this without you both.

Out on the pier, (left to right) Steph, Al, Carly, Dave, Stu, Lisa, Tristan, Llew, and Luke. Dave and Lisa realised, during the holiday in which they became engaged, just how weirdly important piers have been in Lisa's family. How apt to have so many of our friends together on this pier, this night.

This is our failed attempt at a sparkler exit, which now just looks like Lisa dragging Dave down the aisle, through the fire. Is this a portent of things to come?