See 'Australia's best wedding' that shut down streets with cars worth billions

oge okonkwo

August 17, 2015 12:44 PM

The residents were warned via a letter, a night before the elaborate wedding to park on their own properties and to leave the street clear of vehicles, they were warned that any cars left parked illegally on the road would be "towed and removed by police"

The groom, Salim Mehajer, deputy mayor of Auburn and his bride Alysha on their 'big' day

Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer got married in a lavish ceremony on Saturday, August 9 which included four helicopters, a fleet of stretch limousines, luxury cars including a Ferrari and several Lamborghinis, a squad of motorbikes and a group of policemen.

Mehajer called it Australia's Best Wedding on social media but residents of Lidcombe, Sydney are saying otherwise.

The residents were warned via a letter, a night before the elaborate wedding to park on their own properties and to leave the street clear of vehicles. In the letter, titled "Important Notice Attention Frances Street Residence", they were warned that any cars left parked illegally on the road would be "towed and removed by police".

But police said they weren't officially involved in the wedding and were only at the street to control traffic and the large crowd.

"We were never told, and as you can see it was out of control," Inspector Chris Laird told media at the scene. "We'll be asking regional command to send the family the bill."

A police spokeswoman told Fairfax Media: "He [the groom] didn't call us. We weren't there to make things easier for him."

The opulent celebration began when Mr Mehajer arrived in a local park by helicopter with his wedding entourage, stepping onto a freshly rolled red carpet where he was greeted by cameras. He then travelled with a fleet of cars worth $50 million (about N10 billion) to a home in Frances Street, Lidcombe, where his fiancee was waiting.

At its peak, the celebration included performances banging on large drums, a jet flyover and a plane towing a sign announcing the nuptials with a love heart. Security was provided a former Rugby player, John Hopoate.

"He must have a bit of money. I wish I had some of that," said Hopoate, who was filming the spectacle on his phone.

The bride and groom and their family and friends celebrated by dancing in the street.

"This is how you do a wedding," the groom told TV cameras.

oge okonkwo