THE WEDDING
To say that last week’s season return of Home and Away was memorable is quite the understatement! It was the week in which one of Summer Bay’s finest, Robbo (Jake Ryan), succumbed to his injuries following a horrific car crash, leaving his young wife Jasmine (Sam Frost) grief-stricken.
Thankfully, however, there was also something to celebrate – the engagement of the town’s longest standing resident Alf (Ray Meagher) to his beloved Martha (Belinda Giblin).
And this week the emotional roller-coaster in our favourite seaside town continues. Prepare yourself for one wedding – and a funeral!
Alf ’s seaside proposal to Martha, the woman he has never stopped loving, took her completely by surprise. So much so, in fact, that Martha’s response was not exactly as Alf had hoped it would be.
“I think his first proposal was almost too casual for Martha,” explains Ray. “It was just like, ‘What about we go
“THIS WEDDING HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING ... THEY’RE BOTH MORE THAN READY FOR IT”
to Salt for dinner?’ ”
But when Alf got down on bended knee later in the week, Martha’s reply was a resounding ‘Yes!’.
“Alf ’s thrilled,” says Ray. “He realised he really wanted to be with Martha, and if he had to change his ways for that to happen, he’d do so.” And this week, having decided there’s no time like the present to tie the knot, the much-loved couple exchange vows in what may well be Summer Bay’s
wedding of the year!
“The recent terrible tragedies in the town have jolted Alf into thinking ‘Life is too short for all this. Let’s go on with it and get married’.”
Adds Belinda: “This wedding has been such a long time coming, and the second proposal is ever so romantic. They have both been through such a journey, and they’re both more than ready for it.”
So, having no time to waste, Alf puts his plans for the big day into action – with the help of his friends and family.
First up, Ben (Rohan Nichol) receives a mysterious phone call from Alf, asking if he can help with something ‘top secret’ for the wedding.
Meanwhile, Ryder (Lukas Radovich) is surprised when Alf asks him to be his best man – an honour the teen, who has been having a difficult time of late, couldn’t be more thrilled to accept!
“Ryder’s chuffed to be Alf ’s best man,” says Ray. “Ryder’s had his problems – he’s had an up-and-down sort of life, and a rough trot recently, so this does give him a bit of a lift.”
As for Alf and Martha’s daughter Roo (Georgie Parker), she takes on the role of wedding planner – and with great gusto!
“Roo grabs the role with both hands and runs with it,” says Ray with a laugh. “She’s a wonderful daughter.”
Before everyone knows it, the big day has arrived. It’s time for Alf and Martha to become husband and wife again with a beautiful wedding at – where else? – the front garden of the Stewart house!
“It’s the perfect location as far as Alf ’s concerned,” says Ray.
But it seems that Alf is in for a surprise of his own, courtesy of his beautiful bride. What could it be?
Don’t miss a moment of their nuptials!