I have always been a sucker for new places and for South Africa. So Christiaan surprised me, after a weekend in Franschhoek, with a flight to Durban.
We rented a car there and drove north where a whole new world opened up for me. I've never been in a tropical climate in my life, so the greens by the seaside, blue beaches and dried pineapple at the farmstalls were the most amazing experience I could have hoped for. We took day trips to different areas, went for snorkling in Kosi Bay, did a few game drives (where we saw absolute gems) and enjoyed the honeymoon-pampering of all the places that hosted us.
We rested, explored and enjoyed one another's company which, I think, is the best way to do honeymoon on!
I never thought I would go for the dress that I went for. It was at a fitting at Elizabeth Stockenstrom Wedding Gowns that this dress caught my eye and kept catching my attention as I went through the photos. After that, I decided on my hair and make-up as I saw fitting. Juanri and Vasti from Paarl helped me in this regard and since they are friends and have a great sense of style, I trusted their judgement on the final look.
Everything else just sort of fell into place! I bought my shoes after careful consideration toward comfort and style... there's only a few brands I trust when it comes to comfort and thus decided that I had to get something from one of them. Ugg was the winner in this category as they had a beautiful ballet-shoe-style wedge that immediately caught my attention. The cream colour was complemented by my pearl drop earrings from Oliver Bonas which my sister brought along from England.
The whole look and feel was elegant and classic. I wanted to be able to look back at the wedding photo's in 10 or 20 or 30 years' time and still love everything about it.
We got married on one of the most beautiful wine farms in Simondium, Vrede en Lust Estate. They have accommodation for up to 40 people and we filled all of the spots with friends and family. It was an amazing time even before the big day because we were able to connect with the majority of our closest friends.
Looking back I realize how ideal it actually was... it really is true what they say... the day flies by!
Our flowers were sourced from all around the province! They were all freshly picked the Monday before our wedding and sent to Paarl two days before where Marlize from Blomlief flowers arranged the most beautiful bouquets and table arrangements. The highlight of the flowers definitely was the arch! A perfect golden circle hired from My Pretty Vintage frosted with sweet blushing brides, geraldton wax, proteas, golden dryandra and fillers. It captured every eye and after the ceremony, presented itself behind the bride and groom in the reception hall.
Crystal chandeliers lit up the hall and gave the already fairytale wedding an extra twinkle. Alongside the flickering candles, smaller rings decorated with blushing brides copied the statement piece at the big table.
We and our guests all felt like royals that evening! And that thanks to all of our wonderful service providers.
Something borrowed, something blue... that was it! The only thing in the rhyme that I didn't have at the wedding. Blue.
Blue and white is such a classic combination... fits with everything, looks pretty on everyone and can be dressed up or down with!
I went fabric shopping while my mom scissored a pattern for high-low skirts and fold-over blouses.
I thought it to be the perfect outfit as they can mix and match and wear it again!
And from there on, I drew the navy and white theme through the whole wedding.
A good friend and extremely talented photographer, Cathe Photography, captured our special moments throughout the day. Nadine Aucamp worked alongside Cathe and their work truly takes us back to our fairytale in the Boland.
My two precious moms, bridesmaids and I organized the majority of the day. It was a real team effort!
Lelani from VNL Weddings was our in-house coordinator who made sure everything went as planned which gave us the opportunity to take every moment in.
We're old school ;)
We used our feet to move from the ceremony area to the celebrations which gave us authentic "romantic walk" photo opportunities.
Something that definitely stood out about the day was the going-away... We greeted most of the guests throughout the evening and when it was time to go, we gave our parents a smile. They knew what it meant. Christiaan then picked me up and helped me over the wall; out by a big open window. We ran and laughed for a bit, turned around and felt how our hearts got warm as we looked at our friends and family laughing, dancing and celebrating with us and for us. We stood there for a while and then vanished around the corner. Full of gratitude, we hit the road in Christiaan's white Toyota Corolla... a real stalwart of a car!
Our food was prepared by Lust Bistro and Bakery. They are situated on Vrede en Lust and cater for all the events held there. Lust recently filled the #1 line on Tripadvisor's ranking of 81 best restaurants in and around Franschhoek. The quality, precision and divinity was something you couldn't miss in the evening's menu.
Our cake was crafted by the wonderful Inke from Inke Cake Design. She is situated in Stellenbosch and specializes in making a cake look like a true artwork. We wanted a simpler cake, so we went for the naked frosted option on a divine carrot cake. We took some on honeymoon afterward (our wedding coordinator quickly snuck it out before it was finished...) and was super sad when it was finished. Truly the best carrot cake you'll ever taste!
I have a bit of an artsy side to me and decided that I wanted to do my own stationary. I designed everything on my computer at home and took it to a local press where they took care of the last thing on my list a week before the wedding. What a sigh of relief! It was then that things got real for me.
I have a bit of an artsy side and decided that I wanted to do my own stationary. I designed everything on my computer at home and took it to a local press where they took care of the last thing on my list a week before the wedding. What a sigh of relief! It was then that things got real for me.
Dancing is something already in our blood. Christiaan and I used to dance every weekend while we were still students and every time we saw a new dance move, we would practice it till we can add it easily to our dance. We didn't think it was necessary for dancing lessons, we just entered the reception with a bang and enjoyed every moment after that!
