We decided on a romatic and traditional island wedding. To me, my wedding was something from a fairytale. I arrived in a decorated island buggy and was greeted by my hubby to be. He opened my veil and his face was just the most beautiful thing! Local island girls made garlands and crowns from frangipani's and island flowers, gifted us with it and we walked down the isle together.
The ceremony was incredible as the sun was setting on a turquoise ocean. We had a "sand ceremony", where we each pour sand in a vile as a symbol of us becoming one. After being pronounced husband and wife, we danced on a beautifu sand heart made with beautiful flowers!!
The photoshoot was so romantic. We jumped into the warm water and played on swings in the ocean. Even a beautiful island bird came to greet us as he sat with us! We danced in the ocean and on top of the ocean. Our pictures are all from moments that we just enjoyed being us!
As the sun set, we hopped on a boat for a romantic crayfish dinner on our own private little island with only a chef and a waiter! The island was covered in little lights and they even made up a "honeymoon bed" with little swans and flowers where we could drink champagne, listen to the waves and look up at the stars.
Our wedding was our own Disney faiytale!
We had our wedding and our honeymoon in the same location. We wanted a traditional island wedding and decided to run away to the Maldives to get married and have our honeymoon there too!!!!
My favourite South African designer is Gavin Rajah, and it was a dream of mine to have my wedding dress designed by him. I love fashion, drama and all things couture. I like different, and couldn't see myself in a traditional white gown.
Gavin designed the most incredible dress fit for a Maldivian mermaid ! We decided on nude and swarovski crystal to incorporate the sand and the water. It looked like I had crystals glued on me. I was dripping with swarovski's and a beautiful, long, dramatic veil just ended off the romance. My dress is the most beautiful thing I have ever worn. Best of all is that I could swim with my gorgeous crystal creation. It was perfectly designed for my perfect day.
The best look for my dress is a sandy, beachy mermaid! Natural but striking! I left my hair shoulder length for a more vinrant feel and decided on beach waves that will flow with the wind. My makeup was a glowy, rusty broze and taupe eye with a contoured and baby pink cheek! Think bronzed nude mermaid for this one! Nothing was too set and perfected. It just had to work with the outdoor elements and it was the best decision ever!
Although I spent most of my day barefoot in the sand, I bougt two pairs of shoes from Steve Madden. A pair of simple heels with one crystal strap gave an elongated feel. I also bougt a pointy see through pump with crystals on top to wear for our island dinner.
My dress had an open neckline and was designed to be worn without additional support. As the dress was nude I wore skin tight seamless nude underwear. I did however have a gorgeous bridal underwear set from the Woolworths Bridal Collection.
We decided on an intimate island wedding and flew off to the Maldives where it was safe to do so! We had our wedding planned by the event managers of Adaaran resorts and had an incredible time staying at the Ocean Villas.
I have very fair skin but do tan well if I get a little sun! I went for sunbed sessions at The Sun Room about 4 weeks before the wedding to build a gradual tan.
I really looked after my skin and health for my wedding day. I followed the USN fitness plan for a few weeks but not too crazy as it was lockdown and winter in Johannesburg. Eating frequently and healthy really made me glow.
I started using Aestethic skin care from Essel a few months before the wedding. The retinol and stem cell treatments changed my skin so much. MWA salon in Pretoria really took care of me and my skin. I also did a few treatments from Skin Renewal 4 weeks out.
I went to a day spa down the road from my house the day before my flight for the rest of the pampering! Nails, waxing and a deep tissue massage to get ready for that flight!
The event planners at Adaaran blew us away!!! The setup was all local and traditional Maldivian style. As you enter the isle a beautiful arch stands, made from local colourful island flowers and palm leaves. The theme was creams, whites and colour. The aisle was dug into the sand and filled with little red flowers. Cream coloured island grass were placed in bamboo. I asked for the wedding flowers to be frangipani as they are close to my heart. My gran that passed away at 96years old had a little bouquet of frangipani's made by a friend on her wedding day. I felt her there with me.
The isle led up to a white linen gazebo for that real beach feel.
The best part of my decor, was the ceremonial umbrella's. I love all things eastern and ethnic and the local people wore their traditional wear while holding these gorgeous ceremonial umbrellas while walking with us and standing with us.
Everything was taken by boat from the main island to the private island. A beautiful white linen gazebo was set up with a gorgeous dinner table. The flower arrangement was also in reds, pinks, whites and creams with a little light fest!!!! The island was covered in lights of all colours and fairy lights. It was so special.
We sadly had to postpone the main reception in South Africa that would have happened upon return, due to the current Covid situation. We still have our venue at Katy's palace in Kramerville, Sandton, on hold. We plan to continue with our "Till Death Do Us Party" when it is safe to gather and celebrate. The decor is also on standby and will be a continuation of the beach and island vibes. Think pampass grass, lights, frangipanis and a little something eastern here and there like a ceremonial umbrella! Pure bliss!!!
The groom went casual with Chino's and a washed linen shirt. He was his own stylist here!
Our local boys and girls wore traditional Maldivian sarongs. Blue and white with cream ceremonial umbrellas. Gorgeous!
We had a very special bridesmaids weekend before we headed off to the maldives. For the South African reception my bridesmaids are going to wear evening gowns of their choice!!!! Nudes, black, reds, pinks!
Our gorgeous ceremony was done by Miss Suba from Adaaran Resorts in the Maldives.
We came across the most talented videographer and photographer in Malé, maldives. Our video was even shot with drones!
The guys from Phaisal photography went through so much for us! They were so flexible as we had to reschedule due to weather and to top it off, they had to go through two PCR tests to get onto the Island and a 30minute boat ride each way.
We literally got the best that Maldives had to offer and we felt so comfortable with them. We love love our video and pictures!
Absolutely! Mr KK and Mr Prabanth from Adaaran are kings at decor and wedding planning. We made them sweat here and there with changes, but they were so adaptable and made our dreams come true!
I had the cutest little wedding car ever!!!! A gold cart decorated in palm leaves and Island flowers! So unique and so special!!
What a ride!!!!!
The chefs at The Sunset Restaurant in Adaaran made us the most colourful and delicious wedding cake ever!!!! The hopped on a boat with us and served us with crayfish. Everything was perfect
I love design and work as a marketer!
We had beautiful and edgy pictures taken ar our venue in Johannesburg, and used the pictures to build a website and make wedding invite updates. We went digital!
Our SA wedding reception will be held at Katy's palace bar in Kramerville, Sandon. No dance lessons needed here! We love dancing together!
We have two live bands booked as well as a DJ! Sound and light setup will be done by Surge Sound.
