Our wedding was set to take place on 18 April but we had to postpone due to the lockdown. We moved our wedding date to 21 November and finally said I do in what can be described as a day that fairy tales are made of. We got married at Blomfontein wedding venue high up in the mountains 60km outside Cradock. Cradock is renowned to be extremely hot that time of year and temperatures easily skyrocket to 40 degrees so we were bracing ourselves for a very hot day. Were we in for a surprise!
When we woke up the morning of our wedding the sky was clear with a slight breeze which was very welcome after a very hot previous day. No rain was predicted for the day just a bit of wind. At around 2 pm were busy getting ready in the Honeymoon suite that is situated on a cliff overlooking the wedding venue when we heard thunder, we went outside onto the balcony and it started bucketing down. It was so nice to stand on the balcony with my bridesmaids and watch the blessings of much needed rain come down. There is no better smell than the smell of rain in the Karoo! The rain stopped and the skies cleared and we continued on our day happy for the rain but thinking it was over and that it will not interfere in the order of events of the day as there is usually just one thunderstorm then it is over.
We were slightly behind schedule on the day and were still busy taking bridal prep photos when my dad arrived 20 mins earlier as agreed. I did not think anything strange of it as he is usually early and always in a bit of a hurry. Our wedding was scheduled to start at 4pm and at 3:58 my dad told me we have to go. I still laughingly told him its my wedding day dad, its ok if we are 5-10 mins late, most brides are. Thinking he was just being his usual punctual self as the trip to the chapel was no more than 2 minutes. To to my surprise he told me to look outside and when I stepped onto the balcony and looked up at the sky all I could see was dark clouds rapidly gathering, now knowing that this why my dad was early as he could see the storm coming. I don't think in the history of weddings did a bride and her bridesmaids ever get their stuff together and get into a car so quickly. So much so that we even forgot my garter! Luckily I realised that early on in the reception and my bridesmaids quickly went to fetch it and saved what could have been a disaster.
We made it to chapel just in time as the heavens opened up as I took my husband's hand at the end of the isle and it continued to rain throughout the entire ceremony. The sound of the rain on the roof of the chapel was magical. The entire ceremony was perfect, I was blessed to be able to walk down the isle with my dad (any girls dream) with my brother opening the doors of the chapel on the exact right moment when I entered and walked down the isle towards the love of my life to the powerful song Highland Cathedral by Andre Rieu. It could not have been more perfect, there were not many dry eyes in the chapel. Ds. Corne Slabbert delivered a memorable sermon with a beautiful message that many will remember for a long time and the ceremony was concluded with my mom signing the prayer "Onse Vader".
We had a moment of concern when the ceremony ended and it was still raining, as guests could not go outside in the pouring rain to throw the confetti. We considered throwing it inside the chapel but luckily that was not necessary as the rain stopped as we were busy signing the marriage register. Perfect timing!
We were supposed to join our guests for a canape's after the ceremony before leaving for the bridal party shoot, but on advice of our brilliant photographer we decided to rather leave for the shoot straight away as the weather still looked ominous. According to my bridesmaids it was really cold on the mountain where we took the photos, but I didn't feel a thing, had way to much adrenaline running through my body. It was all worth it as the photos are breathtaking with the dramatic lighting and blessings of rain in the backdrop. We managed to take all our photos at different locations as planned and as we arrived back at the reception it started raining again. Again perfect timing!
Another definite highlight was our "dancing in the clouds" first dance to Can't help falling in love with you by Elvis Presley. It was so touching and beautiful there were many gasps and even some tears, most definitely a fairy tale moment I will never forget.
It was truly a magical day from beginning to end and most definitely the best day of my life. I know most brides do not want it to rain on their wedding day, I used to be one of them! How that has changed, things might have been a bit more challenging at times with slight changes to the order of events, but the much needed rain for the farming community including my father and brother was a blessing and with the perfect timing of when the rain cleared and bucketed down a clear indication that it was a blessing for our wedding too.
