This beautiful bride shines bright in white, with her guests all dresses in black
It all began when I looked to book Dean to DJ at my 21st party over 8 years ago … We started chatting, got to know each other, and then after some flirting, ended up kissing, and then soon after dating … we pretty much fell in love with each other very early on, and have been almost inseparable since! We moved in together after about a year, and then even started a business together … you could say we’ve done it all, but to us we’ve only just begun!
He proposed in Paris, at the love bridge outside the Notre Damme Church just before midnight … after using the ”love lock” as a decoy, he told me to throw the key into the river, and make a wish … when I turned around he held the ring in his hand … and made his proposal to me! We were almost completely alone, under a full moon in Paris! - It was such a surprise too!
Yes! Samantha used SA Weddings to reference photos and get some decor ideas. The planning process was smooth and easy thanks to the team at Evention. Both Samantha and Dean have full time jobs (Sam heads up the Communications for Uber in Africa, while Dean is a top DJ travelling locally and abroad) so having a wedding planner was a life saver.
Pinterest, SA Weddings and Vera Wang Weddings (an amazing gift from one of Samantha’s bridesmaids). The couple knew they wanted a black tie event hosted in a spectacular but very natural venue - Plettenberg Park Hotel and Spa was exactly that, spectacular, dramatic, natural and memorable. Evention also made a number of suggestions and really tied all our ideas together.
DEAN: Seeing Sam step out for the first time wearing her dress, her eyes finding mine as she was led to me. SAM: When Dean tried to kiss me after saying “I do”, according to our marriage officer he was a little too early on that one ;)
Black Tie, strictly in Black.
Sam wanted simple and comfortable dresses for her bridesmaids, dresses they could wear again in the future should they want. A long black dress never goes out of fashion, and each girl had a unique designed dress especially for them but in the same fabric to tie it all together. Sam’s dress needed to be dramatic to suit the venue, and white to stand out against all the guests in black. Sam found her dress at Pronovias and the experience of getting it was simply amazing. The team there know how to make you feel special and beautiful, and really listen to what you want.
Sam wanted an all white wedding, but with a touch of black and gold. Simple and classic but with elements that were fun and sentimental to the couple (for example the ceramic bunnies on the main table, Dean’s nickname for Sam is ‘Bunni').
Dean’s sister runs a successful corporate gifts company (www.unwrap.co.za), thanks to her wonderful connections and creativity she sourced and put together the wedding favourites for the men (black boxes with mints inside) in 5 days flat. We also have amazing knee blankets sourced and made by the team at Evention for all the girls, these were just beautiful. Some guests chose to leave their gift blankets behind to be donated to Tears (Animal Rescue), others are still using them :)
I made a special bootleg mix edit of Marvin Gaye, going from “Let’s Get It On” into “Got To Give It Up?” … “Let’s Get It On” is one of the greatest, sexiest love songs ever, and then follow up is a favourite party tune of ours, every time we hear it, we just get up and dance! We knew it would have the same effect for our guests!
DEAN: Making eye contact with Sam for my speech, helped calm me, and made me forget about any stresses I may have had! / SAM: Dean’s speech, as a DJ he may perform in front of tens of thousands of people on a regular basis but he does not often speak in front of lots of people so he was really nervous! Dean’s speech was simply amazing, like I knew it would be, and so reflective of all the love in the room. It was a highlight not only for me but for all of our friends and family. I was so proud and in love with him at that moment - he overcame his nerves and delivered a spectacular speech.
Get a wedding planner (we totally recommend Evention!!)! They not only save you time they save you money and lots of potential tears. Then on the day make sure to take it all in at regular intervals - stop, breath, look at each and look around the room. It goes by so quickly, so take time to enjoy your special day.
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