Funny story, we had probably met 7 years ago, but our story only began about 4 years ago.
We noticed each other when we went to Pilgrims Reat for the South gold panning championship.
I knew I wanted to marry Shaun 4 months into our relationship, so it was a patience game for me.
In 2016 we went to Kruger on holiday and was disappointed when he hadn't proposed by the time we had left. But to my surprise he had booked an additional two nights stay somewhere else. That evening we went on a game drive and when we got back a candle lit dinner had been set up. He asked me to open 10 gifts that reminded him of our relationship. The last gift was the ring and him on his knee asking if I will do him the honour of making new memories together for the rest of our lives.
I naturally burst into tears and kept repeating "you're so sneaky!"
My fiancé at the time and I were extremely anxious about the weather for the wedding. We bravely decided to go with an outdoor wedding and were hoping for the best.
However the morning of the wedding it was overcast and windy- my heart sank thinking the worst. As the day progressed and my brIdesmaids and I got ready, something magical happened... the wind died down and the sun came out in time for pictures and me walking down the aisle.
I was never nervous, it was just pure excitement. I was 10 minutes early to my own wedding, that's how eager I was.
My biggest highlight was seeing the love of my life, clutching his heart at the sight of me. From there I knew everything would be alright with him by my side.
We did go on honeymoon. We went to the Philippines as I didn't want to go to a destination that was common.
As long as the flights were, it was the most incredible experience ever.
First and foremost, I am the worst girl in the world. I had not planned my wedding since the age of 5. At 26, I didnt even know wht my colour scheme would be. All I knew is that I wanted rustic chic and from there took it one step at a time.
Dress shopping for me is hell. I know my taste is like R50,000, but my budget was R10,000. So I dreaded putting on dresses that I loved by could not afford.
I was hell bent on getting a bohemian style dress for the comfort factor. Ladies: Pinterest will crush your soul because there is no style of dress like the one you want in the picture.
I ended up trying on a mermaid style, lace dress that my mother immediately knew was the one. It was. Hadassa Rona, that was my dress.
I also did something most brides would spit on my for... I wore flat shoes.
Lingerie: well this was a funny story. I bought a pair of white lace panties- but it made a panty line, so one of my bridesmaids told me to take them off and encouraged me to tell my new husband that I was commando. I did. The smile on his face was priceless.
Hair and Make up. I cannot thank Alana and her team enough from Kiss and make up.
She was an absolute gem and her work was stunning.
Lastly accessories, I had bought all my bridesmaids protea necklaces online from Trinket when I asked if they will be apart of my special day. I wore a pair of protea earrings and a silver bracelet shaun gave me on our first anniversary.
I had 6 bridesmaids. Yes, 6. Unfortunately I am the type of girl who finds a friend and cannot let them go. So I have a bridesmaids from the different stages in my life. Primary school, high school, university and in the real world. And of course my sister.
Because they are such different personalities, body types and tastes, I couldn't make them all wear the same dress. So I got them all custom made by a lovely dress maker.
We didn't have a marriage officer, but we did have the pastor from our church drive down.
Nope, no planner. Just me, myself and I. And sometimes my fiancé.
