How did your love story begin?

Marcel and I met in our first year of university in Port Elizabeth. I had just returned from working in America and joined my sister at her friend’s digs. Marcel was there too. He jokes that I wasn't too interested in him that day. Fast forward a few years later and we kept bumping into each other again in PE, returning back home for the holidays. A spark formed and we kept in contact until I moved up to Jhb to be closer to him.

Tell us about the proposal

We planned a beautiful holiday to Italy, Croatia and Greece for the European summer of 2016. I fell in love with Italy, the beautiful architecture, language and of course the food (Marcel is a brilliant cook too!) During a visit to Palatine Hill in Rome, overlooking my favourite building, the Altare della Patria, Marcel got on one knee and proposed to me at sunset! I said yes before he even finished his sentence.

How did you find the planning process? Did you make use of SAWeddings.co.za?

I honestly felt that having an intimate wedding was far more meaningful and memorable. It allowed us to interact with guests and make a great long weekend/ mini holiday out of it for everyone.

The beauty of having an intimate wedding which allowed for every one to truly spend time with loved ones and enjoy not only the wedding, but for us, the Easter weekend itself. For everyone to be together, to enjoy the Garden Route and have a mini holiday as well. Initially I wanted to elope abroad and Marcel wanted a larger wedding –we decided to meet halfway.

Yes, I love the Inspiration Boards on SAWeddings.co.za!

Where did you draw your planning inspiration from?

We went against the norm and did what we envisioned. Pinterest had endless amount of ideas for an intimate wedding at the coast. I grew up by the sea and always wanted a beach wedding. An intimate wedding was the perfect solution and allowed for our minimalistic, yet elegant approach to the wedding theme.

I honestly felt that it was far more meaningful and memorable. It allowed us to interact with guests and make a great long weekend/ mini holiday out of it for everyone.

What was the most memorable and special part of your wedding day?

We wanted something unique for our special day. We had a 'first look' on the venue's rooftop, overlooking the ocean for a more personal touch for us bride and groom. A powerful moment for only the two of us to experience.

Our first dance was done on the beach, barefoot, dancing to John legend’s ‘All of Me.’ Guests celebrating with sparklers -adding to the beauty of the beach sunset.

What was your wedding theme (if you had one) and why did you choose it?

Theme: Copper and white geometrics. Minimalistic, classy and clean lines. The amount of ideas and creativity for intimate weddings on Pinterest and similar sites is inspiring.

What was the inspiration behind your wedding dress as well as the bridesmaids’ dresses?

My dress was mermaid shaped with a lace applique, beading and an open back. I wanted something to create a beautiful silhouette and be effortlessly sophisticated. I had copper coloured shoes and jewellery to playfully match the theme

My hair and make-up artist, Wilna Allpass was incredible. I opted for loose waves as I wanted the dress to be the star of the show.

Marcel chose a ‘broken’ suit look as it was unique against the traditional suit (Ryan Gosling’s broken suits in La La land were an inspiration.) A Beautiful cream blazer and mustard pants, with a geometric wire heart pin.
My twin sister was my bridesmaid and she wore a 3/4 dress from Lipsy London. Soft, matt sequins and a tulle skirt. (and something she can easily wear again after the wedding).

Your decor and flowers: Do you have a specific reason you chose what you did?

Our flowers where white Casablanca lilies. Beautiful, bold flowers, yet elegant and simplistic. Copper and warm metals worked beautifully as it was almost a sunset wedding in the early Autumn.

The venue and ocean was already such a breathtaking beautiful backdrop, that minimal decor was all we needed. We kept the tables simple with beautiful runners, geometric copper candle holders (thanks to my friend who flew them in from Australia), a memorial candle for Marcel's late mother and a few quirky items we love (a copper lightbox and a frame with copper foiling saying 'Love you more').

The wedding aisle were lines with 6 large retangular glass holders. I wanted large, focus pieces for the ceremony decor, that would also shine beautifully on the balcony at night.

My father made the copper arch for us using metal piping. Mom and Dad also made these large, beautiful glass rectangular candle boxes for the wedding aisle too. Simplistic, clean lines and perfect for the geometric theme.

Marcel didn't want the traditional fresh flower lapel. I made geometric wire heart pins for the groom, the fathers and bestman. It added a nice masculine touch to their suits.

What song did you choose for your opening dance and why?

Our first dance was done barefoot, on the beach,dancing to John legend’s ‘All of Me.’ Guests celebrated around us with sparklers -adding to the beauty of the beach sunset and that magical moment.

We starting dating when that song was released and the words reflected whom we are perfectly.

What is your favourite, will-never-forget memory of your big day?

Our First Dance on the beach! Something unique and amazing moments captured on film. We also loved our wedding portraits done at the beautiful Eden House and the following morning, had a ‘trash the dress’ shoot on the beach.

Any advice for other brides-to-be/grooms-to-be who are busy planning their big day?

I wanted to highlight how elegant and beautiful a smaller or intimate wedding can be. Don’t be afraid to do what you want to do for your wedding day. Remember that this is something special, not only for loved ones, but for the bride and groom-take time to have a few moments to yourselves, to enjoy each stage of it all. Fall in love all over again on your magical day.

Did you go on honeymoon and if so, where did you go?

As we had an intimate wedding, we decided to have a big, adventurous honeymoon.

We flew to Havanna Cuba for 2 days, boarded a cruise to Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Cozumel, Mexico and returned to magical Cuba. Next stop, we spent 6 incredible days in New York City. A bit of city and beach life=perfection!