In late 2023 when considering the purchase of our Melbourne apartment, one of the many considerations was that the building next door was a church.

We had to consider the advantages (less noise) and disadvantages. One of potentials we looked forward was that we could sit on our balcony and watch the marriages on weekends. We hoped that would be an advantage.

The background to this thought was that in Canberra it used to be possible to visit a café on a Saturday afternoon and it was almost guaranteed that there would be entertainments. The café was opposite a large cathedral that would host multiples wedding on Saturdays. They came in every form possible, traditional, cultural and idiosyncratic.

With this experience in mind, surely, we would now be front row to marriages even though the church was a smaller church. Sadly, in the 18 months since we took up residence, there has been absolutely no weddings. Not one! Does God accept complaints about such deficiencies?

And there’s more. This marriage event thing has also impacted on us elsewhere. Last Saturday we ventured into Melbourne’s CBD to see an exhibition at the top of Flinders Lane. Having enjoyed the exhibition, we headed over to the Old Treasury building to see the multiple exhibitions on offer there.

As we approached, we became aware of the number of weddings underway with brides and friends entering, others having for photos taken (photo at top), others nearby either leaving or getting ready to approach. We were amused and walked towards the main door where we asked about the exhibitions to be told that the museum is closed on Saturdays for the weddings.

It looks as though to return to the entertainment of watching weddings, we may have to seek a weekend staycation in an apartment on Springs St with a balcony overlooking the Old Treasury building.

Meanwhile we are still considering serious life issues such as what actions to take to encourage weddings to happen in the church next door.