The highlight of the day was waking up feeling excited and 100% content knowing that I was marrying the man who complemented me, my life, my goals and my future. The whole day was just magical and we wouldn't change a thing about it. I had the honour of having my mom help me get dressed, followed by being walked down the aisle by my 2 older brothers (in my late fathers' absence), and then being blown away by my gorgeous husband-to-be waiting for me in anticipation at the altar, looking as dashing as ever.
The wind came up from out of nowhere, which made it a slightly uncomfortable and chilly Spring day in Muldersdrift, but that didn't stop us from having the best day imaginable.
Instead of a traditional cake, we opted for a Pinata Cake, which was filled with Springbok shooters, props, sweets and more, and guests enjoyed us bashing it down to get the party started. The speeches on the night were all fantastic and had us and our guests in stitches. George and I also added a bit of spunk to our first dance, and surprised our guests with a little fun choreography of our own, highlighting a lot about us as a couple.
Our funky 'action station' food choices, including a Taco, Pasta and Burger Bar, ending with a Waffle/Pancake station was complimented by many. As were the surprise toasted saamie midnight snack.
I am an organiser by nature, and my controlling personality took over arranging our honeymoon to Bali, Indonesia. Bali is one of the most magical places we have ever been to. We chose the most incredible hotels/lodges, with either the most amazing views, location, or surroundings.
The Balinese people are very friendly, making visiting their country an absolute pleasure. We will most definitely be back to explore areas that we didn't get to, and there are a lot.
I bought my dress when in New York for the birth of my niece, by absolute chance. I went to try on dresses at Bridal Reflections in Massapequa, NY, and after trying dresses that I had always pictured I would wear, I tried on a dress which looked completely different. As I slipped it on with the help of a wonderful assistant named Jodie, I looked at her and said "This is the one", to which she replied "It is, isn't it. Should we show the rest?" My mom and sisters-in-law agreed and shed a few tears. That was it... I said yes to the dress!
I wanted to add a little edge to my look, so I bought myself a black leather jacket by Vera Moda on ASOS and had it handpainted with flowers and my new surname. It was tough to find someone that could do what I wanted, but I found the perfect supplier who did such a fantastic job. Rochelle from Papermoon is amazing!
My hair and make-up were one of the first things I booked, especially because I truly believe that a woman's hair and the way it looks and feels can make or break her, and her confidence. It was especially important that I find the best hair stylist, which I did, Elia Luisa was a dream to work with. Together with the best make-up artist, Tahlecia from Visual Addict, I had a winning combo!
We chose GROUND the VENUE which was the first and only venue we went to see. Both George and I fell in love with the look and feel and how it lends itself to any kind of wedding.
We had many guests visiting from out of town, with some of them staying at the venue, and others spread across Muldersdrift at either Avianto, Misty Morn Cottages and Riverview Lodge and Spa.
Both George and I got ready at and stayed over at Avianto. They attended to our every request and ensured we enjoyed our experience leading up to the big moment.
Everyone wants to look their absolute best on their wedding day, and I hope to continue with the beauty regime that I subscribed to at the beginning of this year.
I started with a personal trainer in February to help me feel great, so that when I slipped into my wedding dress with photographers clicking away, I would feel confident. I also wanted to feel comfortable in a bikini on honeymoon. My goal was reached thanks to my rockstar personal trainer Carter Tleane. I train with him at a small gym in Lonehill called Basefit, and I'm addicted.
I also went to the Skin Renewal clinic for a few facials and skin care procedures which were done by Lorita, another rockstar!
My all-time favourite nail technician is Rebone at Sorbet Douglasdale, and her and her team made the day before with my mom, mom-in-law, sisters-in-law and godmother very memorable with their special touches including, cupcakes (one with an S made just for me), pasting glitter letters spelling out my name on the chair that I sat on, getting helium balloons with best wishes, and then spoiling George and I with wonderful wedding gifts. They are most certainly the best Sorbet salon out there.
The theme for our wedding was - Jewel tones with a little bit of magic!
I drew inspiration from an SA Weddings styled shoot done in July 2017 and worked very closely with my amazing wedding coordinator, Zita of 360 Link, and Michelle of Dream Canvas Events to help me pull off my vision.
