Just over a year ago, two former St Columba's students had an almost perfect South Coast farm wedding, except for the unexpected antics of Rusty the dog who ate the wedding cake.
Jem Seeger said she wanted to marry her partner Chris Fantin on a farm in the gorgeous Berry countryside; surrounded by green rolling hills; black and white cows; willow trees, ducks; and a working dog.
"The night before the wedding, we all stayed on the farm - we met Rusty - a beautiful kelpie with a generous and energetic nature - and surprisingly, one that refused titbits on offer from the table," she said.
They were impressed and thought - what a disciplined and well-behaved dog!
Every bride wants their wedding to be perfect. Flowers were ticked off the list; hair and make-up checked; caterers coordinated; dress handled with kid gloves; all while nerves were jangling.
"All ran to plan," she said. "My three-tiered wedding cake was placed in a spot as focal point when guests first entered the barn post ceremony."
And she said the ceremony was magical.
"I floated on air as I walked towards the barn... My mother was whispering; and the farm dog Rusty, was licking his chops. While Chris's and my promises were being made, Rusty stood on his hind legs; and ate his way through each tier of our wedding cake - he thoughtfully polished off just the back half so that I didn't notice."
I floated on air as I walked towards the barn... My mother was whispering; and the farm dog Rusty, was licking his chops. While Chris's and my promises were being made, Rusty stood on his hind legs; and ate his way through each tier of our wedding cake
- Jem Seeger-Fantin
Her mother, designer Sophie Seeger, quickly worked miracles with flowers and hessian.
"As the cake cutting part of the evening drew close; she knew she had to share it with me... she whispered into my ear, "Don't be alarmed, but Rusty has eaten the cake," Ms Seeger-Fantin said.
It turned out, Rusty wasn't disciplined or well-behaved - he just had a sweet-tooth.
