I absolutely loved the morning at home with my girls, my mom and dad and our incredible make-up, hair and photography team. It was important to me to get ready at home and I loved being able to play our music loud and have some special photos taken in our home and garden.
I will never forget the feeling I had as we pulled into the church parking lot. It was something I've dreamed about since I was 10 years old and we started attending Holy Trinity. I knew that just inside those doors was my Justin and as our favourite song played by our friend Margot's string trio (To build a home- Cinematic Orchestra) led my bridesmaids down the aisle, I had my Dad hold my hand tight.
Just before we entered our rooftop reception and did our first dance, Justin and I shared a quiet glass of champage in the dining room overlooking our beautiful city. It was everything and more.
We asked for honeymoon donations as wedding gifts and our friends and family were very generous. With some savings we are hoping to go somewhere exciting next year!
I was so fortunate! One of my best friends and bridesmaids, Amy Sprawson, is a make-up artist and so is her mom, Jenny Sprawson. It was so special having my make-up done by Jenny who is kind of a second mom to me and Amy did the bridesmaid's make-up and my mom's. When I got a bit frazzled in the morning a big hug and some calm words from these two were invaluable. I was also lucky to have a friend from school, Lindsay Latimer (The Mix), do my hair. She completely understood and worked with my idea and even did a second trial for me. I bought my wedding dress second-hand on Still White. I tried it on in a Woolies changeroom (haha)! I don't usually wear a lot of jewelry so I went very simple with small fresh water pearl studs which Justin bought for me on a mini-break to Parys just before our wedding :) Our friend Jannie from Studio C Jewellers custom made our wedding rings.
Our ceremony was held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Braamfontein and we had a tea and cut our wedding cake in Trinity House. Our evening reception was held at Thirteen Venue and Bar in Braamfontein. Justin and I had gone there for an event before we got engaged and we completely fell in love with it. We wanted something really different!
We really DIYed and so we went for very simple wedding decor! I asked people at work to borrow candle holders we had been given as staff gifts and we used sprigs of bluegum which Justin and I cut from a tree in our neighbourhood! 2 of my bridesmaids and I spent the night before making bridesmaid bouquets and the men's boutonnieres. We hired chairs, barstools and lighting from J2W Events.
Justin chose his own outfit. He wanted something original and so he went for a Country Road tweed jacket and black suit pants with a waistcoat. I think he looked so handsome!
The groomsmen wore their own black suits and we got them burgundy ties from Twill. We made their boutonnieres.
Justin and the boys had photos at our friend's bar in Braamfontein, Great Dane, before the ceremony.
We got the bridesmaid dresses from Bride and Co. I desperately wanted the burgundy colour and I wanted something full-length and elegant. The style was sort of grecian which I love and I think they all looked beautiful and were comfortable in the design.
We had the amazing Alexander Smith and his videographer Jacques capture our day. They are such awesome guys and really made us feel so comfortable. They had us laughing most of the day and night!
Alex managed to secure the old Park Station for us to have our photographs, a structure I have always admired, and then he took us in his car into town to have some photos taken on the steps of city hall.
AT ALEXANDER SMITH, WE LOVE WEDDINGS ...IN FACT WE COMPLETELY ADORE THEM...
Season to Taste did our catering at Thirteen. Nigel, the chef, really took time to design the delicious Greek inspired menu that we wanted because we got engaged in Greece. The food was exceptional! We had Paul's Homemade Icecream in little boxes for dessert.
Our wedding cake was made by a family friend and we had delicious chocolate brownies made by The Blonde Baker.
My bridesmaid Mikasa (mikasacreative) designed all our wedding stationery and we had it printed at Nippy Print.
We wanted a great rooftop vibe where we could dance til dawn and Thirteen was just that! Justin and his friends set up the lighting and sound which made it extra special as he got to put his stamp on the evening. His DJ friends, Random Citizen and Halflife DJ'd for us and J2W gave us spectacular lighting. I got my 90s playlist which had everyone dancing!
AT ALEXANDER SMITH, WE LOVE WEDDINGS ...IN FACT WE COMPLETELY ADORE THEM...
