What a wild adventure with only 28 days to prepare for this big day we managed to pull this momentous occasion off with the generous help of family, friends and God.
The most beautiful thing to see was the ripple effect of love and excitement has on a person, and in turn motivates them to help and be a part of the special day. The whole day was a highlight being out in the open with family and friends in a very intimate setting close to the bride's heart was priceless. In all honesty though the beauty of promising personal vows to one another, being prayed for by couples who have been married for a long period of time and picnicking with friends and family under the trees will forever be treasured.
We managed to just squeeze in a winner of a time, as we were driving to our first destination after our wedding day President Cyril announce a new lock down level 3 shutting down all beaches and public areas, which cut us pretty deep. The groom is in charge of it each place remained a surprise until the day before having to leave for the new destination. Needless to say a wonderful opportunity to be tourists in our own beautiful country lots of hiking and picnics much appreciated with a trip up the Garden Route and opportunity to stay in the most wonderful places.
1st stop: Jackal River in Elgin Grabouw.
https://www.facebook.com/JackalRiverFarm/
2nd: Farm 215
https://farm215.co.za/
3rd: an overnighter in Stilbaai at Mama Mia at Charlotte House
https://charlottehouse.co.za/
4th: Bird Song Cabin at Valley cottages Rheenedal, Knysna
https://www.forestvalley.co.za/availability-rates/
5th: Forest Moon cottage at Lazy Leopard, Rheenedal, Knysna
http://www.lazyleopard.co.za/
Last but not least: Tamodi Lodge, Plettenberg Bay
https://www.tamodi.co.za/
Wedding look:
Simple was the go to, best thing to describe was "lounging in linen".
Dress:
I am a no fuss type of girl.
Had amazing fitting experiences at Vagabond Bridal and Boa and Luca and would recommend them to any new-to-be-bride.
Unfortunately being 6ft2 I opted eventually for a made dress by a magician of a lady in Hermanus and my mum added on the beading detail at the back which was super special.
The veil was from a winner of an antiques store in Hermanus as well as the lace detail at the back. (a cut up lace handkerchief)
Jewellery:
Simple with silver to match wedding ring.
Make-up:
Done by the most talented and kindest hearted Bernice Drake!
https://www.bridalmakeuphermanus.co.za/
We were truly blessed to be able to get married on one of my favourite places in the whole world.
Brookelands Farm is an apple and topiary farm owned by my amazing Uncle and Aunt in the Elgin Valley.
It was everything we could have asked for.
It is worth checking them out.
https://www.topiary.co.za/
There is the cutest cottage on the property. If we had planned in advance many of our guests could've stayed on the wonderful neighbouring farms, namely Old Mac Daddy and South Hill but we seriously planned this wedding last minute dot com.
Many swims in the sea and enjoying Christmas with Family and hiking up mountains and not actually worrying too much as I knew I was already loved and accepted just the way I am.
But honestly just being out in nature does wonders for ones soul.
Most of the decor was done by me, and family and friends pitched in too.
Flowers were picked on the Farm the day and morning before.
Vases and baskets were sourced at good old H&M Home.
Lots of linen in various neutral tones were used as table cloths.
Utensils and cutlery were natural bio-degradable to go with our picnic theme.
Wedding ceremony chairs and paper parasols were from 4everyevent in Grabouw. https://www.4everyevent.co.za/
Bridal bouquet, Maid of Honours bouquet and mens buttoniers were done by the one and only Okasie Flowers, a huge honour to have Chris and Danè as part of the day too!
The groom looked super handsome sporting his own pair of Freedom of Movement vellies, and a secondhand waist coat from the same antique shop that we found my veil from- Romantiques https://www.facebook.com/pages/Romantiques-Bygones-Collectables/130858973739359.
Both the groom and groomsmen's chinos and shirt were from Woolworths and they each had their own funky socks form Feat Socks.
I had one legend of a Maid of Honour, my little sister and she had the freedom to choose what made her feel comfortable, we were thinking sage or neutral tones for her and she settled with a jumpsuit in bottle green from Poetry and she rocked it.
The hero who married us on the day was Bates Alheit, who did a sterling job and it was an honour for him to marry us. Especially seeing as I had walked a long journey with him and his lovely wife Jenna since I was a student 8 years ago in Stellies.
We had two incredible people who captured different elements for us.
Erlo Brown was our "official" photographer. He is so good at what he does and read us as a couple in the most incredible way, we also got some really good life advice from him and hope to be friends in the future.
He did an unforgettable engagement shoot with us too where we braved the Fisherhaven wild horses and trekked through mud to get the shot as well as soaked in the most beautiful sunset on a private beach.
http://erlobrownphotography.co.za/
Our second person was a friend of the bride's who is a hidden gem.
Claire de Lange captures the essence of the moment and the heart of the people in the most creative and sensitive way.
She took photo's on the day of things we would miss out on, the laughs between friends on a picnic blanket, the children catching tadpoles in the dam, a guest taking a polaroid to add to our wedding book, the bride and groom wheeling a wheelbarrow full of ice-creams for their guests.
We are so grateful for her and her talent.
https://www.soulfulshutter-cdl.com/
Nope, current husband, myself and sister where the go to's, with mums admin help too!
Our legs as we were able to get ready in the main house.
Our most favourite chef in Hermanus Emilia Knight from AppetiteKnight who owns the Gallery Cafe and Deli. Came to our rescue and made the most delicious salads, tszatziki, humus and flat breads to go with the lamb of the spit.
https://www.instagram.com/appetiteknight/?hl=en
The wedding cake was the grooms own special choice of a family friend, Coreen Groenewald.
I did it with some help from Canva. We also used Zola Weddings as our virtual invite and info platform.
Our reception was under the trees with home made picnic blankets, by Beulah Young who sewed 46 of them with our help. These blankets then went home with each guest as a thank you gift, and the condition was for them to enjoy time together and take photos when using the blanket and send it to us as a couple to share in the joy.
Just calm music playing in the background, some beautiful heart felt tear jerking speeches by family members, the cutting of a cake and sharing out of ice-creams form a wheelbarrow and just a good time had with the people there.
