Our paths crossed when my soon to be husband Izak, started working in Lesotho during 2010.
After a couple of weeks of utter boredom he realized there is some sort of social life and activities in a local club at the neighbouring town, which he started to visit and soon discovered that the Managers daughter happened to work there during weekends.
We become aware of each other’s presence and it was Izak who had the courage to break the initial always present shyness and managed to ask me to our first dance.
What a delightful first encounter in spite of a few unintentional toe’s being stepped on. I was mesmerized by this very impressive, handsome man that literally swept me of my feet.
Unfortunately Izak was transferred from there, and contact was limited to the occasional phone call.
As faith would have it with its own timing after I completed my studies... ‘’our paths were meant to cross’’ as we both moved to the same town and we picked up were we left off.
It was during a camping trip with friends and family that included the best friend a woman can hope for the soon to be husband.
The setting was perfect, we had a cosy camp fire going with just enough of an early winter chill in the air that “forced” as luck would have it me next to Izak and that’s when Izak used the opportunity to swept me off my feet with our first kiss.
The warmth of the camp fire and the allure of a single smooch resulted in a fast growing relationship and it was not long after that wondrous camping outing that we decided to move in together.
Izak’s romantic side became apparent... his careful planning and setting took me by surprise.
We planned a weekend away at Oxwagon Lodge were we also stayed overnight at these lovely rustic old ox wagons that were converted into sleeping quarters. The next day an obviously nervous and slightly over dressed Izak took me for a picnic and with the beautiful backdrop of the Magalies Mountains and the Hartebeespoort Dam he asked if I ‘’Would you like to dance the first dance with him at our wedding reception?” After a few seconds with him holding the ring I managed to gather my thoughts and answered shouted almost “Yes”
I enjoyed a lovely pampering night at the Faircity Roodevallei Hotel.
My morning was full with excited memories, shared with my bridesmaids... a delicious champagne breakfast, giggles of nervousness and moments of utter panic and then amazement when I saw my reflection in the mirror - fully dressed, with the magic touch of the beautician and hairdresser, that transformed me into a radiant bride!.
A morning full of excitement so invigorating, it flew by as in a dream....and the next moment I was walking down the aisle at the side of my dad, my eyes only focussed on my husband standing in the front with a smile and tinkle in his easy only for me.
The rest of the night’s festivities went by too fast.... and then, our first dance as Mr. and Mrs, to fulfil the question and promise during our engagement.
This was the best day of our lives which we were fortunate to share with all our loved ones.
Yes we were fortunate to go on a honeymoon and after the wedding day we spend the first night at Faircity Roodevallei Hotel in Kameeldrift close to our venue.
The next day we booked into the Honeymoon suite at the Premier Hotel at OR Tambo international airport where we travelled the following morning to Cayley Lodge in the Drakensberg were we spend the remainder of our honeymoon.
My wedding dress was a Mori Lee design, a sweetheart, strap-less ruffles dress, with silver shoes.
Hair and makeup by Wimari from Profile Beauty
Silver jewellery with infinite design
Peony type bouquet.
Wedding Ceremony was held at Bushveld Pond outside of Pretoria.
Guest stayed overnight at various venues in the vicinity, i.e. Bushveld Pond, Bianca’s Place, Bushman’s Rock and Faircity Roodevallei Hotel.
The Bushveld Pond’s wedding venue is an all encompassing facility. The decor was an Earthly rustic decor mixed with drapes with centrepiece flower pots of sandstone obtained from Lesotho, with individual Agavse atenuatta plants with moss and fairy lights, draped around.
The Groom wore a navy blue suit from Big Man Men’s Outfitters and the groomsmen wore grey suits from Eurosuit's Sandton.
The bridesmaids wore “YDE” dresses, white top and navy blue at the bottom.
Rev. Danie Potgieter from the Rietvallei Reformed Church.
“A picture is worth a thousand words” or in our case the picture and video images captured by our photographers and videographers speaks volumes the professionalism and patients of the two teams were amazing and their track record speaks volumes as their images described our perfect day more effectively than any description are capable of doing.
Van Bower Studios was our photographers.
African Leaf Productions was our videographer
No, I planned everything myself and had the support of my husband, then fiancé, friends, bridesmaids, bridegrooms and family to ensure an unforgettable day.
The ceremony and celebrations took place on the same venue and we felt the need for a wedding car could be replaced with a more combined social interaction therefore myself and the bridesmaids were transported to the venue in a Minibus that helped with the nerves and enabled us to enjoy a very exciting little bit more time together.
The food was prepared the Managers and there staff of Bushveld Pond.
The Wedding cake by TJ's Cake Creations.
Our wedding invitations we created digitally through “Wedivite” website and in addition we created a Wedding Newspaper (Trou Koors) with a full itinerary to include details such as the agenda, table seating's, menu and other important announcements.
Our Wedding Newspaper was designed by Design Love Graphic Design Studio.
We printed our Wedding Newspaper at Q-Photo in Parkview, Pretoria.
The party was such a great success as most guest was still partying when we had to shut the activities down.
We open the dance floor with our own pre rehearsed dance, which left the jaws dropping and we would have given Dancing with the Stars a run for their money. We obtained dancing training from Modern Jive Dance Club.
Merwie Bonthuys, an old friend of the family from Ladybrand, provided the music and lights.
