NZ South Island for a special occasion

[Justinf]

The bridesmaid asked me if i wanted to see Liv before I gave her away.
I left it totally up to my daughter and we both agreed after a bit of back and forth that it would be a good idea as it might get the emotions out of the way before we took each other’s arm.
I walked upstairs to the room and the six bridesmaids were all there and filming me for good measure.
Liv was in a separate room with the official photographer and I took a deep breath and walked in.
I completely lost it.
In fact I’m crying as I type this.
My baby girl was all grown up and she looked so damn beautiful.
We embraced and I wept. Remarkably she held it together as she didn’t want her makeup to run.
Anyway here we were.

 

[Justinf]

The ceremony was about to start and the bridesmaids and groomsmen went outside one by one.
I took one last selfie and then we walked out together arm in arm in what was the proudest moment of my life.

 

[Justinf]

I was so proud doing that short walk.
I held it together and we arrived and I gave the groom a huge hug and then turned around and gave Liv one last hug and whispered to her that she is the love of my life.
The ceremony was amazing. I cried all the way through it.
And then before we knew it they were officially married.

 

[Justinf]

Soon it was semi-party mode.
Amazingly 40 guests flew over for the wedding, which says volumes.
There were food trucks and booze and we all enjoyed the magnificent setting.

 

[cjd600]

Congrats mate, what a proud occasion....stunning location

 

[Justinf]

Liv’s niece Edith was amazing as flower girl.
The drinks flowed and everyone was having a ball and then it was time for speeches.
We heard from the main bridesmaid, who delivered a gorgeous speech. Then the best man who absolutely nailed it. Then the mother of the groom and then me.
One of the first things I said was that my parents and grandparents, who are no longer with us and who Liv absolutely adored, would be very proud and were no doubt looking down from above pleased as anything.
Apparently my speech was amazing, but I choked up a quite a few times, before reeling off some funny stuff and then finishing with my feelings about the bride and the groom.
Apparently even the photographer was crying and all the groomsmen were too, so I guess did ok.
After that it was real party mode.
The bridal dance was held although my wife injured her ankle while dancing with me.
Around 10.30pm we called it a night and let the young uns enjoy the last hour to themselves with dancing and drinking.
By now wife’s ankle was so bad she couldn’t walk.
When we got back to the unit, it took me 15 minutes to get her shoe off and there was this bowling ball for an ankle,
There was no way she was going to be able to do the Milford Sound fly/cruise tomorrow, but she insisted I still go.
To cut a long story short, her sister took her to the medical centre the following day and x-rays revealed a broken ankle.
It’s now in a cast and that’s pretty much the end of her trip although we do have brunch with the bride and groom on Friday which I will make sure she is able to get to.
After much arguing about the cruise, I was steadfast in not going, but she convinced me to still go as my sister, her husband and my niece were also booked.
With a heavy heart I agreed and set the alarm for 7.45am for an 8.15 departure from Wanaka back to Queenstown.

 

[VPS]

Beautiful location and you and daughter look fantastic. Well done proud dad

 

[Dmac59]

Congratulations to all @Justinf
Great to see the NZ delivered a stunning day for the event.

 

[Justinf]

Hoping someone can help.
How do I go about asking for special assistance with QF for my wife? She will need a wheelchair and assistance in boarding.

 

[Justinf]

Congratulations to all @Justinf
Great to see the NZ delivered a stunning day for the event.

Was 23 degrees and gorgeous.

 

[VPS]

Hoping someone can help.
How do I go about asking for special assistance with QF for my wife? She will need a wheelchair and assistance in boarding.

Did you book through a TA - if so they are the best to handle it. If not you will just need to ring the airlines and wait. Good luck

 

[Justinf]

Did you book through a TA - if so they are the best to handle it. If not you will just need to ring the airlines and wait. Good luck

Booked direct.
Do I need to do that beforehand or when we check in?
EDIT: filled out the form online, so hopefully it all works out.

 

[somebol]

@Justinf Congratulations to your daughter and to you as well.

My daughter is only 10, and even now I feel a mix of dread, pride, and tenderness when I imagine her growing up, moving out, and maybe getting married one day.
The bond between a father and daughter is something I don’t think can ever truly be put into words – it’s something you just live and feel.

 

[Justinf]

@Justinf Congratulations to your daughter and to you as well.

My daughter is only 10, and even now I feel a mix of dread, pride, and tenderness when I imagine her growing up, moving out, and maybe getting married one day.
The bond between a father and daughter is something I don’t think can ever truly be put into words – it’s something you just live and feel.

It’s a special bond isn’t it?
Words can’t describe it.