There were too many highlights of the day, it was wonderful to see how beautifully everything was decorated, from the chapel to the reception and the outside areas where our guests were served with snacks and wine. It was lovely seeing all our friends and family members together having an amazing time. My biggest highlight of the day was when the chapel's doors opened and my dad walking me down the isle and seeing my husband to be smiling with tears in his eyes, I'll never forget that special picture.
We went to Lily Beach Resort Maldives for 7 nights. Paradise on earth. A place to connect with each other surrounded by nothing but ocean and sky and snorkelling with tropical fish.
My dress was a mermaid design, from De La Vida, it was ivory with elegant touches of lace and diamante's. The veil was magnificent, it was a long train and had the same lace detail as my dress, it complemented the dress beautifully. My shoes were leather ,ivory in colour with a big double bow on the toes, simple, but classic. My hair was styled into soft natural curls and my makeup was bold eyes, a soft lip and light pick rosy cheeks. I wore my tennis bracelet that my husband bought me and diamante earrings.
We got married at Avianto Chapel and our reception was at the Avianto Banquet Hall. We celebrated our union with a traditional Greek Orthodox Wedding. Our guests stayed over in a Fairytale villiage with narrow streets inspired by the simplicity an warmth of a rural european villiage.
We were on a healthy balanced diet and went for afternoon walks together, everyday. I had a natural sun tan, but did not overdo it. We went for facials, mani's and pedi's often, and needed the occasional massage to calm down the wedding planning stresses.
“Elegance, Sophistication and Class only words to describe decor. A fairytale in the making. Our colours were gold and blush pink. The cutlery and crockery were in gold and the vases were clear with crystals containing blush pink and white roses as well as white orchards. We had a white dancefloor with our initials in the middle of the floor and our initials were printed on the clear chairs. The main table was beautifully decorated with white roses and orchards hanging above, followed by lots of candles, gold cutlery and crockery and blush pink roses on the table. “Thank you for Miguel Pereira for creating this fairytale. You a creative genius.
The affair was a “black tie” formal occassion. The groomsman wore elegant navy blue suits made by Frank Bespoke Parkhurst to contrast the blush bridesmades dresses. The groom wore a dashing 3 piece suit that was a shade darker. Grant from Frank Bespoke paid attention to every detail and was even present on the day to dress the groomsman and groom. An elegant affair and fairytale wedding
My two bridesmaids wore blush pink dress, it was long and flowy from the mid waist down, the top was beautifully decorated with blush beading and elegant touches of lace.
Our marriage officer was Pater Gerassimos from the Greek Orthodox Church Germiston.
The wedding ceremony of the Greek Orthodox Church is an ancient and meaningful service that has been celebrated in its present form for centuries. ... The Wedding begins as the white candles are handed to Bride and Groom. These candles symbolize their spiritual willingness to receive Christ.
The wedding begins with the Betrothal Service at the door of the church and is completed before the altar table. The bride and the groom stand at the vestibule of the church in front of the priest who asks them if they come of their own free will. Then, he leads the couple to the church and they stand in front of the altar table. The priest blesses the rings and the best man places them on the right ring finger of the groom and bride. Best man is known in Greece as “Koumparos” (male) and “Koumpara” (female). He/ She exchange them three times between the couple, symbolizing that their lives are entwined forever. The priest will seal the rings on their finger by chanting a pray and placing his vestment over their crossed hands.
Afterwards, the Marriage Ceremony begins with the priest giving the bride and groom lighted candles which they hold throughout the ceremony. Nowadays, instead of holding the candles, most couples prefer to have two big candles standing on the ground. The lighted candles represent the Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, Who will light and bless the couple in their new life together. The ceremony continues with the crowning of the couple. The priest holds the wedding crowns, known in Greece as “stephana”, and makes the sign of cross with them three times over the bride and groom. The wedding crowns are linked together by a ribbon, representing the joining of two souls and that the couple is ready to create their own household, their own “kingdom”. The groom and the bride kiss the crowns before they are placed on their heads; the best man switches the “stephana” back and forth three times.
Once the couple is crowned, Bible readings will be chant about the responsibilities and duties of marriage. The bride and groom drink red wine from the same cup and eat honey with nuts from the same spoon, which signifies that the couple is ready to share happiness and sorrow together. The red wine symbolizes the blood of Jesus Christ. Then, the priest will lead the bride and groom around the altar table three times while he is holding the Bible in his hands. In Greece it is called “The Dance of Isaiah” and symbolizes that the couple will follow the Word of God as they start a new life while the circular dance represents the eternity of a marriage, there is neither a beginning nor an end. During the “Dance of Isaiah”, the guests throw rice and rose petals to the couple to wish them a happy and long-lasting marriage.
At the end of the ceremony, the priest lifts the crowns from the heads of the couple and uses the Bible to uncouple the joining hands of the bride and groom, representing that only God is able to divide the couple.
Ryan Graham, a world renown and sort after wedding photographer from cape town captured our special day and moments.
Ryan is well known for his fashion editorial approach to his wedding portraits. He photographed fashion and fashion portraiture for six years before becoming well known as a wedding photographer.
Our wedding planner was Bianca Citron and she paid attention to every detail and sent us to the absolute best service providers.
Her input and experience was invaluable.
On the day she kept everything together creating the perfect fairytale wedding imaginable.
180 Degrees made our beautiful wedding cake. Thank you Popi for our beautiful hand made petals on our cake. It tasted delicious too.
We enjoyed a number of traditional Greek dances, from the Tsamiko to the Zeibekiko and the Sirtaki, where guests hold hands and dance in a circle.
We took dance lessons with Marcelle Bolus.
Our first dance was spectacular with spins, twists and lifts to a greek song.
I really enjoyed my dance with my dad too.
Dj Joe managed to play a mix of music to please everyone. What a party !!
We enjoyed a number of traditional Greek dances, from the Tsamiko to the Zeibekiko and the Sirtaki, where guests hold hands and dance in a circle.
We took dance lessons with Marcelle Bolus.
Our first dance was spectacular with spins, twists and lifts to a greek song.
I really enjoyed my dance with my dad too.
Dj Joe managed to play a mix of music to please everyone. What a party !!
