#wedding halls sydney

[admireforever]

Anyone But You

[wttnblog]

"Anyone But You" and The Accidentally Lesbian Wedding

For many young queer people, attending a lesbian wedding is a highlight of our gay experience. It wasn’t possible for us to get married for so many years. Now that we can, It’s something to celebrate as loudly as possible. While lesbian weddings often contain the same pieces as a straight wedding, substituting a groom for a second bride normally changes things at least a little bit. In Anyone But…

[thesapphire123]

Marriage Halls Near Me - Sapphire Function Centre

Sapphire Function Centre stands as a premier venue for weddings and other significant celebrations, strategically located to cater to those searching for marriage halls nearby. This exquisite facility is designed to accommodate a variety of events, offering a blend of elegance and modern amenities that ensure a memorable experience for both hosts and guests. With spacious banquet halls adorned with sophisticated decor, the centre provides a picturesque backdrop for wedding ceremonies and receptions. The venue is equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual technology, customizable lighting options, and ample seating arrangements, allowing for a seamless flow of events throughout the day.

Read More:- Marriage Halls Near Me

[marqueeeventz]

Plan Your Perfect Event with Sydney Premier Event Management Companies

Are you planning a special event in Sydney and feeling overwhelmed with all the details? Look no further than Sydney's premier event management companies to help you plan your perfect event. Whether it's a wedding, corporate event, or private party, these professionals have the expertise and experience to make your event unforgettable.

From finding the perfect venue to coordinating vendors and managing logistics, event organizers in Sydney can handle all the details so you can relax and enjoy your event. They can also provide services such as chair hire, table hire, and marquee hall hire to ensure your event has everything you need.

With their extensive network of trusted suppliers and vendors, event planners in Sydney can help you create a unique and memorable event that reflects your style and vision. Whether you're looking for a sleek and modern event space or a rustic outdoor setting, they can help you find the perfect venue for your event.

When it comes to party planning in Sydney, these professionals know how to create an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. They can handle everything from creating a theme and decor to managing the guest list and coordinating entertainment.

So if you're looking to plan a special event in Sydney, consider enlisting the help of one of the city's top event management companies. With their expertise and resources, they can help you plan a flawless event that exceeds your expectations.

[bettereventhire]

Top Event Organizers and Party Planners in Sydney

Are you looking for the top event organizers and party planners in Sydney to help you create the perfect event or wedding? Look no further, as we have compiled a list of the best event management companies in Sydney to make your event a success.

From corporate events to weddings and private parties, these event planners have the expertise and experience to bring your vision to life. Whether you need help with venue selection, theme development, catering, entertainment, or logistics, these event companies have you covered.

In addition to event management, some of these companies also offer party planning services, including chair hire, table hire, and marquee hall hire. This means you can easily find everything you need to create a memorable and seamless event experience.

So, if you need a reliable and professional event planner in Sydney, look no further than these top event management companies. They will work closely with you to understand your needs and deliver a flawless event that exceeds your expectations.

Don't stress about the details of your next event - let these experts take care of everything for you. With their help, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a stress-free and successful event. Whether it's a corporate function, wedding, or private party, these event planners have the skills and resources to make it a memorable occasion.

[lantanavenues]

The Best Wedding Venues in Sydney: Your Dream Day Awaits

When it comes to wedding venues in Sydney, we redefine sophistication and style. From intimate indoor settings to enchanting outdoor spaces, our venues cater to every vision. We pride ourselves on being among the best wedding venues in Sydney, crafting extraordinary wedding receptions and providing beautiful outdoor wedding reception options. Explore our Western Sydney wedding venues and versatile Function Venues in Sydney, all designed to elevate your special day. At the heart of it all is our commitment to excellence, ensuring your celebration is truly exceptional.

[aestheticaltcow]

What Happens in Vegas Doesn't Always Stay in Vegas... Part 4

Carmy and Richie's pilgrimage to Washington DC... was it a mistake? Will Carmy do something regrettable? Will Richie do something equally as stupid?

The Masterlist

Previous part

Part 4 - DC in October

“Are you sure you even want to go Carmy?” Richie questioned for the thousandth time that day. Carmy rolled his eyes and pulled the sleeves of his navy blue sweater up. The two sat in the airport that afternoon. Carmy shrugged “I don’t know.” he answered lazily, looking over to Richie “Cousin, we could just go home- she probably wouldn’t notice you not being there.” “She would.” “Are you trying to win this girl back or somethin’?” 

Carmy never answered Richie’s question. He laid back in his hotel room’s bed. He should have just blown off the wedding; Ellie couldn’t actually want a shitty ex fuck buddy at her wedding. He stared at the ceiling and contemplated his life decisions up to this point. What if he’d gone to Europe to chase Ellie? What if he’d kept texting her? What if he’d reached out to her more? He should have done better. Unfortunately, that was something he couldn’t go back and change. In a mere 24 hours, Ellie would be Mrs. Ellie Aurbey, and he’d never be able to hold her again. 

Richie and Carmy stood at the bar in casual suits at Jack and Ellie’s rehearsal dinner, “What the fuck is a German hooker?” Richie laughed, staring at the wedding bar menu. Carmy shrugged, “We should leave. There's too many cops around here.” Richie looked around as he fidgeted with the menu in his hands. “Don’t worry, handsome. We don’t like it either.” a woman in a dark purple dress commented as she approached the two men. “Now this is a site for sore eyes, Carmen Berzatto in a suit at a wedding for Ellie.” Carmy rolled his eyes “Hi Jenny. Long time no see.” “So, is it true? You two got married in Vegas?” Carmy nodded “Yea. We got divorced over the summer, though.” “When Andy told me you two did something crazy- getting married wasn’t even on the list.” Jenny laughed playfully, pushing Carmy “Who are you, handsome?” she bit her lip, turning her attention to Richie. Carmy chuckled “Careful Cousin, she’s kinky.” 

