My reason for coming to Australia was of course my best friend’s wedding (not the movie). The wedding was held on Sunday 11th. It rained on and off all day but towards the evening the sky cleared out and things looked very promising. The ceremony happened outside and most of the time the weather was really nice but right at the end it started pouring again and we had to go inside.

I drove to the venue with the bridesmaids in a white Chevrolet Impala (convertible but they kept the roof on) — don’t know which vintage but one of the older ones — and carried the throwaway bouquet.

They seated me at a table with some of my friend’s friends but her parents had me moved to their table. From the first moment they met me they kept an eye on me — a bit too closely in fact. :-) “Minna, don’t stand there, come with us.” “Let’s go outside.” “Do you know how you get home?” (twice) “I looked for you on the bus [that took some guests home] and you weren’t there!” (I thought I was going home in the bus, but the groom’s parents took me home in the bridal car.) They were also appalled that I was going to stay home alone in a city that I don’t know. My friend’s mum said she was going to have a word with her but I hope she didn’t…! They even said they would take me to Queensland with them (!) — luckily they didn’t because I’m supposed to be on holiday! Without parents! ;-) Besides, I offered to be the house-sitter and dog-sitter a year ago.

There was a lot of food at the wedding (ever since I stepped on the airplane in Helsinki there’s been a lot of food, geez) but no wedding cake for some reason (perhaps it’s the tradition). I think in Finland we just eat some snacks with coffee (etc.) and then the wedding cake. I’m not sure though, because it’s been ages since the previous wedding I’ve been to.

After the eating there were the speeches. Both my friend’s father and her husband mentioned me in their speeches (thanked me for coming such a long distance) — I was probably blushing.

I didn’t catch the throw-away bouquet which is a good thing because it would’ve gone to waste. ;-)