Real Brides Magazine - August 2012

South Africa’s Exciting New Monthly Wedding Magazine

August 2012 R24.95 (incl. VAT)

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Don’t Blow The Budget

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A Band For Life

Choosing A Wedding Theme

Real Brides Share Ideas

Real Weddings

4. Penelope & Constantinos Retsos 8. Lara & Joao Morte 12. Kate & Jason Howard-Tripp

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17. A Band For Life 18. Donna & Danie Van Huysteen 22. Kelly & Brad Smith 26. Don’t Blow The Budget

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30. Debbie & Migael Dandoulakis 34. Shannon & David Manduell 38. Michelle & Kyle Dickson 43. Choosing A Wedding Theme 44. Stormé & Christopher Pool 48. Judy Leigh & Andrew Elliot

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53. Wedding Faqs 54. Michelle & Oliver Burn

Cover Bride: Penelope Retsos Photographer: Mario Sales Artistic Imagery

REAL BRIDES is published independently by RamCom Publishing (Pty) Limited.

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IN THIS ISSUE Another fabulous array of Real Brides sharing their wedding planning experiences and their big days with readers. Their individual stories are packed full of useful advice and their photos will no doubt give brides-to-be many good ideas - from venues to make up and bridal gowns.

REAL BRIDES is a bridal magazine with a difference ... a BIG difference. We have the edge as there is a brand NEW issue of REAL BRIDES out on sale every single MONTH. Visit our website – www.realbrides.co.za – and you can also find us on Facebook.

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1 August 2012 • REAL BRIDES • 3

PENELOPE & CONSTANTINOS RETSOS “I would definitely recommend our wedding venue. It offers superb service and excellent food.”

This elegant couple had known each other for years, but it was only when a random series of events took pace that romantic sparks began to fly. Their union culminated in a truly joyous occasion with plenty of tradition - as one would expect from their fun-loving Greek community and friends.

Tell us about your proposal.

Dino proposed at Castello di Monte, an exclusive guesthouse in Waterkloof, Pretoria. He arranged a romantic dinner next to a fireplace with a personal chef, who just happened to be one of his best friends! He’d made a scrapbook telling the story of our relationship, which he gave to me just before he proposed.

Where did you start with your planning and how long did you have to plan your wedding?

The most important aspect for me was to prepare a guest list from both sides of the family. I was then able to consolidate the numbers to get to the number of guests we were going to invite. From there I was able to start looking for a wedding venue. We had eight months to plan.

Were you hands on with the planning of your big day or did you employ the services of a wedding planner?

I was pretty hands on with my planning but I had the help of my mother as well as our wedding planners, Salamander Design Concepts, who were brilliant and a pleasure to work with. I would recommend them to any other bride.

Did you have clear idea of what you wanted for your big day?

I had a very clear idea of what I wanted for my big day – a fairytale wedding!

How many venues did you look at and what made you decide?

I looked at three venues in total, but fell in love with the Sandton Sun Hotel as soon as I saw it. We chose it as our wedding venue because of its elegance, class and warm ambiance, which ticked all the boxes in terms of what I had dreamt our wedding would be.

4 • REAL BRIDES • 1 August 2012

“My highlight was our beautiful wedding ceremony and marrying the love of my life.”

Venue: Sandton Sun Hotel Wedding gown: Gert van de Merwe Couture Shoes: Europa Art Shoes – www.europashoes.co.za Hair: Haveli: Jaco Make up: Andri Leonida Photography: Mario Sales Artistic Imagery Video: Empire Videos & Photography Bridesmaid’s dresses: Catherine’s Collections Lighting and Sound: Sono Luminus DJ: DJ Phil Wedding Cake: Sugar and Ice

1 August 2012 • REAL BRIDES • 5

Tell us about the search for your wedding gown, did you know exactly what you wanted?

I had a good idea as to what type of dress I wanted and searched through many bridal magazines to get ideas. With the help of an incredible designer, Gert van de Merwe, he created the dress of my dreams.

Shoes are always critical as the bride is on her feet most of the day. Did you have fun choosing and how many pairs of shoes did you try on?

I have a shoe fetish and I loved shopping for my wedding shoes! Europa Art Shoes had the largest selection of wedding shoes, which made finding the appropriate pair a lot easier. I still love my shoes and will get plenty of wear out of them.

My shoes were silver stilettos, with a large bow with crystal embellishments on the front. They were definitely a good choice as I did not ever feel the need to change shoes during the evening like so many brides do. They were so comfortable that I danced the night away with ease.

Your theme/colour scheme?

I was inspired by cool water roses and my theme was designed around these roses.

How many guests?

We had 340 guests at our wedding!

How did you go about choosing your bridal party?

Each and every person was specially chosen for the treasured relationship we have with them, they were made up of close friends and relatives. I had six bridesmaids and Dino had six groomsmen who all hold a special place in our hearts.

Something old, something new, borrowed and something blue?

something

My dress was something new; my garter was something blue and my mother gave me one of her bracelets for the occasion, which covered something old and something borrowed.

Did you set up a gift registry?

We did not have a gift registry for our wedding; however we did have one for my bridal shower.

In your opinion what do you think worked best on your big day?

I believe that making use of Salamander Design Concepts as our wedding coordinators was one of our best choices as the wedding went off without any glitches and we enjoyed the evening without stressing about anything. The atmosphere and mood created by our family and friends was the most significant factor in making our wedding an unforgettable memory.

Was there anything that didn’t work out quite as it should have?

No. Our service providers were brilliant and gave us the wedding of our dreams.

6 • REAL BRIDES • 1 August 2012

LARA & JOAO MORTE

“Don’t overdo the alcohol.

I remember everything so clearly and could spend time with all our guests one on one.

Even better - I didn’t wake up with a killer headache!”

THIS funky pair joins a growing band of newlyweds who actually met on the Internet.

“People are always surprised to hear that we met on the internet,” says Lara. “Neither of us were meeting any potentially great matches at pubs and clubs so, we decided to give it a go… and here we are today!”

Were you hands on with the planning of your big day and did Joao get involved?

Yes, we were totally hands on – and that’s the way we wanted it. It was a total DIY wedding and I think that’s what made it so special and personal for us and our guests.