I didn't want anything to be white at the wedding other than my dress, and arranged the following:
- Black Ghost Chairs from Fancy Affairs
- Matt Black plates and Black and Gold Cutlery from Two Birds at the Dairy Shed
- Maroon/Red Flowers in centrepieces to match, done by Dream Canvas Events
- Jewel Tone Lounge Pockets and Cocktail tables and chairs by Reserved Decor
My dashing groom wanted to be different, yet still formal to match his bride, and opted for a Black on Black look for himself, and classic black suits, white shirts and black ties for his groomsmen.
Grooms suit was bought from Geovanni Boutique at Cedar Square
Groomsmen suits bought from Woolworths at Mall of Africa
Grooms shoes by Gino Paoli from Superbalist
Grooms Tie and Pocket square were bought by the brides brother in New York.
I preferred to lose the term bridesmaids and call my favourite ladies my Brides-babes. Dressed in their black tulle floor length skirts and emerald green velour bardot bodysuits, they were exactly that. I also bought them each a black leather jacket with DIY 'Babe' decal as a gift, to keep them warm later on in the evening, and to give them an extra edge to their look.
Black Tulle Skirt by 200Dresses
Bardot Bodysuit by Utopia from Zando
Black Leather Jacket by Vera Moda from ASOS
George and I don't have the same beliefs, and we didn't grow up going to church. The last thing we wanted was to have someone who had only met us an hour before the wedding, playing such an important role in the joining of our hands in marriage.
We, therefore, opted to ask one of our near and dear friends, Taschyana Fourie, who has a zest for life like none other, to marry us in front of all our family and friends. The legalities were done 2 days before our the big day, and Taschy incorporated things she'd learnt about us over the past 5 years of friendship and made it the most sentimental, personal and unique ceremony I've ever attended. We couldn't have asked for a better marriage officer - she made our day.
Our photographer was Vicky Bergallo, who I found on Instagram, and loved her work instantly. We only met each other the week before the wedding when she did a family photo shoot for us instead of an engagement shoot (we had already done this after getting engaged on our way to NY), and liked her instantly. She has a very calming nature, and made us feel very comfortable in front of the camera. We didn't feel like we needed to pose for anything, it was all natural. She worked with Cara Faye as her second photographer, who was such a big help on the day. These 2 make a dream team!
Our videographers were Saltlight Studio. They are a super chilled team, and also made us feel comfortable on the day, and not invasive at all. I cannot wait to see the work that they produce! Watch this space :)
My day wouldn't have been the same if it weren't for my friend and wedding coordinator Zita from 360 Link. Zita and I studied Wedding Planning together in 2012, and it felt like a no-brainer to have her on my dream team, bringing my vision to life. Zita is lively, dedicated, on the ball and passionate about what she does, and I'm so thankful for her and her teams' assistance in bringing to this magical day to life.
Ground the venue, comes with a caterer, and boy are we glad it did.
We opted for something a little more fun, and chose to have action stations, where the chefs would be preparing and serving your food choices right in front of you. Together with Anton and his team from In The Kitchen, they helped us put together a fabulous menu which included a harvest table and canapes to start with, Taco, Pasta and Burger Bars for mains, a Pancake/Waffle station for dessert, and lastlytoasted cheese and tomato saamies as a midnight snack. The food is definitely something that people still talk about, and we both wish we ate more on the night!
We opted to choose something a little more fun than having the traditional cake (which only the older ladies seem to eat at the end of the night), and had a Blue/Green ombre pinata cake created for us by Pinata Galore. Guests didn't watch us cut a cake and umm and aaah between who would smash the cake in whose face, but rather watched us bash away at a pinata filled with Springbok shooters, props, chocolates and more whilst blindfolded. It was a really fun way to get he party started, and a much more enjoyable way of 'cutting a cake'.
We are very fortunate that we have a ‘creative’ in the family, and that she was very willing to assist us with our stationery elements. Priscilla (our sister-in-law) created everything that needed to be sent out or printed and worked closely with us to bring our look and feel to life.
Our reception was such a great party...
I didn't leave the dancefloor for much, other than to go to the ladies or have a drink at the bar with guests. Our DJ, DJ Cambolsch, is the best in the business and he kept the dance floor packed the whole night.
We also had a one-man-band, Adam Boyd who plays the most incredible music.
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