This day was something out of a fairytale, my husband and I wanted to reflect our love for each other by taking a walk down memory lane and reliving some of our special moments by adding elements from our favorite dates to the wedding day and sharing them with our close family and friends.
Just as I was getting dressed in my magical gown with my beautiful mother and bridesmaids, it started raining, as I was going to the aisle it showered blessings on me. When it was my moment to walk down the aisle, the doors opened for me and it felt like a dream as I get to walk down to my handsome husband and I'm in my beautiful ball gown, I have never smiled that wide before, till we made ours vows then it became wider as I living in beautiful moment to start the rest of our lives, even though I walked missing my dad, it just made me merry knowing he would be really happy for this moment in my life.
The second we stepped out of the chapel, the sun showed off its brightest white light and with the rain gone the weather participated at our wedding in all its glory. From the chapel to reception everything was so whimsical, the venue filled with all my favorite flowers flaunting their bloom in bright colors. Secrets pieces inspired by Alice in wonderland were spread across the venue expressing our liking to Lewis Carol's timeless masterpiece.
We were planning on going on honeymoon soon after the wedding but an hour before I walked down the aisle our travel agent called us to inform that the borders are closed and all flights are cancelled due to the latest COVID-19 variant. We didn't want to go back home and our leave days were already booked so we took a spontaneous road trip to KZN to explore St Lucia, Ballito and Durban.
With my look I wanted to express my true self, with inspiration from growing up seeing my mothers enchanting glamor and mimicking the name my grandmother gave me Khwadiba which translates to "beautiful princess".
The look for both my ceremony and reception dresses come from the inspiration above, it took me 3 months to design the concept of the dress with the help of my mother and finally found the right place Fredas Continental Bridal, that understood exactly what I was going for and she added the best advice. We made a two in one dress that is a princess ball gown with a lot of detail (flowers as they are my favorite and classical pearls and crystals handmade) for the ceremony and mermaid for reception which I removed the ball skirt, and the mermaid concentrating on construction rather than detail.
For my hair I wanted something subtle with a flower band, done by The Don Hair, she made my hair effortlessly classy.
For my makeup I wanted a strong eye to contrast with the soft hair, and went for neutral colors s I could change my lipstick for the night and day looks. This was done amazingly by Enhanced by Lolo.
Jewelry I wore a simple but elegant pearl necklace to bring out notes of the dress, it is from Browns and crystal earrings from Lovisa.
Morrells Boutique Estate
Our guests stayed on both the estate (farmhouse) and the Manor house across the estate.
When we first saw the venue we fell in love with the french decor and found comfort that the chapel and reception venue are on the same premise. I had a beautiful powder room to get ready in and the venue provided magnificent gardens for everyone to enjoy during the day.
I was exercising at least 3 times a week, as a healthy body results in a healthy mind.
I had massages the week of the wedding to help with relaxing.
Did my monthly facials for a healthier face with Natural living Spa.
I really love this flower and to stay true to my first name, Suzan, which means gracious lily we decided to make lilies the focal point of all the flower decorations. Pink, purple and blue hydrangeas added that special touch and pop of color. Peach roses added elegance. Velvet tassel flowers were added an ethereal feel to the whole arrangement. The main flower arrangements were raised high and decorated into a round shape.
Our Alice in wonderland inspired theme included rabbits, doves, tea pots with flowers and open book decorations scattered around the tables.
The groom was wearing a tailored classic full black tuxedo, with a black bow tie, a tuxedo shirt, black shoes and a white lily boutonniere to match my bouquet, with peach roses on each side.
The groomsmen wore tailored 3 piece charcoal suits, with a white shirt, champagne bow tie to match the girls dress, black shoes and boutonnieres where colorful, exactly as the bridesmaids bouquets and it reflected the days flower theme.
My beautiful bridesmaids wore champagne dresses that each had different designs created individually for their tops but the same ethereal flow for their skirts. To reflect the days theme they had a colorful bouquet that went beautifully with their dresses.
Our ceremony was done by our favorite priest, Father Skhosana, who gave a beautiful message.
Alexander Smith
He provided us with all the photography and videography services any couple could ever want. He had great energy on the day and the photos speak for themselves as you can see.
My husband and I planned the wedding because when we got engaged we just had an image of exactly what we wanted as we were looking to express our lives together and all the memories we shared in or lives on the wedding day, like taking a walk down memory lane. At the venue we had an event coordinator who helped with telling our story.
We were on foot. With the wonderful venue everything was on the premise, never had to worry about transport, so we just walked from our chapel, to the canapes, the wedding shots, the reception and the wedding dance
The food was prepared by Morrells.
The wedding cake was made by Sugar 'n Ice, it was beautifully decorated with fresh flowers that match the theme and it had three flavors carrot cake, velvet cake and bar one chocolate which all tasted amazing.
All our lovely wedding stationery including table numbers, menu, programs, name tags were designed and made by my husband and I.
Our reception incorporated elements from our favorite dates.
On our second date we went to a cafe where we were still trying to get to know each other and out of nowhere a magician appeared that did a few magic tricks including writing our names on cards that we got to keep. He asked us if we were married that day, planting a seed in our minds. 5 years later we found a magician, Colin Underwood to be our very own wedding magician and MC. He walked around doing tricks that delighted and surprised during canapes and did a very entertaining show during reception.
One of our favorite valentines dates had a band called Kopano jazz collective that was playing the most amazing calming jazz music with Tamara Dey, we were lucky enough for them to show up to our special day, no one wanted them to stop playing, we had so much fun listening and dancing to their music.
We found a unique DJ in Naazhim who curated a spectacular list for our special day. He dressed for the occasion and blessed us with style.
We took dance lessons a few weeks before the day, Jack Mawasha was patient with us while we figured out the waltz and added some fancy moves to it. We enjoyed the lessons and will remember the dance to our song forever. (I'm gonna be by Sleeping at last)
