Coral and Ricky's Real Wedding
Our paths crossed a few times over the years. We both played hockey for our respective universities and went on a couple of tours together but it was at a mutual friends wedding where we were formally introduced and the rest is history!
He proposed on a random Wednesday night! During the day he mentioned he would cook dinner as I was finishing work late which gave him time to plan the evening! As I arrived home, he came to meet me at my car and helped me carry things in. The front door was closed and as I opened it, I saw this big spot light shining on a collage of pictures. Not expecting anything, as I thought he was doing some DIY, until I had a double take and saw the words "Will you marry us?" pegged onto the pictures, a bottle of champagne and a small box! It took me a moment to realise what was happening and we started to laugh and cry at the same time! In amongst all of this, he put the ring on my finger and I said yes! Later on when things had calmed down, he told me who the "Us" was... it was our dog who was meant to be sitting next to the table where everything was laid out but he decided to bolt when all the commotion started! It was perfect and totally unexpected.
It was a little stressful to start but once I found me venue, photographer and dress design, I loved every minute of it! I came across SA Weddings at one of the expos and used the website to look for ideas for our big day!
Once I had a general idea of what I wanted, Pinterest was great!
I absolutely loved the morning I spent with my bridesmaids and my mom. We spent the morning laughing and crying, dancing and singing and just being girls!
I wouldn't really say we had a theme but my husband and I have a great love for the bush so we incorporated as much of an indigenous, African touch as we could. Lapeng Lodge was the most perfect venue for this, the setting in the open-air chapel with the acacia trees and mountains surrounding us was so beautiful. We even had a Pied kingfisher darting into the dam looking for something to snack on during our ceremony... can't get more "bush" like than that.
I'm not much of a girly girl so the whole ball gown design didn't appeal to me. I've always loved the idea of an open back, lace and slim fitting design which is elegant but also practical enough so that we could enjoy our day and dance the night away! I also wanted my bridesmaids to be comfy so the dresses I chose were simple but still very beautiful and the colour was an amazing contrast with our setting and our flowers.
Again, I'm not an over the top person so I wanted simple décor but still had a touch of sophistication. We also needed flowers that were quite hardy as we did our own décor and arrangements so we travelled from JHB to Burgertsfort with atrailer full of flowers! We used proteas, which I love, and indigenous flowers which fit in with the venue and our look and feel and they worked out beautifully!
Our whole wedding was DIY! We collected all the jars we used for our arrangements and wrapped them in hessian ribbon and cloth. My mom handmade, painted and we planted all our wedding favours. We put together the flower arrangements in the chapel and the reception as well as all our bouquets. I thought it was going to be a lot to take on but it was such fun and it had our own personal touch!
We chose "There will be time" by Mumford and Sons and Baaba Maal. The words to the song are incredible and have so much meaning to us and our relationship. I loved our first dance.. the tempo to the song changes so we got our bridal party to join us, we linked arms and eventually had all our guests dancing around us!
I have two moments that I'll never forget and those are the expressions that were on my Dad and husbands face when they saw me for the first time.. it was an indescribable moment and a memory I will cherish forever.
Although planning your big day can be stressful, enjoy every moment of it because the actual day goes by faster than you can imagine! Take it all in and try not to let the small things get to you.. there's only so much you can control!
We haven't been yet. My best friend and godmother flew from Aus for our wedding so we wanted to spend time with them, and another one of my best friends also got married 3 weeks after me which I was a bridesmaid for so we're planning on going later this year.
Here at Lapeng you are assured to have the wedding of your dreams, complete with a breathtaking reception, mouthwatering food, and exceptional service.
Ruth du Toit Photography will capture your true love story of your perfect day as it unfolds.