Carmy was alone on a balcony, staring out at a rose garden. “Didn’t think you’d come, Carmen.” Carmy looked over his shoulder to see Jack standing by the door. “I’m surprised you let her invite me.” Jack chuckled “You think I could have prevented this?” Carmy scoffed “True. She’s a strong-willed woman. I’ll give you that.” Jack stepped closer to the fence surrounding the balcony “Thanks for making the divorce easy. I would also like to apologize for arresting you. I just wanted to kick your ass when I found out.” Carmy nodded in acknowledgment of his apology. “You’re a lucky man, Jack. Ellie is a great girl.” 

“You were right… that Jenny girl was kinky.” Richie laughed as he and Carmy walked toward the elevator the next morning. Carmy shook his head disapprovingly, “You wrap it?” “Of course. Don’t need two child support payments.” 

As Ellie walked down the aisle in her pearly white satin off-shoulder gown, a veil that was practically a mile long decorated with subtle spider webs. Carmy smiled as he took in the sight. This was the wedding Ellie deserved, and he was envious of Jack in that moment. While the idea of a big wedding was Carmy’s worst nightmare- he’d do anything to make Ellie smile like that. 

Their vows were sweet and short; Ellie laughed at Jack’s retelling of their first time meeting and blinked away tears when he promised to love, protect, and honor her until his final breath. “Do you, Elenor Sydney Marks, take Jackson Daniel Aurbery as your lawfully wedded husband in sickness and health for the rest of your days?” Carmy quietly slipped out of the hall before he could hear your answer. Coming here really was a mistake.

“Well, she’s married,” Richie said when he found Carmy outside smoking a cigarette. Richie followed in suit, “You were right. We shouldn’t have come to this.” “You love her or somethin’ Cousin?” Carmy shrugged “I don’t know… Seein’ her over the summer just like - I don’t know.” Richie patted Carmy’s shoulder.

“CAB, you leavin?” Ellie asked when she finally found Carmy awkwardly standing in the corner, waiting for Richie. “Yeah- gotta get back to Chicago.” Ellie nodded and smoothed down her dress “Thanks for coming, Carmen. If you’re ever in DC, come by.” Carmy nodded “Of course, El. You look beautiful, by the way… also now I know your last name.” Ellie smiled “Bye, Carmy.”

Richie stood back and watched Ellie and Carmy’s interaction. Carmy looked like a kicked puppy as he walked away from Ellie, “You okay, Carmy?” he shrugged in response “Don’t worry, kid. She’s just the one who got away.” Carmy chuckled, shaking his head. “Maybe I’ll get married one day. I wish it were to Ellie, but she’s happy with that guy, and I’ll be happy with another girl.”

[labuenosairesfrancaise]

Prestwald Hall

Hi guys!!

I'm sharing Prestwald Hall . This is the 9th building for my English Manors Collection, and I will add many more!

House History: Prestwold Hall was, for many years, the seat of the Packe family. Before that time, it was the home of the Skipwith family. After the death of Major Robert Christopher Packe (born c.1783) - one time Aide-de-camp to King George III - who was killed during the Battle of Waterloo, the hall passed to his nephew George Hussey Packe who held the hall and estate until his death in 1874.

The Hall was remodelled by architect William Burn in 1842–1844, incorporating the fabric of a mid-18th-century H-plan house. It was Grade I listed in 1951.

One of the finest rooms inside the house is the Entrance Hall with its richly coloured marbled plaster work in the Italian style. The painted ceiling was inspired by Raphael’s Vatican grotesques and incorporates miniature landscapes, showing the house before and after its remodelling between 1842 and 1844. Below the ceiling, wreathing the room, are small medallion busts of the poets from Chaucer to Scott, positioned in the spandrels and are likely inspired by Alberti's external arcade at the Tempio Malatestiano in Rimini. An arcade opens on to a vaulted corridor leading to a top lit inner hall: these spaces also marbled. Off the corridor, the cantilevered stone staircase survives from the eighteenth century house, and was given its bracketed brass balusters by William Wilkins (1751-1815) in 1805.

The Dining Room, added by Wilkins in 1805, was incorporated into the remodelling undertaken by the Scottish architect William Burn in 1842. The room is overlooked by two dramatic full length portraits of Sir Edward Hussey Packe, KBE (1878 – 1946) and the Hon. Lady Mary Sydney Packe (née Colebrooke, 1890 – 1973) by the painter Glyn Philpot RA (1844 – 1947). The portrait of Lady Packe, painted in 1911, was described by the art historian Robin Gibson OBE as an ‘amazing feat of virtuosity’. Its elongated elegance and introspective characterisation is totally without the fashion-plate vulgarity of much Edwardian portraiture. Other portraits hang in this room of the Packe family including a painting of Sir Christopher Packe (1595 – 1682) who purchased the house in the 17th century painted by Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen (1593 –1661).

The library extends nearly the entire length of the house when the large doors that separate it from the drawing room are opened, connecting the two rooms. With clever use of constructional steel, William Burn was able to create these long adjoining rooms. The windows rise from floor level and open onto the garden which enhances the notion that Prestwold was designed in the style of an Italian classical villa. The doors and bookcases in library were made for George Hussey Packe (1846–1908) by Gillows of Lancaster and London in 1875.

A conservatory fills the recessed central bay at the front of the house, and projects out towards the garden. Behind the glass and elegant Doric pilasters, are well planted raised beds with a number of exotic plants and flowers

More history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prestwold_Hall

Virtual tour: https://www.prestwold-hall.com/virtual-tour/

Night pics

Floorplans

This house fits a 50x40 lot and features the following:

great hall

long Library

formal dinning room

family room

playroom

formal gallery

a winter garden

14 rooms for family/guests + 3 service rooms

several bathrooms

This time I decorated most of the rooms in the main floor for picture purposes, but as allways, you can make it your own!

