As I look back on our wedding day, the most memorable moment was walking down the aisle.
There was a moment me and my dad shared where he held me ever so tight as I got a bit overwhelmed with emotions while we walked to the outdoor chapel. As we stood infront of the closed door I could hear the song my husband picked for me, and kept all to himself not telling a soul “If I ever saw heaven” by Roan Ash. It must have been the best and most emotional walk I ever took. I became one with my best friend and I was leaving my childhood behind.
But seeing him standing there with tears in his eyes and a very big smile, gave me the warmest and happiest feeling, I was walking down the aisle full of smiles and joy. My heart was truly at its happiest.
A big big bonus was seeing all of our friends and family over flowing with true joy as me and my dad walked past them. We really are blessed with amazing people in our lives.
Yes, we did. We went to Seychelles.
My husband didn't tell a soul where we were to go (just like with our chapel song).
We got to the airport and my husband very smartly says to me “so we are here, pick wherever you want to go, I didn't book anything, you choose”
Of course I freaked out a little bit. While we were walking towards the international terminal, I started googling accommodation in different countries first, like any woman would do. He then started calling out different countries as we walked pass them, asking if I would like to go to France, Germany etc. The second last check in counter was Seychelles(it would be the 2nd last one) he then asked the staff if he could buy tickets please, but the staff just laughed at him, so the secret was out, we were on our way to a dream 7day holiday to SEYCHELLES!! Booked in January already!!
I’m calling our wedding modern vintage glam: James Dean and Elizabeth Taylor inspired.
For my hair and makeup I went for a vintage look. Vintage curls, complimented by a gold hair clip with pearls, which matched my gold tassel earrings, both from Lovisa. My makeup and hair was done by the talented Angelique Nel Makeup artist and hairstylist
For my shoes, I went for nude block heels, (Cotton on) since our ceremony was outdoors, and I wanted to be pretty and comfortable.
It really was difficult for me to decide what wedding dress style I wanted. The one week I would want an A-line dress and the next week I change my mind and I want a fitted dress.
I then decided to go with a fitted Oleg Cassini dress, fully laced with vintage sleeves, but I had a tulle detachable skirt made, with a gold beaded belt.
I am so happy I had the skirt made, it really made me feel like a princess. For the reception I took it off, so that I could have a relaxed time with all my friends and family. It really gave me both looks that I wanted.
Toadbury Hall, Muldersdrift. It really was a magical venue. Our close family members stayed the night and the next morning we all ate breakfast together.
Toadbury Hall Country Hotel is a 5-star property with majestic indigenous trees, magnificent rose
and lavender gardens and a wonderland of lakes and rivers. The estate is situated on the
banks of the Crocodile River in the world-famous Cradle of Humankind.
Dark and moody, contrasting colors were used to give a dramatic feel. "Bordeaux" was my main color, a very dark wine red which matched my husbands very modern Bordeaux suit. The reception tables were draped with black chiffon runners, topped with dark greenery edge runners with Bordeaux, soft pink and navy contrasting mixed flowers. A modern vintage feel was incorporated using rose gold and glass decor with black candles.
We had a beautiful autumn ceremony in the rose garden of Toadbury hall. The Rose Chapel is a romantic outdoor venue surrounded by luscious rose and lavender gardens.
My husband actually had two suits made. The one was in a Polo blue and the other in a Bordeaux color. He could decide on the wedding day which one he wanted to wear. The photographers in the end decided for him and the Bordeaux one it was. Both suits had to be custom made since he is 1.93m tall. All his accessories and shoes was from Woolworths.
My Maid of honor wore a loose fitted navy dark bloom dress, which complimented the dark moody vintage theme. The little flower girl wore a black tulle skirt with a dark bloom one shoulder top complimented buy a flower crown.
Our Marriage officer was our very good friend, Teodor van der Spuy. We often travel together around Africa.
Abigail from Grace studios was our photographer, she was incredible. Not only is she very talented she even helped me look my best on the photos, she would fix my hair when it was just a little bit out of place. I absolutely love her work.
Our videographer was the very talented Lelanie from Ambient films, she strives to create alternative and edgy films.
No I didn't. A good friend once told me, that one shouldn't see one's wedding just for the 8 hours on the day but rather from the day you got engaged and started planning your dream wedding. I wanted to experience everything fully and it was such a pleasure and joy organizing and planning everything myself. I got to have a wedding day that started on the 27th of April 2017 and ended on the 26th of April 2018.
Since we were almost 200 guests, the normal buffet wedding dinner would be impractical. Toadbury hall's chef made all our food for the reception. We went for a bespoke unconventional menu, that portrait our personalities. It consisted of gourmet Burgers, Macaroni and Cheese, Pancakes and Berry compote and Vanilla ice-cream and Bar-one sauce.
Planning our cake designs, colors and flavors was one of my favorite parts. We had 5 different cakes, and they were all made by the talented Melissa from Honey-bee Baker in Pretoria.
Our Wedding Cake had a Concrete/marble look, the bottom tier had Vanilla cake with champagne buttercream
and the top tier, carrot cake with cream cheese filling.
The second cake was a Fully Frosted (black) Chocolate cake with black drip, chocolate ganache.
The third cake was a Fully frosted (burgandy) Coconut cake with champagne filling.
The fouth cake was a Baked Cheesecake with Fresh Fruit/Fruit Glaze
And the last cake a Burgundy and Rose gold Mirror cake filled with Chocolate and raspberry mousse.
We also had mini grey marble doughnuts for fun.
