Takin’ Love by the Horns: Pulling the Wool Over His Eyes

Last I left you guys: I was in my dress, feeling fabulous; the girls were all dressed up; and my groom and his men were dressed to the nines. As I was inside, being fed jam on toast by BM Proper, Mr Big was outside with MC Chupacabra, and this was happening:

Yep, Mr Big was getting blindfolded.

For those who’ve just joined us, and have no idea what is happening, I point you to this post.

In summary: for our wedding, Mr Big and I needed to perform a Chinese tradition where he needed to “pick me up” from my parents’ house at a set-time (11AM). This set time is considered “auspicious”. However, in order to be let out, my older sister (MoH M&MS) has to cut a ribbon from over the threshold of the house (i.e. the doorway). This is very similar to the “Giving Away” tradition in Western weddings, but in reverse. Also, as I am marrying before my older sister, she needs to “give me permission”, so to speak. I then gift MoH M&Ms and Mr Big guides me out. TADAH, that’s the tradition.

Unfortunately, there were a few issues with this, as recounted in the above-linked post. In short, we decided the best solution was to blindfold Mr Big.

Doesn’t he look cute with his blindfold?

At that point, inside the house, I was getting grilled given a very brief, very last-minute explanation on what was going to happen (even though I had requested said information for months beforehand). To this I can only give a long sigh and implore, implore, you guys to get as much information as early as possible. I was literally told on the day by Mama Bighorn’s side of the family (my aunties and uncles, who I love, but they really should have given us information beforehand):

• Mr Big had to have my bouquet.
• My parents could not be present at all during the whole thing (they were hiding upstairs, it was kinda hilarious).
• I had to lead Mr Big to the door (no one told me this, so there was a brief awkward silence before I had an EFF IT moment and dragged him to the front of the house).

I was exasperated guys. Exasperated.

Anyway! My family disappeared and MC Chupacabra led Mr Big carefully into my parents’ temporary “home”, the villa at the Crowne Plaza, where I was waiting. He was holding my beautiful bouquet:

Who here sees the Bees?

As he made it up to me, I stood, took his hand so that he knew where I was (remember guys, he can’t see) and I felt my heart beating wildly against my chest.

I had seen him in the suit a million times, but this time it was very real. We were going to be married in a few moments time, and he was looking extremely handsome. I vividly remember clutching his hand and just shakily saying hi to him. He was as calm as a cucumber (which is ironic, since he hates cucumbers).

See what I mean? He looks calm, I look nervous! Also notice the gift, that’s for MoH M&Ms.

We chatted for a little bit afterwards, and then after some awkward ‘WTF do we do now’, I grabbed his hand, gave it a tremendous squeeze, and lead him outside. At the door, Groom’s Homie Oddball and my cousin were waiting, a ribbon splayed over the door.

It was then that I gifted MoH M&Ms and she cut the ribbon.

And with that, we were free!

Except, of course, for one more thing. As you all may know from my posts, Chinese culture requires that the child respect the parent in a fashion that some may think is a little bit formal. But as were the requirements of my culture, Mr Big and I respected our elders, particularly my parents, by doing this:

Yes folks, we bowed. And then Mr Big celebrated.

It was at that time, though, that we needed to get going. It was ceremony time! Unfortunately, things did not go to plan on my end…

[All photos by the fabulous Studio Something.]

Need to catch up?

• Laugh, weep, and celebrate with us by watching our wedding video.
• I am a delegating ninja! (I’m really not.)
• We have a “nice” morning of Car-Tetris fun!
• I tell you guys about the frenzy that is the lead-up to our wedding day.
• We practice walking and talking.
• We eat a loooooot of meat.
• I celebrate my last night as a Miss.
• I talk to you about a major wedding regret.
• The girls get their pretty on.
• The guys clean up nicely.
• I get all fancy with my duds.

Takin’ Love by the Horns: Puttin’ on the Dress

The girls were ready, the guys were ready, so what now?

Well, hive, this:

Ladies and gents, meet “Radiant”.

Was going onto this:

I look strangely unimpressed.

At this point all the girls had seen my dress in the making, but this was the first time they’d see it in all of its glorious glory. Because my photographers and videographers didn’t want me stripping down to my underwear in the living room they asked me to don my underwear in another room, pull the dress on over my underwear, and then walk out. They would then film and photograph me getting all laced up.

I loved this plan, so off I went, with my girls and Radiant in tow, to the bedroom I had been staying at that night. During this time, I forgot where I had put my Spanx and as the girls went looking, I carefully untied my kimono. It was at that point that something hilarious happened.