Joao was amazing in that he helped me with everything – making wooden message boards, cutting, sticking, stapling and he took such an interest in all the details for our day. My mum, who is an events co-coordinator / planner, did the most amazing job with all the decor, boutiques and flowers. With me being a designer I did all the fun little things like menus, name tags, wine labels, buttonholes etc.

Being such a creative person did you have clear idea of what you wanted for your big day?

Yes and no – I think nowdays we are so spoilt with the internet, it can almost give you too much choice.

But, I did know that I wanted a very informal, layed back atmosphere wedding - we are both pretty chilled people and didn’t want a stuffy, formal affair.

How many venues did you look at and what made you decide on iNsingizi?

We actually visited about four or five venues but also looked at hundreds of others on the internet and in books and magazines. As soon as we got to iNsingizi we knew it was the venue for us. We totally fell in love with the rustic but also sophisticated feel of the venue. It was just what we were looking for. It’s just the most tranquil, magical setting.

8 • REAL BRIDES • 1 August 2012

“There’s truly nothing that didn’t go exactly how I wanted it to.

The weather was amazing and the venue was fantastic.

There is nothing I could possibly fault.”

Venue: iNsingizi – www.insingizi.co.za Wedding gown: KPF Bridal Gowns Makeup: Lynne Harris Décor: Fresh Ideas Photography: Kelly Daniels Photography Video: Oliver Twist – Lauren Oliver 1 August 2012 • REAL BRIDES • 9

Did the venue meet with all your expectations?

Yes and more. There’s honestly nothing I could fault right from the planning stages to the wedding day itself. Everything went off without a hitch. I would recommend iNsingizi to anybody and everyone.

Nothing was ever too much trouble - even if it meant us calling them up three times a day! The staff were so wonderful, the food was great, and the venue was simply breathtaking.

Any tips on cutting costs?

Do as much as you can yourself. Brides may often be tempted to cut costs in the wrong places and then live to regret it later. For example, I ummed and aahed as to whether I should spend money on a makeup artist as we didn’t have a huge budget to work with. But, I’m so glad that my friend Nat convinced me otherwise – it was just divine to really feel special and pampered. Money well spent.

How many guests attended?

Our wedding was very small; we never wanted a huge wedding. Unfortunately a lot of both Joao and my family members are overseas and could not make the day. We had 30 guests in total - just close friends and family.

Tell us about the people who made up your bridal party and how you went about choosing them?

I had two bridesmaids. The first was one of my closest friends, Natalie, whom I met whilst waitressing after finishing school almost 11 years ago. The other was my dear friend, Cath, whom I met whilst backpacking around Australia. She flew out for the wedding.

Any funny moments?

We a few took dancing lessons beforehand and had our routine fairly well down pat. On the night however I totally forgot the whole routine and we just had to wing it! We had such a good laugh about it at the time.

The highlights of your day?

One of them was having both my Mum and Dad both there (as I am from a divorced family) to share our day with us. The second was Joao and I making our own personalised vows to one another. This really made the ceremony special and memorable for us as a couple.

From your own experience do you have any handy advice for brides-to-be?

I know everyone says it but, seriously, it is you and your husband’s day so go all out and enjoy it! If something doesn’t go off exactly how you want it, don’t stress, it’s really not worth it… have fun!

10 • REAL BRIDES • 1 August 2012

KATE & JASON HOWARD-TRIPP “Setting up the venue the day before is a must but, don’t do it yourself as you will be left looking and feeling exhausted on the very day that you want to look your best.”

Their brothers had been friends for years but Kate and Jason’s paths finally crossed at a black tie charity function. The sparks that immediately flew between them eventually became fireworks!

How did Jason pop the big question?

Wow, it was an amazing surprise. I had planned a huge 30th birthday bash for Jason in April 2011. It had a Moroccan theme and we invited about 120 crazy friends and some family. In the week leading up to his birthday Jason had asked me what I was giving him for his birthday and I jokingly answered “Me”. On the evening Jason stood up and, instead of giving a birthday speech, he proceeded to tell everyone that he always said he would one day have his very own “butler” and seeing that I had promised myself as his birthday gift, he took it literally. He then got down on one knee and proposed to me - Kate Butler.

How long did you have to plan your big day?

We had a year but decided to enjoy being engaged for a few months before starting with wedding plans.

Did you have a clear picture in your head of what you wanted for your big day?

Yes, I wanted an elegant affair and Jason wanted a boma and a bonfire. They say marriage is all about compromise so that was lesson number one. So off we went to find a beautiful private game farm with a boma and a bonfire.

Where did you look for ideas and inspiration?

I found all the inspiration I needed between bridal magazines and Google – my two favourite things.

How did you find your venue and what made you decide on the one you chose?

Like everything else recommendations come flying in from well meaning family and friends and so our search began. We travelled from the KZN Midlands to the coast and finally found the Rain Farm Game and Lodge – www.rainfarmgameandlodge.co.za. It was a beautiful fusion of both our styles and fitted the bill perfectly.

12 • REAL BRIDES • 1 August 2012

“ We honestly didn’t stick to the budget and there were so many items I bought that were actually totally unnecessary.

But, I had fun shopping anyway!”

Venue: The Rain Farm Game & Lodge – www.rainfarmgameandlodge.co.za Wedding gown: GF Bridal Couture, Fourways Shoes: Anelle Wedding Shoes Hair: Scissor Sister & Partners Hair & Beauty Make up: My amazing sister, Charleen Dunkley - www.skintruth.co.za Photography: Wade Howard – www.oceandrivenmedia.com 1 August 2012 • REAL BRIDES • 13

Did the venue meet with all your expectations and would you recommend it?

Yes and yes again. The Rain Farm has such a lovely atmosphere and super helpful staff. Our field guide, Mathew, was amazing and really made our photo time entertaining. Tammy was so helpful in assisting with the set up and ensured that the venue ran smoothly.

How much did you do yourself and did you use a wedding planner?

Fortunately I’ve had the opportunity to coordinate a few functions and with the help of family and friends I was well equipped to take on planning my own wedding.

Your theme/colour scheme?

Although the reception was held in a boma we still wanted an elegant theme, hence the silver candelabras, pearls and orchids. We loved the contrast of the rustic boma and elegant table settings.

