We have been waiting for our wedding celebration for almost 2 years and I've dreamt about walking towards the man of my dreams in a white dress my whole life.
Our ceremony and vow renewal took place in Helderberg Nature Reserve, a place we've visited together since our schooldays. We impulsively chose a spot for the ceremony, with the mountains and fynbos being our backdrop (and all our family and friends just went with it)! We only had a few guests at the ceremony and my parents and sister got VIP seats as they watched a live stream all the way from Canada. Declaring my love to my soulmate for the second time, surrounded by the beauty of the creation is something I'll always cherish.
The reception took place in my in-law's garden. This was particularly special as the past three generations of my husband's family grew up in the house. We spent days and nights at that house when we were young, falling in love and creating special memories. Little did we know that we would celebrate our wedding in the same garden were it all started back in school.
We completely transformed the garden of his childhood home to celebrate the most special day of our lives with our family and most special friends. Every single detail of the day portrayed our personalities, our love for the simple things in life and the love we have for our people. Never, in my wildest dreams did I think I would celebrate our covenant without my parents, but one of our biggest highlights were that they got to experience every single step "first-hand" (on camera) while celebrating at home thousands of miles away.
My husband's highlight (other than "his beautiful bride") was definitely his favorite beer on tap! One of my favorite moments were "unveiling my veil" to my husband, haha! It was carefully and thoughtfully designed and had three orchid gardens on. The first and second garden had a bible verse that I dedicate to my husband and the third garden had an embroidered airplane (my husband is a commercial pilot!). The wedding photographer was exceptional and she felt more like a friend than anything else.
The planning and execution of our wedding day was the most enriching and relaxing experience and I wish this same experience upon every single future bride!
We went on our elopement honeymoon in November last year so we decided to spend the long weekend with a group of special friends. Our long weekend was spent at my in-laws' holiday house in Silverstrand Gold Estate in Robertson, on the Breederiver.
It was filled with wine tasting, beer tasting, swimming, braaiing, laughter, feasting on good food and celebrating!
My wedding look was modern and simple with a pop of drama:
Dress: The Wedding Boutique Cape Town
Hair and makeup: To Be Hair and Makeup
Veil: Fender Design, Somerset West
Earrings: Jeanne & Co
Shoes: Steve Madden
Lingerie: Foschini underwear (white)
White bridal gown: Studio on 2
Golden hair pins: Lovisa
Our studios based in Cape Town and Johannesburg are fresh, vibrant and above all modern.
Our wedding took place in non-traditional places:
Ceremony: Somewhere in Helderberg Nature Reserve
Reception: My husband' childhood home in Somerset West
Most of our guests live close but many guests slept over at the house!
I did not have a set beauty regime at all!
Health & fitness: I am a triathlete and a registered dietitian so I naturally lead a healthy and balanced lifestyle. I didn't change anything leading up to the wedding.
Skin: didn't change my skincare regime (I use Lamelle products)
Teeth whitening: no
Spa treatments: I went for a lip wax before our wedding at Silver Forest Spa in Somerset West
All our friends and family jumped in to help:
Decor: from my mother-in-law and her friend's house!
Candles: Denga candles
Stationery: Designed by myself on Canva and paper bought at Crafter's Inn
Flowers: bought at Alsmeer flowers and styled by a family friend Rinnet Steele
Rentals: Baie Goeters (dinner tables, white tiffany chairs, bistro lights and black plates)
Tent: Vagabond tents
Music: @itsgroovyj / Juha van Lill (my brother-in-law is a DJ)
Lighting: @itsgroovyj / Juha van Lill (my brother-in-law is a DJ)
Goeters specialises in the utmost imaginative creations of beautiful décor and lights for weddings and events.
The groom looked extremely handsome in a light Country Road blazer, Billabong chino, H&M white shirt, a tie from his father's wardrobe and leather shoes from Arthur Jack!
His groomsmen wore chino's, flannel shirts that they had at home and matching grey Jack & Jones blazers.
It was important that every bridesmaid felt comfortable and looked beautiful. They wore matching plain black linen jumpsuits from Mr Price (can you believe!). They did their own hair and makeup and looked absolutely stunning!
Marriage officer: Cois de Kock
Firstly I want to say that our wedding photographer, Marli Koen, was absolutely amazing. She made our day so special and we couldn't have asked for a more perfect photographer. Her style and approach to photography is unique and she has the most fun and beautiful personality!
Photographer: Marli Koen Photography
Nope, we did it all ourselves
We enjoy the more simple things so we didn't get extravagant cars. We used my brother in-law's Land Rover for the boys and my mother-in-law's white Audi Q5 for the ladies.
Our food was provided by various people (friends and family):
Harvest table: My older sister Elsha Marais
Meat and starch: Mr Spitbraai
Side dished: My bridesmaid Nina Marnitz
Wedding cake: My older sister Elsha Marais
Dessert: our grandma's and bridesmaids each baked their signature dessert for the guests to eat!
I designed all the stationery myself (on Canva) and I bought paper from Crafter's Inn. The printing was done at Chasah Printing in Somerset West.
Very few aspects of our wedding were traditional. We are young-spirited, always go with the flow and just winged the dancing!
DJ, sound & lighting: @itsgroovyj (Juha van Lill)
Goeters specialises in the utmost imaginative creations of beautiful décor and lights for weddings and events.
Our studios based in Cape Town and Johannesburg are fresh, vibrant and above all modern.
