We met through a mutual friend at the Fijnwyn Food & Wine Festival in Pretoria March 2019.
Pierre immediately caught my attention. And even though I managed to hide my interest in him that evening, I kept on stealing a glance at him now and then because he is just the most handsome, tall man I have ever seen. Our evening continued with a great conversation, food, and laughter with friends! After the festival we both went our separate ways, as it had been a long night.
Pierre headed to a farm with the guys, and I had a Spa date planned with the girls the following Saturday. A week later I received a braai invitation from our mutual friend, and guess who showed up? Mr handsome! All I remember is that my heart was literally racing when he walked in. That evening turned out so beautiful because we initiated a conversation for the first time, and our friend later assisted us with contact details to keep in touch, I guess that is what friends are for right? So, I was the one who sent a text first. Two days later we went on an official date that turned into two months, and now we are here, ready to say "I do" and have our loved ones witness the most important moment of our life, it's a blessing!
On a warm Thursday morning, the 19th of December 2019 to be exact, myself, Pierre and friends were having drinks at Midon Pub in Doringbay. I somehow noticed that he was a bit nervous, but I thought it was from meeting up with my Cape Town friends for the first time. Little did I know that he actually had "the ring" in his pocket the whole morning and was planning a surprise proposal, of which I find very special.
After a few drinks at the pub, we then headed to The Jetty restaurant at Fryer’s Cove Vineyard to take photos by their beautiful jetty. And at that very moment, while we were basking in the sun, admiring the beautiful scenery with a touch of the breeze from the sea, Pierre uttered “I love you”. I was filled with emotions because that “I love you” hit me so differently. Before I could I respond, he kneeled down and asked me to be his wife. I was in awe! Everything happened at the perfect time, with the perfect surroundings. My “yes” was not just a response to his proposal but it was an affirmation to the both of us that pure true love does exist.
Everything about our day was magical and perfect. From the weather to the smallest detail.
If I must highlight a few special moments:
• Putting on my dream dress and seeing my parents and my brothers faces.
• Walking down the aisle and seeing my handsome husband to be waiting for me.
• We were privileged to have my father-in-law as our marriage officer.
• Our first kiss as Mr & Mrs Rautenbach.
• Seeing all our family and friends for the first time in a year.
• Our first dance to our favourite song “Geskenk van Bo” as Mr. & Mrs. Rautenbach.
• Tasting our wedding cake.
We decided to support local due to COVID. We had 2 wonderful nights at a beautiful beachfront guesthouse called The Ocean View in Wilderness. In Wilderness we did a lot of sightseeing and adventure sports, we went Kayaking on the Kaaimans river, paragliding, and hiking.
From Wilderness, we travelled to Knysna for 2 nights and stayed at the most magical Forest Valley Cottages. We went catamaran sailing on the Knysna lagoon, explored the famous Knysna heads and tasted the most delicious gin at the Knysna Gin Distillery.
From Knysna, we travelled to Plettenberg bay and stayed at Alkantmooi Nature Reserve with spectacular 180°C views of the river and ocean. We visited Birds of Eden and Monkeyland.
All 3 places had magnificent views. I would not change a thing. Our honeymoon was perfect, and we got to explore our own beautiful country and support our local tourism industry.
For me wearing a comfortable dress was very important.
The look I was going for was romantic, soft, and whimsical. My flowy, super comfortable, fairy dress I bought from Whimsical Bridal in Centurion.
I literally decided on my hairstyle the night before the wedding. I wanted my hair out of my face, lots of curls tied in a low ponytail with a beautiful hairpiece in rose gold, pearls, and soft white flowers. Hairpiece was a gift from one of my bridesmaids and bought at Smooches Bridal in Johannesburg.
My make-up was soft and elegant in shades of pink done by the very talented Veronique Stoffberg from Elizabeth Rae MUA.
I bought my rose gold shoes at Foschini.
My beautiful dangling porcelain hammered white and gold earrings and matching bracelet is from Nina Bosch Porcelain Jewellery.
My very unique rose gold, diamond, and morganite wedding ring was designed by the talented Mandi Malherbe from Silverlakes, Pretoria. I gave her my idea and she transformed it in the most exquisite ring.
I am a qualified Professional Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist based in the Boland and Overberg area.
We had a destination wedding in my favourite town and in my opinion the most beautiful town in South Africa, Swellendam.
We got married at the beautiful intimate NG Kerk Buffeljasrivier 10km outside Swellendam. Our wedding reception was at Chris~Elle Wedding Venue on the banks of the Buffeljags river with the beautiful Overberg mountains as our backdrop.
Our guests stayed close by at the elegant Rotterdam Boutique Hotel. We made a weekend out of it and had a braai the previous evening with all our friends and family.
Nothing out of the ordinary, followed my normal skin routine every night, tried to eat healthy, and working out regularly.
Had my nails done by Angelique from MK Salon in Garsfontein, Pretoria
My beautiful flower and table arrangements were done by Christi from La Flor Events & Décor Hire in Swellendam. My colour theme was rose gold, dust blue, and blush pink with lots of long blush pink candles providing a romantic atmosphere.
Christi exceeded all my expectations by creating the most exquisite flower and table arrangements. The poor man had to deal with a bride residing in Gauteng. We managed to arrange everything on Whatsapp, phone calls and emails.
My husband looked absolutely handsome in his tuxedo in admiral blue bought at EuroSuit Parkview, Pretoria. The tuxedo was accompanied by a beautiful cotton white shirt (Woolworths) and cigar brown leather bow tie and belt from The Groom in Benoni.
The 2 groomsmen wore navy blue pants with brown shoes and with matching funky socks. Their outfit was also accompanied by a brown bow tie and belt. The groomsmen rented their pants from EuroSuit Parkview, Pretoria.
Groom and Groomsmen Shoes: Zando
Groom & Groomsmen Funky Socks: Franklees
Bow Ties: The Groom, Benoni
Lace Off-shoulder Tops: Hoiden Bridesmaids, Port Elizabeth
Floral Skrits: Truworths
Nude Heels: Zando
Clay Earrings: Tjirp
Flower Girl dress: Peaches & Spice (Moreleta Park, Pretoria)
We had the most amazing marriage officer, my husbands dad, Ds. Michael Rautenbach
Our magical day was captured by the talented Kaitlyn De Villiers from KDV Photography in Somerset West. I loved her soft, light and dreamy photography style.
Jako from Langeberg Weddings in Swellendam captured our day on video.
Large Wood selfie frame: Made by my Husband
Small Selfie frame: Lilly Leigh & Co, Pretoria
I did all the planning myself.
My cousins (Boetie van Zyl) Vintage V8 Chevrolet
Delicious food from Krummel & Koljander Catering in Swellendam.
Another highlight of the day – THE MOST delicious cake I have ever tasted, turkish delight & chocolate wedding cake from (Madelaine) Mad Custom Cakes in Bredasdorp.
Personalized chocolate wrappers and menu’s designed by Vetplantjie Addict. Perspex Table seating board was a gift from my bestie, Yolande Breytenbach from PG Glass Vredendal and Neo Design in Vredendal.
We did not take dance lessons. We decided to just wing it and well, it turned out great apart from my hubby stepping on my toes a few times.
Our DJ, Charles from Just for You Sound made sure we had guests on the dance floor the whole evening.
I am a qualified Professional Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist based in the Boland and Overberg area.