How many guests did you have at your wedding?

We decided to keep it intimate and had a total of 74 family and friends.

Tell us about the people who made up your bridal party and how you went about choosing them?

There was never any doubt in my mind as to who my bridesmaids would be - Louise and Tarryn are lifelong friends. My matron of honour, Janine, is a friend very close to my heart and has always been there for me.

Jason considers everyone a special friend and would have had them all - just imagine getting suits for that? Luckily reason prevailed and he chose two very special guys.

In your opinion what do you think worked best on your big day?

Choosing a reputable venue and planning an order of proceedings that best suited us. For example we did our cake cutting directly after the ceremony, which allowed our guests to enjoy the cake, together with snacks and beverages, whilst we went off to have our photos taken. We also opened our reception with the first dance and later opened the dance floor with the father/daughter dance.

What was your best/most useful gift?

We had hiccup with our honeymoon flight and a very special friend covered the cost of re-scheduling all our flights. This was obviously an unexpected expense and such an awesome gesture.

The highlights of your day?

The whole experience of walking down the aisle and then our first dance were the most special moments for me.

14 • REAL BRIDES • 1 August 2012

A BAND FOR LIFE

FINDING suitable wedding rings might seem a far easier task than selecting an engagement ring, but it still involves many important decisions. You will hopefully be wearing your wedding ring for the rest of your life so it’s important to choose a design you’ll be comfortable with. Consider a variety of metals, shapes, thicknesses and styles in order to find the right ones for you.

Metal

Band style

The choice of metal for the bride’s wedding band is usually

You will probably never have considered this before but if you

dictated by her engagement ring. The groom’s ring will often

turn a ring on its side you will notice the style – or profile – of its

follow suit too. However, if the bride and groom have different

band. The most common band shapes for wedding rings are:

preferences there is nothing to stop the groom opting for gold while the bride goes for platinum. Here are the most popular

Rounded-edge wedding ring: this gently curved style is the

options:

most subtle and traditional option.

A

yellow gold

wedding ring is the traditional choice. 24k

is the purest but also the softest variety, so is not generally

High-domed wedding ring: with its more pronounced curve, this style is slightly taller than the rounded-edge design.

recommended for wedding bands. 14k and 18k gold are less pure but harder and therefore more likely to make a durable

Flat wedding ring: this design has quite square edges for a

wedding ring.

more modern look.

white gold

wedding ring will complement any silver or

Other terms you might hear when it comes to wedding-

platinum jewellery you may have already. However, a white

band shapes include D-shape wedding ring, court wedding

gold wedding ring is often plated with rhodium to enhance its

ring or concave wedding ring. Don’t be unnerved by all this

appearance, and this plating is likely to wear off with time.

terminology; find a jeweller you trust who is prepared to give

A platinum wedding ring is another popular choice. This silvery

you plenty of time and who will answer your questions patiently.

A

metal is highly resistant to damage. It’s much rarer than gold and is therefore more expensive, but a platinum wedding ring will last a lifetime.

A

titanium wedding ring is a more modern choice since it is

Other considerations

Nowadays couples often favour jewel-set wedding rings. If you like this idea you should consider the harder stones (such as diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, topaz) as time takes its

only relatively recently that this striking greyish metal has been

toll on softer varieties. Diamond-set wedding rings are the most

used for jewellery. It is extremely durable and can be carved

popular option.

without losing its strength.

Shape

Couples often want to have their wedding date engraved on the inside of their wedding rings and sometimes there is room for

When it comes to the shape of the bride-to-be’s wedding band,

other sentiments too. If you are doing this, make sure you write

the main consideration is how it sits with her engagement ring.

down exactly what you want inside your ring – including use of capital letters etc – and ask your jeweller what font or style will

If the engagement ring is straight-edged, a classic, straight-

be used.

edged wedding band will sit snugly next to it. However, the gemstone setting in some engagement rings will not

Be sure to check out how long it will take for your wedding

accommodate a straight-edged wedding band. In this case

bands to be ready. Allowing at least eight weeks is a good rule

you could opt for a curved wedding ring, sometimes known as a fitted wedding ring or a shaped wedding ring.

Many curved styles can be bought off the shelf. Otherwise,

of thumb.

Families often pass down wedding rings as heirlooms so this may be an option for you.

a good wedding-ring jeweller can custom-design a wedding band to sit perfectly next to your engagement ring.

Choose rings that you and your partner are happy with. Don’t worry about other people’s choices, but do ask around and look in jewellery stores, in magazines and online for inspiration.

1 August 2012 • REAL BRIDES • 17

DONNA & DANIE VAN HUYSSTEEN “Danie and I decided to write our own vows. I was overwhelmed by his beautiful words of commitment to me - he had half the chapel in tears!”

This lovely couple lived in the same complex and met through a mutual friend. They clicked instantly and within 10 minutes of meeting Danie had asked Donna out on a dinner date!

How long did you have to plan your wedding?

Only six months as we wanted a short engagement.

Did you have a hen’s party/bachelorette party or kitchen tea?

My bridesmaids surprised me with a high tea at my Mom’s home. They then took me to Ballito for a hen’s night out. The fun continued right through to breakfast the next morning!

The most difficult part of planning your wedding?

Getting six bridesmaids together and choosing dresses they liked! Also, choosing my wedding dress – I couldn’t decide whether to have a pink or silver belt but when I found pink shoes they quickly sealed the decision.

How big a part did the internet play in helping you plan your wedding?

We found our venue on the internet and I also used Pinterest (a content sharing service that allows members to “pin” images, videos and other objects to their pinboard) for lots of inspiration.

Did you attend bridal fairs and if so, did you glean any good ideas from them?

Yes, I went to one. That’s where I got the idea for a Photo booth. We used one and it was a real winner, our guests loved it and queued up all evening just to get in to it!

How many wedding venues did you look at and what made you choose the one that you did?

We looked at just one, Cranford Country Lodge. The setting and feel of the venue appealed to both of us immediately. It is a beautiful picturesque country venue. It was perfect as we could book out the entire place ourselves. Many of our guests stayed over on

18 • REAL BRIDES • 1 August 2012

“Don’t sweat the small stuff! Do what makes your heart happy.

Choose organised bridesmaids!

Mine were a huge help.”