The second and third floor (bedrooms) are not decorated, but finished.

Hope you like it.

You will need the usual CC I use:

all Felixandre cc

all The Jim,

SYB

Anachrosims

Regal Sims

King Falcon railing

The Golden Sanctuary

Cliffou

Dndr recolors

Harrie cc

Tuds

Lili's palace cc

Please enjoy, comment if you like it and share pictures with me if you use my creations!

Early Access: August 15

Download: https://www.patreon.com/posts/prestwald-hall-104505183

[thoughtfulchaos773]

The Bear Season 6 poster is just Carmy and Sydney posing like this, hands clasped together / ring 'pon Syd's finger in the foreground and their faces smiling and out of focus in the background

Stop!!! The incels would be shaking! Can we talk about the wedding though. What dress do you think Syd would wear?

I see this being a mood. Speaking of mood do you think they'd want a simple city hall wedding? Carmy doesn't mess with his family like that. Would they get eloped? We wanna know!

[kelyon]

Courtship 19: Reception

Mrs. Gold dances the night away

Read on AO3

By the time Mr. and Mrs. Gold arrived at their wedding reception, the party had already started. The creme de la creme of Storybroke was decked out in sharp suits and elegant evening gowns. Most of the crowd wore black, which was sophisticated, but not exactly celebratory. Mr. Gold had provided an open bar, so everyone had a drink in their hands. On the bandstand, Storybrooke’s own Firehouse Five played subdued lounge music. The songs were barely audible over the dull roar of more than a hundred different conversations going on at the same time. All twelve of the Dodici sisters were wearing out their shoes passing out hors d’oeuvres among the mingling throng.  

The round tables were set with china and silver. White linen tablecloths and pressed cloth napkins. Every centerpiece was a tasteful explosion of crystal and gold ribbon so thin it looked like thread. There were candles and mirrors on every table, reflecting the light that reflected itself in a one-color kaleidoscope. The effect was more than elegant, it was opulent. It was dazzling. The entire hall was decorated in white and gold and black--and not a single flower in sight.

Standing in the doorway under a ribboned arch, Mrs. Gold took a moment to let it sink in. All of this--all the grandeur, all the expense--it was all for her. All because she was marrying Mr. Gold. He had chosen her. He had decided that she had potential. This night was all her potential realized. 

She took a breath, a shallow one because of her tight wedding gown. Mr. Gold squeezed her hand.

“Is it everything you expected, Mrs. Gold?”

She gazed up at him. If a fraction of the adoration in her heart made it to her face, he could see the answer. 

“This is more than I could have ever dreamed of, Mr. Gold.”

Her husband scoffed. “You’re going to have to start dreaming bigger, my dear. You’re not in Old Town anymore.”

Technically they were, but she knew what he meant. The sad, limited life of Lacey French was gone. Mrs. Gold was more than that girl ever could have been.

Just then, she heard a voice shout, “Smile!” and then there was a blinding flash. 

Blinking through the spots in her eyes, Mrs. Gold squinted at the man with the camera. 

“Sydney Glass?” She kept blinking. “Are we gonna be in the newspaper?”

The editor of the Storybrooke Daily Mirror was a middle-aged man whose smile was usually more fawning than friendly. He took it for granted that everyone wanted to show up in his paper and was often confused when they were less than happy about his surprise appearances. He acted like if he offered a good write-up, that should be his ticket to getting people to tell him whatever he wanted to know. 

“Can I get another?” he asked eagerly. “Storybrooke’s most eligible bachelor tying the knot with a nobody is front page news.”

Fragments of Lacey French bristled at that. She wasn’t a nobody! She’d had her picture in the paper before. She was the valedictorian of her graduating class! She was the heir to a beloved family business! She was--

But she wasn’t any of those things anymore, was she? She had put that all behind her. How could Mrs. Gold be angry that these people didn’t know Lacey French? Forgetting that life was what she wanted. It was what Mr. Gold wanted. 

It occurred to her suddenly that this party was really a funeral: The death of who she had been, the birth of who she would be.  

Dazed, she posed for the newspaperman, let him take his little pictures. She waved to the crowd when band leader Kim Ward announced their arrival. She walked on Mr. Gold’s arm to the two-person table on a raised platform in front of the dance floor. She turned a blind eye to the round table closest to the front, the one that had been set aside for her friends and family, the one that was completely empty. 

This was what she wanted. This was who she was. Mrs. Gold had won. Who cared that Lacey French was lost forever?

****

Dinner was a multi-course meal: a winter kale salad, Italian wedding soup, steamed broccolini, truffle risotto, whole lobsters and filet mignon. Each course was served with its own wine pairing. It was a feast like Lacey French had never seen before--but Mr. Gold acted like it was nothing special. He would take a few bites of each dish then have the waitress take it away. He always seemed to be waiting for something actually remarkable. 

Taking the cue from her husband, Mrs. Gold buried her delight and acted like all this extravagance was beneath them. Of course everything was excellent, it was for Mr. Gold. He wouldn’t tolerate anything but excellence, not in his lifestyle and not in the people he associated with. Anything that wasn’t absolutely perfect might as well be trash.

Throughout the meal, she kept stealing glances at her husband, making sure everything was good enough for him. He seemed pleased enough, if not particularly impressed. He did grin every time one of the Dodici girls served Mrs. Gold another glass of wine or champagne. 

“You’re still underage, aren’t you?” he asked when they were alone.

Mrs. Gold took a bubbly sip. Even dry alcohol tasted better the more you drank. “Yeah, my birthday’s in March.” 

