I have always had this fascination with forests. It was my dream to get married in the forest - either at Sabie or Knysna.
However, the travelling makes this challenging and we really wanted all our guests to attend our wedding.
Thus, the search began for a venue that was conveniently located for all our friends and family and which also provides a forest theme where we can have an outside ceremony (preferably under trees to add to the forest-feel).
We found the ideal venue to make our dream a reality - Galagos Country Estate.
We planned and prepared for an outside ceremony (with hand-made decor in the trees, a special location for the children to keep busy during the ceremony and also arranged everything with our florist).
On the day, we have beautiful sunshine weather (and not a cloud in sight!).
The photographer arrived, I finished my make-up and hair, got dressed and then....as in true Pretoria fashion - a thunderstorm appears out of nowhere.
It starts pouring down, the coordinator comes to me at 15:50 (our ceremony is scheduled to start at 16:00) and informs me we should relocate to the inside chapel. No, I am very adamant on getting married outside, that's why I chose this venue. The storm will pass within the next half an hour - we can start a bit later.
At 16:15, the coordinator comes to me and informs me that the branches of the trees are falling down and it knocked over the gin table. We really need to relocate inside as this will pose a health and safety risk to our guests - the branches might fall on someone and they can get seriously injured.
Reluctantly, I agree and our coordinator and her team work as fast as lightning to relocate all the decor and flowers to the inside chapel.
I was crushed! I couldn't believe that our outdoor ceremony under the beautiful forest-like trees have rained out.
I put on my wedding shoes, my dad comes and fetches me and we make our way towards the chapel.
I remember how beautifully our coordinator set up the chapel (with my mom's home-made confetti and rose petals down the aisle). It took my breath away, even though it was not what I had hoped for, or envisioned.
The rest of the evening flew by with all the activities we had planned, the speeches and games with our guests and eating.
You have to try your best to stop, take in the moment and just appreciate the beauty of the moment and your hard work of the past months. It really goes by in a flash!
My most memorable moments include flashes of getting ready, my mom helping me get dressed, walking into the chapel and seeing my husband, our first kiss after the "I-do's", our first dance, my brothers' speech (which was unforgettable), dancing with our guests.
The absolute love and joy that we shared with our closest friends and family on this special day, will forever leave a smile (and happy tears) on my face.
This is what life is made of - moments. Moments which become memories. And memories are all we have left, in the end.
We explored the Panorama route in Mpumalanga.
The majority of our honeymoon, we spent at Crystal Springs Mountain Lodge.
We had the most beautiful sunsets and starry evening skies to end off each magical day.
I wanted to go for a vintage/classic look.
My dress was entirely lace with a "Mother-Mary" veil.
Galagos Country Estate.
They have accommodation on the premises for your guests. Most of our guests slept over and we all enjoyed a breakfast together the following morning.