Venue: Cranford Country Lodge Photography: Saysha Baker Music: Colin van Wyk Make up artist: Meryl Kaumpek 1 August 2012 • REAL BRIDES • 19

both the Friday and Saturday nights which turned it into a weekend wedding.

Did you use a wedding planner?

No. The two Moms’ and I planned well!

Did you set up a gift registry?

Yes. @Home.

Your best/most useful gift?

The money we took on our honeymoon and our Nespresso coffee machine.

What do you think about requesting guests for money instead of gifts?

Danie and I lived together for a while and had accumulated 99% of all that we need so money was a good option - apart from the gift registry we set up.

What was your colour theme?

Old country, pastel greys.

The highlight of your day or any special moments?

It was the day our dreams true. It was such a lovefilled day and everyone was so supportive of us, we felt truly blessed. It was very special for me that Danie’s son Matt played such a big role on the day and he danced the night away with us.

Any surprises?

Danie and I decided to write our own vows. I was overwhelmed by his beautiful words of commitment to me - he had half the chapel in tears! It was a moment that I shall treasure for the rest of my life.

How many guests?

100

Guest favours?

The two Moms crocheted beautiful flower brochettes for the ladies to wear. They were a huge hit.

Any special/interesting guests?

Many of our guests travelled from around the world to be with us and that was very special.

What worked best?

The photo booth was amazing! There are pics up on Photobooth Pal and on Facebook. Danie and his best man Greg are spear fisherman and they caught all the crayfish for the starter - it took them months!

Danie made his famous sauce to go with it and it worked so well that everyone wanted seconds.

Was there anything that didn’t work?

After starting the reception at 5 o’clock, we had decided to end the evening at midnight. This didn’t work. Our guests wanted the party to continue. We found out the next morning that they had actually paid out of their own pockets to keep the party going long after Danie and I had left the reception!

Honeymoon?

The Greek islands. It was amazing!

20 • REAL BRIDES • 1 August 2012

Kloof Country Club can cater for up to 200 people & 400 people for Marquee Weddings.

Tel: +27 (0)31 764 0555 Fax: +27 (0)86 616 2526 Web: www.kloofcc.co.za Email: foodandbeverage@kloofcc.co.za

KELLY & BRAD SMITH “The whole day was extremely special. We tried to take in and enjoy as much as we could. I think the main highlight was just having everyone there that was special to us.”

THIS bride came jolly close to not ever meeting her husband as she was in two minds whether to attend a farewell party thrown for a mutual friend. Fate however intervened - she decided to go to the party at the last minute and she ended up by meeting the man of her dreams!

Tell us about your proposal.

Brad says that the proposal is the hardest part from a guy’s perspective so I will let him tell the story!

“I bought the ring a lot earlier than originally planned. I knew what Kelly wanted and when I started searching I came across a ring that a jeweller had just made, it was perfect and I didn’t want to let it go.

“Trying to hide the ring and keep cool in front of Kelly was pretty hard so I knew the proposal had to be sooner rather than later or else I was going to botch it! Luckily she didn’t think I had even started saving for a ring, so I had the element of surprise. I had shown the ring to my friend Alex (one of my groomsmen). He fully supported me and said he would help me look at the local Lion Park to see if the picnic site was decent.

“After that we organised the Lion Park excursion. Kelly actually ended up helping me get stuff together, which was good because if I had tried to do everything myself it would have been too obvious.

“The Lion Park day was great, we played with cubs and had photos taken with the giraffe etc. Then we got our stuff from the car and sat down to have our picnic. I crept to the boot of the car to get the ring. To cut a long story short, after much deliberation about how I was going to pull the ring out, Kelly turned to me and said that I looked like I was up to no good! I blurted out ‘yes I am, will you marry me?’ and showed her the ring! Her reply wasn’t ‘yes’ but rather ‘is it real?’ Then ... after me almost dying, she said yes!”

How long did you have to plan your wedding?

We got engaged on the 9th of April and married on the 21st of January the following year so it was just over 10 months.

22 • REAL BRIDES • 1 August 2012

“My dress didn’t turn out exactly as I had planned, but because the final alterations were done and I was already in Kenton, there wasn’t much I could do about it.”

Reception venue: Kenton Town Hall Wedding gown: Bridal Designs Shoes: Europa Art Shoes & Edgars (I had 2 pairs) Hair: Hair by Judy – Kenton-on-Sea Make up: Ncjprofessional Make Up Photography: Andrew Elliot Photography Wedding planner: Jenni van Wyk Music: DJ - Duncan Crisp (PE)

1 August 2012 • REAL BRIDES • 23

Did you have a clear picture of what kind of wedding you wanted?

Pretty much, we both knew we wanted everything to be chilled and most importantly we wanted our guests to have a good time and to enjoy our special day as much as us!

The venue for your ceremony and reception?

The actual ceremony was held on the balcony of Brad’s parent’s house in Kenton-On-Sea which has an amazing view overlooking the whole of Kenton.

The reception was held nearby in Kenton town hall.

Did you use a wedding planner?

Yes we did, Jenni was amazing. I gave her a brief of what we wanted and more importantly what we didn’t want. She was very good at sourcing everything and keeping everything organised - especially on the day.

What was your colour scheme?

Our main colour was duck egg blue, with white and touches of stone. It’s actually a very hard colour to find and we ended up making our own table cloths and bridesmaids dresses.

How did you go about choosing your bridal party?

My bridesmaids were easy to pick. I had my sisterin-law Robyn, my best friend from school, Greea, and my best friend from varsity, Natalie. They were all amazing and went out of their way to make sure everything was perfect. Andre, who is Brad’s oldest friend, was the best man and then there was Ben and Alex who are both Brad’s really close friends.

What worked best?

Probably having our wedding in a small town. Most of our guests stayed just walking distances away so drinking and driving wasn’t a concern and it also meant that most of our guests were around for the whole weekend.

You currently live in Spain, so what did you do about wedding gifts?

Most of our friends and family knew we were going to Spain so they gave us money instead of actual gifts or they paid for a few nights’ accommodation or car hire in Spain etc. So, it worked out well. We did however still set up a registry as we didn’t think it was pleasant to ask guests for money - especially when they would be travelling so far to attend our wedding anyway. A few people did give us presents that we’ve stored in Kenton along with all our household stuff and we will be able to use it all when we get back. We plan to return to South Africa so it will be nice having all the presents when we return.

