Bilyara residents, Merle and Jim Hadley have recently celebrated 70 years of marriage.
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The couple met shortly after Jim had enlisted in the Australian Army; and they were married at St David's Church in Arncliff four years later.
Their wedding day was an almost impromptu affair, as they did not know when Jim would be given leave, so had to be prepared for a wedding at any time.
"The icing on the cake was so hard that we had to pre drill a hole in the cake so we could get the knife through," Mrs Hadley said.
"Jim came home from Thursday Island on one Saturday, and we were married on the next, we then had four days until he had to go back to work."
"We were very lucky though, it was a beautiful day and we had a beautiful wedding, and all of our friends and family were able to come, we had sixty five guests, even at short notice."
Merle's wedding dress is still intact to this day, made from beautiful lace, which was very rare seventy years ago.
"My mother had a friend who was a buyer for one of the local shops and she was able to get the lace from one of her contacts," Mrs Hadley said.
After wearing her beautiful gown, Merle shared it with a friend.
The Hadleys believe that the secret to a long marriage is starting early.
"We wouldn't have been able to have this many years together if we didn't get married when we did, I was only 18 and Jim was in his early 20s."
"I am glad that we have been able to travel this road together," she said.
After the war Jim returned to his previous station at the Commercial Bank of NSW, and in this role they moved all over the state.
The wedding anniversary, which was organised by Vanessa Warren at Bilyara was attended by the couples daughter, Marion Warden, and grand daughter, Elizabeth.
"Bilyara organised everything, the staff here are really great," Mrs Warden said.
The beautiful lace wedding gown was on show, alongside some wedding photos, and was popular with all of the residents.
"We also have to thank Millers in Cowra for lending us the mannequin for the wedding dress."
The cake was cut and distributed among the residents and guests; however no pre drilling was needed on this occasion.
