by Mike Iafeta

Created on: October 06, 2010

12 months ago, my partner of 20 years and I were severely affected by the World Economic Crisis. Being on Workcover only made our situation more dire than it already was.

It was our 19th anniversary together as a couple and I had $7.50 to my name. I put on a 'Brave Face' and asked my partner if she wanted to go down to the foreshore and share 'Fish and Chips' with me to celebrate our anniversary. We managed to buy 2 pieces of fish and chips with the little I had.

As I sat there very ashamed that this was the best thing I could do for our 19th Anniversary, I turned to my partner. The sun was shining on her face as a gentle breeze teased her hair. She had this beautiful carefree look on her face. It was the look of love and contentment. She was so happy just to be sitting there with me and our 2 pieces of fish!

This was when I decided that come 'hell or highwater' I was going to marry her on our 20th Anniversary the following year. I was going to make this the best wedding anyone had ever seen AND ... I was going to keep it a secret from her!

For 12 months I saved every single penny I could to bring this dream to fruition. This was so difficult to do as I only recieve Workcover payments due to a work injury I sustained over 3 years ago. Never-the-less I managed to save $3000.00 for this Surprise Wedding over the next 12 months.

Having a Surprise Wedding is actually illegal in Australia. For me to make this wedding legal I needed my partner to sign an 'Intent To Marry' Certificate. The only way I could do this was to actually propose to her. So I did and told her a small 'white lie' that we would marry on my birthday next year.

With this small hurdle out of the way, I started putting my wedding plans into action.

I contacted all our family & friends and told them that this was going to be a Surprise Wedding and that it's success was dependant on them keeping it a secret from my partner. They did a wonderful job.

As I didn't have much money saved, I scoured the internet for all our wedding supplies, celebrant, wedding dress and venue. I managed to secure everything for just under $3000.00 and was so happy.

On the day of our wedding (which was our 20th Anniversary together as a couple), I presented my wife with a white formal dress as a gift and told her we were going out to celebrate our anniversary with a special dinner.

Words can't express her reaction when she walked into the venue. So I'm going to let the video explain it for me.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-SY2VQlJMU

I didn't have any money left for a honeymoon, but I have promised my wife that I will save just as hard to take her on a belated honeymoon on our 1st Wedding Anniversary.

Much Love & Blessings.

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