Long, long ago ... There was a 16 year old teenager, very much in love with a very handsome boy in her school. Just to mention for the readers he was the most handsome boy in the school. The 16 year old girl had to get over this crush she had because he did not even notice the girl.
Like it is with life .. it takes you onto paths that you never thought you will go on or are strong enough to walk on and so it happens that after years of friendship on Facbook, Maree commented on a photo of myself and my three kids (as i was divorced) and there was an immediate connection. For us simple mathematics worked out differently : 1 + 1 + 8
Maree has 3 kids out of his previous marriage and I have 3 kids out of my previous marriage together we are now 8.
Therefor it was so special to have an small wedding with our kids and family. My father who passed away in 2001 , best friend and my step-dad walked me down the aisle and to see Maree getting emotional and myself when they gave me away was special. After the vows the pastor called our children to the front and he prayed then for all of us as a unity - that was an amazing moment. It was also special to spend quality time with our loved ones. I was very calm, content, in-love and felt loved and belonging every second of our big day.
Maree used to tell friends our life together is a honeymoon. But we went with Maree's son on a 10 day road-trip. Starting in
Kathu then slept one night at San-Parke at the Augrabies waterfalls (also the place where we got engaged on the 26th of September 2020) from there we went to Port-Nolloth , Lambertsbaai, Yzerfontein, Saldanhabaai, amazing Cape-Town were we were treated by dear friends, From there we hit the road and spend one night in Beaufort-Wes and one night in Kimberley before we ended our road-trip sweet home in Kathu.
This was an amazing quality time as our other kids spend time with their other parents and as we hit the road, Ryno fall asleep most of the times and me and Maree had hours of quality time to chat.
I am a plain Jane, but I was getting quicker and quicker greyer I tried from May this year to go lighter on my hair and embrace my greyness. Elsabe (Going Bananas- Kathu) helped me with this process and my styling in Kimberley was done by Alta Cronje .
Normally I preferred a more lighter/ natural look but earlier this year In went for a photo shoot where Wiandri Vorster from WV -artistry did my make-up and I realised I can pull off a more dramatic look so I asked Gerda van Aardt of Renew Beauty Clinic in Kimberley to do my make-up. My nails were done by Belleza -Spa in Kathu and Monique Kruger from Kimberley.
My original wedding dress was not as imagined and and not as the picture I supplied to the designer so,,,, yes in less than 5 days my mother-in-law came to my rescue and made the dress of my dreams - Corrie van Vuuren.
My jewellery was tanzanite earrings to match my tanzanite engagement and wedding band with a Daniel wellington bracelet. My shoes were sandals with crystals from Woolworths.
We got married at the most amazing wedding venue: Bella Cardi (just 8 km outside Kimbeley on the N12)
It is wedding/function venue with a chapel with open views were you can view the Northern-Cape sunset at its best.
Carien and Hartman Steyn is the owners and Carien is the most hands-on wedding-planner ever. They also provide very luxurious accommodation. We spend our honeymoon night in style there.
Our family were treated by complimentary rooms at La Di Da Lode (self catering lodge ) (the owner is a family friend of Maree).
My friends treated me to a mini spa- treatment on the 5th of Desember 2020 at Kathu Lodge and Belleza Spa. Our four ladies were treated by a back-massage and a pedi. What a treat !!!
The church bouquet and flowers were done by Mr Nigel Londt from Kimberley. He was also my art teacher in primmary school and I corresponded with him via phone calls and whatsapp messages.
I was ""spamming" him with pintrest photos and I told him I wanted white King Proteas, purple, pink and navy flowers. The day of the wedding I wanted to go and peep in the hall to have a look at the flowers - but my mother said no let it be a surprise, Wow !!! What a surprise was it !!!
No groosmen
Our two sons: Jeans and white shirts
I did had any bridesmaids. Our daughters were dressed in navy Woolworths dresses.
Pastor Edwin Clarke of Kimberley
Our special moments were capture by Charlotte Fourie from Pixalot. She is amazing and so open for ideas. She has a passion and is very tallented.
Bella Cardi Events used a private catering provider and we did not had a wedding cake we had a sweet table with three treats: cup cakes, mini milk tarts and koeksisters
I designed everything (with in put of Maree) myself and send it out electronically.
I love dance and used to go to school Sokkies. Maree can not dance and it was his idea that we go for dance lessons (cute) we went to 4 lessons and opened the dance floor on From This moment on. Our DJ was Isak Gordon. DJ Sakkie. Everybody, from the youngest to eldest enjoy the music.