Did you blow your budget?

We were pretty accurate with our budget. There weren’t any last minute expenses that we hadn’t planned for or anything like that so we were lucky.

24 • REAL BRIDES • 1 August 2012

Don’t BLOW The Budget INTEREST rates, food and petrol seem to be constantly on the up and up leaving bridal couples facing the huge challenge of how to get to the altar without breaking the bank.

The costs of planning that dream wedding therefore leads to the singularly most important task on the “to do” list - setting up a budget and managing it wisely.

Busy brides don’t need the added stress of the everyday cost of living to complicate the wedding planning process.

Here are some simple steps to help you save and spend wisely to ensure you can afford all the trimmings that will make up your dream wedding.

•

Get yourself organised early - agree on a budget upfront.

This will help to manage both partners’ expectations and help to avoid any budget blow-outs during the planning stage. The more time you have to organise your wedding, the more you will be able to ‘DIY’ to reduce costs further.

• Manage your money wisely - set up a high interest savings account.

•

• Buy the flowers you want and arrange them yourself.

Prices tend to increase when florists hear the magic word ‘wedding’.

• Everybody has a talent. Ask friends or family to get involved by helping with decorations, cakes, photography or invitations.

• Shop around - don’t settle for your first choice. Look around, compare prices and make sure that you get the best deal.

Prioritise - stretch your money by making a wish-list ranking items in order of importance. Ask yourself what is really important to you and what could be considered a frivolous expense - most importantly, what will fit within your budget. You can then revise your list accordingly and stick to it.

• Do your homework: flick through magazines, take in the details of friends’ weddings and put your own spin on the elements you like.

• Schedule your wedding ‘off-season’. In South Africa this period tends to vary from province to province.

• Go to expos for ideas. Many exhibitors offer deals that could help you keep within your budget.

• Keep decorations simple by decorating strategically.

Limit your expenditure by placing them only where people will see them.

• Establish a honeymoon or special gift registry to help pay for your dream honeymoon or gifts.

26 • REAL BRIDES • 1 August 2012

Ana Paula Bridals 011 918 3807 • 083 453 5618

684 Trichardt Road • Beyers Park Boksburg

Photo: Photo-M

DEBBIE & MIGAEL DANDOULAKIS “My dress made me feel like the “Princess” I am!“

THIS couple first met at a fabulous 40th birthday party held at a Greek restaurant. She thought he was the restaurant manager, when in fact he was the owner, and it turned out that he was actually friends with her Dad! During the evening he asked for her number but never called. She was intrigued and had to see him again, so she went back to his restaurant and they have been together ever since!

Tell us about your proposal.

Migael phoned me on one of those manic Friday afternoons at the office and asked me if I would like to go to dinner. Very distracted, I said that would be lovely. When we arrived at the restaurant, the hostess walked us to our table which was covered in red rose petals, candles and a huge bouquet of long stemmed red roses. I asked what the special occasion was.

Migael said he loved me so much and wanted to say thank you for everything I did for him. I dropped my suspicions there and then. He had got my hopes up a month before and I was broken when it wasn’t the proposal! Little did I know that the false alarm was in fact the time he was busy designing and having my ring made! After dinner he ordered a bottle of champagne. He took my hand telling me how much he loved me and pulled out the little box containing the most amazing ring and asked me to marry him.

I was in complete shock! After an exciting evening and telling everyone we were engaged we spent the night at a smart hotel. Our room had champagne, chocolates, gowns, slippers ... it was amazing! It’s an evening I shall never forget!

How long did you have to plan your wedding?

Just over a year.

Were you hands on with the planning of your big day or did you employ the services of a wedding planner?

I have an amazing Mom, two younger sisters and a very supportive family. Together we planned and did everything. It was great fun and filled with special memories. Migael helped choose colours, décor, flowers etc. and even went shopping with us girls. It was great having him involved.

30 • REAL BRIDES • 1 August 2012

“We went on honeymoon to Knysna. It is one of the most beautiful and romantic places in South Africa!”

Venue: Saint George Hotel, Irene Wedding gown: Ana Paula Bridals - (011) 918 3807 Shoes: A gift from my sisters Hair: Passario Make up: Did my own Photography: Photo-M

1 August 2012 • REAL BRIDES • 31

Did you have clear idea of what you wanted for your big day?

Migael and I think very much alike. The finer details needed to be confirmed, but in terms of the overall look and feel, we knew exactly what we wanted.

How many venues did you look at?

We looked at a few venues just to compare, but knew right from the very beginning that we were going to get married at the Saint George Hotel in Irene. We were guests at a wedding at this venue a few years back and loved everything about it.

How many dresses did you try on and what made you choose an Ana Paula gown?

I visited a few wedding dress stores and was not impressed by the stock, the assistance or the staff.

Ana Paula’s boutique was around the corner from where we lived, so we popped in. I had battled to find dresses to fit me and decided that I needed to have one made. I tried on two that Paula had made at her boutique, fell in love with them both and created my own vision. She knew exactly what I was after and drew it for me. That is until a month before my dress needed to start being made! I found an image of the most exquisite dress, which was completely different to my original dress! This one was big and just so fairy like. I rushed over to see Paula. She said: “You only get married once and it is the only day you can wear anything like this. You need to look and feel like a princess”. So we changed the design and my dress turned out even more beautiful than I expected – even better than the picture! Ana Paula is professional, friendly and made me feel like a true bride. She adds her special touch to make everything perfect!

Your theme/colour scheme?

We planned to have a white wedding, no colour just white draping, fairy lights, glass, mirrors and candles.

We subtly introduced colour with the bridesmaid’s dresses in an aqua blue, which complimented the sky, the pool outside our venue and the tinted glass in the Chapel.

How many guests?

120 guests of whom more than half were family. They came from all around the country to join us which made it all so special.

The highlights of your day?

Oh so many! My dress made me feel like the “Princess” I am! Migael sent me a huge bouquet of flowers while I was getting ready. My family were there for me and ensured everything was perfect. Every person we invited made it to share our special day with us. Our photographer captured every moment and made us feel so comfortable. Our DJ, Alex, made the party a huge success, as I never left the dance floor. And ... we broke over 800 Greek plates!

