The full Bridal Party during the service, including Father of the Bride, Dr Jack Strong of Louisianna on the Sydney Harbour foreshore.

Sydney, NSW. 1995

On this unforgettable occasion I was Bridesmaid to my dear American friend Maury, who’s entire family is from New Orleans, Louisianna. This was a formally structured wedding, based around the ‘famous Southern hospitality’ prerequisite for a ‘damn fine party!’ 

Hugh, the Groom, is an Australian photographer and they had had met in Sydney while Maury was working and living there. A few years later they relocated back to New Orleans.
Hugh’s Groom’s Attendants were Ruth Ritchie and Andrew McPhail. We all knew each other from moving in the same advertising/media business circles – Maury, Andrew and myself were all producers; Ruth was a copywriter; Ross was a production designer and Hugh a professional photographer.
Ross designed my outfit and supervised the tailoring of it also – it was my most favourite formal outfit ever!

The guestlist was large and it was a full sit-down banquet, on the manicured lawns of historic Strickland House, bathed in the sunset hues across Sydney Harbour. There was an abundance of food and drink from start to finish! Gloriously lavish! There was a jazz band playing inside the mansion’s ballroom and most everybody was up dancing at some point, led by the many lively members of the Strong family.

Myself and Ross taking our turn in the Processional ahead of Maury and her Father at historic Strickland House, Vaucluse. NSW.

The Bride’s side of the Bridal Party – family patriach, Dr Jack Strong; myself and Ross Wallace as the Bride’s attendants; the Bride’s American nieces Sarah and ‘Little Maury’ as Flowergirls.

In true Southern style, this family occasion was an event! Maury is the youngest of four sisters and was the last daughter to be married in their family. Dr Jack and Patty Strong, known party-goers and party-throwers were determined to kick up their heels with a blow out celebration (this being their fourth and ‘last’ family wedding to account for.) They did not disappoint! Maury’s parents made this into a family vacation to Sydney – for their daughters; their daughters’ husbands; their daughters’ children; and Maury’s dearest Aunt Binnie – who all flew out from New Orleans. They were also accompanied by her Godmother and her husband as well, who rounded out the group! None of them had been to Australia before and it was a special treat for all Maury and Hugh’s friends to meet these people we had heard so much about for many years. They made up their own tour group everywhere they went and had a blast!

Maury’s Bridal bouquet is white Magnolia bloom, which is the State flower of Louisianna so had nostalgic significance to all the American visitors. It was not the best time of year for Magnolia – but nothing else would do! And I have to agree, it does punctuate the occasion appropriately.

All the other flowers were Gardenia, including the head wreaths on the girls, so the fragrance in the breeze during the service I recall was absolutely blissful for me. I kept my bouquet, which lasted for a whole week afterwards.

Yes. That certainly was a damn fine party!