Madeleine, 35, Cremorne, NSW
Many women imagine their big day. The day they're the blushing bride in front of all of their loved ones. But not me. The thought of all those eyes on me made me shudder. I couldn't imagine anything worse.
'Don't you want to be a princess for a day?' my mum Jenny would argue. 'Never have. Never will,' I'd shrug.
So it was perfect when I met Shane, 30, in 2007. He'd been married before so I figured he'd be reluctant to do it again.
Still, after a few months I could picture a future with Shane. He was so easy to be with. I was quickly realising he was perfect. 'Let's get married,' he suggested one night. 'It's not really my thing,' I said.
After I explained my wedding anxiety, Shane said he was happy to be with me minus the trip down the aisle. 'Who needs a wedding,' he smiled.
One day we were planning a holiday to the US with our friends, Claire and Andrew. For three weeks we'd travel to New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas.
Suddenly I got a change of heart. 'Let's get married in Vegas,' I suggested. 'Just the two of us.'
Sure, it was risky. We had a lot of friends and family who would have loved to see us tie the knot but I knew they'd understand. The neon lights, and the Elvis impersonators – our wedding would be one of many on any given night. It was so low key, it was perfect!
'Let's do it!' Shane agreed.
Knowing we'd need witnesses, we told Claire and Andrew our plan and swore them to secrecy. We knew if everyone was kept in the dark, no-one would feel left out.
 Excited, we went online and researched the Little White Chapel. It was famous for marrying celebrities such as Joan Collins and Peter Holm, Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow, and Bruce Willis and Demi Moore. We booked our half-hour session for 7.30pm on April 29, 2010. 'How romantic!' Shane and I laughed.
When we arrived in the US we could barely contain our excitement. I'd bought a casual white dress and on the afternoon of our big day, I slipped it on and was ready for holy matrimony.
'This may not be a traditional wedding but it's still got to be done properly,' Claire warned.
Then she gave me her wedding veil as something old, my shoes as something new, her earrings were something borrowed and a ribbon as something blue. 'You're all set,' she smiled.
When it came time to walk down the aisle, I had to stifle a laugh. I'd never imagined a big wedding but I hadn't imagined walking down the aisle with Elvis either! 'Ready, little lady?' the impersonator said in a southern drawl.
Elvis began singing Love Me Tender as he led me towards Shane. Seeing his teary eyes as he stood waiting for me at the altar, I started choking up. We didn't know whether to laugh or cry!
'I now pronounce you husband and wife,' the celebrant said before Elvis starting crooning Suspicious Minds. Part of me wished my family and friends could have been there but we had so much fun, I wouldn't have changed a single thing.
That night Shane called his mum, Annette, with the news and then I called home. Everyone was shocked but couldn't be happier for us. 'It's perfect for you both,' they said.
Today we've been married two months and we're loving life as husband and wife. We're planning a casual gathering to celebrate with family and friends. It just goes to show, you don't need a traditional wedding to tie the knot.
They say what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas but we'll keep the memories of our fancy-free wedding with us forever.
Have you had an unconventional wedding? Let us know by leaving a comment below. |