32 • REAL BRIDES • 1 August 2012

Nkuthu Gardens A Real Fairytale Setting Every couple wants their wedding day to be perfect, so finding the right venue is crucial. The scenic and naturally beautiful Nkuthu Gardens fits the bill.

Nkuthu Gardens, formally known as Crinkley Bottom Park, is now owned by Jeff & Anne Gard and the recent rechristening to Nkuthu Gardens was to ensure that the energy, positivity and personality of the property continues to grow. A new management team and revamp have made the natural beauty of the area shine through.

Situated on 7 acres of pristine ground on the banks of the Nkutu River, about 45 minutes from the centre of Durban, a beautiful lakeside setting and scenic beauty makes Nkuthu Gardens an ideal location for that perfect fairytale wedding.

Being conveniently positioned midway between Durban and Pietermaritzburg makes Nkuthu Gardens easily accessible from all major roads.

Boasting two separate purpose built venues, they offer the choice of a smaller more intimate function or a larger more glamorous one. Choosing an all inclusive venue offers a great deal of convenience.

Nkuthu Gardens are able to host both the wedding ceremony and the reception. This way, once the ceremony is over, guests can mingle before the reception begins, with no need for the bridal party and guests to drive to a different reception venue.

On site catering and décor further adds to the convenience of the all inclusive approach. This ensures that things run smoothly under the supervision and guidance of the in house function’s coordinator.

Those wanting to spend the night can choose from nine tastefully decorated en-suite bedrooms.

At Nkuthu Gardens you will be assured of a warm welcome and undivided attention from both management and staff who take pleasure in offering you personalised service with flexible packages to suit your individual requirements.

Their experience, commitment and attention to detail set them apart.

167 Inanda Road • Waterfall • 031 763 4149 Email: info@nkuthugardens.co.za Website: www.nkuthugardens.co.za

SHANNON & DAVID MANDUELL “What worked best was the quaintness of the wedding and the simple rustic decor.”

Never say never could well be the motto for this delightful couple who were lucky enough to find love the second time around.

How did you meet?

I had given up on love and spending the rest of my life with a soul mate. I met David, who was in SA on holiday, through a friend of a friend. I was hesitant to meet him due to our 10 year age gap but in the end I said “what the heck” and she gave him my number. We met at a restaurant and there was an instant connection – we talked our heads off till past midnight. I declined a second date as I had a bad dose of flu and David thought I was clearly not interested in him but, it was in fact quite the opposite.

Tell us about your proposal.

David went back to England and he returned to SA a short while later to visit again. He called me to join him for lunch. Whilst sitting chatting, out of the blue he simply said “would you like to marry me”. My answer was a strong “YES”. I walked around like a kid that stole a sweet for the rest of the day!

How many venues did you look at and what was it that made you settle on Bella Vista?

We looked at several, one being a private game lodge in Hoedspruit but the cost was very high and not many of our family and friends would have been able to witness our marriage. I was eventually given the name of Bella Vista. When we met with Janine from Bella Vista we made up our minds within a minute of arriving - we just knew we were in the right place.

Bella Vista offers the most amazing views over the “Valley of a 1000 Hills” and the deck is spectacular.

Did Bella Vista meet with all your expectations?

Absolutely! We were looking for the perfect “spot” to create our “rustic” wedding. Janine made our day perfect - a warm and incredibly professional hostess.

She helped make our day very personal and smooth from beginning to end.

34 • REAL BRIDES • 1 August 2012

“We spent three luxurious nights at the 5-star Makalali Private Game Lodge in Hoedspruit and then we spent just over a week in the Kruger Park.”

Venue: Bella Vista – www.bellavista.co.za Wedding gown: The Bridal Shop, Durban Hair: Sandy – Botha’s Hill Make up: I did my own.

Photography: Shelley Kjonstad

1 August 2012 • REAL BRIDES • 35

Your theme/colour scheme?

We are earthy, nature-loving individuals so we wanted the bushveld theme of our special day to be as rustic as possible. Since game lodges are way too expensive we had to try to recreate what you might find in the bush with earth tone colours. There was to be no red carpet and no flashy, shiny decor.

Were you hands on with the planning of your big day and who helped you?

Yes, I made all the arrangements myself - with David’s help of course. We chose our own music, the theme and the entertainment. My mom and my aunt Penny were also involved in the planning and Bella Vista’s Janine was the fairy godmother!

There were lots of extra touches to tie in with your theme?

My mom shopped around for the “perfect” rustic dry flowers. Janine loaned us clay pots for the flowers.

There was quite a bit left over and Janine made up several more arrangements to tie against the drapery in the ceremony area out on the large deck. Those and the bridal arch were nice little surprises from Janine. She also laid out long hessian strips on either side of the aisle on the decking and scattered bark chips, dried yellow rose petals and other nice rustic materials along each strip.

Each table had earth toned candles, a dry flower arrangement in a clay pot and scattered dried yellow rose petals as well as an earthy plaque with a wild animal’s name to identify the table/seating plan. The bridal table for instance was the “King Cheetah” table as David absolutely loves cheetahs.

You are emigrating to the UK so what did you do about wedding gifts?

Since we were leaving for the UK after our honeymoon, we included a small message at the bottom of the wedding invitations which read “should you wish to give us anything for our wedding, cash or edible treats would be most appreciated as we will not be taking anything with us to the UK.”

How many guests did you have at your wedding?

The moment we decided to get married we agreed that the wedding had to be quaint and that the only guests we would have with us on the day would be close family and friends that we spend a lot of time with. After all we had both previously experienced the large “blingy” weddings. We settled on 50 guests.

Where did you source the Zulu dancers?

It was my little idea, in keeping with our theme, to source a small Zulu dance group. I asked around at work (the AIDS Foundation of SA) and one of my colleagues had once used this dance group. It was arranged as a surprise for our guests. They blasted out from behind the venue, singing, dancing and drumming whilst we had our photos taken in the garden.

36 • REAL BRIDES • 1 August 2012

Bella Vista is an established venue with a warm and welcoming ambience, perfect for creating a magical occasion – a great place for wedding ceremonies and receptions.

