Romeo
4 Jun 2006, 20:56
Brett Lee marries Liz Kemp[LIST]
MATTHEW BENNS and CHRISTINE SAMS
June 4, 2006
THE bride, not the groom, wore whites as Australian Test fast bowler Brett Lee married Liz Kemp on a luxurious Southern Highlands property yesterday.
Lee, 29, and Kemp, 29, a podiatrist from Double Bay, were married at the country house of broadcaster Alan Jones at Fitzroy Falls, near Bowral.
The intimate ceremony took place only metres away from Jones's personal cricket pitch, which is named in honour of Brett Lee.
Close family and friends, including players from the Australian cricket team, attended the ceremony. It was a day shrouded in secrecy because of a deal with a women's magazine, believed to be worth $80,000.
Lee's brothers Shane and Grant were his groomsmen.
Guests gathered under a white marquee behind Jones's sprawling house as security guards patrolled the grounds on quad bikes. NSW police officers were also spotted patrolling the boundaries.
Lee, who has kept the relationship with Kemp very private, popped the question while on tour in South Africa this year. He capped off playing his 50th test and taking his 200th wicket in Durban by presenting Kemp with a ring made with South African diamonds.
Kemp, who originally came from Queensland, quit her job at Double Bay late last year in order to "get married and have babies", friends say.
Former Australian cricketer Michael Slater said the romance with Kemp fundamentally changed Lee.
"I think he's had an ideal existence in a very profiled environment. And now he's at an age - like many guys in their 20s, you learn about yourself - now he's very much willing and able to settle down with a fantastic girl."
Slater said the wedding would be an event that reflected Lee's closeness to his family and friends.
"I suppose, years ago, he was just totally focused on his cricket and marriage was a long way off. But it's the big day for him and Liz, which I'm sure would be amazing for them.
"I just hope they took their thermals though, it's a bit chilly," he added, with a laugh, yesterday.
"Brett's one of the nice guys going around, so I'm just so rapt it's all fallen into place for him."
Slater, who is close friends with Lee's older brother, Shane, joked about not being invited to the wedding, saying: "I didn't get a guernsey." But he said a handful of other cricketers would be there.
"It's quite a small, intimate affair," he said. "But of course I wished him all the best."
Flowers were provided by Bowral florists Annabell's, with separate feature bouquets of white roses and white lilies, but the florists were anxious not to discuss details.
"They are under contract and it's a private affair. I cannot tell you anything, you will cause me to lose Alan Jones's account," the florist said.
The couple are understood to have decided on Jones's home as the wedding location after considering options in the Hunter Valley. Jones's home is ideal for a private wedding - the timber-shuttered main house has a three-bedroom guest cottage joined to it via a covered courtyard.
Jones was believed to be MC for the wedding.
Last night, guests were treated to a lavish reception as floodlights illuminated the trees.
MATTHEW BENNS and CHRISTINE SAMS
June 4, 2006
THE bride, not the groom, wore whites as Australian Test fast bowler Brett Lee married Liz Kemp on a luxurious Southern Highlands property yesterday.
Lee, 29, and Kemp, 29, a podiatrist from Double Bay, were married at the country house of broadcaster Alan Jones at Fitzroy Falls, near Bowral.
The intimate ceremony took place only metres away from Jones's personal cricket pitch, which is named in honour of Brett Lee.
Close family and friends, including players from the Australian cricket team, attended the ceremony. It was a day shrouded in secrecy because of a deal with a women's magazine, believed to be worth $80,000.
Lee's brothers Shane and Grant were his groomsmen.
Guests gathered under a white marquee behind Jones's sprawling house as security guards patrolled the grounds on quad bikes. NSW police officers were also spotted patrolling the boundaries.
Lee, who has kept the relationship with Kemp very private, popped the question while on tour in South Africa this year. He capped off playing his 50th test and taking his 200th wicket in Durban by presenting Kemp with a ring made with South African diamonds.
Kemp, who originally came from Queensland, quit her job at Double Bay late last year in order to "get married and have babies", friends say.
Former Australian cricketer Michael Slater said the romance with Kemp fundamentally changed Lee.
"I think he's had an ideal existence in a very profiled environment. And now he's at an age - like many guys in their 20s, you learn about yourself - now he's very much willing and able to settle down with a fantastic girl."
Slater said the wedding would be an event that reflected Lee's closeness to his family and friends.
"I suppose, years ago, he was just totally focused on his cricket and marriage was a long way off. But it's the big day for him and Liz, which I'm sure would be amazing for them.
"I just hope they took their thermals though, it's a bit chilly," he added, with a laugh, yesterday.
"Brett's one of the nice guys going around, so I'm just so rapt it's all fallen into place for him."
Slater, who is close friends with Lee's older brother, Shane, joked about not being invited to the wedding, saying: "I didn't get a guernsey." But he said a handful of other cricketers would be there.
"It's quite a small, intimate affair," he said. "But of course I wished him all the best."
Flowers were provided by Bowral florists Annabell's, with separate feature bouquets of white roses and white lilies, but the florists were anxious not to discuss details.
"They are under contract and it's a private affair. I cannot tell you anything, you will cause me to lose Alan Jones's account," the florist said.
The couple are understood to have decided on Jones's home as the wedding location after considering options in the Hunter Valley. Jones's home is ideal for a private wedding - the timber-shuttered main house has a three-bedroom guest cottage joined to it via a covered courtyard.
Jones was believed to be MC for the wedding.
Last night, guests were treated to a lavish reception as floodlights illuminated the trees.