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SA Weddings Home: Real Weddings > Hannes and Marionne {Yes, ‘Everything’ can be a theme}

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Hannes and Marionne {Yes, ‘Everything’ can be a theme}

I came across the beautifully unique wedding of Hannes and Marionne while browsing the blog of Desmond Louw Photography and just loved it! The vibrant colours; the beautiful dress and the fun - which was had by all - you can so clearly see in the photographs!

Photography: Desmond & Antonia Photography

Hannes and Marionne wanted their guests to have as much – if not more – fun as them; I think they succeeded!

Thank you for sharing your love story!
Happy Planning!

The SA Weddings.co.za Team!

Tell us your love story, how did it all begin?

Hannes and I met each other in our final year at university. We literally knew each other a week before we started dating. With Hannes being a very quiet guy, and myself, more talkative, it was the perfect relationship from the beginning. After we finished our studies, we moved to Blaauwberg, Cape Town where we started work in our respective fields. Hannes as a mechanical engineer, and myself as a Television Program Editor. After dating for 2 years and 8 months…he finally asked me the big question.

How did you propose?

At the end of 2010 we decided to buy our own place. We had a look around and found the perfect house in a matter of weeks. We were meant to move in on Saturday, November the 27th. After cleaning it out on the Friday night, Hannes took out champagne, crackers, biltong and spread. I thought we were just celebrating our new venture; little did I know. Then he started reading me this amazing poem; meanwhile, I'm still thinking that the poem is a substitute for a song I asked him to write me - Hannes is a big guitar player.

By the end of the poem I was in tears - it was a really awesome poem, and Hannes was nervous as hell. Then he said: for the next part you have to stand. I said: “O No! Not now. I'm full of Jik and I look awful.” But Hannes didn't care. And that's when he asked me if I would spend the rest of my life with him. Obviously I said yes.... and cried a lot!

How did you find the planning process?

I loved planning our wedding; I had a lot of time to plan it though – which was great! We were engaged for just over a year. It gave me enough time to decide on things for the wedding, as well as change my mind constantly. In the end I had the EXACT wedding I wanted. At the beginning of the planning process I did make use of SAWeddings.co.za a lot - to find the perfect service providers.

Where did you draw your planning inspiration from?

I got a lot of inspiration from the "Ideas" magazine - one of my friends work there - as well as other Real Weddings Features. I looked at a million wedding photographers’ pages to see what other brides did on their wedding day and drew inspiration from there. The main focus was to have a wedding that's relaxed AND which had meaning for each one of our guests!

We wanted the guests to enjoy our wedding more than we did; we did everything with our guests in mind. We also wanted to do everything ourselves; thus making the process as memorable, as the actual day itself.

What was the most memorable and special part of your wedding day?

Hannes: My most memorable / special part of the day was when I saw Marionne walk towards me. I couldn't believe how beautiful she looked and that she was about to become my wife.

Marionne: My most memorable / special part of the day, consisted of three moments:

1. When my brother came to my room to get me, so he can walk me down the aisle.

2. The moment when I realized: This is it. I have a husband. Woohoooo!

3. The happiness / smile on Hannes's face when I gave him his bass guitar as a wedding present.

I was so happy to make that dream of his come true.

Your Décor and flowers

When we started our wedding, we couldn't decide on one specific theme; so we decided to not have one! Our decor was a little bit vintage, incorporating white-washed wooden products, daisy flowers (different colors), lots of lace, ribbon and lots of color. We even incorporated a "voortrekker" theme with our pre-wedding shoot and "cup"cake topper. Whenever we thought of decor, we thought: ahh... we want ‘this’; how can it work with the rest; and so the wedding came together. We were also very lucky with the venue - Towerbosch Restaurant, on Knorhoek wine estate is one of the prettiest venues, without adding anything!

Flowers: Flowers didn't play a very big part in our wedding but knew we had to have some. My favorite flower is a small daisie (chrysanthamum), so we decided on exactly that and made it very colorful!

Did you make use of any DIY Contributions?

Oh yes!! We made everything ourselves (except for the flowers). Our wedding invitations and table seating were white washed wooden photo frames. We made the frames from scratch. From cutting the wood, sanding it, painting it and sanding it again, until it looked like white washed frames.

We made all the cushions that we gave as wedding gifts to the ladies, as well as the ceramic heart necklaces. We made the flags that hung in the photo booth, as well as the frames, mustaches, lips and hats. My mom also made all my jewelery and a friend of mine made the bridesmaids’ dresses. Even my wedding shoes were custom made :)

What was your wedding theme (if you had one) and why did you choose it?

Our wedding theme was: Everything. We did whatever we wanted, as long as it ‘kind off’ worked with the rest, and it showcased who WE are. People had to - when they saw everything - think: ahhh... We're at Marionne & Hannes' wedding.

What song did you choose for your opening dance and why?

Kings of Leon: Back Down South

We chose this song, because both of us really enjoy listening to Kings of Leon, and it's a really nice song to dance to.

Anything you would like to tell other brides-to-be/Grooms-to-be who are busy planning their big day?

Brides-To-Be - I'd like to tell prospective brides the following:

Planning stage: Get as many people to help you as you possibly can, but also try to do as much as you can by yourself. It's nice to be there on the day, and see your handy work.

The actual day: Somewhere in all the hustle and bustle, take a moment or two, go stand in a corner and just have a look around. Look at what everybody's doing and how everything looks. Take mental pictures. Then go back and enjoy the hell out of your wedding!!

Grooms-To-Be: Do not give your bride too much time to plan; otherwise she will come up with a new idea every single day

Anything you would like to tell other brides-to-be/Grooms-to-be who are busy planning their big day?

Brides-To-Be: I'd like to tell prospective brides the following:

Planning stage: Get as many people to help you as you possibly can, but also try to do as much as you can by yourself. It's nice to be there on the day, and see your handy work.

The actual day: Somewhere in all the hustle and bustle, take a moment or two, go and stand in a corner, and just have a look around. Look at what everybody's doing and how everything looks. Take mental pictures. Then go back and enjoy the hell out of your wedding.