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So, with a loaded car, literally to the hilt, including Jamie, Katie and Tash off we set to Wanaka. However, I couldn’t resist showing them Kawarau Bridge, to see if the bungee temptation would be too strong! 
Tash and Katie seemed up for it, especially Tash and a tandem jump too! But with some hesitation and a need to return to this area anyway in the future they swapped it for the more “leisurely” zip line! Next time, possibly?! 
So soon we were in Wanaka, just an hour’s drive from Queenstown to our five bedroom villa…not quite the views of the Queenstown residence, but still close to the lake, and also very close to the Edgewater Hotel, a rather salubrious venue for the big day.
The build up to the big day, now only three days away, was quite predictably a little stressful, more-so for some rather than others….I managed a morning away on a cracking two hour walk at the end of the lake, beyond Glendhu Bay at Diamond Lake reserve, taking the longer offering to Rocky Peak Summit…with outrageous views of Lake Wanaka and the mountain backdrop including Roy’s Peak and the Mount Aspiring range….I felt garbage previously with an awful nights sleep, but now relatively, I was much better, both physically and spiritually!All was geared now towards the Big Day, with task after task
being mainly completed…Jamie and I did a morning jog, my eighth in alternate days without a calf breakdown, fingers crossed it continues to progress 
There seemed no expense spared with the wedding, their choice, that’s fine, on various levels….all the lovely bridesmaids arrived to prepare on the day, with a beautician and a hair stylist knocking on the villa door at 7am. The bridesmaids all had lovely peach toga like dresses (worn in differing styles) but on preparation had matching gowns and soft shoes! All the dresses including the wedding dress were steam ironed previously, with yours truly assigned to collect in his dirty smelly travel car….I hasten to add the main dress did not go in my car, as insisted by the lovely lady at the collection point!
By midday on the Day, the photographer and videographer had arrived….do the Kardashian’s get more than this! 
Eventually party by party left the villa (all the boys were based at the venue) in the Munro family’s classic car - and all that was left was Becky and her Father (that’s me).
She looked beautifully magnificent, scintillating, and angelic…
she blew me away visibly and emotionally, but it was me who had to stay strong, because Becky was justifiably a little anxious.
she blew me away visibly and emotionally, but it was me who had to stay strong, because Becky was justifiably a little anxious.We did that final journey in the car just a few hundred meters, but then realised we left the brides bouquet at the villa! Well, the groom can wait a little longer…it’s tradition.
Sienna with cousin Isla led the way, and how cute Sienna looked in her little wedding outfit. Then after a delay, Becky and I walked slowly down the “isle”….everyone smiled and they were in appreciation at how radiant and beautiful Becky looked.
The setting was not just outdoors: it was exquisite, perfect, adorable, even cinematic….on the hotel lawn, adjacent the lake, with the mountain backdrop….the weather was perfect, if a little too hot. 
The actual ceremony was wonderful, and everyone fell silent in quiet emotion to listen to Becky and Hamish’s personal vows….”I declare you husband and wife” was ultimately declared 
The afternoon continued in celebration and joy, and continued into the early hours (for some) to prolong the celebration in Wanaka centre.
The speeches by all were excellent, with special mention to Katie, for reciting an amazingly clever, poignant and wonderfully informative poem on her recollection on Becky as her sister, through those years, and the family….it truly was excellent.
I was a terrible bag of nerves before mine, but once I stood up and spoke, the confidence boomed, the timing became relatively exquisite and the feedback after was modestly overwhelming….apparently having the audience alternating between laughter and tears….it’s in the preparation and t t t t timing! 
The venue dancing commenced quite late, allowing only a relatively short time before the venue curfew….I was atypically exhausted, more emotionally than physically (I had not drunk that much alcohol). The hardy continued into Wanaka, I headed for my sack! 
All in all a wonderfully successful day! And that’s an understatement.
The following day there were some sore heads, but not mine….a cheeky breakfast at the Edgewater Hotel, where I think the staff thought we were all residents and then later I set off on another Hamish recommended trail ride, out to Lake Hawea.
The only disappointing outcome was that my calf muscle “went” again on a morning jog…just seems I’m never destined to get back to any level of jogging, never mind running! 
The journey to normality began on the Tuesday morning, although not straight forward….Hamish’s car was playing up and Becky was unwell, a combo of rare excess on her wedding day (who can blame her) and Covid!
) With the usual suspects of Jamie, Katie and Tash…we set off to Oamaru but back vΓa Queenstown!Katie and Tash wanted to experience a couple of adrenaline soaked activities before leaving the area….due to the previous delay, we just made the pre booked Shotover Jet Boat but were too late for the bungee…..
4 hours later we arrived on the Pacific east coast back at base in Oamaru…..where to next I wonder? 
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