Lynne Prowd and Steven McIntosh (right) of Maryborough confirmed their long-time relationship in a commitment ceremony at the Lang Lang cemetery in South East Gippsland, Victoria, on December 22, 2011. Photo: JOCELYN WATTS
PUBLISHER ASP Photography EDITOR Jocelyn Watts CONTRIBUTORS Julie-Ann Bradwyn Debbie Foale Don Watts Steve McIntosh Pam McKay DESIGN Sofiano COVER PHOTO ASP Photography / Jocelyn Watts ADVERTISING/EMAIL jocelyn@aspphotography.biz WEBSITE www.aspphotogrpahy.biz FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/aspgallery
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“The tricky thing was to arrange for our closest friends to be there” “In secret, with the help of Lynne’s mother Judy and our daughter Kylana Ruby, I planned to have the ceremony next to Lynne’s father’s resting place. Steve explained that soon after meeting Lynne he told her father, Fred Prowd, he would someday ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage. “Sadly, Fred Prowd passed away suddenly a few years ago. He was, and always will be, extremely close to us all,” Steve said. So it was fitting their commitment ceremony was held at a place where Fred was sure to be nearby. “The tricky thing was to arrange for our closest friends to be there. My friend Anthony and his wife Kylie from Melbourne, as well as Lynne’s friend Silvana and her husband Shane from Cairns made a huge effort to meet us at the small Lang Lang cemetery in South East Gippsland. “When I asked them, they both said they wouldn’t have missed being there as our unofficial Best Man and Matron of Honour for anything so I hastily met with and organised a civil celebrant to perform the commitment ceremony. Amazingly, it all came together perfectly.
“The most remarkable thing about this wonderful event was that it was all arranged in two days and we kept it secret from Lynne for the next two weeks while we holidayed in Tasmania. The day after we returned the weather was stunning. At 9am on December 22, Lynne, Judy, Kylana and I went to the cemetery to pay our respects to Fred.
“At 9.15am, Lynne was totally astounded and extremely delighted when she glanced around to see our friends with the celebrant Elizabeth, walking up the main path through the tiny cemetery toward us. Tears flowed freely. “It was truly magnificent. Under a stunning blue sky, we exchanged single red roses and smiled adoringly into each other’s eyes throughout the entire ceremony. Lynne’s sweet tears of joy when we kissed will linger on my tongue forever. “We all celebrated in the car park afterwards with charged glasses of cold champagne and plenty of chocolate dipped strawberries. Superb.”
- Jocelyn Watts