He nodded out into the crowd. “District Attorney Spencer is here tonight. There are judges and lawyers, Sheriff Graham. And of course, Mayor Mills herself.” He smirked. “You’re breaking the law in front of all of them.”

Mrs. Gold burst into giggles that she didn’t try to hide. “And I’m getting away with it!”

“Yes you are.” Mr. Gold pressed a lingering kiss against her cheek. “As long as you’re mine, you can do anything I want you to. Damn everyone else.”

She pulled away, just far enough to look into his eyes. They were just as dark as they ever were, just as cool and considering. That darkness was her home now, the whole of her world.

“I’ll be yours forever, Mr. Gold.”

“Yes you will.” He kissed her again, on the lips this time. 

Someone below noticed them kissing and let out a woop. That garnered attention. People began to clap for the bride and groom. By the time the kiss was over, all the guests were cheering or ringing their spoons against their glasses. 

When her husband let her break away, Mrs. Gold beamed. 

****

After dinner, Mrs. Gold descended from the high table so she could mingle with the guests. Mr. Gold had given her strict instructions and she was eager to obey. She kept her legs close together as she walked in her short dress. The ‘results’ of Mr. Gold fucking her in the limo were at the front of her mind and the tops of her thighs. If she wasn’t careful, everyone would know what a slutty little bride she was.  

Mrs. Gold shivered. God, this whole night was delicious!

The round table closest to where she and Mr. Gold had eaten was empty. None of her family had come, not even for free food and booze. Well screw them. Mrs. Gold strutted past to the second table, where the actual important people were sitting. 

“Mayor Mills?”

The Mayor turned to her when she spoke. She was a graceful woman, with a hard, sleek beauty that came from power and skill. Even though Mayor Mills was a woman and younger than anyone else in Storybrooke politics, she knew she was the queen of this jungle. That confidence wafted off of her like an intoxicating perfume. 

When she saw Mrs. Gold, the Mayor smiled with red lips and white teeth. 

“There’s the blushing bride!” Graciously, she stood up and put her hands on Mrs. Gold’s shoulders to look at her. “Now you’ll have to forgive me, your first name…?”

“Mrs. Gold is fine,” she said. “That’s all I need to be anymore.”

“Of course,” Mayor Mills nodded. “Everyone has their place in this world. You are so lucky to have found yours so young.”

“Yes.” Mrs. Gold found herself a little breathless. Being this close to her was as intimidating as it was thrilling. “Yes, Madame Mayor. I’m very lucky to be where I am now.”

“Weddings are always such joyful occasions,” Mayor Mills spoke to the whole table--and the tables around them who had stopped their own conversations to look at what the Mayor was doing. She took one hand off Mrs. Gold’s arm and held her by the chin. “I hope you always cherish the memory of this happy, happy day.”

“I will, Madame Mayor,” she said obediently. “Um, Mr. Gold instructed me to ask you something.”

The Mayor raised one black eyebrow in amused curiosity. “What’s that, dear?”

Mrs. Gold pressed her nails into her palms. This was harder than she had thought it would be. 

“He told me to ask you who I should dance with first tonight.”

Mayor Mills smirked. “Your husband is leaving that decision to me?”

“Well, he said that I should start by dancing with the most important man in Storybrooke. Normally, that would be the mayor, but--”

“Oh yes, gods forbid two women do anything romantic together!” 

There was contempt in the Mayor’s laughter, but she seemed to take her task seriously. She looked around the table for her substitute, then broadened her search until she found the perfect man.

“Hunter!” Mayor Mills called to a few tables down the line. “Hunter Duke, come over here.” 

Immediately, there was a scraping of chairs and a hulking mass of muscles and hair gel thudded forward. Mrs. Gold’s stomach sank. Of all the men in this room, Mayor Mills had to pick Lacey French’s ex-boyfriend.  

The Mayor squeezed Mrs. Gold’s bare arm, “He’s a handsome fella, isn’t he? About the only man in town as beautiful as you are.”

He was handsome alright. And dumb. And conceited. He had never been for her.

“Lacey!” Hunter’s voice boomed out even though he was now standing in front of her. His broad smile revealed a bit of broccolini stuck in his teeth.

“It’s Mrs. Gold now,” she said evenly. She forced herself to take this oversized child by his clumsy meathook of a hand. “Let’s dance.” 

****

Hunter Duke slow-danced like a Homecoming King--stiff and graceless. For all the athleticism he’d displayed on the football field and the wrestling mat, he’d never known what to do with his body if it wasn’t colliding into another boy. Lacey French had always hoped that he’d improve after they broke up. It had to just be immaturity. He would learn how to be a decent boyfriend. Eventually, he’d have to be some kind of useful to someone, right?

Maybe, but not yet.

She had to reach up to put her hands on his musk-ox shoulders. She didn’t even try to wrap her arms around his thick neck. His grip on her waist was heavy--not strong and possessive like Mr. Gold’s, but a limp, dead weight. His palms were sweaty. Throughout the dance, she kept looking down to make sure he didn’t step on her feet. Tromping around wearing boots--to a wedding!--he was liable to break her ankle. 

“You’re really hot tonight. How come you never wore stuff like this when we were dating?”

Mrs. Gold rolled her eyes. “Should I have worn a wedding dress when you took me back-roading through the woods? Or to a rager on the beach?”

“I’m just saying, you could have done something to make yourself look like a girl. If you had, we might still be together.”

“Oh, I… don’t deserve that.”

Hunter’s laugh was so friendly it was clear he didn’t know what she meant. “Hey, as long as you figured out what you wanted. Though I gotta say, I never thought Gold would be the man of your dreams.”    

“What would you know about my dreams, Hunter?”

“Not much, I guess.”