Our initial (April) Honeymoon was supposed to be 2 weeks in Greece, tickets were booked and accommodation paid. We received credit for our flights and accommodation and intend on going as soon as we can travel freely without worrying about Covid.
Since we could not travel abroad we decided to stay local and went on Honeymoon to the Wild Coast. We stayed at Umngazi Hotel & Spa close to Port St. Johns. It was a magical week at an incredible location, the perfect balance between relaxation and some adventure. Much needed after the busy time of the build up to the wedding as well as a very long and different year.
We are still looking forward to our second and original honeymoon as soon as we are able to travel again.
My wedding dress was a fit-and-flare lace gown with a halter neckline by Maggie Sottero. From the moment I tried the dress on I knew that this was the one! The gown featured lace motifs atop allover lace with an illusion plunging V neckline and illusion halter back.
I decided on an elegant up-do for my hair to compliment the back detail of my dress and Carozel Page of Turning Heads Cradock created the perfect look. For my makeup I wanted to look beautiful but still natural and the talented Marle Vosloo perfected the look. My beautiful shoes was Shani in white by Imaani.
Jewellery - earrings by Swarovski and a diamond encrusted bracelet my "something borrowed" from my mother.
We got married at Blomfontein wedding venue close to Cradock. It is the most magnificent venue with thousands of roses that was in full bloom a chapel and accommodation for 140 guests. This was ideal as we wanted a weekend wedding celebration.
Most of the guests arrived the Friday afternoon, everyone settled into their chalets and some even took a quick dip in the pool as it was a really hot day. That evening we had a casual spit and everyone chatted the night away around the fire pit. It was so great as the guests got to meet each other before the wedding which made the wedding atmosphere great as there were many new friendships.
The morning of the wedding everyone had breakfast which the venue also catered for. After breakfast some of the guests enjoyed the morning around the pool, some went for a hike and others a game drive as there are kudu's, nyala's and various other game on the farm where the wedding venue is located.
Our flowers and decor was done by Karoo Weddings Flowers and decor by Kobie Joubert. The theme of our wedding was classic & romantic with the main featured flower being the king protea.
The table flower arrangements was alternated between flower table runners and center pieces with other smaller arrangements consisting of king and other proteas, roses and orchids and a lot of glassware was incorporated. Lighting was another important aspect and there were candles, fairy lights, chandeliers and lower hanging exposed bulbs creating the perfect ambiance.
It could not have been more beautiful the masses of flowers together with dramatic lighting created the perfect wonderland, fit for a fairy tale.
Groom and groomsmen suits by by Eurosuit.
Bridesmaids dressed by Bride & co.
Ds. Corne Slabbert
We had the dream team. Michelle our photographer (Michelle photography ) and Jaco our videographer (JVS film productions) were both amazing. They were so kind and patient and made us feel comfortable during the entire shoot. They are an incredible team with an eye for magical moments as clearly demonstrated in our incredible photos.
We are still awaiting our video but cant wait to see it as we know it is going to be amazing!
No we did it ourselves. My mom who lives in Cradock helped a lot as we live in Cape Town which made planning a lot more tricky.
We used my father and brother's Land Cruisers.
The canape's as well as delicious 3 course meal was prepared by Celeste catering.
Our stunning 3 tier wedding cake was by Des-Wazi Bespoke Cakes.
The reception was a joyous affair! No we didn't have to take dance lessons. Our DJ was Herman Ferreira of Music That Moves You and he was absolutely fantastic. He even handed out little request cards for guests to request their favourite songs, so the dance floor was never empty and everyone had a fabulous time.
The evening had many highlights of which one was definitely the special effect of "dancing in the clouds". Other highlights was the father daughter dance to Simply the Best, the very special speeches delivered by my husband and bridesmaids and then some seriously funny dance moves on the dance floor! Most definitely a night that we will remember forever!
