Elche & Thomas celebrated in style at this floral explosion on the West Coast
We met at work, both of us work in the events industry and had crossed paths a few times. We knew each other for years and then all of a sudden one day, we had hearts in our eyes - and as they say the rest is history!
He hid the ring box in a fire stack in our fireplace at home. He asked me to make a fire for a braai (which of course I did). He stood to the side watched my reaction as I found a little more than I bargained for. The beautiful moment was captured by his daughter on video which made it simply perfect!
Because I work in events, I found the process relatively easy and managed to complete it all in only a few weeks. We were super chilled and really wanted to enjoy every part of it. I made use of all the suppliers from my events that I have grown to love over the years. It was a relatively simple and seamless process.
I came across an Insta post on Bosduifklip years before and when my husband proposed and said he wanted a beach wedding, I immediately knew I had to find that post again, because their venue is just spectacular. That unique rock formation, Aletta and Kobus’ calm, friendly West Coast demeanour and simplicity of the town became the inspiration for everything else. We rented 5 houses on the beach for our immediate family and the wedding party and from the Wednesday before, more and more people arrived in town every day. By the wedding day we were 3 dinners deep, one bigger than the one before and we, the bride and groom, had already managed to spend such incredible unforgettable, life changing moments with 95% of our wedding guests.
I absolutely love flowers so that certainly needed to be a focal point. Because the venue is very rustic and relaxed, the mood was set and we simply built on from there. Pinterest was an amazing planning tool!
My husbands 22 minute speech! He is not much of a talker but on our wedding day he said everything he always wanted to say to me and all the people we love in one go. We sang, had fines, shared tears of joy and bundles of laughter all in one celebratory weekend! It was also amazing having all our loved ones together. Everyone helped clean and setup the beach for the ceremony, we went fishing, had coffee together on the rocks and the boys played golf. On the day, my girl friends and family popped in for champers while we got dressed. The guys had a braai and when the time came most people just walked down the road to the wedding on the beach.
It was a beautiful 'West Coast Wedding'. We felt that this embodied everything we wanted for our big day. It was relaxed, family orientated and festive. A fabulous wedding holiday getaway! Lamberts Bay was the most incredible host town, the people were so friendly and helpful, it is exceptionally beautiful and the most wonderful, calm backdrop to a day that could be quite stressful. For us it wasn’t stressful, it was a friend and family festival, with a wedding somewhere in the middle of it all.
For my dress, I wanted something simple and soft and I loved it! I wanted my bridesmaids to wear blush but it can be disastrous colour for skin compatibility so everyone chose their own colour and style. Everyone had to be comfortable and relaxed in their chosen wedding attire.
My mom made gowns for us to wear in the morning as well as the flower girl dresses. I loved having these special items that she made so lovingly part of our day.
Our wedding song is The Gambler, completely non traditional, but we both love the song and we really wanted to enjoy the moment rather that it to be too 'lovey-dovey'.
Seeing one another as I walked down the aisle. My husband was in tears and waiting for me with his daughter by his side. It was the first glimpse of our forever after and so exciting.
Don't sweat the small stuff. If it is causing stress or a fight, or if you keep returning to it, let it go. Enjoy it! Ask for help, especially in the days leading up. You are stressed and busy, your friends and family would love to be able to help.
When we were dating I told him that I always wanted an Afrikaans man that could hunt and prep the meat himself. He was far from that, so for our honeymoon we both went hunting. It is very untraditional but we LOVED it, and by hook or by crook, I got my not-so-Afrikaans 'boertjie’.
Tucked away under a massive rock overhang on a farm outside Lambertsbay, this double Award winning wedding venue is perfect for an authentic West Coast Wedding
Calegra Bridal House sells wedding dresses designed by the most trendy and fashion forward designers South Africa has to offer.
