An 89-year-old has fulfilled her lifelong ambition of being a bridesmaid by walking down the aisle at her granddaughter’s wedding.
Maureen Carney, from New South Wales, was one of granddaughter Rochelle’s five bridesmaids.
Maureen, who has 10 grandchildren and six great grandchildren, said: “I had the best day! I wish we could do it all over again.
“It was really a special day for both of us.”
Maureen had always wanted to be a bridesmaid but didn’t think it would ever happen.
“One day, my granddaughter Rochelle asked me if I had any regrets or things I wanted to do with my life,” Maureen explained. “I told her the story of how I asked to be a bridesmaid for my good friend one time, but I never got to walk down the aisle as back then churches were separate.
“You see, my friend was Anglican and I was a Catholic, so I wasn’t allowed to be a bridesmaid in the Anglican church. Rochelle joked - or I thought she joked at the time - that when she got married I could be her bridesmaid.”
Maureen took her bridesmaid duties seriously and even went on the hen do with the other women.
“We went to the Mantra [beach resort] at Kingscliff and the girls went to the day spa, drank cocktails by the pool, and went out for dinner,” she said.
“I don’t drink alcohol, so Rochelle ordered me a mocktail.
“We also played a game where everyone has to freeze in army poses every time the whistle is blown. Rochelle gave me the whistle… I guess I was a bit cheeky too.”
On the big day, Maureen particularly enjoyed getting ready with the other bridesmaids and spending some quality time with her granddaughter.
“My daughter Helen bought us all embroidered bridesmaid robes,” she said.
“There were five of us, so hair and makeup took a while. Rochelle and I just laid in bed and told stories until it was our turn. It was a very relaxing morning.”
But the grandmother said the highlight of her wedding experience was wearing “the most beautiful dress”, made by dress company White Runway.
“It was beautiful, it fit in with the girls but gave me my own signature dress. It’s the best dress I’ve ever worn or owned,” she said.
“I had my hair and makeup done professionally. I got to spend time with my granddaughter and play an important role in her special day.
“But I was really excited about the dessert bar! I have a sweet tooth.”