When people tell you that this day goes by in the blink of am eye they truly speak from the heart.
A day filled with magic, love and the happiest moments. To high light some of my favorites is difficult, but I will start where I think every bride's heart melts and that is the look in her husbands eyes as he watches her coming down the aisle, linked arm in arm with the first man she loved - her dad. My 9 bridesmaids ( 2 of whom came from Australia) were accompanied by my mother in law playing the piano and her sister singing one of my all time favorite songs as they walked down the aisle and to me this was beyond words. Seeing my mom dressed in my granny's special jacket filled my heart with so much love, knowing my granny was there watching over me on my special day.
I am a dancer, so the expectation on us for our dance was rather high, and spending months before learning the choreography I know was a big ask, but my husband took the lead and made that very moment I have dreamed of utterly flawless! Simply looking around the room and having all my favorite people from all places around the country and world will be a memory I will treasure forever!
Not as yet, we are booked to go to Breezers Resort and Spa in Zanzibar in December.
I wanted my look to reflect the person I am, I did not want to be influenced by trend so i simply followed my heart.
My wedding dress was inspired by the ballerina I am at heart, created by two very special people, one who has known me pretty much my whole life - Annie Ponyecz and Greg Wallis. Like I always dreamed of, I wore ballet shoes, which were finished off with lace from my gown. My veil was like something out of a fairy tale, complete with our initials hand sown at the bottom of the gown. Hours and hours of love was poured into this gown with each bead hand sown.
My hair was done by my long time hairdresser and friend Natalie Jarrett, with a touch of sparkle added with my something borrowed - which was a crown worn by one of bridesmaids at her wedding. My something old added to my classical look with my pearl necklace and earrings. (one of the first gifts I ever received from my now husband) This too was added too, with a matching bracelet gifted to me by my parents and sister. My make up was done by my sister, Lauren Venter from Synergy Beauty and Holistic Therapies, and as we all know there is simply no one that knows you better than your baby sister! This whimsical, classical look was exactly what I had always dreamed of. As one of flower girls so perfectly put it by saying "you look like a fairy tales."
We were blessed to be married at the most picturesque venue, The Venue Fontana.
Our wedding party stayed with us at The Venue, while other guests booked into surrounding accommodation, namely The Beach Cabin in Clanstal.
Located on a family farm along the Natal South Coast, the Fontana family recently transformed their farm tractor barn into a rustic, yet elegant wedding venue. Sliding wooden barn
I am very blessed to have a sister who owns he own beauty salon, Synergy Beauty and Holistic Therapies. She made sure months leading up to my wedding that my skin was flawless! I own my own dance school, so keeping fit and healthy is our way of life so I just kept doing what I always do ;)
The theme for our wedding was "Happily ever after" and was truly a family affair with most of the decor being made by our selves. We spent hours hand painting and decorating books, creating table runners from sheet music, spraining cans to hold the flowers, sewing hankies and beading varies items to complete our vision.
With the beautiful raw wooden tables, rose gold chairs, suspended cake stand and our initials in lights from The Venue Fontana.
Elegant rose gold cutlery, glass vintage plate chargers, crystal candle sticks and Persian carpet from The Wedding Table.
The florist Pam Harvey that brought my floral's to life with her amazing talent - our vision of a fairy tale wedding came to life.
The groom and groomsmen are the typical "beach boys" so having them clothed in more than a pair of baggies is always an event. Thank you to Dominion suit hire for the grooms look in his navy blue suit, cream shirt and maroon tie. As well as to Suit Up suit hire for the groomsmen's navy suits.
My bridesmaids were dressed by the ever talented Annie Ponyecz in burgundy infinity dresses. These dresses allowed the girls to choose a style that best suited their bodies and personality in a colour that complimented all skin tones and hair colours.
Coming from a small town I knew the man I wanted to marry us. A perfect balance of what we both wished for from our ceremony was found in Wesley Pulvenis. Spending weeks with him in a marriage prep course only reaffirmed our decision as he spent time getting to know as as real people. One the day the service he prepared was from the heart and a true reflection of the love Dean and I have for one another.
These three decisions were easy, there was no one other than these three people that we even considered to have the very important job of capturing our very special day, after all, once all is said and done this is all you will have left.
Photography: Carmen Roberts
Videography: Hope Bowley
Photo Booth: Aisle Hire it
Based south of Durban, but happy to travel for weddings, shoots or anything lovely!
Planning my wedding was something we were both very hands on with as we knew exactly what we wanted. However having Tegan Bogle from The Wedding Table assist with set up and final touches was a breath of fresh air.
On the day co ordination was done by none other than Mara Fontana, and I can truly say that thanks to this amazing woman our wedding day was nothing short of perfection.
Lol! Staying on about 100m from where the ceremony was taking place didn't call for any fancy transport. So thank you to my amazing bride tribe for piling in your cars in your fancy dresses hitched up to your knees to allow for driving and making the trip down the hill bouquets in hand. A very unconventional, but special drive.
I am a true believer that 'local is lekker' so our guests were treated to a stunning harvest table down by the river set up the one and only Roxi Wardman. We went with the ever dependable Debbie and Terrance from Cooks Kitchen for mains and dessert.
As I said earlier this was a family affair and my cake was made by my once school teacher and now mentor the very talented Lyn Schroader.
The beautiful stationary was a team effort wine bottle lables and wedding favors were designed by talented husband and flown from Australia with the seating plan which was designed and printed by my special bridesmaid Shelley Bothma..
Again.. local is lekker and all name cards and all other signage was done by our local girls Kylie and Monique at Shindig event decor and design.
Before we headed to our reception venue, our guests were treated to a truly South African experience down by the river. Enjoying locally brewed beers and G&T'S while listening to chilled sounds of local band The Tuff Masters while watching the sun set.Our reception was magical.. people did not ever leave the dance floor ever!! And if that is not a testament to the talents of the ever entertaining Jarryd Sunkle from The KZN Wedding DJ. Jarryd read the crowd to perfection mixing the good old classics with the new favorites. Never mind that he had to set up in two different venues, nothing was ever too much for him - he even mixed our wedding song live!
As I said before, our wedding dance had great expectation as I am a dancer,so thanks to Jade Terblanche from Fancy Feet Dance Studio for making this a highlight of our day!
Located on a family farm along the Natal South Coast, the Fontana family recently transformed their farm tractor barn into a rustic, yet elegant wedding venue. Sliding wooden barn
Based south of Durban, but happy to travel for weddings, shoots or anything lovely!
