Albert and I met on a dating app called Tinder early May 2016, he drove from Secunda all the way to Kempton Park the Wednesday night to take me to dinner. When he got out of his Isuzu bakkie I knew I was in love with this 'boer seun'. It was the first time my dad has ever said to my mom he knows this is the man that I am going to marry, in my heart then I knew this is definitely the man of my dreams. We started dating.....he visited me almost every weekend, I could not wait to see him on the weekends!! I went to visit him in Secunda on 2 December as he was on standby and could not visit me. He carried my bags into the guesthouse and as I walked into the room there was a heart shaped with red rose petals and fairy lights on the bed and in the center was an open jewelry box with my ring. Against the pillows were 3 chalkboards next to each other written on " Trou met my?". He also had a little picknic basket with a bottle of champagne and two glasses. The ceiling had been filled with red helium balloons. He went down on one knee and popped the question......I definitely was not expecting a proposal and was shocked all at the same time ... I even asked " liefie rerig.......rerig nou?". And of course I said YES!!
Oh where do I start.........Friday before the wedding I was treated by my bridesmaid, Corné, to a heavenly spa 'pamper morning at Kiewietskroon. Lots of fun and laughter filled my morning with my two bridesmaids, afterwards we darted off to the venue and had a lovely relaxing evening with more laughter and chatter. The morning of my wedding we awoke to a scrumptious breakfast served to us by the owner of Rose View Hill. We had a divine fruit platter; muesli and yogurt; muffins; ham and cheese sticks; fruit juices and so much more! I was amazed as the makeup artist and hairdresser transformed me from a plain Jane into this beautiful young bride! My heart started racing as I realized that things were starting to happen as photographers were taking pictures as we were getting dressed and ready for the big I DO! When all was done and I was ready my dad was called to the bridal suite to see his baby girl for the first time before he walks me down the isle........ I don't know who was more nervous my dad or I ........ he had tears in his eyes and huge smile, at that moment I knew he was proud of the woman I have become and more than happy to walk me down the isle. As my dad walked me down the isle he stopped halfway looked me up and down from head and toe and just smiled .... nodded and carried on with me down the isle to the man of my dreams! It was so special as if he was showing me off to the world...so proud!. As I looked up I saw the love of my life with tears rolling down his cheecks.......as my dad handed me over I wanted to give him a kiss but he pulled away and said " nee ons is nog nie getroud nie" and all our guests burst out laughing. It was so special having both our biological parents, still married, at our wedding, I realize this does not happen often anymore and we are surely blessed. My dad had always wanted a son as they only has my sister and I - it was so special as he thanked my father-in-law for sharing his son with him now. Our MC asked our guests to make a circle around us on the dance floor and our guests each had the chance to wish us well for the future in starting our journey as a married couple......that was so special for us! We opened the dance floor with "So lank sal ek jou liefh é" sang by Jay du Plessis; it was if we were in another world while my husband whispered in my ear " my lief, ek is baie lief vir jou en jy lyk baie mooi vanaand". I truly am blessed with a wonderfull boer seun'.
What an experience it was as my hubby has never flown before and it was his first time in Cape Town. We stayed in Table View near Blouberg Strand. Our honeymoon was so special as it was our first vacation together seeing that last year December 2016 our bakkie broke down so we had to cancel our vacation........it was very disappointing! In Cape Town we had the time of our lives as we did just about everything and anything possible. We loved everything about it, the weather was terrific; the holiday vibe; our accomodation at Atlantic Oasis Guest House; all the things to do down there and not to forget the fantastic food!
My look was very plain but eligant as I am a down to earth person. As I started the search for my dress I was looking at a mermaid style dress (that is ALL I wanted) with lots of lace.....what I chose was totally different and exceeding my wildest expectations and dreams, A ball gown with lace on the top and a tulle skirt. Shoes was navy Zellies and bling earrings, necklace and bracelet. My hair was loose curls with a small aliceband tiara and done by my very good friend which put me at ease as she knows my likes and dislikes. My make-up was soft and exactly how I wanted it done by an young awesome lady. I was a princess for the day! Everything was EXACTLY what and how I wanted it.
We got married at Rose View Hill, Roodeplaat. What a stunning venue! From the venues we looked at I knew this is it..... The Chapel and reception hall was built with big rocks and has a high thatch roof. The garden is stunning and so many unusual places to take photos. I loved that it was affordable, the owner and her husband are just awesome! They were so on top of things and made sure everything was just as I wanted it nothing was too much trouble. And not to mention the food.....it was great! Some of the guests booked into a guesthouse not far from the venue.
I only went for two facials and then of course my bridesmaids spoiled me with a spa day before the day of the wedding which was fantastic! We had full body massage with a 3 course meal and we then just relaxed in the Jacuzzi until we decided it was time to go. I believe every bride should have a spa day before she gets married!
Our theme was hessian, lace, midnight blue and wood. My tables was named after trees and I had them lazer cut out of wood as well as my under plates; guest names was lazer cut out of wood and the thank you gifts as well was out of wood. The gentlemen got a wood mustache key ring while the ladies each got a pair of round shaped windmill earrings. I had a big rustic windmill on each table with 2 protea arrangements , fairylights and pieces of bark on the table. There was white table cloths with hessian table runners. In the thatch roof was fairy lights....it was so magical!
The groom, Albert, wore a navy waistcoat and pants with a white long-sleeved shirt, cufflinks and a wood bowtie. The groomsmen, Hannes (his brother) wore a hessian color/beige waistcoat and pants with a white long-sleeved shirt and a wood bowtie. It was far too hot for them to wear jackets and both looked very handsome!
My bridesmaids wore long navy blue dresses with silver and diamante earrings and bangles I gave to them as a token of my appreciation for all their hard work and standing by me. I asked them to choose the dresses as I wanted them to feel comfortable and pretty. And they looked stunning! I had my sister, Alinda and my best friend/sister from another mother. Corne by my side and they made me feel like a princess right to the end.
Our marriage officer was Pastor Bennie Buys from Doxa Deo, he made us feel comfortable and is very friendly. His message was about the different "Loves" there is and how important it is in the marriage.
JvZ Photography captured our special day, Jaco and Stephnie are just awesome husband and wife team! We did have a ''photo booth''......before each table dished up we took a photo with them They made us feel relax and comfortable and we had so much fun with them! I will definetly recommend them as they are professional, reasonably priced and the photos they take is breathtaking!! We have so far only received sneak peaks.....cannot wait for the rest to come!
I did not have a planner. I had the most wonderful parents and friend who jumped in and helped me with all my wedding planning. I knew exactly what and how I wanted everything.
As the honeymoon suite is on the premises we did not need any extra transport!
The food was spectacular! Jeanette at Rose View Hill did all of our food. Our wedding cake was made by Sharon. We had a 3 tier cake which was red velvet, Vanilla and chocolate. Our cake looked exactly like the picture I gave her. Our guests complimented the food as well as the cake.
I have this wonderful woman in my life called Mom, she helped me with everything as I stay in Mpumalanga. Mom knew exactly what I wanted and she designed our invitation, thank you cards and made the church programs. One of her great friends Elani Smith, co-owner of Elathia Scrapbooking handmade our wedding invites as well as our thank you cards. All my stationery complimented each other so nicely.
Our reception was so much fun, we did not have any dance lessons we thought it would be more fun at home to move away the furniture and create our own dance moves.......hubby is a great dancer! He is a real ''boer seun'' so he can
"sakkie -sakkie" very well! It was so much fun to come home after work, move away the furniture and just have fun and laugh together! DJ Aubs was our DJ and we danced the night away!
