Getting engaged to Paolo Milordo in the One & Only on September 15, 2017, was the beginning of great memories together. When brides that got married before you tells you “enjoy every second, go and stand still for a minute, look, take in, capture and pinch yourself, it goes by SO FAST” it is the truth!! Getting married and enjoying every moment of your special day is overwhelming, it felt like I was literally on cloud number 9 the whole day! It felt like a dream. The amazing thing was, it was REALITY!
The morning of our wedding I was super relaxed. When it was my turn to sit for hair and make-up I realized the time is getting closer... my bridesmaids helped me with my dress and everything that goes with. When I was done, it was time for my Father, Pik, to enter. It was a magical moment and one which speaks a thousand words on the photos.
As we approached the venue, seeing all the cars and the people, the nerves started... my bridesmaids walked down the aisle and it was me and my Fathers turn. My breathing was funny and strange and I remember my Father asking me if I’m okay and ready for this... looking at my fiance and thinking for myself: "WOW, if that guy was single and I was single... mamma mia... next moment we stopped in front of the Priest and Paolo, which felt like forever. Then, the worst and most emotional part, kissing my Father as he was "giving me off".
Taking photos with our bridal party, family and loved ones and of course of me and Paolo, was enjoyable and fun. One of the greatest feelings was when we entered the venue after the photos. Everything in the venue was magical and I felt so happy and Blessed to have our Special people there to share our most perfect day with us. The whole evening is unforgettable and it was PERFECT!!!
A special thanks to a Bridesmaid as well as our MC, Chanzel, for ALL her help and also to my Maid of Honor, Maré-Sanne for being next to me whenever I needed her and for being the best friend.
❤️
We did not go on honeymoon yet. We were fortunate and Blessed to have a second wedding in Italy (for sure every brides dream!!). We are planning on going on honeymoon sometime soon but I have no idea where it will be. I am looking forward to having a (more) beautiful and memorable time with Paolo.
❤️
I had an elegant and chic look on my wedding day with a hairstyle which was done by the amazing and great Lynette Loubser. My make-up was also done by her. I wanted to go for a more natural look therefor my eye make-up was not very dark, the focus was more on my lips, which was burgundy. I totally loved the way she did my make-up.
I was searching very long for the perfect earrings to go with my beautiful dress designed in Spain and bought at Piazza di Spagna in Italy. Pronovias is a wedding dress designer business based in Barcelona. The name of my dress is Drakar. The shoes I had was from Aldo.
❤️
Choosing a venue was the first thing to do on the list. I remember driving from one Wine Estate to the next... until we reached to this one and Ilse, the manager, was absolutely amazing!
So, we got married in Stellenbosch on a beautiful wine estate, Stellenrust.
Our guest did not overnight at the venue, they all stayed at their respective Accomodation in and around Stellenbosch.
❤️
In general I am living a healthy lifestyle which I adjusted a bit a week before the wedding. I did not follow a specific meal plan, I just kept it healthy and filling. I went to the spa a few days before the wedding which included a full body massage, a facial and a pedicure. After I went for a lunch in the spa where my fiance and a friend, the one that kept everything together, Chanzel, joined me. The day at the spa (Mukda Thai Spa) was a surprise from Paolo.
For my hair, I visited Pascal Hair Studio in Welgemoed for treatments.
❤️
The decor and the flowers was most probably one of the things I was having dreams about the most. “Should I do this or should I do that...” I wanted to have a elegant, classy wedding which will fit perfectly with the type of person I am. I went for a very elegant look with the main focus on white, beige and gold with a tint of olive green. A few of my favorite decor was the 2 cherry blossom trees which was decorated with fairy lights which was a definite WOW in the venue. I also really liked the French gold cutlery I always wanted to make part of our special day. Everything we had was rented from outside. Our main provider was Prickly Pear Creations which is absolutely the best!
The Frenchy gold rim glasses, under plates and cutlery was provided by Muse Concepts in Bellville.