Even that much conversation was exhausting, and she wasn’t even pretending she liked him anymore. What had Lacey French ever seen in this guy? Had she really been so low that spending time with him had seemed worthwhile?

Never again. She was better than that now. 

Before the song had properly ended, Hunter’s father tapped him on the shoulder.

“That’s enough kiddy time,” said Richard “Big Dick” Duke. “I’m sure the lovely lady is ready for a real man.”

The tops of Hunter’s ears turned red, a thing that only happened when his dad was being an asshole. Lacey French had spent too many hours of her life watching father take digs at son and then listening to son vent about father. Thank God that wasn’t her problem anymore. Hunter muttered some vague assent and then sulked away from the dance floor.

Dick swept Mrs. Gold into his arms. He had more flair than his son, but no more actual skill at dancing. In most ways, he looked like what Hunter would become as he got older and let himself go. He had a receding hairline and a beer belly, and jowls around the cleft in his chin. Most importantly, he had an uncomfortable habit of trying to flirt with very young girls when he was a married man.

“Is there anything more beautiful than a bride?” He danced with his hands just far enough away from her ass to say he wasn’t groping her. “And you look like you stepped right out of a porno, sweetie. God, that boy was an idiot for letting you get away from him.”

Mrs. Gold smiled brightly. She ran her hand over his lapel. “You know, Dick, I think Mr. Gold and I both owe you some thanks.”

“Oh yeah? Why’s that?”

“Well, if I hadn’t seen for myself what kind of man you are, and what kind of husband you are to Karen, I might have thought there was still some hope for me and Hunter.” Her smile deepened. “I might have settled for him and wasted my life in a tacky McMansion spending every holiday with you.” Mrs. Gold began to giggle. “Can you imagine anything more horrible?” 

Big Dick’s face froze. He began to look around for someone else who might want to cut in. Mrs. Gold kept smiling and didn’t let him go. She forced him to stay in that awkward moment for the rest of the song.

****

It was strange how un-wedding-like everything seemed. Lacey French had helped with floral arrangements for plenty of weddings, and none of them had ever been this serious. 

True, there was dancing, fast songs and slow. But the Firehouse Five seemed determined to only play couple dances. There were none of the party songs that always got people up on their feet--everybody from kids to grandparents. No corny novelty songs that people could laugh at but go along with because of tradition. Not even any rock ballads for everybody to belt out at the top of their lungs. It was all music for ballroom dancing. Very classy, but not as much fun as it could have been.

After an hour or so of music, the band took a break and the Dodici sisters passed out cake. Mrs. Gold had seen her wedding cake, a multi-tiered  masterpiece of gilded fondant. But she had expected that she and Mr. Gold would cut the first slice together. It was a kind of ceremony at most weddings. She’d always liked the symbolism of the bride and groom feeding each other all the sweet things of life. Now, at her own wedding, someone else had cut her cake without her even knowing about it. She went back to her seat beside Mr. Gold and saw that he wasn’t eating any. 

Of course not. Mr. Gold didn’t like sweets. 

She didn’t have a bouquet, so there was no bouquet toss. No opportunity for her to share her joy and good fortune to all the girls who wanted their own weddings. 

She was wearing real garters, which was more than most brides in Storybrooke could say. But she knew without asking that Mr. Gold was too dignified to reach under her skirt to remove a garter and then toss it to all the bachelors in the room. When he took her underwear off in public, it would be because he wanted to, not because a crowd of people expected him to.

Maybe that was what the dancing was for. Maybe sharing her was his way of sharing his luck with every other man in town. Or maybe it was showing off. Yes, that seemed much more characteristic of Mr. Gold.

Because of course her husband was different from any other groom she could have had. Of course he was better. Obviously their wedding had to be different. It had to be better. They couldn’t bother with ordinary traditions. They wouldn’t make promises of everlasting love, promises nobody ever ended up keeping. They knew each other better than that. This wasn’t going to be a regular marriage. She was stupid for even thinking about a regular wedding.   

****

“So settle a bet for me,” Sean Herman said as they bopped along to a fast dance. “My dad says you’ve gotta be pregnant to get Gold to marry you. Are you?”

Mrs. Gold laughed at the boy. “Your dad would think that, wouldn’t he? He’s such an asshole.” 

“Hey!” He stopped dancing. “You can’t say that!”

Pouting, Mrs. Gold flung her arm around his neck. “I can say whatever I want!” She moved against him. “It’s my wedding day!”

He sighed but began to bounce again to the music. Mrs. Gold rewarded him by resting her head on his shoulder. 

Sean Herman was one of Hunter’s friends, another rich and pretty prince of high school. He hadn’t done much since graduation. He didn’t work, lived with his dad, and took just enough gen ed classes to stay enrolled at Storybrooke Community College. The most interesting thing about Sean was his moderate rebellion of dating Ashley Boyd, a poor girl from Old Town. 

Mrs. Gold had a sudden flash, a memory of the last time she had seen Ashley. She began to laugh.

“What’s up?” Sean asked. 

“Did Ashley ever get a hold of you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Like two weeks ago she asked me if I’d heard from you. She said you weren’t returning her calls.”

Sean shrugged. “I’ve been busy.”

“You should call her,” Mrs. Gold giggled. “I think she has some big news for you.”

“What kinda news?”

God, this kid was a bag of bricks! Mrs. Gold patted him on the cheek.

“Let’s just say your dad is wrong about me, but he’s not wrong about her.”

Sean stepped back. His blonde eyebrows had fused together in confusion. “What?”

Mrs. Gold shook her head. “There are pay phones in the lobby outside. I’d give you a quarter myself if I had one. Go call Ashley. She’ll be so happy to hear from you.”

Still looking like he was just barely putting the pieces together, Sean backed away off the dance floor. He moved faster the closer he got to the payphones. 

