saweddings.co.za
saweddings.co.za
×
saweddings.co.za

SA Weddings

{{currentUser.first_name+' '+currentUser.last_name}}

x

Tracy Bowles

Married on Mar 21, 2021 in Eastern Cape

 

Voting has closed for Bride of the Year 2021

Click here to open the 2021 competition page

Magical Moments

 

Everything about our wedding day was memorable! But something which will stick with me for all the years to come was the pure joy of family and friends coming together.

Our wedding was originally planned for August 2020, but due to the covid-19 lockdown regulations, we had to postpone to March 2021. Fortunately, Uncle Cyril spoke just before our wedding, allowing us to go ahead as planned.

The morning of our wedding, we woke up to pouring rain, but by 9am the rain was over and the sun broke it's way through the cloud to reveal what was the most beautiful of days!

The bridal suites were abuzz with laughter and excitement as the bridal party prepared for the day. The woman sipping on champagne, painting one another's nails and helping out with hair, and the men relaxing over some ice cold beers.

It was time to put on my wedding dress, and my bridesmaids, gran and aunt patiently waited outside whilst my mother helped me with all the small details. I did a dress reveal and I will never forget the look on my grandmother's face as tears ran down her cheeks. A memory I will treasure forever!

The chapel bell rang and it was time to walk down the aisle to meet my future husband - a moment I could no longer wait for. My father lives in the United Kingdom and was not able to come to South Africa due to the travel ban, so I had to do the walk by myself. My father and I are very close (some would say best friends!), so this moment was probably one of the toughest for me. Every girl dreams of having their father walk them down the aisle, and I was no exception. Of course this meant that this moment was rife with emotion, with guests wiping away their tears as I walked down the aisle - brave and composed. I still do not know how I managed to do it!

Our minister, my dad's best friend of over 30 years married us and his message was one that was personal and heartfelt. He shared a story of my sisters first toy cellphone, which drove him crazy with its constant ringing noises. In the middle of his story, my sister's cellphone alarm started going off which had everyone in stitches as she scrambled to find her phone.

We said our vows, got to say our 'I do's' and then finally we got to have our first kiss as Mr and Mrs Bowles.

Following our ceremony, we had family and bridal party photos which were filled with endless laughter! Our guests were treated to canapes, drinks and lawn games as my husband and I went off the beach for our bridal shoot. We just managed to catch the sun before it went behind the clouds and our photos will tell the rest of the story!

The reception hall was filled with conversations and catch-ups. We cut our cake as soon as we came in which was followed by the speeches. My father was linked up via zoom and he delivered a very heart-felt speech from the UK. Following this, I decided to surprise my husband with a speech of my own. I could not not pay tribute to him on our special day!

After we had eaten, we did out first dance (a ''sokkie'') and we were not even one verse in when the entire dance floor was packed with all our guests. After all the time locked away, and not being able to have an opskop, their feet were itching for that dancefloor. The dancefloor remained packed the entire night (of course! only up until curfew, 23.00). This was something my husband has always wanted and the DJ and guests did not disappoint!

It was the most joyous, most perfect, more memorable day of our lives! Everything was perfect, the flowers and décor, my dress, the venue, the weather, the people, the music, the food!

The Honeymoon

 

We went to the beautiful Lalibela Private Game Reserve for two nights on our way back home from Port Elizabeth to Grahamstown. It was such a special time being able to unwind and enjoy our time together as a married couple. The bush is our happy place!

Wedding Gallery

 

My Special Day

My dream wedding dress was bought from Casa Blair Bridal.
My hair was done by Naidine de Coning from The Fountain.
My mother gave me her 9ct, pearl earrings (something old!) and bought my a white gold, tear-drop pearl necklace (something new!).

The Venue

We got married at the incredible, The Planation wedding venue in Port Elizabeth.

The Plantation

The Plantation

Voted as South Africa’s best wedding venue

Wedding Elements

Our wedding day was filled with pops of colour, with the protea being our wedding flower. Flowers and Décor were done by the amazing team from Floral Creations.

My Captured Moments

The incredible talented, Ron Harding captured our wedding day!

Wedding Services Used

 
The Plantation

The Plantation

Voted as South Africa’s best wedding venue