"Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations" - A saying so perfectly describing our journey.
Bhavesh and I met in 2017 through mutual friends and oh what a love story to begin with.
Bhavesh, originally from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, moved down to a small town in the Western Cape call Ceres in 2013. The valley of fruitfulness I call home. It was only 4 years later our paths crossed and we were inseparable ever since.
On my 28th birthday my darling love got on one knee and made me the happiest I have ever been.
As we are from different faiths, we were planning our dream inter-faith wedding with close friends and family when the Pandemic hit worldwide. Two weeks before the big day the lock-down was implemented and we were devastated !!!
Only through God's grace we were able to have a smaller, yet intimate chapel service on a magical wine farm.
The true meaning of 'unconditional love' was felt in so many ways possible. The best feeling was when I saw Bhavesh for the first time waiting for me in front of the church with so many emotions passing through both of us. As we locked eyes for the first time that day, I knew what the rest of my life would look like. Unconditional love is possible.
The morning of the wedding Bhavesh gave me a letter he had written months ago for our special day as we were supposed to get married on the 11th of April. As I read the letter, tears were rolling down my cheeks and I immediately knew that this man is my true soulmate. My pillar, my strength, my everlasting. We had such a difficult time through the pandemic with rules and regulations changing daily as we kept our heads high and accepted the things we cannot change.
"Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations".
The Sunday (the day after the wedding) when we woke up I remember Bhavesh looking at his wedding band and kissed it while looking at me and saying, "good morning my beautiful wife". What an amazing feeling.
Even through rain and snow that we had on our wedding day, it was truly the best day ever!!!
As we were suppose to travel abroad for our dream honeymoon vacation, we were heartbroken as the Pandemic restricted us from doing that. Mauritius surely would have been amazing.
During our wedding weekend the country was still on level 2 as we could not do traveling abroad nor do inter-provincial traveling without a permit.
Instead we had the most beautiful 5 day stay and Shelley Point near St Helena Bay on the West Coast. An amazing flat overlooking the ocean with beautiful sunsets and magical ocean mornings.
We are hoping to have our dream honeymoon in the next year when the borders open up and it is safe to travel again.
I have always envisioned my dream wedding dress with a lace finish and an elegant off the shoulder open back look. Hair all back with stylish yet simple pearl drop earring.
For my dress I chose to work with Weddings by Design in Durbanville. Suzette and Nicky have a beautiful wedding gown boutique situated in the Aurora. They were absolutely amazing !. Amazing service and always able to help. When I first met Suzette and Nicky, I gave them a few ideas of what I had in mind and they made my dream reality.
Throughout the pandemic we had chosen 3 different wedding dates but they always accommodated me each time.
I chose the Livie, Blue by Enzoani beautiful wedding gown as it complimented my figure and fit like a glove. The veil I went with a stylish white with a lace finish around the edges. Perfect
For my hair I chose to work with the lovely Deline Engelbrecht from Anuk, Ceres. A simple yet elegant lower back messy bun look finished with a rose gold hair piece. My makeup I chose to do it myself as I wanted a more subtle and natural look.
Jewellery I had my beautiful Pandora bracelet with matching tear drop pearl earrings from Sterns.
My engagement ring my amazing husband bought at Browns The diamond store as my wedding band was also purchased from there.
Dress: Weddings by Design
Hair: Anuk Ceres
Lashes: Lash and Brow studio
Nails: Petrowine Van Rooi
Wedding shoes: Shoerama
Lingerie: La senza
Weddings By Design is a unique dynamic company that turns dreams into reality. Our business vision is satisfied clients who promote our business and reasonable prices so that m...
We originally planned our dream wedding on a magical wine farm called Manley in Tulbagh, Witzenberg area. We were suppose to have 120 odd people celebrating with us as we booked the entire venue out for the special day. Our guests booked accommodation in surrounding areas but unfortunately the pandemic restricted us from doing everything we had planned.
However, we still managed to get married in the Manley chapel and instead we had our reception for minimal guest at a cute bakery in Ceres. Homegrown is a bakery cafe with a wonderful entertainment area which we rented out for the reception. It has a rustic vintage finish, exactly what we were looking for.
In the end it all worked out and we still had our happily ever after.
Manley Wine Estate is a boutique wine farm and private cellar situated in the beautiful countryside of the Tulbagh Valley
I have always had an interest in fitness and health ever since I can remember. It is a very important lifestyle element I have always tried to maintain for 29 years.
Leading up to the special day I didn't really change anything in my routine as I was so scared that our special day would not happen yet again nor would we have to re-plan for a fourth time.
Staying fit and eating healthy is a lifestyle and not a three month diet plan. If you look good you feel good, and if you feel good, anything is possible.
For our fusion wedding we would have had the Indian Ceremony in the morning with a beautiful white podium covered in flowers. Followed by the chapel service and reception later the day.
Due to unforeseen circumstances we had to re-plan our entire wedding more than twice.
