"The lead up was stressful. But I'd do it all again if I could."

Thinking back, I’ve had some pretty amazing moments in my life. However one that really makes me smile is thinking back to my wedding day.

As most brides will tell you, the months leading up to the big day were consumed by all things ‘wedding’.

There were bridal expos to attend, florists to meet with, and family politics to tolerate. Every waking moment was wedding, wedding, wedding. If I wasn’t Googling ridiculous photo props during the day (and absolutely, not ever, at all during work hours past employer,) I was shoving overpriced sugar coated almonds into tiny organza bags to give to people I’d never met.

I didn’t mind though, I loved the excitement of it all (until a few weeks beforehand when stress set in and I wondered whether it was too late to elope).

Just as an FYI, you should know that this post is sponsored by NRMA Insurance, SGIO and SGIC. But all opinions expressed by the author are 100% authentic and written in their own words.

It’s funny how I prioritised what was important to me for my wedding day. Flowers had to be just right, the dress was crucial and chair covers were imperative to the overall success of the event. Because that’s what people remember of their wedding day many years down the track isn’t it – the chair covers.

Having never danced in our lives (properly and not fueled by an open bar tab), soon-to-be-hubby and I decided that dance lessons were in order so we didn’t make complete peanuts of ourselves in front of our nearest and dearest. We arrived at our lessons, took our instructions and practiced religiously each night in the lead up.

Music was chosen and everyone in our bridal party was across the details of how to walk down the aisle, because, for some reason, despite having walked quite successfully for most of their lives, I felt it important to ensure walking was done properly. I’m sure all my friends thought I was a total knob at the time but they are yet to bring it up.

On the day of our wedding I realised that no matter how much planning had gone into an event, there was one thing beyond control – the weather.

A heatwave had been predicted for some time, and naturally my wedding day was predicted to be the killer.

They were right, the hottest day on record for over a hundred years apparently. 46 degrees. I believed it when the air-con in both the house and the bridal cars decided to pack it in and I was sprawled out in full regalia on the floor fanning myself with a paper plate. Classy.

There is nothing quite like sitting in a stupidly expensive gown feeling beads of sweat stick to the fine netting of a veil.

Despite having instructed everyone on proper walking the night before, it all went downhill when we couldn’t quite hear the music, so in true bridezilla style, I pretty much shoved my sister in law down the aisle screeching “Just go!!”

When it was my turn to make the big walk, I arrived at the end of the aisle and my plans to look like a glamorous composed angelic creature went to the shit.

Emotion gave in and I ended up walking towards my husband looking like a constipated sea lion with a bizarre fight between happy tears and smiles taking place on my face. (You’ll understand this if you have ever seen me cry. I’m not a pretty cryer)

The ceremony itself was amazing. Despite the groomsmen dripping in sweat and a couple of guests fainting (I wish I was joking), it was filled with love and devotion.

My memories of the day are not whether the flowers wilted in the sun (they did) or whether the guests had bubbles or confetti to throw (they didn’t), but of the words my husband and I spoke to each other and the look on his face as we took our vows.

The rest of the wedding went pretty much to plan, but I actually no longer cared. Our friends and family were there having a great time, my husband and I were blissed out in newlywed land and completely forgot the steps to the all-important waltz we had lived and breathed for months.

Quite frankly, I couldn’t have cared less whether Aunty Rhonda had the right menu or not, because despite having endless mental debates with myself over the canapés, I was having too much fun to even eat any of them.

So for anyone in the pre-wedding stage stressing about place cards, bridesmaids dresses and buttonholes, I promise, in the end it won’t mean as much as it does to you right now. What you take away from your special day won’t be the canapé selection or the table decorations. Sitting here four years later we often say to each other, “Let’s do it again.”

But to do it again would change what an amazing memory the day was for both of us. So next time, maybe just us, barefoot on the beach in Fiji at sunset with not a bonbonniere in sight.

What memory would you relive if you had the chance?

And just to get you in a bridal mood, here are some of our favourite celebrity wedding photos..

If you would like to go in a draw to with $50,000 to renew your favourite memory or start a new one, simply register at renewalreminder.com.au to be reminded when your insurance policies are due. Plus, if you share your favourite memory at the time of registration, you could go in a draw to win $1,000 monthly cash prize! See terms and conditions for full details.

Competition ends 30 June 2014.