Mrs. Gold rolled her eyes and looked around for her next partner. Who hadn’t she danced with yet? District Attorney Spencer had barely moved when she’d danced with him. Sheriff Graham was surprisingly sensual in his dancing, but too embarrassed to look her in the eye. He’d kept glancing over at Mayor Mills, like he thought she was going to have some kind of objection. Too bad Mrs. Gold had already danced with Mitchell Herman, Sean’s father. Seeing his reaction to Ashley’s big news would have been a treat. 

Finally, she settled on a tall, burly man with long white hair. He had the weathered face of a sea captain, but was actually a titan of Storybrooke industry. It was Ken Andersen, the owner of the cannery. The Fish King himself. 

Uncle Peter had been at the cannery for twenty years. Andrew had just started but people said he had lots of promise, lots of opportunity to rise through the ranks. When they died, the company sent Aunt Terri a fruit basket, but no one had come to the funeral. Did Ken Andersen even know they had worked for him? 

Mrs. Gold pushed aside Lacey French’s grievances. She made herself smile as she danced a slow waltz with him. 

“You’re absolutely lovely,” Ken said in a deep but gentle voice. “You remind me of my Jodi.”

Everyone knew about Jodi Andersen. She’d disappeared when she was sixteen. No one knew exactly what had happened to her--if she had run away with a boy or been kidnapped or grown fins and swam out into the ocean. What they did know was that Ken Anderson had all but killed himself trying to find her. He’d neglected his six older daughters, took out second mortgages on his house and his factory. He’d poured everything he had of time, money, and effort into bringing his daughter home. But it had all been useless.

“I hope she’s as happy as you are,” he said sadly. “Wherever she is, I hope she’s found someone who loves her.” 

Mrs. Gold said nothing. She just barely managed to keep from rolling her eyes. It had been years since Jodi Andersen’s mysterious disappearance. By now, the only place anyone was going to find that girl was at the bottom of the harbor.  

****

While she danced with a different man every song, Mrs. Gold kept her eyes on her husband. Sometimes he watched her, with that cool-but-not-cold look of distant approval. He didn’t seem to care what she was doing, except that she was doing what he’d told her to. That was all that mattered. 

More often when she looked at Mr. Gold, she found him in conversation with someone--usually someone she had just finished dancing with. They seemed to think that paying their respects to her granted them access to her husband. Maybe it did. Mrs. Gold had no doubt that she was just a small piece of the grand and complex puzzle of Mr. Gold’s life. These men came up to her husband like he was a mob boss--did everything short of kiss his ring. Mr. Gold remained seated at the high table. The supplicants stood on the platform, but in order to be at his level, most of them had to stoop or bend or at least take a knee. 

Mrs. Gold cackled at that. The most powerful men in Storybrooke, on their knees for her husband. They were no better than she was, groveling for his scraps. Only she had the privilege of actually sucking his cock, instead of just sucking up to him. She was Old Town trash and she was his wife. These fine men in their expensive suits with their piddling power and money--these were the beggars. Mr. Gold was better than all of them and she belonged to him.

Something inside her clenched. A wave of heat bloomed under her tight skirt. Mrs. Gold pressed against whatever man she was dancing with, but she never lost sight of the man who really mattered. 

[akajustmerry]

What are other australian actors/tresses you like that you don't usually talk about?

hello! gonna keep the obvious big names rn (robbies, hemsworths, jackmans, snook) outta this list. stick with ppl i think deserve more hype!

steph tisdel! she's an Aboriginal comedian and her on-screen presence is utterly delightful. her comedy is so brilliantly observational, nerdy and human without being fatphobic. also, I need her and rob collins in a rom-com NOW their chemistry in season 2 of total control made me insane!!!!!

claudia doumit! one of the most beautiful women on earth. most people know her as victoria neuman in the boys and don't realise she's lebanese-australian. i think its really sad she couldn't book work here at home because she's so fucking good!

rebecca breeds! my girl becs was CRIMINALLY overlooked for an emmy a few years ago for her performance as clarice sterling in clarice!! she was so fucking good!!! aside from that, she's in one of my fave Australian comedy films three summers (2017). she has an insaneeeee range she deserves so much hype!

nakkiah lui! more a writer than an actor but if you haven't seen preppers 2021, go watch it now! she's a huge inspiration to me honestly! same for miranda tapsel!

keiynan lonsdale!! most ppl probs don't know that Bram from the love simon movie is Australian and they should because keiynan is bonkers multi-talented. dude makes drops bop after bop on spotify, dances like a maniac, and is such a warm unforgettable screen presence. i am once again begging people to watch my fake boyfriend 2022 on amazon

pallavi sharda! you just don't understand how much i need her to play chloe fraser in a proper uncharted film adaptation. also, pleaseeeeeeee watch wedding season 2022 on Netflix its such a sweet rom-com and i am in love with her

remy hii! another aus actor i just love seeing in things because he was INSANE RANGE. i've seen him thrive in rom-coms, period dramas, crime, whatever, he's a stand out. and he often does work at home too which i love! i got to see him on stage in sydney last year in the tenant of wildfell hall and he was so fun!

geraldine viswanathan! that's my wifeeeee. i know i mention her a lot already but you don't understand she's from the same city as me i love her and she's so talented and she means so much to me!

hunter paige-lochard! incredible Aboriginal actor who really shoulda blown up after leading 2 seasons of Cleverman. he's so handsome and i was ECSTATIC to see him in the newsreader season 2 trailer!

rob collins! i absolutely have talked about this man but you will hear it again!!! please watch firebite on SBS on Demand! but do not watch queen of oz!

i also have particular love in my heart for bigish name actors in a lot of stuff that aren't as well known like miranda otto, david wenham, noah taylor, eric bana, rose byrne, etc but they need no introductions!! also, please just watch Black Comedy on ABC and assume i stan every Blak actor in it because i do.

