Absolutely everything! As a bridal couple, we took on a lot of the duties ourselves - we got our families involved which only added to the fun and excitement. It was a day where all our closest family and friends got together to celebrate. We had friends flying in from overseas, just to be there for us. I loved every single moment, from the night before, to getting ready with my girls and moms, walking down the isle, reading out our own vows, canapes, speeches and dancing the night away - literally! We continued the festivities the next day by all meeting down at the river at the venue - soaking up all the special memories and reliving the most perfect wedding day!
We went on a mini-moon, all planned by my wonderful hubby! We went to Nambiti Hills Game Reserve... an absolute spoil!
My wedding look was super natural! I always knew I wanted my dress to be different to a 'traditional' wedding dress. I saw some inspo online and then decided to get it made locally by a lovely dressmaker! My dress had a short, nude underlining with a see-through beaded fabric on top. It had a plunging neckline and low, open back. Totally obsessed!
My shoes complimented by dress as they were a perspex heel and straps - all see-through. I kept my accessories to the minimum, I only wore statement earrings that aligned to my beaded dress.
My hair was a loose bun upstyle - so perfectly done! Pieces of my hair fell naturally on my face. My makeup was very natural, exactly how I wanted it.
THE MOST INCREDIBLE VENUE - KirstenVale Wedding Venue. The venue is situated on a small game farm that we had exclusively to ourselves for the duration. The farm has giraffe, buck, zebra and many more. The little guys appear in photos too! The venue is newly built and just boasts it's beautiful nature overlooking the Albert Falls dam.
The owners make the venue the most incredible place. They are so welcoming, organised, helpful and just such good people! Couldn't thank them enough, even if we tried.
Some guests stayed on the farm in chalets and other stayed in accommodation in the area.
All done by us. The vision was totally natural. Over the months leading up the wedding, we collected beer and wine bottles. We soaked off all labels and spray painted the bottles a french vanilla colour. Spacing the bottles down the middle of the tables and filling them with dried grass and pennygum made the most beautiful effect. Table seating and other signage was displayed in wine bottles in handmade signs.
Plenty of fairy lights throughout the venue made for the most beautiful setup.
Grey linen suits, brown belt, brown shoes, brown leather bowtie for the groomsmen and a brown leather tie for the groom. Nick, the groom, wore a full suit where the groomsmen only had suit pants, no jacket.
Champagne coloured, cocktail style wrap dress with a cowl neck and adjustable back.
They worse basic gold accessories - with beautiful initial engraved necklaces from me.
Chad Petersen :)
Ries-O-Graphy! An absolute dream team. They're a hubby and wife team - they're young, full of energy and super modern. Couldnt have chosen a better team to capture our special day.
Kirsten Cole - the owner of our wedding venue. She is out of this world! Her and her fiance are everything. They go above and beyond for you - way above their duties!!
Capitol Cuisine! Angelique, the head chef, is amazing! The food was absolutely delicious. I would use her a million times over. Her comms are great and her food is to die for! We received so many compliments about the food!!
Me! :)
The happiest space! No dance lessons, all super natural and fun :)
Durban Jocks (Cecil) did our sound and was our DJ - what a man! He is unreal. He kept the party going until the early hours of the morning :)
