The wedding was a week long event starting from the Thursday evening with welcome drinks at the Rooftop Bar at the MarketPlace in Plett. On the Friday we had a special Pizza evening at Simon's Bar at Emily Moon. Saturday was the BIG DAY and it was spectacular and everything a woman wanted on her wedding day. The getting together of friends from all over the world was beyond special and seeing family that we had missed for years. Our wedding had been put off for 2 years due to Covid so this was third time lucky and it was ll worth the wait.
On Sunday over 40 friends gathered in my parents estate on the lawns in front of the Keurbooms lagoon and had a lamb spitbraai. The perfect relaxing end to a magical time.
We first went on a buddy moon to St Francis and stayed in a house on the canals with 8 friends for 3 days. Had sunset cruises in the canal on our parents boat. Retuned to parents in Plettenberg Bay and will be returning to Sydney where we live for a week then off on the real honeymoon to explore South America for 6 weeks.
Vey much a bohemian wedding with all the autumn and bohemian colours. We wanted a real family and friends close wedding. There were 70 guests present.
Hair was done by Wanda Steyn who owns "Spoil Yourself" situated in Plettenberg Bay. She did a wonderful job on all the bridesmaids, flower girls and mother of the bride.
Make-up was beautifully done by Tanja Kramer Make-Up Artistry from Knysna
The wedding dress material and bead work fabric was purchased in Australia and then made by Janita Toerien from Durbanville in Cape Town
Shoes were bought in Australia and then dyed by myself to the sage green colour.
Lingerie was purchased from Foschini and Superbalist
Jewelery neckpiece was given as a gift from my father on the day and was created by Logan Harris jewellers in Plettenberg Bay.
We were married at Emily Moon on the river deck by Rev Tim Rist the minister of the Methodist Church in Plettenberg Bay.
36 guests stayed at the magical Emily Moon on Friday and Saturday night. The suites are absolutely beautiful and many overlooking the vlei and river.
On the Friday night all the wedding party gathered at Simon's Bar on the 8th April which was a pizza evening. Everyone had a wonderful time getting to know each other as people had flown in from over 8 countries.
On Saturday 9th April the wedding day dawned. Words are indescribable for the magic of the day.
Prior to the wedding I continued with my fitness program and went to gym each day. Tried to get a good 8 hours sleep a night though it wasn't always possible. I mostly eat vegetables and very little red meat so continued with healthy eating. Skin was looked after with masks and oils.
Nails were done on the day before the wedding by Npod nails in Plettendberg Bay.
The decor was sourced from various providers. Events & Tents in Plettenberg Bay provided the Tiffany Chairs and cushions as well as some brass candlesticks, the rattan under-plates and glass cylinders for candles. Fancy Functions in Mossel Bay provided the small gold rimmed tea light holders as well as the white bop vases.
Terracotta table napkins came from Ecozest in Knysna.
The multitude of brassware used was sourced from friends in Plettenberg Bay who willing lent it to us for the decor.
Flowers were the pinnacle to the decor and arrangements were beautifully and professional done by Cara of Botany & Bloom in George. They were out of this world.
The groom and groomsmen wore beige chinos, white shirt and the groom wore a sage green blazer. The groomsmen all wore braces. Clothes had to be sourced in Australia and the UK as groomsmen came from different countries.
The bridesmaids, five in total wore autumn colours. The dresses were all sourced online as my bridesmaids came from Sweden, United States, South Africa and Tunisia. The looked awesome
The marriage officer was Rev. Timothy Rist from the Methodist church in Plettenberg Bay. My parents have been members of this church since living there in 2015.
Our photographers were amazing. The were Sarka and Shaun from Cr8Tive Duo. They truly captured the magic moments and the ones we were unaware of. They are a young couple and really know how to make the most of the setting and light on the day. Everyone felt so comfortable with them and they were really an integral part of the wedding party.
There was no wedding planner for the day. My mother Dianne de Villiers who lives in Plettenberg Bay did all the planning and sourcing of decor and various providers together with my input from overseas. My dad Peter did all the budgeting and following up of providers. Helouise and Alex of Emily Moon did much to assist the smooth running of the day
Wedding transport was provided by family members it was not really a trip that had to be made. It was a short drive down to the deck area of Emily Moon for the ceremony.
The food was beyond delicious and catered for by Emily Moon. While photographs were being taken guest were offered canapés in the pool area of Emily Moon. Different menus were provided to choose from and we had chosen Menu 2 which included 4 different starters to choose from. The mains also included a choice of 4 different dishes as well as a vegan choice as many friends were vegan. The desert was a South African favourite of Malva Pudding and Creme Brûlée.
The wedding cake was created by a friend from Australia who came out from for the wedding. She baked the cake in our family kitchen at home 2 days before the wedding and the mini donuts were baked by Raw Bakery in Plettenberg Bay.
Stationery which included menus, guest name cards as well as large Welcome signs and Seating chart were designed by myself as I am in digital marketing and they were printed by a company in Cape Town.
The reception was held in the restaurant area of Emily Moon. We took dance lessons in Sydney for 6 weeks by a person Carlos who choreographed our wedding dance which was quite elaborate. Alex Eloff who resides in Plettenberg Bay and is a professional dancer did dance lessons with my parents.
The music was provided by Mix Academy Entertainment in George (Mickey Louwe) The DJ was sent playlists prior to the wedding and did a fantastic job of keeping everyone on the dance floor till 3 am on the Sunday morning.