The venue has a reputation for excellent food and superior service, a private establishment that is yours for the day.

Facilities include a function room with panoramic views of the majestic and breathtaking Valley of 1000 Hills and an adjoining large covered deck which together can hold 170 guests, a service bar, a lower open deck, gazebo, swimming pool, secure parking and landscaped gardens for great photographs.

Bella Vista boasts gold awards for In House Planning and Reception Venue from the South African Bridal Industry Academy.

We believe in a hands-on approach, seeing to the client’s every need and understanding the value of service excellence, welcoming décor and exquisite cuisine. This is the philosophy of all at Bella Vista.

Contact Us: 84 Old Main Road, Bothas Hill, 3660 Tel: 031 765 2738 Fax: 031 765 7387

We aim to bring your dream to life by offering you a breathtaking venue and the freedom and support to create the day you have always dreamed of ...

Your Day, Your Way

mail@bellavista.co.za Janine St Clair 082 324 9765 www.bellavista.co.za

MICHELLE & KYLE DICKSON “Lythwood Lodge was absolutely fantastic and met all our expectations!”

Kyle was playing in a hockey tournament and he met Michelle at a night club where everybody went to let their hair down after one of his hockey functions.

Was your proposal a surprise?

We had discussed marriage and had chosen the ring together so I knew it was coming - I just wasn’t sure when! Kyle proposed to me in the Transkei at a little place called the Spotted Grunter! He did all the arranging himself, and so looking back I should have been more suspicious as organising is really not his thing! There was nothing cheesy (as he would say) i.e. no rose petals etc ... but there was champagne!

Did you have a hen’s night?

I would say it was more of a kitchen tea/drinks party than an actual hen’s night - although I did still have to dress up like an idiot and face the public! I wasn’t up for a full night out on the town so we had an afternoon tea at my parent’s house where all the oldies could attend. We played some games and did all the usual hen’s party things and then us young ones headed off to a local pub for a few drinks in the evening.

What did you do about gifts?

Yes we set up registries at @home and Home etc. It was so much fun selecting the gifts!

What was your overall theme/colour scheme?

The theme had a vintage feel to it with soft pinks and creams and coffee coloured flowers. Kyle and his groomsmen (and both Dads) wore charcoal suits with tails and I wore an ivory coloured dress. My bridesmaids were dressed in pale pink.

Did you make use of a wedding planner?

We just used the wedding co-ordinator at Lythwood Lodge; otherwise it was me and my mom. I work in Events so I’m pretty used to planning etc. And, luckily my sister had just got married a year before so everything was still pretty fresh! My poor parents!

How long did you have to plan your wedding?

9 months.

38 • REAL BRIDES • 1 August 2012

“It turned out to be one of the coldest days in August - with rain!”

Venue: Lythwood Lodge – www.lythwood.com Bridal Gown: Jasmine’s Bridal Boutique Shoes: Via Uno Hair: Claire Glancey Make Up: Make Up Your Mind Photography: Dean Demos – www.deandemos.co.za DJ: Dave Ward from Top Jocks Video: Video Occasions 1 August 2012 • REAL BRIDES • 39

Did you know exactly what you wanted for your wedding?

I had a basic idea but nothing was set in stone. I knew what I wanted but I just wasn’t too sure how to get there!

I was very open to suggestions and relied heavily on my mom’s creative touch and advice from the florist/decor company. I’m not sure whether it’s easier to have a clear picture of what you want or just to go with the flow. I also had a fair idea of my colour scheme so I think that also helped.

How did you come to choose Lythwood Lodge as your venue?

I’ve always loved a Midlands wedding, but was torn between a venue closer to home as it’s easier and less expensive for guests not having to travel and arrange accommodation. So I explored both options Midlands and North Coast (Ballito) areas. I looked at about 10 venues in total. Some were suitable and some not – we found that a lot of venues were restricted in terms of numbers. But in the end the Midlands won!

Lythwood Lodge had the perfect vintage feel to carry out my theme, a beautiful chapel on site and plenty of accommodation. It just felt right - it had such a warm, family feel to it.

Did Lythwood Lodge meet your expectations?

Yes Lythwood Lodge was absolutely fantastic and met all our expectations!

How long before your wedding did you send out your invitations?

We sent out Save the Date fridge magnets together with accommodation options about two months into our engagement so that guests could book their accommodation and sort out their diaries way in advance. The wedding invitations were sent out six weeks before the wedding.

How long did it take invited guests to respond?

RSVP’s are always a mission! Most people replied on time but there were a few that we had to chase. I would say we got most responses about two weeks after sending out the invitations so it was not too bad.

How many guests accepted your invitation?

125 people.

Any interesting guests?

Indeed - PJ Powers. She is my Dad’s younger sister. She sang the most beautiful song for us at the ceremony and then she sang some of her more lively traditional songs at the reception – it really made for some great party entertainment!

The best moments of your day?

The whole day was a non-stop adrenalin rush of highlights, so it’s hard to single out specific moments.

40 • REAL BRIDES • 1 August 2012

Tell us about your bridal party.

I didn’t want a huge bridal party so I decided on two bridesmaids and then Kyle chose two groomsmen to match. My sister would have been a bridesmaid as well (so initially it was three bridesmaids) but she was going to be heavily pregnant at the time and chose to step down. I chose two of my closest friends Joelene and Tertia. Kyle chose his brother-in-law Judd and a very close childhood friend Graeme.

Did you stick to your budget?

Budget? Ha, ha! Yes, I would say we did - thanks to my very generous parents! Nothing was however over the top and unnecessary so nothing went to waste.

Although it was such a shame to see all the flowers left over the next day - we did however give our guests, who stayed over at the venue, each an arrangement to take home with them.

Any good advice for brides-to-be?

Do not stress about the weather! There is absolutely nothing you can do about it. I stressed the whole week before our wedding – I became obsessed with the weather forecasts! In the end it still rained but I had an absolute blast! It is what you make of it! Also, don’t stress the small stuff, it’s really not worth it, just enjoy the whole experience.

Was there anything that didn’t go according to plan?

Where did you spend your honeymoon?

The weather! It turned out to be one of the coldest days in August - with rain! But what can you do, you really can’t control the weather. We still however had the most amazing day and the weather actually made it so cosy. I actually wouldn’t have changed it even if I could! Other than that, everything ran very smoothly.

