I must say my most memorable 3 moments was, 1. Being when my dad came to fetch me at the dressing room. I was beyond emotional and could not believe the moment had arrived. 2. Being when I started walking down the aisle, seeing my soon to be hubby crying and then finally hugging me when I got to the front. 3. Having my grandfather at the wedding, whom I haven't seen in 9 years. It was such a special moment having him there and sharing a dance with him.
My hubby and his groomsmen entertained me with a funny dance, which I thought was very thoughtful considering the only had 2 days together to practice this dance. Job well done.
Every moment at our wedding was special and having everyone there whom we care so much about, was beyond more than I could have asked for. We feel so blessed and loved and happy to have all the moments captured on photos by our amazing photographer Stefan Coetzee Photographics and his assistant Lumari Holder.
Yes we sure did. We visited Lesotho in Africa, where we had an amazing time snowboarding and making snow angels. It was amazing, especially as I have never experienced snow before so it was a special thought of him to do it for me. We then visited the Drakensberg mountains at Bushmans Nek, which was absolutely magnificent and beautiful and last but not least we then went to Umhlanga Rocks in Durban, where we had the most beautiful view all around us. I was pampered will a full day spa experience and fed gourmet foods and deserts. We watched the winter sun set together every night with champagne and blankets in the comfort of our beach view apartment.
My wedding look was based on a soft natural, winter look. My makeup was done very natural by Bianca Burness Makeup & Hair artist, as well as my hair which was a rough, curly, over-the-shoulder look. My wedding dress was a one of a kind A-line hired dress from The Bridal House in Pretoria, with a antique lace train and rounded off with a organza overlay. The top was a spaghetti strap and the back tied with ribbon, topped off with a very fine silver "diamond belt".
I had rose gold shoes with glitter and a rounded off "diamond look" that I got from Moda Shoes in Menlyn Mall, Pretoria. Something a little different than the plain white shoes.
My jewellery was very special as it was a gift from mommy and daddy, given as my "something new". My silver bracelet covered with hearts and a bell was my special wedding gift from my hubby on the morning of the wedding, along with a beautiful message which brought me to tears.
My underwear was a little something on the naughty side ;-) Only covering the front basically with some white lace, where as to the backside was quite open. Why not go all out as it was our very FIRST TIME making love as we believed it would be more special to wait till we are married. Best decision ever.
The Bridal House, is a wedding dress boutique based in Bryanston, and is home to an exquisite range of wedding dress collections.
My Wedding venue was at Lavandou Wedding and Conference venue, situated in Tijger Valley, Pretoria. The Venue was a mix between winter forest with tall dark trees and a little bit of french flair. The Venue had fountains streaming, creating a quiet calm environment. You could hear the wind whistling through the trees, not even knowing you are only 10km outside of town. Absolutely beautiful and the guests loved every second of the beautiful quiet atmosphere.
The venue only has a bridal suite available, so the guests all had different places they stayed at close to the venue, but most guests stayed at Merops, opposite the wedding venue and others at De Oudehout guest farm down the street (4.5km) from the venue.
I had no beauty treatments done, although I did have my nails done with Anja from Nails Extravaganza and had my hair color done for the wedding day with Bianca Burness. I ate healthy, but did not really join a fitness program. I did not want to change who I was as I believed the dress had to fit me, not I the dress. My hubby loves me no matter what and thought I looked beautiful
My decor and flowers was both done by Freshlook Sanja. We had rectangular wooden table, no table cloths with a mix of burgundy, white and soft pink flowers with some greenery hanging in a runner effect from the one side of the table to the other side. We also had silver and wood crafted items on the table to create the perfect atmosphere of a french forest theme, with the fairy lights and candles hidden between the flower arrangements, for the perfect enchanted forest look.
Our lighting was done by Marcel, in-house DJ as it was offered to us like that with our venue package, along with the smoke machine that was on while we were dancing.
Our chapel took place between the trees in the forest. We had hessian runners down the aisle with pink, white and red rose petals on the sides, as well as white lanterns with flowers and candles to give the wow effect in the forest. We also hanged Chinese lanterns in the trees all the way down the aisle towards the front.
The Groom wore a Bright navy blue suit with brown leather formal shoes we bought at Woolworths and he had a dark brown leather watch I bought at NWJ.
The groomsmen all wore white shirts, burgundy chino pants with burgundy suspenders and bow ties that we got at the China Mall in Pretoria, as well as a red rose on their shirts with brown leather shoes as well. They all looked very handsome.
We also had a little pageboy, along with the bride's brother whom is 18 that was both dressed the same. Cutest moment at the wedding.
The Bridesmaids wore burgundy infinity dresses with curly side styled hair and burgundy rock roses in their hair. They all had nude shoes. The Dresses was provided by Glitter and Glamour Creations.
The flower girl wore a golden ball gown dress made by Little Miss and she looked like a little princess.
The Original Infinity Dress can be worn 27 different ways, making it the perfect bridesmaid dress for all figures!
Our marriage officer was Pastor David Davies, also our zone pastor in the church we attend, Christian Revival Church (CRC), Pretoria
Our Photographer is no other than Stefan Coetzee photographics and his assistant Lumari Holder. They took breath taking photos on the open field with the sunset, as well as behind the trees in the forest. We did not have a videographer as the budget was a bit tight.
Nope. I was fussy and wanted to experience all the planning for myself. I internet searched day and night and I wouldn't prefer it any other way. Everything was just the way I wanted it, no unwanted surprises.
We did not need wedding transport as everything was in one place. We booked in with our own cars and got dressed in the Bridal suite, as well as had the ceremony and everything done at one venue. Talk about saving a little on expenses
The food was prepared by the kitchen staff at Lavandou Wedding and Conference Venue and it was delicious.
The cake was one of a kind biltong and cabanossi cake, with a double layer Marmite tart topped of with cream cheese and mozzarella cheese at the top. This cake was made by no other than Natasha and her husband at Biltong Co in Centurion, Pretoria.
I did. I thought it would be unnecessary expenses to have it done than rather do it myself as I usually design many things on my own even in my workplace.
The reception was cozy and fun. We had a photo corner with funky pose goodies. The different colors of flowers and decor created the perfect setting for a winter wedding and we had such a fun crowd keeping everyone on the dance floor. We had different types of music. Some for the old, some for the young and some for the energetic. Our first dance was special as it was the song we first played on our very first date and we just went with the flow, no lessons necessary. Our in-house DJ was amazing and handled everything like a professional from the lighting, smoke machine and the music.
The Bridal House, is a wedding dress boutique based in Bryanston, and is home to an exquisite range of wedding dress collections.
The Original Infinity Dress can be worn 27 different ways, making it the perfect bridesmaid dress for all figures!