However, we still managed to have our beautiful reception with two long tables for our guests. Hessian runners with green eucalyptus center pieces, candles throughout the venue (on the tables and on the floor). Vintage rose gold under plates with floral serviettes finished with our spice favors as thank you gifts.
I have always wanted a full green flower effect for my wedding and the Florist was amazing. My bouquet was made out of eucalyptus, babies-breath and other green plants. My Maid of Honor ring bouquet was something special and so unique. Buttonholes were made for all the men attending the wedding.
The decor I chose to go with, was a more rustic look, as the venue we hired was already stunningly gorgeous. Best Events in Worcester accommodated my every need as they delivered an amazing service. From fairy lights to amazing table seating ideas.
We are truly blessed and grateful for such amazing vendors we chose to work with.
My handsome husband bought his tux at Carducci Canal walk. A mahogany tuxedo jacket with black pants and black waistcoat. A White button shirt finished with a black bow tie.
The best man bought his suit from Markams as he also wore black pants and a black waistcoat. A mahogany button shirt with a black lace tuxedo jacket finished with a black bow tie.
Groom: Carducci Canal Walk
Best Man: Markhams
Shoes: Tread and Miller Canal Walk
Accessories: Fossil watch
Originally we had a bridal party consisting of 3 bridesmaids and 3 groomsmen. Due to the pandemic hitting us hard, we were only able to have a maid of honor and the best man. We had to consider only inviting immediate family as the amount of guests attending the wedding should be less than 50 people.
My Maid of honor wore an infinity dress. The infinity dress was made at Eufrasia Canal Walk. A rose gold silk dress flowing down stylishly to the ground. As the weather was extremely cold on our special day, the maid of honor wore a gold scarf covering her shoulders and chest. It matched perfectly.
We had the most amazing marriage officer. Ds Fred Booysen from Ceres.
Ds Booysen gave a theme for our special day. "Unconditional Love". This was everything.
As he had never done an interfaith wedding ceremony before, my husband and I with our parents, felt extremely blessed and we are truly grateful that he had done it exceptionally well.
Our Photographer came all the way from George and he captured our magical moments so perfectly. From stormy rainy weather, to having snow on surrounding mountains. He really made our day super special and captured our love story and happily ever after exceptionally well.
Our videographers were MarJohandie and De Witt from The Letterbox Productions. Our Wedding highlight video is extraordinary and they infused the two cultures beautifully.
Photographer: CeeJay Levendal (Profound media)
Videographers: The Letterbox Productions
Bhavesh and I planned everything ourselves. Our dream and magical fairy tale wedding came to life.
This was such a challenge as we had planned the wedding for a third time. The pandemic really hit us hard and for other couples going through the same thing, keep your head up and remember God's timing is always exceptional.
Bhavesh used his own vehicle for transport for him and the best man. A silver Toyota 86 with "Just Married" stickers on the side.
He has always wanted a Toyota 86 and he managed to buy himself one a few years ago. I am super proud of the man he is becoming and this truly shows that hard work does pay off and to also appreciate and be grateful for what you have.
My car was also a silver Toyota 86. Another friend from Ceres owns one as well as he drove me from the guest house to the chapel.
We had a Harvest table and canapes at the reception entrance with a welcoming sherry on arrival.
We had warm winter foods catered for our guests. From leg of lamb to sweet caramelized pumpkin fritters. Garlic butter green beans with almond and parmesan cheese to butterchicken with garlic naan bread. Suretha from Sweetpea catering did an amazing job.
Our Wedding cake had 3 layers (chocolate and 2 red velvet layers). It was magnificent as each layer had a different texture and color.
It fitted in so well into our rustic theme and the guests were truly amazed. We served the wedding as a dessert and the guests absolutely loved it.
Catering: Sweetpea Catering
Cake: C is for Cakes
Our stationery I designed and printed myself. The church programs and the table menus I done the week before as we still had last minute changes. It was a real challenge but in the end everything worked out perfectly.
We also had woodwork done from Little Woodpeckers in Cape Town.
Woodwork: we cut you quote - Little Woodpecker
We had our reception at Homegrown Bakery cafe in Ceres. A cute, rustic and vintage bakery with a big area for seating. Matilda, the owner, gave us the opportunity to have our reception there as she accommodated us at such short notice. Due to the pandemic, we had arranged with so many vendors and changed so many dates, but in the end we accepted the things we cannot change and we are extremely grateful for Homegrown. They made us feel warm and welcome and the service was amazing. Accommodated our every need and made the venue look like a fairy tale wedding.
Our DJ was Ashley Haywood also from Ceres. As we had 2 different cultures at the wedding, he made everyone feel welcome through music. He incorporated both genres so well and everyone had an amazing time.
Venue: Homegrown Ceres
DJ Music: Ashley Haywood
Weddings By Design is a unique dynamic company that turns dreams into reality. Our business vision is satisfied clients who promote our business and reasonable prices so that m...
Manley Wine Estate is a boutique wine farm and private cellar situated in the beautiful countryside of the Tulbagh Valley
