We went to Hogsback in the Eastern Cape. Hogsback is a small Village in the 'woods.' It wasn't too far to drive and we had the opportunity to rest well after a busy time before the wedding day.
We visited all the local shops and restaurants and also enjoyed the nature by cycling, hiking and absailing.
I liked the look of a natural wedding. In Afrikaans I called it my 'Bos- nimfie' wedding.
Hair: My hair was in a messy bun with baby breath flowers in my plat. (Mari- Zanne Clarke at Rouge Hair- Port Elizabeth)
Make- up: My make- up was very natural, with some gold glitter on my eyes and a matte plum lipstick. (Adelina at Visage Beauty in Kenton- on- sea)
Wedding dress: My whole dress was made of white lace with a Champaign color satin underneath. (Norma Flanagan)
Shoes: Both my husband and I wore 'Vellies' shoes. (Bride shoes: Te Fraai Diena, Groom shoes: Freedom of movement)
Jewelry: I wore fresh water pearl earrings and necklace and had an old gold bracelet that I got from my grandmother. (Woolworths).
We got married in Bushmans River, about an hour out of Port Elizabeth. This is a very special place for the both of us, because this is where we met for the very first time and where we had our first kiss :) Also, because I was a flower girl for my aunt in this church 20 years ago.
We got married in NG Church Dias in Bushmans river and the reception was at The Red Apple Eatery and farmstall.
All the guests stayed over in Bushmans. We have a family house there, some of my othe family members allowed us to stay in their holiday houses and some of the other people booked accommodation through 'Lekker slaap' etc.
Health and fitness: I exercised at a trainer 3 times a week for 4 months. Her focus was on weight training, slow movements and heavy weights. She also believes in calorie counting rather than seeing it as a diet. (Celeste Gillson)
Skin care: I work in a hospital, and because of the fact that we have to wear masks every single day, for the whole working day, my skin was not in such a good condition. When I went for my make- up trail, approximately 2 months before the wedding, she suggested that I use Optiphi facial products. I also went for one skin peel and one hydrating facials. (Health and Beauty- Amanda)
Spa treatments: I also went for my waxes at Health and Beauty and did my nails and toe nails at Plush Hair and Nail studio.
The flowers mainly consisted out of Pennygum, Baby breath, white roses and Chrysanthemums. My aunt also brought some water lilies, blue gum leaves and other greenery from her farm that we also uses. The lady that did my flowers was Val Hill in Kenton- on- Sea. She previously had the florist shop there, but now she is retired and mostly does events.
In between the flowers I had white candles and fairy lights. My husband and I folded the material serviettes and I designed, printed and cut out the menu's. My grandmother wrote each guest's name (calligraphy) on a heart that I spray painted with gold paint. We bind the names around the serviettes with a hessian string.
The venue, The Red Apple Eatery and Farmstall, has wooden tables and furniture that suited the 'rustic' theme.
Wikus Venter. He is a local pastor at the Dutch Reformed Churches in Bushmans and the surrounding areas.
I planned and coordinated my own wedding and on the day the lady of The Red Apple Eatery and my brother, who was the MC, assisted me on the day.
Friends of my parents lend us their yellow Jeep. This car is a typical car that one use when on holiday in Bushmans.
The Red Apple Eatery is a restaurant and they prepared our wedding food. The food was devine.
Lisette at 'Out of the Ovens' baked our wedding cake.
I designed my own stationery on the Canva application and we printed our stationery at a local printing company in Despatch where we live.
Vernon from Occasion DJ's in Port Elizabeth was our DJ for the wedding.
We did not take dance lessons before the wedding, but we did practice our first dance in our lounge :) .
