So there was this little wedding in Bowral

So let's get the dress out of the way first, shall we? My dress, not the bride's.

Here is Simplicity 2447 in action.



I spent the two hours in the car driving to Bowral on Saturday morning  in the back seat sewing down those skirt seams. And I'm glad I did - the skirt sat beautifully in the end. Much better than when I'd tried it on the night before after pressing it.



And that was the risk with this dress - the fabric. While it was so very beautiful to wear and to sew, it also refused to press flat and was also quite thick.

But I love this dress very much. I didn't include a zip on the back, as the stretch in the fabric meant I could slip it over my head with little trouble. I was so comfortable all day - we had to do a lot of walking around the estate on cobble stone paths and stone steps, and I couldn't imagine having done that in a long dress. Heaven knows how the bride and bridesmaids managed that feat - the mind boggles.

I'd love to make this dress again in a spotty taffeta, a little longer than the pattern specifies (this version finishes on the knee) and wear a tulle petticoat underneath. Rock and Roll, dude. Perhaps for the next niecewedding, or nephewwedding.



But enough about me - let's get back to that wedding, shall we?

Because people - BEST. WEDDING. EVER. ((other than my own and (edited to add) my brother's last year)).

A wedding on my husband's side of the family is always going to be a massive family reunion, because with nine kids living in different parts of Australia, the reunions don't happen very often.



Three were missing from this photo - one was the father of the bride and the other two couldn't make it.



My niece is one of the most beautiful people you could ever meet. I've known her since she was 10 and she has always been so charismatic, bubbly and welcoming. On her wedding day she was no different. Also, she got my name right on the place cards. Love that girl so much.



Also, her frock was AMAZING. More than AMAZING. She looked amazing in it. Most beautiful bride.



I'm glad I dressed up and made the effort. I wasn't out of place at all as that aunty from Canberra who wears cotton frocks to grown up weddings in the country.




I totally kinneared this lady's dress with the lacy doily fabric. It was just so beautiful. Every time she walked by I couldn't help but stare.



Most of the family got to sit together. We don't tend to shut up when we get together which is a good thing in my book. The couple in this photo are my sister in law and her partner, all the way from Perth. We are hoping to see them on their turf very soon.



Ooh! Imelda sleeve! I really might need to work on drafting sleeves - lets make it my next mission.

The night rocked on.





The food was beautiful and the speeches very moving. The bride and groom were so happy it was lovely to see. There was cake, there was dancing and there were very sore feet. Even 84 year old Grandpa got in on the action.



Quite possibly my favourite photo of the day.