My husband and I decided that we wanted a DIY wedding. We loved being involved in every aspect, from making our own video invitations, to setting up our decor the day before our wedding. I absolutely loved spending time with my bridesmaids, my mom and my mom-in-law on the morning of the wedding in the honeymoon suite, where we got ready. We had breakfast together, a few cappuccinos and champagne. The hair and makeup ladies made everyone so pretty and we just had an amazing time together.
The moment I saw my hubby-to-be in the chapel was an absolute stand out moment, and it was hard not to cry when I saw the tears in his eyes. Our first dance was also a highlight, as we did the dance from Dirty Dancing.
My husband surprised me with trip to Thailand. We stayed in Horizon Beach Resort in Phuket. We had an amazing time together. I loved relaxing in the pool and having cocktails at the pool bar. We also did a day trip out to James Bond Island, where we canoed and swam in the ocean. We loved exploring Phuket, especially shopping, the beaches, the fresh smoothies and some of the night life.
My husband and I have a very similar traveling style, where we like to relax, but also go out and explore and try the local way of doing things.
I've always wanted a fairy-tale wedding, so my look was very classic and the little girls thought I looked like a princess :)
I had a pure white A-line wedding dress, purchased from Bride and Co. It had very delicate beading on the bodice, which sparkled when I moved.
Unfortunately I couldn't find the shoes that I wanted, which were closed-toe wedges. So I decided to redecorate my comfy black closed-toe wedges. I spray-painted it white, with a sparkly varnish to finish it off. I stuck little white material flowers along the edges of the shoes. I was comfortable in them all day, and there was no need to take them off when it came to dancing later on.
I had a beautiful upstyle. The stylist curled each piece before she pinned it up. I clipped in my veil and later on a shiny hair clip from Lovisa. (Arc health and beauty)
I had false lashes (Lash'd by Kerry) done a few days before the wedding and my makeup artist gave me a shimmery look which lasted all day and night. (Arc health and beauty) The lashes lasted through honeymoon till now.
I got my sparkly earrings from Lovisa and my hubby surprised me with a Swarovski chain as a present on the morning.
We had our wedding at the Chantecler Hotel in Bothas Hill, KZN. Some of our guests stayed with us at the hotel on Friday night, where we all caught up around an amazing braai, hosted by the hotel.
The hotel only has 20 rooms, so all of those rooms were booked out by our guests, the others stayed in guesthouses in the area. Unfortunately with so many people staying there, it affected the water pressure and not all the guests could have hot water.
The little stone chapel was absolutely beautiful, surrounded by lush gardens and ponds. The wildlife is amazing, with beautiful peacocks walking around freely as well as a few buck.
There are plenty of places on the property for brilliant photos. My favourite is the big swing hanging from one of the tall trees, it was also draped beautifully.
I tried to drink a lot of water in the months leading up to the wedding and I tried not to eat too many carbs. I went for 2 or 3 facials at Sorbet in Windermere and the Therapy Lounge in Durban North.
I loved my nails, which was done at Scarla May in Ballito.
I also had a spray tan done by Charelle in Durban North. I have never had one done, and was very impressed by how long it lasted and that it wasn't streaky. It gave me the perfect bridal glow.
My lashes were done by Kerry from Lash'd in Umhlali. I've had them for almost a month now, and it still looks amazing.
We decided to do our own decor and loved setting up the hall and the chapel the day before the wedding.
We hired a few things, including LOVE LED lights, from Shells of Decor.
We bought fairy lights from China mall and little bicycles from Everlasting.
My mom made chair tie backs and table runners. She also made the wedding favours.
Dad-in-law made various signs and thank you cards.
The venue had table cloths and seat covers. The venue hire includes draping of the ceiling and also fairy lights in the ceiling.
Our flowers were delivered by Gordon Stuart Landscaping, and we set it up ourselves.
My hubby bought his suit and shoes from Markhams. It was an awesome experience, as there are couches in the waiting area by the change rooms and he 'modeled' his suit for me down a mini runway in between the change rooms.
He hired his groomsmen's suits.
They all had navy suits, and he bought burgundy ties and bowties from china mall.
We ordered wooden protea badges from Kinkels en Krale, via Facebook.
I saw a look on a post on Facebook and absolutely loved the combination of champagne sequin and burgundy. So I added burgundy to my colour scheme :)
Blue Ice made the outfits. It was a sequin top and a burgundy skirt, the girls could choose their own shoes.
Peter Butterworth was our marriage officer. He did an amazing job and everyone knew exactly what to do, and the nerves were minimal with him there. He has done hundreds of weddings, so can even tell you how to hold your flowers. Could not have been happier with our choice of marriage officer.
We had the best photographers ever. We met them at the NWJ bridal show and then I saw them again on the Marriage Meander. Claire and Et form Wild Olive are an amazing couple who captures the most amazing photos. We already have our online viewing album and cannot wait for our printed book.
KZN Wedding Video did our videography. Glen worked well with the photographers, he also shot some drone footage. So we can't wait for our video.
We planned everything ourselves. My sister-in-law and her husband (our MC) did all the running and planning on the day. They did an amazing job!
The hotel made the food. We had a plated starter, buffet dinner and plated desert. They also served amazing canapes during our photoshoot (they even brought us some canopes during the shoot).
Macarons by Mehnaaz did our amazing macaron cake. My sister-in-law made a sponge cake to go with it.
Mehnaaz did the set up, and even supplied flowers to decorate the cake.
We didn't have much stationary. We made our own video invitations.
Our table seatings were on labels that we stuck on wine bottles. My dad-in-law printed all labels, signs and thank you cards.
Shaun from the Wedding DJ did our music. His sound was amazing and he also had lots of lights around the venue.
A friend did music for us in the chapel, we had violin and cello and their music made it feel like a true fairy tale.
We practiced our dance off of a YouTube video. We did the dance from Dirty Dancing (my favourite movie)
