We were very blessed to be able to go to Mauritius for 6 nights. The soft white sand and warm water was amazing! (we got flight tickets for free, but it was based on availability. So we waited at the airport, and at the very last minute they told us there was no space left. We stayed an extra night and had to move our next international flight. What an adventure!
From there we were off to Thailand for 16 nights . Beautiful scenery, and a rich culture to explore!
So a month later we returned to SA to attend a friend’s wedding, and after that we had our 2nd celebration, followed by a Christmas family holiday. 7 weeks in total!
I bought my dress for R1000!!!!! I cut off the original sleeves (in a fabric shop, the staff members were quite shocked!)
After this wedding I’m convinced there’s nothing a glue gun ant do! It’s my new best friend! All the alterations were done with a glue gun. I love versatility, so I made long sleeves that look like part of the dress, and took them off for the reception. My hair was styled to the side for the ceremony, after which I let the perfectly wild curls down. I loved it!
It really was a fairytale, complete with a real-life castle!!! I fell in love with it the first time I saw ByGraceAlone...
We live in Bloemfontein, the wedding was in George. So quite a few friends and family members came down the week before the wedding. It was very nice to have a full house!
Before the wedding I was working 3 jobs, from 07:00-19:00. So there wasn’t much of a beauty regime!
Before the wedding I got an eyebrow wax and full body massage at Placecol in George, which was a big treat!
The decor and flowers was handled by the owners of ByGraceAlone. It was, as the saying goes, fit for a king. Given that the wedding was in a castle, I couldn’t have asked for more.
It was complete with armour, velvet, a real old-fashioned restroom (with couches and all).
The groom and groomsmen wore blue suits from Edgars. Keenan wore a waistcoat and a burgundy tie & pocket handkerchief , and the groomsmen wore the burgundy bow ties.
My bridesmaids wore fairytale dresses fit for a castle! My sister and sister-in-law wore burgundy and the rest a dusty pink.
Our pastor from our home church in Bloemfontein , Cornelis van Heyningen, not only married us, but also walked me down the aisle. My dad passed away 8 years ago, and Pastor really has been there to fill that gap, with support, guidance, advice. We are honoured to have him in our lives.
Patrick Foster Imagery. I couldn’t have asked for more. Patrick and his wife were absolutely amazing! He actually twisted his ankle in pursuit of a good shot, and then proceeded to complete the rest of the photo shoot and evening! What a champ! It was definitely worth getting them to come all the way from Bloemfontein!
The owners of ByGraceAlone handled everything! They made it so easy for me to just relax and enjoy the day.
My husband was in his element. I got ready at the castle. While he arrived in a Mustang. The guests then entered the chapel, our beautiful song (Pioneers, by For King and Country)started. The bridesmaids and groomsmen entered, followed by our parents, then the groom, and finally I entered. My dad’s best friend brought me halfway, gave me over to Pastor Cornelis, who gave me over to my handsome groom.
Again, the very capable staff of ByGraceAlone. I have never seen so much food at a wedding! A 7 course meal, and there was food left over!
We did the designing ourselves. I printed invites and had a wax seal made with a “P” for my new surname, Pillay. The table placements were written by a friend.
A friend who runs the dance academy at our church’s creative arts school helped us choreograph our dance. It was such fun! Not the usual waltz. We danced to the Scottish themed song from How Tao Train Your Dragon 2, “ For the dancing and the dreaming “. It was almost an animated song. Very cool.
A couple friends came together for the band during the ceremony, we had a guitar, keyboard and saxophone. They also performed a few items during the reception.
Two of our other friends wrote a song for us and sang it as well.
