Our very own wedding – Sri Lanka, 16th January 2012
Well, since we have arrived back from our trip to Sri Lanka and the Maldives it has been non-stop with weddings, so apologies that we have not got around to blogging about our own big day until now!!
Oliver and I decided that because I hate to be center of attention (and ironically hate having my photo taken!), we would go away alone and say our vows on the privacy of a secluded beach. There would be no frills or decorations; just us, some locals and an elephant as my bridesmaid! For us it could not have been any more perfect.
I would like to share some extracts from my diary with our wonderful wedding couples….
My Diary 16th January 2012 – Leaving Racheal Baughan behind & becoming Mrs Racheal Bitmead
It’s here, it’s here!! The day of our wedding! The sky is so clear and looking down onto the beach with my morning cup of tea I can see the spot where I am soon to become Mrs Bitmead!
Oliver booked me in to the local spa for a pedicure. They did a fantastic job and it was just what I needed to relax before starting my morning preparations. However, time soon flew by and before I knew it I was rushing to get ready. After a little panic attack and a few glasses of champagne, I ended up being fashionably (almost an hour) late to the ceremony!
After a few deep breaths, I made my way down the beautifully decorated staircase to meet the elephant who I would be riding down the aisle; she was huge! The wind was very strong and the chiffon of my dress was blowing everywhere. My veil was wrapped around my face and I could barely see a thing as I climbed onto Monica’s back, but once I made it up I was instantly hit with a sensation of calmness. I felt on top of the world as I rode her through the grounds of The Blue water Hotel in Wadduwa, Sri Lanka to meet my groom awaiting me on the golden beach ahead.
I have to be honest, when I envisioned our secluded beach in Sri Lanka I neglected to think about the fact there would be hotel guests by the poolside, gawping at me in their Speedos! Not quite the backdrop I had imagined, but once on the beach I saw Oliver’s face beaming up at me and felt as though there was no one around but he and I.
I shut off to the world around me and was overwhelmed by the fact my Oliver looked so dashing with a beautiful smile and tears in his eyes. I knew that marrying him was the best decision I had ever made; he truly is my soul mate, which I feel blessed to have found.
Oliver and I decided that we would write our own vows to one another. The deep thought and sincerity of Oliver’s words meant so much, one of his vows being ‘I will always be loyal to you and your needs…..even if those needs are as simple as a cup of morning tea’. This is something I think he has since regretted as every morning I now wake up saying ‘I need my morning cup of tea!’
My vows included ‘I am blessed to have you in my life. I look forward to an eternity of morning cups of tea, evening hot water bottles and an abundance of dogs around us’. (I have since had a hot water bottle split open on my lap in April this year, so think that is something I won’t be looking forward to so much in the future after suffering a second degree burn on my inner thigh!!)
We booked a local photographer called Geeshan Bandara who did a fantastic job whisking us away after the ceremony for our couple shots, which was a lovely time for Oliver and I to reflect on our marriage. I didn’t feel up to having any bridal shots alone on our actual wedding day so Oliver did all the bridal shots of me alone the next day. I got all dressed up again and we went around the grounds of the Blue Water to recreate the wedding photos. Inevitably Oliver is the person who I feel most comfortable with so I was actually delighted with the photos. I can quite honestly say they are the only photos that I have ever liked of myself 🙂
After the ceremony we had a private five course meal on the beach. The sky was so clear and the stars resembled diamonds as they twinkled so brightly above us. The highlight was the surprise of fireworks! We thought they were for us but soon realised that it was in fact from the hotel next door! However, what a beautiful touch it made to our evening.
By 9pm we where utterly exhausted and decided to go back to our room to enjoy the rest of our champagne on our private balcony. We were surprised to find that our whole room had been decorated with flowers and balloons to greet us! A perfect ending to our wonderful day….
