Day of joy and tears by Mark Pennell

It was the celebrity wedding of the year when Dannii Minogue married Julian McMahon - and were surprises all round.
I will love Dannii with all my heart for the rest of my lufe. She is my world...
With these tender words, Julian McMahon paid a public and emotional tribute to his beautiful bride, Dannii Minogue, at Australia's celebrity wedding of the year.
Watched by 200 guests who flew in from all over the world -including Dannii's sister Kylie, who was chief bridesmaid, and Julian's US co-star, expatriate Aussie Carmen Duncan- the handsome son of former Prime Minister Sir William McMahon and now star of the US soap Another World married pop star Dannii Minogue at Melbourne's Grand Hyatt Hotel.
Julian, who arrived a fashionable five minutes late for the civil ceremony, greeted his family, kissed his mother, Sonia, Lady McMahon, then moved across the aisle to embrace Dannii's mother, Carol Minogue.
His best man and old school friend, Andrew Hoult, and groomsmen Steven Shaul, William Wolfenden, Brendan Minogue (Danni's brother) and former The Power and The Passion co-star Colin Sarantis were joined at the altar by bridesmaids Kylie, Lori Braun -Dannii's old friend- and London-based fashion stylist Kirsten Leigh, and Dannii's young cousins Brin, Tiffany, Lauren and Elisha as pageboy and flower girls.
Security was tight as Dannii entered the Berkley Carlton Terrace on the arm of her father, Ron, before moving slowly down the red carpet.
At the sight of his bride, Julian's face lit up with a smile that lasted all night.
Dannii's sweeping veil was held by a stunning gold tiara encrusted with diamonds and pearls and shaped as interlocking hearts. Her off-the-shoulder dress was pure ivory silk with delicately embroidered roses, and she wore matching satin shoes.
It was Kylie who created the concept for the dress, which was then designed and cut in Europe. The final fitting took place in New York before it was carefully packed and flown to Australia.
In keeping with tradition, Dannii had something borrowed -a piece of blue ribbon fron Lori Braun which she pinned to her dress. Her tiara was new and, for something old, she wore an antique lace garter made by her mother.
Before marriage celebrant Jennifer Miller, Dannii and Julian read poems they had written for each other.
Then, with barely a dry eye in the house, Julian slipped on to Danni's finger a gold wedding band graced with a diamond set between two sapphires.
As the couple was pronunced husband and wife, he lifted her veil and the kissed to tumultuous applause.
After the cerimony, the guests moved into the Savoy Ballroom where each seat was adorned with gold roses, handmade by Dannii's mother and grandmother.
Father Rontold how Julian had phoned him from London to ask formally for his daughter's hand, and told the guests, "I could not have wished for a better husband for Dannii".
As the newlyweds began their bridal waltz, Kylie serenaded then with a slow and soulful rendition of Fly Me To The Moon which left the guests teary-eyed.
"I have heard Kylie sing before queens, princes and stadiuns full of thousands of people, but tonight was something truly special," said the Minogue's manager, Terry Blamey.
After the happy couple cut the wedding cake, made and decorated by Danni's aunt, Kylie returned the stage for a rousing rendition of her hit song, Celebration. Then brother Brendan requested she sing We Are Family, which saw both families singing along joyfully.
Phil Ceberano, brother of pop star Kate, ignored his broken foot and took up a guitar to join the band. Healthy, Wealthy and Wise presenter and former 60s rock star Ronnie Burns -an old family friend from Danni's Young Talent Time days- also took to the microphone.
Sonia McMahon danced with Julian and welcomed her new daughter-in-law to the family with a kiss and a warm hug.
The party continued until 2am, when Lady McMahon graciously thanked Carol Minogue for a wonderful evening, and the happy couple set off for a romantic, secluded honeymoon.




Sonia's shock snub by Brian Blackwell

Sonia Mcmahon tried to end months of rumour and gossip by turning on her motherly charm at son Julian's marriage to Dannii Minogue. But at the same time, she set tongues wagging and caused embarassment by refusing to pose for any of the couple's authorised media photos.
And within 24 hours of Julian and Dannii tying the knot, a report in a London newspaper claimed that Lady McMahon didn't really want to attend. It said she told a reporter only hours before the ceremony that she hoped she'd break a leg and be unable to go.
Friends of the newlyweds say that they were not surprised by Lady McMahon's odd decision to boycott the official photographer. They claim that from the day Julian and Dannii announced their marriage plans, Lady McMahon maintained an icy public silence on the subject. This led to widespread speculation that she disapproved and might even snub the wedding.
According to friends of the couple, Lady McMahon is less than happy with her son's choice. She would have liked someone more "socially acceptable".
But when the big night arrived, the widow of former Prime Minister William McMahon "did her duty" and -10 minutes late- swept regally into Melbourne's Grand Hyatt Hotel, flanked by daughters Melinda and Debbie.
Her hair beautifully styled and wearing a stunning evening gown, Lady McMahon gave a vintage performance that reminded many onlookers of her days as Australia's First Lady -particularly the night she stunned America by flashing her legs through a daring, split-to-the-thigh-gown.
If she did harbour doubts about Julian's marriage, Lady McMahon kept them to herself after the ceremony. Guests say she couldn't have been more charming and humorous as she mingled with the VIP crowd.
but throughout the evening, Lady McMahon refused to have anything to do with the couple's media photo sessions. She was happy enough to be in private photos, yet she would not budge when urged to join her son and his bride and other guests for the official photos.
Says a friend: "It's no secret that Sonia wasn't too happy about some aspects of the wedding. If it has been her decision, she would have ensured that some charitable cause prospered in some way from the marriage.
"That's just the way she is; she likes to use her position to hel people.
"But even allowing for any misgivings she had, she would never let anyone down when it came to the marriage.
"She loves Julian and wants the best for him. She's a real mother. That's why she would never let him down -she was wonderful thoughout the evening, at her gracious best".
Says another close friend of the 61-year-old- charity queen: "Sonia comes from a powerful family, and she has never really come to terms with Julian going out with, and actually marrying a sexy pop singer.
"I often wonder if she's really happy about Julian's acting. I think she saw a future for him in business, and marriage to a nice girl from a rich family in Toorak.
"Dannii just doesn't fit the image, does she?".