Michelle and Michele - My Italian love story

On a very busy day in June I pulled my car up to a popular Italian restaurant to drop off a bottle of wine to our daughter and her husband who were dining there. The owner was out the front and saw the signage on my car and unfortunately due to elderly parental medical issues I couldn’t stop but left my card. Synchronicity, fate, destiny - call it what you will I was meant to be there at that moment.

We met at her restaurant the following week and I heard their story - all my love stories I hear are all so different and all so beautiful. I treasure being included in the journey that brings couples to the point of me officiating their union of love. Now this wedding was special as it was my first ‘Surprise’ wedding. Of course they had been engaged and people knew but no one besides the witnesses and me, of course, knew that on the occasion of her 40th birthday I would be marrying them just prior to the guests arriving. Michelle told her parents and her children 5 minutes prior to the ceremony - lots of emotion and excitement all round.

I went downstairs and once all the guests had arrived I announced that Michelle (maiden name) would not be attending there were looks of bewilderment on many faces. Then to the delight of all attending I proceeded to introduce Mrs and Mr.