Now, back story. I share what one would call a special relationship with BM Cupcakes. We’ve known each other since Primary School, and up until recently, she was convinced I was out to “get” her purely because I remember silly little things that happened to her in Primary School. I assured her this wasn’t the case, but that BM Cupcakes is simply “memorable”. She and I are also the more ‘bustier’ girls of the group.

So as I removed my kimono, revealing my bra, BM Cupcakes leapt at my boobs and cupped them.

Yes guys. She leapt at my boobs.

After a brief pause, to which she stood back and gave me my Spanx, the only thing I could think was: “Why’d you do that for?”

Her reply: “It was the only chance I’d ever have of doing that.”

I love you BM Cupcakes.

After the boob-grabbing incident, I then proceeded to pull the dress over me and step back out into the living room, the train gently trailing behind me. Even though I wasn’t done up yet, I felt fabulous. As I positioned myself for optimum photo-taking, my girls did me up.

BM Superhero, having learnt from Mandy how to do up my dress, assisted Mama Bighorn in lacing up my dress.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of pictures of me getting into the dress (but heaps on video). So I’ll leave you with a picture of me in the dress!

I’d put more up, but I’d be spoiling you guys! (And trust me, there will be LOTS more to come.)

Up next, Mr Big is blindfolded and cuts a red ribbon.

[All photos by Studio Something.]

Need to catch up?

• Laugh, weep, and celebrate with us by watching our wedding video.
• I am a delegating ninja! (I’m really not.)
• We have a “nice” morning of Car-Tetris fun!
• I tell you guys about the frenzy that is the lead-up to our wedding day.
• We practice walking and talking.
• We eat a loooooot of meat.
• I celebrate my last night as a Miss.
• I talk to you about a major wedding regret.
• The girls get their pretty on.
• The guys clean up nicely.

And we’re baaaa~aaack!

Hi hive!

It’s been a while and I’ve missed you greatly. After a whirlwind two months off, I return with tales to tell, but most of all, recaps to recapitulate!

Late night dinner on the balcony of our room while cruisin’. Guys, I totalled rocked that gown. / Personal image.

To those who don’t know who I am, hi, I’m Mrs Bighorn Sheep, an Australian who got married to a Kiwi (a person from New Zealand). My darling husband, Mr Big, and I got married at the Hunter Valley, a region two hours north of Sydney, New South Wales. We had our ceremony in a beautiful garden followed by a reception at a winery.

Tamburlaine Winery from the lagoon. / Image taken from Polka Dot Bride, photography by Cavanagh Photography.

My husband (then fiancé) proposed to me in New Zealand at one of our favourite spots, Milford Sound, underneath a waterfall. During the planning of our wedding, I realised there wasn’t theme. Instead, we incorporated geeky elements with Chinese traditions, including a Chinese Tea Ceremony. I even managed to mix the Asian-flair with geek-chic by DIY’ing Kaylee’s parasol from the sci-fi TV show Firefly! Because of these Chinese traditions we couldn’t have a First Look, but instead would be doing an “Anti-First Look”. We also managed to incorporate bubbles,, things from Ikea, and even high-fives!

Mr Big + Ikea = Serious Shopping! / Personal image.

My dress and veil were custom-made by an Australian designer, my bridesmaids’ dresses and the groomsmen shirts were ordered online, and the groom and groomsmen bought their suits locally. I wanted to ensure Mr Big kept his beard and glasses for the wedding, I had some trouble with my hair, and I complained about my stupid skin.

Our photographers were the bomb, our videographers were the shiz, and we generally loved our vendors. Some of our vendors were friendors! Our engagement photo shoot was done in Christchurch, New Zealand, where Mr Big was born and raised.

Our engagement stop-motion video! / Stopmotion and photographs by Studio Something.

When we got married, Mr Big cried and it was an amazing (but hot and sometimes stressful) day. I shared with you our Same Day Edit from our wonderful videographers, and some pre-wedding things including: delegating tasks and our wonderful friends who helped us out on the day; stuffing all that we possibly could into cars; the crapton of crap we had to do before the day; the rehearsal and the welcome dinner (also known as the meat after-party); and finally, spending some time with my girls.

Finally, the girls got pretty and the guys got ready!

And we’re caught up! Next, the former-Miss Big puts on her bridal finery! Let’s get this party (re-)started guys!

TL;DR? Catch up here!

• Laugh, weep, and celebrate with us by watching our wedding video.
• I am a delegating ninja! (I’m really not.)
• We have a “nice” morning of Car-Tetris fun!
• I tell you guys about the frenzy that is the lead-up to our wedding day.
• We practice walking and talking.
• We eat a loooooot of meat.
• I celebrate my last night as a Miss.
• I talk to you about a major wedding regret.
• The girls get their pretty on.
• The guys clean up nicely.