The reception was held at the Torquay Resturant within Cockington Green, (a minature village with immaculate gardens). The Bride and Groom arrived and all the guests were in the outside garden area.... sipping on champagne and enjoing appetizers. The new couple mingled with the crowd...enjoying a cool drink in the heat of the afternoon...a musician filling the picturesque garden with soft music.

Upon finishing their drinks... the Bride and Groom were ushered off for more photos as the sun started to slowly set. While the photographer captured the Bride and Bridesmaid at their best in the beautiful surroundings... the MC herded the guests inside to be seated for dinner. The bridal party ...enjoying a beer outside while the MC did his work ... started to relax with the liquid refreshments as the photographer wrapped things up.

The MC introduced Mr and Mrs Vacietis as they entered... as they made their way in to be seated... amid a moving standing applause. Once everyone was seated... the MC greeted everyone... thanked for being there.. and outlined the evenings proceedings..starting off with a reading of Grace from Frank.

Frank... a family friend and published poet... was assigned the role of saying Grace. As he stood up... he remarked.. "I thought i'd write a poem..instead of saying Grace..so this means you all have to listen."

As he put on his glasses.. he cheekily said .. "I just wear these to look more intelligent."

The lightheartedness and his poetic rendition of grace was a perfect start to a perfect evening.

The atmosphere was cheerful and everyone got underway with their entrees.... dinner was dragged out leisurely as groups moved outside to have a smoke between courses. the Bride and Groom joining them to mingle.

The main course was served and everyone made their way in via the buffet ... filling their plates... the food was wonderful... everyone seated .. the room was alive with chat and laughter.

With full stomaches ... the room slowly mingled again ... inside and outside ...The Groom outside having an after dinner smoke ... nervously contemplating his speech as he chatted with friends and relatives .... the Bride.. with a tear in her eye all night .. savoured the atmosphere and met her new relatives.

As the MC gathered the guests back in for desert and the comencement of speeches... the new couple lagged a little...admiring the incredible sunset..showering the western sky with beams of a mixture of red, orange and yellow.

After the final course of dinner ... the MC announced that it was that time of the evening for speeches. He went on to state that because Sophie's parents couldn't be there.... Irene (Michaels' mother) would be reading a letter that they had sent... on their behalf. As she stood up and put on her glasses .. she remarked.. "I just wear these so I can read ... I'm already intelligent.". As everyone chuckled at the little stab at Frank she paused slightly.. and began reading the letter

As Irene read the letter... Sophie started crying ... it was a very moving letter.. and had most of the guests wiping their eyes. Irene finished it up ... wiped her tears away and sat down.

The MC again took charge ... saying how moving it was and what a loving family Sophie must have.

He then went on to introduce the Groom for his speech... the Groom didn't have any nerves all day leading up to the event.... this was to be his most nervous time ... but he said his speech with humour and confidence. As he finished.. he moved to sit back down next to his wife.. gave her a kiss as the tears still leaked from her eyes.

The MC moved in again... giving the Groom a good natured ribbing over his Internet activities.

He then introduced the Bestman. The Bestman .. having a reputation of being quiet and not saying much .... with the MC guiding him with his speech over the last few nights before the wedding day .... wasn't expecting the performance the Bestman gave. The Bestman stood up with a permanent grin on his face... and proceeded to give a easy flowing speech like it rolled off his lips.

With the bemused guests enjoying this part of the evening ... the MC then introduced Ossie.. the Grooms father... to cap the speeches off. He was still shocked from the Bestmans speech that he simply thanked everyone for coming ... welcomed Soph into the family.. and toasted the Bride and Groom as he raised his glass.

The MC then introduced Marty to read out the telegrams .... two of which were emails..one from Topaz.. the other from Nichole. After those were read out ... Soph had gone through a box of tissues.

With that done ... it was then time for the couple to cut the cake .... (notice the Australian and Canadian flags on the cake? ;) ).

After slicing the knife through the cake ... the MC then announced it was time for the Bridal Waltz ... the Bride and Groom had actually went to a few lessons for this... yet they were still nervous. As the muscian played "When I Need You" .. the couple moved onto the dance floor and...danced.... shortly followed by the Bestman and Bridesmaid... and then the Grooms parents. This was to be the point where the couple could finally relax and enjoy the night... as everyone moved onto the dance floor... the Bride and Groom swapping partners as they moved through everyone.

As the night moved on ... so did the drinks.. with everyone getting into the party atmosphere...mingling and standing around the bar..and catching up with friends..

With the reception ending at 11pm ... most of the younger guests went to a fancy nightclub next to the hotel where the Bride and Groom were staying. So after getting changed in their hotel room .. the newlywed couple joined the crowd downstairs at the bar where they partied away until the early morning with friends and relatives...finally getting back to their room at 4am .. thankful for the late checkout planned the next day.