our entire wedding was a highlight - a storybook fairy tale - good company - good food - fab cake - handsome husband - best friends - forever family - great weather - brilliant pastor - amazing photographer - marvelous makeup artist - heavenly hair stylist - wonderful wedding coordinator - stunning venue - very nice views - beautiful beverages - storybook tables - cosy and comforting - casual and crafty - elegant - artsy
BEST DAY OF OUR LIVES!!!!
burning our initials onto the very special remembrance bridge at Cradle Valley to remember this day...
and the privilege of my dad walking me down the isle....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlQ-OMo9mSM
We went to a little hobbit cabin in the mountains for 2 wonderful winter nights spent in front of a cosy fireplace and beautiful view ....
Our plan was to jump on a plane, just the two of us, barefoot on beach sand - and return home as MR & MRS Coxen !
But - we also wanted our friends and family to share our special day with us -
so we chose to get married the traditional way - with all our loved ones there,
which meant we couldn't go on an elaborate honeymoon...
We are so happy now that we did do that - it was a very special day for us.
We entered the competition hoping for a chance at our original plan - exotic dishes and butterfly kisses - on an island that makes you feel like the rest of the world doesn't exist... maldives is just perfect ! would love love love to be there for christmas or our birthdays in January and February...
The colour teal with ribbons, pearls and feathers
I wanted a whimsical fairytale look with a difference
My hair was soft natural curls with a diamante band pinned up for a romantic look
by ella https://ella-hair.co.za/?fbclid=IwAR18ZnBJDrYAfhtHuHErtG1rZL11OVKXZAcgMVdTW8xcv6r8twkMbnXsZ4I
My make up - was bold & dramatic - I loved Tinkerbell from Peter Pan as a little girl and decided on this look inspired by this magical fairy ! done by donique leonard - flawless professional make up - she was absolutely amazing - best MUA ever....
https://web.facebook.com/donique.leonard.3
My wedding dress - I decided to have a classic, beautiful, timeless, simple dress & be comfortable in it. I found it at https://brideandco.co.za/find-a-store/brideco-rivonia/ where Emily assisted me and also found my perfect pearly sprinkled veil at Bride and CO.... My dress and shoes are both by Oleg Cassini and I love them - I didn't spend the whole day in my wedding shoes and swapped them with a pair of white ballet pumps later, to dance in...
https://brideandco.co.za/find-a-store/brideco-rivonia/
My lingerie - mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.... it a secret! some things should be left for the imagination...
all I can & will say .... by La Senza
My Jewellery - was a beautiful pearl necklace - that belonged to my grandmother with pearl earrings from Pearl & Diamond Designs Cradlestone & 3 Pearl bracelets from Lovisa
I had a pearly garter that I designed and made myself with lace and teal details.
My ring was a custom design by my husband , and also a surprise!
I only saw it for the first time when he put it on my finger !!!
My nails was a french manicure with diamante details on the ring finger and a white heart nail art
by https://www.peachesandcream.co.za/ - faith
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlQ-OMo9mSM
https://www.cradlevalley.co.za/
Cradle Valley Lodge !
Our guests all stayed overnight at the venue's accommodation -
We had to make the most of our day and time together... so everyone had beautiful rooms all around the venue with a cosy feel, privacy and time to socialise the day before and after the wedding.
Natural elements and storybook decor with soft light and romantic feels was the idea...
This romantic, tasteful, Intimate & romantic country setting was the perfect venue and we fell in love with it immediately when we went there for the first time - we knew that was the place.... and booked it the same day.
It has a breath-taking open aired chapel with the beautiful reception hall with handmade solid wooden doors & a very special bell that is a part of Cradle Valley's beautiful story ...
The layout of the venue includes a sunset veranda, fountain area, unique bar, buffet area and one of a kind boma,
all framed with mesmerising gardens. A tranquil water stream flows softly in the background between the venue and chapel, with ducks in the water, the stream then meets a remembrance bridge before connecting the two dams. This unique bridge now has our initials burnt into it (RE) and is very special and memorable to us - it marks moments with memories we will cherish forever and we can go back every year and spend a day there, remembering our wonderful wedding day ....
Lauren & Rynhardt, Wilme, Beauty & Isaac & everyone else at Cradle Valley were amazing - we felt like family with them and they made our day unforgettable with special attention and super professionalism ... a great team and seasoned wedding experts with the best chef in Gauteng - her pumpkin fritters are famous and the presentation, taste and quality of her food is Masterchef deluxe !
