Every girl dreams of her wedding day, her knight in shining armour on his white horse, what the dress would look like, and everything that goes along with it. I got everything that my heart desired and more. It was exactly like I have always hoped and prayed for, except that my knight arrived in a white 4x4, instead of a white horse.
We met in 1997, while we were still both in high school and become best friends instantly. A beautiful friendship evolved and after a few years of being inseparable, we started dating official in March 2001 and got engaged on 1 June 2007. Almost after a decade of being engaged, knowing each other for 20 years, being best friends the whole time and 2 dachshunds later we decided to tie the knot on 9 September 2017.
On the day everything fell into place perfectly. The flowers, the décor, the food, the venue, the makeup and hair and the amazing dress. I am not a supermodel and do not claim to be at all, but I felt like I had just won the Ms Universe pageant. It was really a fairy-tale wedding and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. With this memorable day, it was one for the books, definitely unforgettable and a day we will cherish forever.
We went on honeymoon only for a few days to Feathers Lodge, but we are going officially on Honeymoon in December. Feathers Lodge was absolutely fantastic, the staff, the food, the rooms and only perfection could describe it.
I had the most beautiful lace dress designed by Ilse Roux Bridal. She is actually an award winning designer and I know exactly why when I designed my dress. I hired the dress, the veil and the earrings. Seeing that I had a white and gold colour theme, my shoes was a mirror gold colour and I got stickers for both me and my fiancé at the time which said I Do, Me Too. My lingerie was all from Wonderbra. I had a superman garter on lace that was very elegant. I made use of the services for both my hair and makeup from Brush and the lady that assisted me was Salome Zietsman, the Owner, Head hairdresser and Makeup Artist. I looked stunning and she made me look like a million rand.
We got married in one of the most beautiful and traditional churches situated in the heart of Durbanville, named Durbanville Dutch reformed church. When I walked down the aisle, and saw my future husband everything fade and it was just me and him and a whole lot of butterflies in both our tummies. Afterwards we had a phenomenal reception on a farm just outside the picturesque Durbanville, called Pampoenkraal on Altydgedacht wine farm.
A couple of facials, sunbed, French manicure and pedicure and exercise as I usually do. I tried to eat healthy, but as it goes when you try to diet, you crave everything in sight.
We wanted it to be elegant and had a gold and white colour scheme so that everything that was part of the wedding was colour coordinated. We had white orchids for all the flowers which included my bouquet, shoulder bouquet for the wedding party and the centre piece on the table. All the tablecloths was gold silk with long glass vases and the orchids as the centre piece. Both sides next to it long round tall glass vases with see through stones, water and candles floating on the water. Next to that I had white roses and everything was based on a mirror. We had a bunch of fairy lights which was draped from the ceiling, behind the main wedding table and we had a huge LOVE sign next to the dance floor. I made sure that we had a nice cosy fire place that was burning that whole evening and some gas heaters to keep the guests warm during the chill of the night. We also had two huge wing back chairs for both the bride and groom. We decorated the path leading to the venue with fairy lights and Chinese white lanterns. For our seating arrangements we hired a huge mirror and printed all the guests’ names and seating arrangements on it, before they entered the wedding venue. We had gift table and a bird cage for any envelopes.
The groom purchased his suite at Eurosuit based in Canal Walk, Century City. They assisted him with the suite, right fit and attire. From Superman cufflinks, tie, cool socks and even a bowtie for my dachshund.
I had two flower girls. They had white ¾ dresses which made a bit of a bell at the bottom with gold bows around their middle and ballerinas shoes. My maid of honour had a beautiful matching gold dress.
We used the services of a minister at the church, DS. Willem Venter to marry us. We had a couple of sessions with him and he lead the ceremony exactly how we discussed and always wanted.
We met with quite a number of photographers and looked at their previous work, but non compared, nor was so accommodating and willing to assist like Artphoto situated in Durbanville. The Head Photographer, Wendy Lategan and Assistant Photographer, Ruan Lategan was our photography team. Nothing was too small or too big for them too tackle and everything that I asked, they did with a smile. Although the day was long and everyone was exhausted, they did it effortlessly and were always courteous and up for another creative idea to make the photos stunning.
We also made use of the services of a Videographer, Lance, the Head Videographer and Craig, the Assistant Videographer from RTM (Relive the Moment) productions. They were extremely professional, punctual and tried everything to make a stunning Video.
Both parties were even willing to take photos and a video of my dachshund. They captured the moment, like no other and I would highly recommend them to anyone who want value for money.
I rendered the services of a Wedding planner, Samantha da Luz Wedding. On the day she had an assistant to help coordinate the wedding at both the church and the reception. Every step of the journey she was there. Always corresponding, communicating and being available 24/7. She arranged the wedding exactly like I had imagined and envisioned it to be. I have very precise and particular taste and she nailed it. From the colour, décor, flowers, accommodation, seating arrangements and food etc., you name it; she was responsible for it, every little detail. She is very involved in the whole process and wants her brides to be extremely happy, relax and leave everything to her. Well done to a beautiful co-ordinated wedding.
We had two 4x4 matching cars with ‘Just married’ number plates in the front and the wedding date 9 Sep 2017 at the back.
The venue where we held the reception, Pampoenkraal on Altydgedacht wine farm was responsible for the food, from canapés, starters, main course, desert and the drinks. Our wedding planner decided that for the beer lovers, we should hire a stand with craft beer for our guests so that they can enjoy it and it was an absolute hit. Taylor Treats made us a stunning wedding cake exactly like the picture that I sent them. The cake was white with gold and they delivered it to the venue. Our wedding planner even decorated fresh orchids on the cake.
Fraai Meraai – designed and printed our wedding pamphlet which was very cute and extremely original.
Yes we had to take dance lessons, not for me as such, but definitely for my partner at the time. We used Phoenix Dance Company and Chantel, our instructor really tried her best to make us look like professionals and she succeeded. Carina Cullen, Proprietor and Head Dance Instructor was extremely accommodating and even gave advice on first dance songs and edited it. We paid for a certain package which had a certain amount of hours and on her own accord she extended the amount of time to accommodate us.
We also had a DJ, Greg who played the music at the reception. We could give him a long list of songs to play during the night and certain songs which we wanted when we entered the venue, for the first dance, throwing of the bouquet and garter.
During the Ceremony we used the services of Organist, Stephan Ackermann who played the wedding march, the Mendelssohn Wedding March as well as 2 church songs for the guests.
Let Phoenix Dance Company assist in making your special day the most beautiful of all with a wonderful wedding dance.
RTM Video Productions is a Cape Town based Video Recording Company and willing to travel to any venue in South Africa.
Ilse provides a professional and personal service to brides to be. Working from her studio, her services include custom made bridal gowns and retinue dresses, she also has a la...