[philibetexcerpts]

5 February 1954: The Queen wore the “Rose of England” dress in white satin, the roses in raised material and embroidered foliage, for the Lord Mayor’s Ball at Sydney Town Hall in Australia.

As for the jewelry, she wore Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik tiara, Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee necklace, the Edinburgh wedding bracelet, and her Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 101 watch.

[shallyne]

Feysandweek Day Seven

Feyre watched as Mor left the venue, the last of their guest to go that evening. She waved one last time over her shoulder before she was out of Feyre's vision.

Rhys crept up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing a kiss to the crown of her head. She sighed, leaning into him. "I'm sorry that everything went wrong today," he said quietly, the only other sound being the rain splashing on the glass roof. "First the cake, then that rain, your shoes, your veil and the car breaking down. I'm sorry."

"Don't be, Rhys." she said, mindlessly drawing circles on the back of his hand. "It wasn't your fault that everything that could go wrong went wrong." Feyre sighed, "Isn't it a bridal thing to be stressed out of your mind on the morning of you wedding."

Rhys huffed, "Not like that, no." he replied. "I wish I could have kept all the stress away from you, finding another way."

Feyre shook her head, "We're married now, aren't we? We reached out ultimate goal, with a few bumps on the way. And trust me, Rhysand, no obstacle in the world would have kept me from marrying you. I'll fight."

She could feel Rhys smiling, "And I would be at your side the whole time. I will be at your side, forever." he grabbed her hand, whirling her around. "Would you do me the honor and end the evening with a last dance?"

"I would," she said, "but the band is already gone."

"We don't need music." he said, taking her hand to pull her closer.

Feyre smiled brightly, resting her hand on his shoulder, his own resting on the small of her back. "Then it would be my honor to dance with you, Rhys." she kissed, softly. For now.

They began swaying in the quiet, to the splashing of the rain on the roof, the whistling of the wind. There in the empty hall it was only them, Feyre and Rhysand, in the very early morning hours, dusk only a few short hours away. Feyre moved her hand, to rest her head on Rhys's shoulder in its stead. "I'd do it all over again, you know?"

"I know." he said, his thumb drawing soothing circles in her back. "Me too, chaos and all."

"I love you." she whispered, exhaustion starting to settle in her bones.

"I love you too, Feyre darling."

Feysand Taglist:

@captain-of-the-gwynriel-ship @edgyellie @starfall-spirit @rhysiedarling @corcracrow @sydney-fae25 @tothestarsandwhateverend @aayo-whatt @dreamlandreader @officialfeysandweek2023

[hopepaigeturner]

🎄 Giftmas Day 9: Polaroid--Polin

On their fiftieth wedding anniversary, Colin and Penelope reminisce on their journey together.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

After the extended family had left, with the gaggle of grandchildren ferried out after their sugar-highs, Penelope rested in her armchair—the yellow velvet had faded slightly from their bright hue which had stuck out at that boot sale in Cornwall. The pair had spent a good twenty minutes trying to fit that, and a matching blue velvet piece, around Agatha’s car-seat.

“Here you go, my sunflower,” Colin said, bringing over a tray with tea and biscuits upon it.

“Thank you,” Penelope grasped the Christmas mug that George’s children had given them for Christmas last year “I do love our family but they do tire us out so.” Colin sighed loudly as he deflated into his blue velvet chair. “It was lovely for Thomas and his boys to make the trip, it has been an age since we visited Sydney.”

“Those boys have shot up��Richard in university already. Although I do worry about Jane. Still unsettled at her age.”

“Oh she has always been your daughter—always a wanderer. And she is not lonely with all her friends.”

“I suppose…fifty years…”

Penelope looked down at her wedding band, a little tarnished, but still as gold as the day Colin had slipped it on her finger in the church.

“Hmm, half a lifetime of adventures together,” she responded.

Colin turned to her and smiled—the same smile that had enchanted her ever since their first meeting as children.

“Indeed, speaking of. I have a little surprise for you.”

He slowly reached around, wincing slightly due to the stiffness in his back.

“Oh Colin, we said our present to one another would be that cruise in the New Year.” Penelope protested.

“I know, I know, but I couldn’t help myself—especially after your birthday present to me.”

Penelope blushed. It had taken a little bit of preparation to restore Colin’s old polaroid camera, as great a companion as Penelope, but Benedict had done a wonderful job—even with the arthritis settling into his fingers.

“I became inspired, and I made this—with Agatha’s help.”

He handed her a leatherbound book, Penelope opened and gasped.

“Oh Colin…”

Penelope flicked through the pages, filled with excerpts from Colin’s family journals in print or in spider-scrawl handwriting. At the centre of every page was a polaroid picture, taken on the very same camera Penelope had gifted him at his leaving party after A-levels.

She flicked through pages of their retirement cruises or visits to their children who had inherited their travel bug and scattered across the globe. Polaroids taken from significant family events both their immediate family and the Bridgerton brood. Penelope watched her grey hair turn back to the red of her youth as she posed in various countries with their children at different heights. The pictures trailed back further to the first years of their marriage when they had walked across continents and written as many words as their steps. Then a picture of Colin dipping her in a white dress, the backdrop being Aubrey Hall (ofcourse). Then a shot from their proposal ‘lunch’ at their favourite café in St. Andrews, frequented whenever Colin had visited Penelope through her university years. Then a few sunny photos of the pair in various places in the same pose but with different emotions in their eyes changing as subtly as their friendship had back then.

Then the final page, the final polaroid, but also the first taken.

Penelope sat posing half-heartedly to the camera, all eighteen-years of youth and bright smiles at Colin’s leaving party before his very first adventure. To this day, Penelope could remember that precise moment.