Our attention to detail has taken comfort, convenience and personal service to new heights. No effort will be spared to make your wedding day a memorable one.
https://glenburnspa.co.za/
My maid of honour - ilse jonker treated me to a bridal package spa day
We enjoyed the pamper day at glenburn lodge with lots of relaxing treatments, massages and brunch at Glenburn SPA
I went for some tanning sessions at GoldCoast Tan in Cedar Square with Ruth & Chantelle for a bit of bronze ....
Call 0114678621
Or WhatsApp 0726000565
https://www.goldcoasttan.co.za/
Voted as one of the top wedding venues in Gauteng, Glenburn Lodge has three wedding venues with guest capacities ranging between 60 and 300 guests.
Provided by in house venue florist -
Suikerbekkie Floral Design -
Hummingbirds have a deep spiritual meaning; they joyfully float through the air bringing luck, joy, beauty and love to those they encounter. We look forward to making your wedding day magical.
Lauren: 082 808 5078. Email : suikerbekkiefd@gmail.com
They made my beautiful bouquet, cascading with white tulips - white wax flowers - wild foliage - pennygum - orchids - silver brunia and pearls.... My bridesmaids had matching mini versions of mine and they were beautiful
The venue was decorated with Fairy lights, Hanging Feather hoops, and little lacey paper punched love notes everywhere... A venue as beautiful and natural also didn't need too much extra decor wise. Natural elements was incorporated everywhere.
The center pieces for the tables were our own ginseng bonsai trees standing on a grey white washed wreath with fairy lights curled around it from top to bottom. There were two sets of old stacked books tied together with ribbons on each table - ripped brown pages were laid out on tables as runners of love stories, love quotes and each table had it's own guest book and pen for notes and wishes which was posted at the end of the evening in a wooden postbox my husband made for us on our gift table and we laid out little gift bag with speckled eggs and a bookmark on each table with guests name card for for table placing.
We had dry ice for dancing, teal and sparkly lighting effects and a bubble machine
And we had a sparkler send-off with sparkle sticks and light the way matches for each guest and after the reception - everyone could cuddle in blankets around the boma fire on log seats in a circle and enjoy yummy coffee and hot chocolate or of course "last rounds" before heading to dreamland
Russell wore a stunning navy suite, white collared button shirt with charcoal silver waistcoat & matching tie -
from Euro Suit at Bride and co. Rivonia
and he was fitted & styled by Nkomo - a wonderful tailor...
https://brideandco.co.za/find-a-store/brideco-rivonia/
The gents all wore polka dot socks
Kevin & Matthew - the groomsmen- had teal ties and black suits
The boutanaires were small, round, handmade, teal lapel pins -
and Russell's ring - from Unbreakable Man with personalised engraving inside
We requested that our guests wear a scarf or cravat on the day as it would be colder weather in May.
Also in honour of my dad - now with a laryngeal stoma - diagnosed with stage 4 throat cancer and underwent a total laryngectomy removing his vocal chords at 62, last year and is the bravest, most positive, inspiring human being I know. .
https://www.geliqueonline.com/
The Jesse dress - custom designed for the theme
Teal and French lace off shoulder with ballet pumps, pearl necklace & bracelet for the gals -
my lovely bridesmaids ilse jonker & tharien guillaume
Enid from Gelique made the dresses for us and they are brilliant
At Gelique we believe that your bridesmaids should look stunning and feel gorgeous on your big day!
Pastor Paul Sheasby conducted our ceremony -
Light hearted, well spoken and wise - he delivered a meaningful message, beautiful sermon and touching words to bind our marriage promise. We did the sand pouring and candle lighting as a symbol of our unity which was very special to us.
Paul also asked us to write a love letter to one another before we get married and seal it in a box with a bottle of our favourite drink and then open it on our first anniversary - make a toast and read our letters!
http://paulsheasbymarriages.co.za/
and so during lockdown - our one year anniversary was on Saturday 09 May 2020 and we had a bottle of Amaretto liquor, made a batch of neapolitan chocolate fudge and a homemade pizza, built a fire and binge watched netflix the whole weekend... best weekend ever!!!
Darrell Fraser - international Award Winning Wedding and Portrait Photographer
Amazing person, brilliant professional, stunning photographer.
Darrell made our day so special wit her cool, calm, enchanting manner and creative shots. Gemma Rain Priest is Darrell's right hand gal and second shooter and didn't miss a thing...
Making you feel so comfortable and capturing the most special moments forever frozen in time !
http://www.darrell.co.za/
https://darrellfraser.com/portfolio/brides/
Natascha Pottas was our videographer. We are so happy that we have moments we can always look back at and share. Having a video and photographs is the most important thing about your day -
it goes by sooooo quickly and you can look back at your day from different angles -
https://web.facebook.com/quakeportfoliossa/?_rdc=1&_rdr
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlQ-OMo9mSM
The lovely Lauren van der Merwe and her team at Cradle Valley Guest Lodge - 082 808 5078
https://www.cradlevalley.co.za/
https://www.russ-erda.com/
Our attention to detail has taken comfort, convenience and personal service to new heights. No effort will be spared to make your wedding day a memorable one.
