There were so many! One highlight was walking into the church with my dad at my side and there was a moment where people gasped and then everyone began cheering as we walked down, and then seeing my handsome groom at the front of the aisle, with tears streaming down his face and a look of such love and adoration, it was the most beautiful moment of my life! Another memorable moment was having my 78 year old grandmother who traveled from England, play our first dance song on the piano, with my cousins (also two of my best friends) sing along with her playing. On top of that, there was an incredible, joyful atmosphere from start to finish, a special warmth in the ceremony that people were touched by, which I know was God's love that was felt and this joy carried on until the end of the night, where the dancing was so memorable, people of different backgrounds, race, cultures and ages all on the dance floor having the best time celebrating through dancing!
We did go on honeymoon, starting with our first night nearby our wedding venue in Robertson, in a beautiful stone cottage at Lords Guest House and then flying to Bali for 11 nights, it was special, beautiful and adventurous all in one! We had a holiday full of laughter, massages, white water rafting, snorkeling, cycling through the rice fields, hiking a volcano, relaxing by the pool and so much more! It was the best way to start our marriage!
I had two outfits on our wedding day, to bring our two cultures together. I started off wearing a beautiful white wedding dress, made by Robyn Roberts, a dress that was more beautiful than I could have ever imagined! I felt like a princess! It had a high neck lace top and a low back, with a skirt that flowed down and had a lovely train. My second outfit I changed into before the reception, was to signify me becoming part of my new family, and it was a stunning gold and red Indian outfit, a wedding lengha (skirt and top with a scarf over, appearing as similar style to a sari). This outfit also made me feel like a princess! My hair was done by my mentor who is also a hairdresser and has her own salon in Pinelands, her name is Lisa Measures. We also had the privilege of being married by her and her husband, Nigel Measures. Lisa did my hair in a half up, half down do, as I wanted the lace on my dress to be completely visible and the low back, but at the same time, wanted my hair to be a bit loose. I also brought a gold leaf hair piece from Lovisa Jewelry Store, where I purchased all of my wedding jewelry, including my Indian style gold earrings. Our wedding rings were designed and made by my friend Amy Michele Bruwer, creator of Faceted Jewelry Design. My shoes were brought in Pietermaritzburg, from an Indian bridal boutique, where I also purchased my lengha outfit. My make-up was done by Jodine 'Make you up', who is a hair and make up artist in Robertson. She fulfilled my request of wanting a natural look. My lingirie was white laced underwear purchased by and chosen with my mom from H&M.
Our ceremony was at a church in Robertson, the Community church on Paul Kruger Street, a beautiful white church, with tall windows and wooden floors. The reception was at Wolfkloof Wine and Weddings in Robertson, which is the place where we met for the first time a year and a half prior to our wedding. We met at a wedding where my husband was the best man for the groom and I was a guest of the bride, who is a friend of mine from high school!
Most guests stayed the night. We had arranged accommodation for our immediate families and our bridal parties at De Hoop about 20 minutes from our venue. Other family and guests booked their accommodation themselves at different guesthouses.
De Hoop Collection Weddings are held within the 36 000 hectare conservation area that is De Hoop Nature Reserve
De Hoop Collection Weddings are held within the 36 000 hectare conservation area that is De Hoop Nature Reserve