The golden Tiffany chairs and the dance floor was provided by Grandstyle Hiring from Maitland, Cape Town.
It was just the way we wanted and we are thankful for the contribution to each and every one.
❤️
Paolo was wearing a designer suit from an Italian Stylist and was bought in Pal Zileri Boutique in Rende, Italy. The groom as well as his groomsmen was wearing the same watches (Tissot) purchased from Van deijl in Somerset Mall. My husband had a lot of assistance from Karen from the jewelry shop for choosing gifts for his groomsmen.
❤️
The Infinity Dress was a definite yes for our wedding. It is a flaunting dress and it looks great on anybody. It is comfortable and your Bridesmaids can wear the dress as they wish. It is practical and a dress I would recommend to all the Brides for their Bridesmaids.
The color of my bridesmaids dresses was burgundy which they loved.
❤️
The Original Infinity Dress can be worn 27 different ways, making it the perfect bridesmaid dress for all figures!
Pastor René Potgieter, originally from Beaufort West. Now she is in Eversdal, Cape Town.
She gave us a very special and meaningful message for us and everyone that was present. She spoke about the Bouquet of Marriage; Love, Forgive, Respect.
❤️
Booking a photographer was another difficult decision to make, until I emailed a few and shortly after the mails went through, I received a call from Charlene Schreuder and we spoke as if we knew each other for years!!! What a lovely person. She wanted to set up a meeting so we can get to know each other. I immediately had a good feeling and I liked her already. I booked her and we went for an engagement shoot a week before the wedding. She is an amazing photographer and knows just how to work with people in front of a camera. I would definitely recommend her for anybody, even if it’s not a wedding. She has a lot of passion for her job. Thank you Charlene for capturing our most perfect day!
I also met with a few Videographers and I like the work of Tru-Art Video the most. We are thankful for them that they were part of our special day.
❤️
We didn’t have a wedding planner for our special day. We decided and planned everything ourselves even though we had support from others to inform us more on a few things here and there. I have a friend (Chanzel) that was keeping me on track and giving me deadlines. She was on top of it and a big help.
❤️
The wedding transport... so the Bridal Couple and the Bridal Party are most probably the only ones that know if something doesn’t go according to plan. Which was the case when it comes to the wedding transport... the morning of our wedding, our transport canceled on us, which was suppose to be a Limo. Nevertheless did it bother me a lot. In the end, we went in a M3 BMW.
The car was fast but I was still half an hour late... of course!!!
❤️
We had a fantastic caterer from Mooreesburg, Malita Joubert. She and her team is professional and they provided the best food I have ever had at a wedding, therefor we are extremely thankful. Everything from the canapés, to the Italian appetizer straight to the sweet selection of Italian and South African desserts.
Our wedding cake was proudly baked by my Mother, Tessie Kemp, which has her own pastry- and coffee shop, 'Tessie se Nessie', situated in Beaufort West. It was a 3-layered Naked Red Velvet Cake decorated with flowers.
❤️
Two of my Friends, Mari-Louise du Plessis and Anandi Etsebeth, did the designing of my stationary.
It was printed at Karoo-Drukkery in Beaufort West.
❤️
The reception... WOW where do I even begin!!!
Me and my husband didn’t go for any dance lessons. Both of us has a little bit of “so you think you can dance” in us... I remember three nights before our wedding, we played our opening song, 1000 Years by Christina Perri and we started to dance in the kitchen. It didn’t last long because both of us ended up in tears!! We then decided we will just go and open the floor just like we can!!!
The DJ was absolutely great!!! There was not a moment the dance floor was empty, and me, I think I was part of it most of the time. His name is Charl Strutt and he is the owner of Livewire Audio Solutions based in Cape Town. He was reading the crowd perfectly, which plays an important role.
During the pre-drinks Jen & Phil (they also performing through Livewire Audio Solutions) was performing live.
❤️
The Original Infinity Dress can be worn 27 different ways, making it the perfect bridesmaid dress for all figures!