“Pen, blimey—this is amazing!” Colin cried upon unwrapping the polaroid. He lunged over to her and squashed her into a bearhug, almost capsizing the drink in her hand.

Penelope blushed. When he released her, she muttered.

“Oh, I thought it would suit—trendy you know?”

“And it’s yellow,” he commented, “for my sunflower-girl.” He gave her a wink and Penelope’s heart fluttered. But years of restraint ensured she only replied,

“Something to remember me by when you are away in all these exotic places.”

“Oh, Pen. I would never forget you,” Colin’s blue eyes sobered, and Pen became caught in them. A moment later the spark came back. “Go on pose!”

“What?”

“Pose—you shall have the honour of the first picture—off you go.”

“Colin—really?”

“Yes, I insist. Host’s prerogative.”

“Technically your mother is—”

“Peeen.”

“Fine, fine.”

She posed, blushing a little self-consciously as she always did in photos.

The camera flashed and Colin whooped. He kept his eyes glued to the picture as it developed his grin going wider and wider. Then it softened, just as his eyes had done, and he turned to her.

Penelope scrunched her nose up at the picture—as she did to most of her pictures—but made a noncommittal shrug of approval.

“I need a caption!” Colin cried and routed around for a pen, he chewed on the end of a biro. Penelope took a moment to memorise his features; the furrow between his eyebrows, the slope of his nose and the dimples on his cheeks.

“I’ll keep it simple,” he scribbled something down then showed it to her. Penelope blushed further but Colin was already storing it in his camera bag. “There.” He patted the pocket. “So, I never forget.”

And he hadn’t, not even after all these years. For there was the picture, and there was the caption.

My sunflower girl.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ngl. I might make fit this into the 'Six Moments' universe on AO3. Six important photos throughout Polin's life.

[opera-ghosts]

Il Trovatore: "Stride La Vampa" · Louise Homer · Metropolitan Opera Orchestra · Giulio Setti

Louise Homer was one of the most talented and popular opera singers of the early twentieth century. She had a two-decade career as a leading contra-alto with the Metropolitan Opera in New York. She performed with Enrico Caruso and Marcella Sembrich under director Arturo Toscanini. Along with her beautiful voice, she was greatly admired for her powerful acting and stage presence. She sang many of the grandest roles in the Italian, French and, German operas. Her notable roles were Amneris in Giuseppe Verdi's Aida, Orpheus in Toscanini's 1909 revival of Christoph Gluck's opera, the Witch in Engelbert Humperdinck's Königskinder, and the title role in Horatio Parker's Mona. She also toured the country as a solo recitalist.

Louise, a top selling artist on the Victor Talking Machine Company (RCA), was regarded as one of the first great classical recording artists. She recorded from 1903 through 1929, singing arias, gospel hymns, and songs composed by her husband Sidney Homer. She recorded duets with Caruso, Alma Gluck, and other opera stars. Her recording of “Whispering Hope” with Alma Gluck was a national best seller.

Born Louise Dilworth Beatty in Pittsburgh in 1871, she was the daughter of Dr. William Trimble Beatty, founder of the Shadyside Presbyterian church. Beatty Hall at Chatham College in named in hour of Dr. Beatty, who was one of the founders of the college. She sang in the church choir with her eight brothers and sisters. When her father died in 1882, her mother moved the family to West Chester, Pa to be near her relatives. She studied voice and made her public debut in Philadelphia with an performance of the cantana “Ruth the Moahitess”. Louise graduated as valedictorian from West Chester High School. To help support her family she worked as a stenographer and court reporter. She continued to study singing with Abbie Whinnery and Alice Goff. She also sang contralto in a church quartet. In 1893 she quit her job and enrolled at New England Conservatory of Music. Her composition instructor Sidney Homer (6 years her senior) accompanied Louise to a performance of Faust by the visiting Metropolitan Opera. Disobeying her family’s religious beliefs it was the first theatrical performance she ever attended. After that performance, Louise vowed that she would become an operatic artist.

Louise wed Sidney Homer in 1895, had a child, and went off on borrowed money in 1896 with her husband to Paris for more vocal studies. In Paris studied with drama with Paul Lhérie and voice with Fidélé König. She made her professional debut as Louise Homer in 1898 in Vichy, France as Leonora in Gaetano Donizetti’s La favorita. She continued her early career appearing at for a season at Covent Garden in London in 1899. Her performances at Covent Garden resulted in a Royal Command Performance. Appearing for a season in Brussel she had over 100 performances at the Théâtre de la Monnaie. Maurice Grau of the Metropolitan Opera heard her sing in Paris and offered her a three year contract. In 1900 she became an principal singer at the Metropolitan Opera in 1900, performing there until 1919.

Louise Homer found critical acclaim in 1908 for her performance as Orfeo in Toscanini's revival of Gluck's opera. Operate Critic Richard Aldrich wrote of her "nobility, dignity and plastic grace for the eye, and of full-throated and beautiful song for the ear."

Louise retired from the Met after the 1918 - 1919 season. She sang for several seasons with the Chicago Civic Opera. In 1927 and 1928 she returned to the Met for two celebrated guest appearances. She toured the country appearing at recitals that included songs by her nephew, Samuel Barber. Her older sister, Marguerite, was Barber's mother.

Louise and Sydney retired to Florida, where Louise became a vocal instructor at Rollins College. She taught vocal students until her death at age 76 in 1947. While she was at the height of her singing career she raised six children with her noted composer husband Sidney Homer. She was elected as one of the greatest American women by the National Association of

Woman Voters. : In 1939 Sidney Homer wrote “My Wife And I: The Story of Louise and Sidney Homer”. Her daughter Anne Homer told Louise’s story in the 1973 biography “Louise Homer and the Golden Age of Opera”.