The biggest highlights for me was when my stepdaughters walked my daughter down the isle before me, it was such a special moment to show the two families being united as one. Also when Mark (my hubby) made his speech and thanked his girls for accepting myself and my daughter (Madison) into their lives.
I cried like a baby walking down the isle with my dad, you never realize how special that moment is and realizing that you are about to be married to the man of your dreams. The reception was also amazing, seeing my family and friends whom I hadn't seen for so long.
Yes, we went to Finolhu Islands in the Maldives.
I wanted elegant but simple from the get-go. I let my bridesmaids choose their own dress styles all using the same grey fabric so that they were comfortable. Our hair and make up was simple yet elegant with soft natural touches. I am not a big jewelry person, but was fortunate enough to wear "something borrowed" from my late Oumie's ring.
My husband Mark, treated me with buying my earings for Christmas for me the year before which matched my engagement ring. My shoes were also very simple and I had a second flat pair of white sandals for the reception.
We got married at Gonubie Manor, they are a very well known wedding venue just outside of East London. They cater for up to 48 people in their self catering units which we booked out for family from all over South Africa.
I kept a healthy diet and ran a lot on our family farm called 3 Silo's. I really tried to look after my skin prior, by exfoliating, moisturizing and going for monthly facials. My hubby also treated me to a few full body massages along the way to de-stress as well.
I was also fortunate enough to receive an early wedding gift from friends of ours for teeth whitening.
I made most of the decor myself and hired a few filler items from Basics 2 Bling, Janice was so helpful and knew exactly what I was wanting.
We had to hire in the white chairs and our DJ and lighting was done by Dynamic Sounds, they are by far the best in East London and I have worked with Craig many times prior to the wedding, so he already knew my style and type of music I wanted.
We also hired a photobooth and a L.O.V.E Sign to add to our decor and reception.
One of my best friends and bridesmaid, Cara-Lee Federov owns her own vinyl printing business called Witty V and she did her magic with the signs, table numbers, table seating, isle and wedding favours.
Our flowers were ordered through Woolworths Vincent Park, the management there were so helpful! Close friends of ours gifted the arranging of the flowers to us which included the bouquets, buttonholes and vases for the tables.
Mark bought his suite from Woolworths and the groomsmen hired their pants from Best Man Suite Hire. Because they were all different heights we could not go for jackets as they didn't all fit, but it worked out for the best in the end and they looked amazing!
I had 6 bridesmaids, all of different sizes and ages, so it was a difficult one. They each chose their own design but all used the same material. They were amazing and even my bridesmaids who had just had a baby and my matron of honour who is pregnant looked amazing!
My Godfather who is my fathers best friend, is a lay preacher and it was always my dream for him to marry me. He did the ceremony and a friend of my husband, Matt Francis, did the legalities and formalities.
Robyn Coldham Photography, Robs was an absolute gem! We met her when we did our engagement shoot and we clicked immediately. She was amazing on the day and managed to handle all of us together.
Brad from Fab Video has been a long time friend and he was so brilliantly silent, capturing in the background, whilst he captured every moment we wanted!
Robyn Coldham Photography, Robs was an absolute gem! We met her when we did our engagement shoot and we clicked immediately. She was amazing on the day and managed to handle all of us together.
Brad from Fab Video has been a long time friend and he was so brilliantly silent, capturing in the background, whilst he captured every moment we wanted!
No, I studied Events Management so I planned everything on my own.
Because the reception and ceremony was at the same place, we didn't fuss too much about transport. My step brother organised a very fancy white MLK for myself and my dad and then we just used all our family and friends who had white SUV type vehicles for the rest of the entourage.
Gonubie Manor did our catering and were very accommodating to our needs.
We arrange cupcakes through a friend of ours and our cake was a simple small vanilla and caramel cake from a local bakery called Sugar.com
I did it all myself at home :)
We didn't take dance lessons (we thought we were good enough until we saw the video of us dancing together haha)
We used Dynamic Sounds & lighting, Craig and I have done many events together and he knew exactly what I was wanting. We danced the night away to old school music on a playlist we had made with him prior to the wedding.