The humble foot - from ....
the bridal suite to the chapel -
to the paddocks -
around the venue -
into the reception area -
on the dance floor -
at the fountain area -
to the boma area -
and into the honeymoon suite xxx
we left the venue in our own car and a surprise of strings, tins, bells, streamers dangling & newlywed graffiti on the windows
Sweet Joy cakes
Joy and Karin (mother and daughter super DUO)
they created our perfectly unique cake from my design which was a stack of edible books
and our story written on rice paper - it came out so nicely!
delicious and beautiful - oh my chocolate ....
They are the best and we loved our one of a kind creation by sweet joy !
They are artists who bake ... beautiful books!!!!
https://www.sweetjoy.co.za/
find it on pinterest !!!! amazing book cake
Our pre - reception refreshers was our signature drink ... "Something Blue"
We filled small light bulb bottles with a turquoise coloured cocktail called mermaid water, on a bed of ice blocks outside... along with Beer, Cider and soft drink baths
& great Snacks -
Biltong & Dry Wors
Goat 's Cheese Phyllo Pastry Purses
Sweet Chicken and Bacon Bites
Mini Beer and Beef Burger Sliders
Barbeque Beef Teriyaki Satays
Honey Porter Glazed Skewers
Bubbly on each table
& on our Buffet menu was:
Roasted Red Peppers
Spinach and Goat's Cheese
Succulent Rump Medallions
Mild Aromatic Butter Chicken Breasts
served with Naan Bread
Pumpkin Fritters in Caramel Sauce
Creamed Spinach
Brown Wild Rice
Buttery Mashed Potato
Crispy Bacon with Spring Onion
Sundried Tomato and Feta Pasta Salad
served with fresh Basil Pesto
Dessert
Mouth watering Malva Pudding
served with Custard
or
Heavenly Chocolate
Decadence Surprise
Bottomless Coffee and Tea
We sent out digital invites and save the date messages and created a wedding website with all he details that our guests had easy access to 24/7
We had bridesmaids on duty t shirts printed for my gals, mr and mrs tees for me and Russell and a best day ever tshirt for me with a personalised message tshirt for Russell
The bits and bobs like table numbers, little note cards, directions, menus, order of events etc...was done by
123 klaar printing - Sune..... find on facebook !
138 Blommestein Street - Krugersdorp - Gauteng 1739
My beautiful cousin Tharien, has the voice of an angel
and she sang Shout to the Lord by Hillsong for us, as we signed the register and
walked out of the chapel as husband and wife
We had Nite llfe productions in charge of the music -
We had dry ice and teal lighting - bubble machines and lots of fun!!!!
our ceremony song was amas veritas for the bridesmaids walking in...
and canon in d major violins for me and dad ...
We had Rod Stewart - Forever Young - for the father daughter dance
Cher - My favourite scars - for our opening dance
Carly Rae Jepson - Call me maybe - Bouquet catch
Tom jones - Sexbomb - Garter catch
Kaleo - Walk on water
The Kongos - Come with me now
Trevor Hall - The Lime Tree
During dinner and background music - we chose The Piano Guys -
And when the guests got on the dance floor there was bit of everything....
rock 'n roll, golden oldies, "sokkie" and of course team effort classics that everyone knows
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlQ-OMo9mSM
A Progressive craft distillery creating uniquely South African spirits using rare hand-harvested wild African Fynbos botanicals.
The Magnificent Barista Boys (MBB) specializes at catering for weddings, corporate functions, exhibitions, sporting events and pretty much anywhere there is a demand for great ...
Voted as one of the top wedding venues in Gauteng, Glenburn Lodge has three wedding venues with guest capacities ranging between 60 and 300 guests.
At Gelique we believe that your bridesmaids should look stunning and feel gorgeous on your big day!
The Original Infinity Dress can be worn 27 different ways, making it the perfect bridesmaid dress for all figures!
At Giltedge Ocean Islands, we create life-changing experiences for discerning travellers looking for an authentic island getaway.
From designer pyjamas to exquisite body balms, our products are carefully selected to help make your night-time ritual or your wedding day preparations extra special.
We are a dispensing Retail perfumery and stockist of original French fragrances for men and women.
Our attention to detail has taken comfort, convenience and personal service to new heights. No effort will be spared to make your wedding day a memorable one.
