So after what seems like months and months of planning, talking about and thinking of the day - not to mention the endless amounts of dosh we spewed out in the days ahead paying for things - Jo and I finally walked down the aisle on Friday May 28,2010.
I can honestly say that the whole day was one of the best of my life. Everything went like clockwork including the wedding ceremony, reception, speeches, food, people attending, dance and even the weather played its part on the day.
And for all the planning and tension leading up to the wedding - it was all over in a flash and now we are only left with fond memories of our day and our fingers crossed that the photos will come out all right!
For me personally there was not one particular highlight, but rather a series of wonderful occasions throughout the day that made it such a memorable event.
For starters, there was the turnout of my parents and all my brothers and sisters on the big day. No mean feat; considering I have 10 brothers and sisters in my family and they all had to travel to Auckland for the wedding - with the closest coming from Timaru while three others made the trip all the way from West Australia.
I'll never forget the sight of my step-son Leo getting out of the wedding car and saluting me along with his brother and mother. Or catching my first glimpse of Jo looking radiant and beautiful in her wedding dress as I stood at the alter waiting for her to begin the wedding march towards me.
Another bonus was the the early evening light as a background for our photos on the beach, which our photographer assures us will make our wedding portraits even more stunning. I am also sure the photos will have also been helped by the way our wedding party got on so well. Jo and I chose wisely so a big thanks to Maria, Anna, Nath and Smithy. You guys are the best and all did a fantastic job in helping us celebrate a great day.
After the photos we rocked up to the Takapuna Boat Club, which was the perfect sized venue for our 75 guests. Everyone got on well and their ability to mix and mingle so well helped make it a special night.
Then came the wedding speeches and they were a blast - even if I was the butt of most of the jokes throughout the night. My lifelong friend and general wit Brendan had the crowd in his hand as he played the role of MC with aplomb. He was funny, witty, sincere and a great link man.
My eldest step son Anthony set the standard for the night with a funny and heart warming speech welcoming me to the family, while publicly roasting me at the same time! Leo was next up and there was not a dry eye in the club after he had finished and i also had to stop my self from shedding a tear over his beautiful words.
My father also spoke with warmth and humour. His invitation of Jo and the boys into the Anderson clan was special.
It was then over to Jo and I to each thank our family and friends for joining us on our special day and declaring our intention to make our marriage work. The last official speech was that of my best man Nath who spoke from the heart, but still managed to get a couple of shots in against me.
Just when I thought I had escaped rather lightly, two of my brothers decided to let the audience know a few family secrets - mainly about me - as utu for the ribbing I had given them and others at previous family weddings.
And then it was on to dancing and mingling and before we knew it the night was over.
So I am now a married man and I'm looking forward to my life ahead with my new family.
As I said in my speech - and I meant every word of it - even the worst day with Jo and the boys beats hands down the best day of life living on my own.
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