We spent a wonderful week in Mauritius!
I was going for a very glamorous Dolce and Gabbana look for my wedding. My dress was fitted with a long train. It had a sweetheart neckline with beaded lace going up around my chest and down the back. I wanted something unusual, simple but still very beautiful and glamorous and we found it at the Bridal Wardrobe in Melrose Arch.
The neckline was quite high so I went for an updo. A loose, low bun with a soft sweeping fringe. I accessorised with a pretty alice band and red and violet flowers in my hair to bring in that Italian flair. I wore long drop earrings with a pearl at the end. They are vintage earrings that I borrowed from my mother in law.
My make up was done by my talented friend Kirsten Murphy of Kirsten Murphy makeup and it followed that high glam look with a dark deep red lip and matching nails.
I wore a very beautiful pair of peep toe stilettos from Europa Art. They had just the right amount of sparkle to match the beading on my dress.
I felt very glamorous and feminine.
Bridal Wardrobe is the leading stockist of all Enzoani Collections in South Africa and caters for the modern bride who wants to be at the forefront of the latest designer trends.
The beautiful Shepstone Gardens in Hope street Houghton.
Shepstone Gardens is a haven of botanical serenity that will transport you into a different world; your dream come true.
I am a very active person and enjoy working out. So I just made sure to be exercising regularly, but I also included an extra walk most afternoons. I also went for facials at Dermalogica Concept Store in Wembley Square. My facialist, Kendall is wonderful and she guided my skin care regime.
Sheptsone Gardens is so beautiful and lush that I didn't feel it needed too much extra decor. We had very simple flowers in vibrant colours and lots of tea lights on the table to create ambience. I wanted a fresh, Italian family feast feel for the food and decor and we had the platters of food on the table for guests to share and eat like a big Italian family.So we couldn't have too much stuff on the table anyway. The food was our edible decor in a way.
The delicious Italian food was catered by Onside Events.
We had a harvest table filled with delicious cheese platters, breads, dips, olives, artichokes as a starter. The guests enjoyed that with their drinks after the ceremony. We then had a caprese salad, fresh green beans and asparagus with parmesan and flat breads to accompany your choice of main meal, which was either spaghetti with meat balls or spinach and ricotta ravioli in a butter and sage sauce. For dessert we had mini tiramisu jars, strawberries dipped in a chocolate fountain and a traditional french croquembouche.
The wedding cake was made with love and care by my talented cousin. It had three tiers, carrot cake, red velvet cake and vanilla sponge covered in a butter cream icing.
I kept the stress and drama out of the my wedding by being a very relaxed bride and focused on the important things like the actual ceremony and my relationship with my partner. I decided to let my bridesmaids choose their own dresses that they felt beautiful and comfortable in. I told them that I'd like it to be red, lacy and glamorous inspired by Dolce and Gabbana. They wore flowers in their hair and bold costume jewelry to add to that high glam feel that I was going for. It was a fun opportunity to dress up and be bold and striking and they all looked magnificent.
We had a beautiful mixed ceremony led by the gracious and wonderful Lucy Draper Clarke. I am Jewish and wanted to include a few of the Jewish traditions and my husband is Catholic and so we included some Catholic traditions. Neither of us are very religious but we are very family orientated and wanted to make both of our families feel represented. It was a very beautiful and meaningful ceremony and definitely the highlight of my wedding.
The talented Judith Belle was our photographer for the big day and she definitely captured the joy and love of our wedding.
My father in law, Patrick Toselli, is also a professional photographer so he set up a very cool photo booth area with a big round beauty light attached to it to make our guests look extra glam and gorgeous.
My sister and mother in law helped me a lot and the venue also provided a co ordinator for the day of the wedding.
Shepstone Gardens is so central so we didn't need to worry about transport. I arrived with my sister and went home the next morning with my husband.
We had a delicious Italian feast catered by Onside Events. They also made the french croquembouche cake.
My cousin made my three tier wedding cake which was a huge hit with the guests.
We had beautiful signage done by our friend Lorne Schnugh.
The reception was a huge party thanks to our great dj provided by the venue, DJ Henk. We provided and extensive playlist of old school rock and roll, South African classics like Miriam Makeba and Mango Groove as well as golden oldies like Frankie Valli and Nina Simone. When the dance floor got a little empty Dj Henk pumped up some hip hop and got everyone dancing the night away. It was amazing.
Bridal Wardrobe is the leading stockist of all Enzoani Collections in South Africa and caters for the modern bride who wants to be at the forefront of the latest designer trends.
Shepstone Gardens is a haven of botanical serenity that will transport you into a different world; your dream come true.
