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The Greatest Day Of My Life

Yes, it's a fairly big call to say that one specific day is far superior and more memorable than any other day that has passed in my 28 years. But it's true. As sickening as it may sound, the day of our wedding was just simply awesome. Being a more diligent blogger, Kim has already given her take on the day's events, but here is my version.

Poor Jeremy copped the worst of my uncontrollable excitement when I dragged him down to the beach at 7am for a morning swim. I think the conversation went something like:

J: "Why are we doing this again?"
Me: "Because I'm awake! Let's go!"
J: "Oh, ok. I knew there was a good reason."

But the rising sun diffracting through the fluffy clouds was amazing and he agreed that the pain of getting up at an ungodly hour (it had been a late night of drinking) was well worth it. We worked up a healthy appetite in the still, warm water, and then quashed it with bacon and eggs at a beachfront cafe.

As I mentioned, a substantial group of us - mostly my family - then took the terrifying leap of bungy jumping, and most of us enjoyed it so much that we went again (second jump only costs 35 bucks!)

Once we got back to Palm Cove, Sam and Jeremy and I sat around in our hotel room drinking beers as I got ready for my 4pm appointment. The adrenaline was still pumping from the morning's events and I was super-excited. But not nervous. I just couldn't wait. Everything was organized, there was nothing to stress about, we just had to count down the clock. And you couldn't wipe the smile off my face as I jumped around in anticipation.

By 3.45 Nick, my cousin, best friend and always frustratingly tardy best man finally showed up, allowing himself just enough time to change into his attire and get his head around the order of events and where he needed to stand for them to progress smoothly. The setting was on the grass by the beach, with the waves gently lapping, and Nick did a sterling job of completing the scene by providing some light strumming of the guitar to entertain the guests who were by now starting to gather.

At around 4.20 (is 20 minutes late still "fashionable" ??) Kim finally made her entrance, brought proudly down the "aisle" and across the road by her grinning father. She looked absolutely stunning and was grinning as uncontrollably as me. I hadn't seen the dress before and had no idea how her hair was going to look - the girl took my breath away.

Kay, our celebrant, did a great job of the ceremony, and I was in a dream-like state as the rest all unfolded. The vows, the readings, the rings, the kiss, the applause, the photos, the signing of the register. It was all just magical and once it was over my new wife and I disappeared with the photographer to have a few posed snaps on the beach while the guests began on the champagne.

Back at the Reefhouse at 6:00 the tables were set, the chef had fired up the barby and the guests were merrily making their way in for the party to begin. The food was amazing and the wine flowed and flowed because it tasted so damn good. The plan was for Nick to break the news to Kim of me going bungy jumping during the speeches, but after a few glasses of Riesling my dear mother couldn't control herself and spilled the beans, stealing Nick's thunder.

Even so, the speeches were fantastic (except for Kim and mine, which we didn't prepare at all and ended up being just mumbled thankyous) and the dance floor was dominated by Kim's two and a half year old nephew, who had moves to rival any hip-hop performer as he belted out an angry rap in his own toddler language.

And all of a sudden the night was over. The wine had stopped and people were starting to make their way home. So what do you do when you don't want the night to end, ever?

You go swimming.

Yes, the party continued for a select few who still had the stamina for it in the rooftop pool of the Saray'i Hotel next door. Complete with a few bottles of wine that we had managed to smuggle up there.

Nothing feels quite so indulgent as drinking wine from the bottle in a swimming pool.