We spent 10 fabulous nights in Thailand - two nights in Bangkok and eight nights at Club Med in Phuket! Definitely need a repeat visit sometime in the near future!

1 August 2012 • REAL BRIDES • 41

(Part 2)

Choosing A Wedding Theme AS a continuation to the first part of our series of choosing wedding themes, where we featured ideas for Shabby Chic, Romantic Whimsical and Victorian Vintage weddings, this month we focus on some more fun ideas to enhance your big day.

Winter Wonderland What’s great about this season is that delicate snowflakes and sparkling ice crystals can usually be found within most winter themes and these are very easy to work with and enhance.

For starters, you might choose winter wedding flowers as your theme, using flower types and colours as your inspiration for centrepieces, favours, cake style and wedding attire.

You can also opt to focus your wedding theme upon the colours of winter. And don’t worry, you needn’t settle for red and green! Think clear crystal, pure white, and ice blue colours.

Other colours that suit a Winter theme are midnight blue, teal green, ruby reds, burgundy, gold, silver, and finally – jewels tones of ruby, sapphire, emerald, and purple.

Try to think of how you could use ice sculptures, mirrors and glittering ornaments to enhance your decor.

Most South African brides, on average, allow about a year to plan their weddings. So, a year on from now takes us into the colder months of Winter and this particular season gives rise to many interesting ideas for a theme.

Rustic Country Style Winter days are short and the nights are long so maybe you have a country-style wedding filled with good oldfashioned rusticity, simplicity and an air of relaxed charm in mind?

Country theme weddings can transport you and your guests to a simpler time, if only for a moment. Venues suited to this theme abound in South Africa.

For your colour motif, start with a palette of earthy tones: yellows and golds, tans and umbers, sage, russet and cinnamon.

A crackling fireplace, gas fires or even braziers would be a hit with guests. Lots of candles will also help add to the atmosphere.

For unusual country weddings consider favours such as homemade, country-style jars of jams or preserves with pinked squares of calico fabric tied around the tops with pretty ribbons.

If you are using floral arrangements to decorate your reception table, choose glass vases and fill them with crystal or ice blue gel beads. Surround the arrangements with votive candles for a beautiful reflection.

There are so many options available to help plan a winter wedding celebration. Take your time and explore the multitude of enchanting ideas.

Starry Starry Night

Make sure you pick up a copy of our next issue of REAL BRIDES for more terrific wedding theme ideas.

Capture the essence of a celestial marriage celebration with this starry night theme wedding idea. Look for designs that signify a star wedding theme. For your invitation, select midnight blue or black paper and have your wording printed in gold lettering.

You can ask your invitation supplier to add gold stars down one side and across the tops of the invitations.

You could also buy star-shaped stencils and gold glitter acrylic paints and stencil the designs on the invitations.

You can also work with an all white palette and incorporate vintage looking street lights throughout the space. Votive candles, white roses and orchids as finishing touches can successfully bring the tablescape to life.

1 August 2012 • REAL BRIDES • 43

STORMÉ & CHRISTOPHER POOL “Ticklemouse Country Fare is a family business, so it seemed right to incorporate this into our big day. Inside the packets were Black Forest brownie biscuits as favours.”

THE Springbok rugby team winning the World Cup in 2007 was a momentous occasion for South Africa and it is a day that this couple will never forget as it is also the day that they first started dating.

Tell us about your proposal.

We had been living together for a while and we used to go on family holidays to Pearly Beach fairly regularly with Chris’ family. On New Year’s Day of 2011 we took our Labrador, Duke, for a walk on the beach as we had done so many times before and Chris proposed to me!

How long did you have to plan your big day?

We started planning the week after getting engaged and set our sights on a summer wedding in the vineyards. Taking advice from others, it was decided to have our wedding in February, which gave us a little over a year to plan.

Did you have a clear picture in your head of what you wanted for your big day?

As all young girls tend to do, I had been planning this day for a while in my head! So yes, all that was required was to realise the wedding I had always dreamed of!

Did you enjoy shopping for your dress? Who went with you?

I loved shopping for my dress, although it didn’t take very long to find it. I had decided to go for a shop bought dress early on as the needs of most are generally catered for. After spending much time on the internet looking at similar designs to the one I envisioned, I found my perfect dress at Bride and Co. After initially finding the right dress with my Mom, the dress fittings were turned into fun events with my Maid of Honour and bridesmaids. Chris was kept completely in the dark about my dress. I wanted it to be a big surprise and, despite much fishing from him, it remained that way right up to our big day.

44 • REAL BRIDES • 1 August 2012

“Enjoy every minute of the planning. The stressful times are the times you laugh at afterwards. Don’t let the nerves spoil your day.”

Venue: Kleine Zalze, Stellenbosch Wedding gown: Bride and Co Shoes: Zoom Hair: Stephanie’s Hair, Durbanville Make up: Vanessa de Bruin Photography: Jo-Anne Stokes Wedding Favours: Ticklemouse Country Fare Engagement and Wedding rings: Lisa Rod-Stebbing

1 August 2012 • REAL BRIDES • 45

How did you go about choosing your bridal party?

It was made up of special friends. Both the Maid of Honour and Best Man were primary school friends of mine and Chris’ respectively. It seemed fitting to share these personal duties with our closest and most special friends. Consideration was also given as to the organisational ability of these friends, as well as their ability to absorb the stress and nerves from the bridal couple on the big day!

Not many weddings include flower girls and page boys these days, were you always going to go that route?

Tiana and Rico are my cousins and they are very special to both Chris and I and they regularly spend time with us over weekends. We also promised Tiana that she could be the princess for the day! It was always in our plans to have them included in our big day.

What do you think worked best on your wedding day?

It is difficult to pinpoint a single element, but it was fantastic to see how all the elements of months of planning all came together seamlessly.

Were there any funny moments or anything that didn’t work out quite as it should have?

I had a few funny moments while planning the wedding where, because we planned everything ourselves, my Maid of Honour and I had to drive to some pretty obscure areas to collect chair covers, tie backs and material. There were some funny moments during and after the reception too but those remain classified!

The highlights of your day?

Seeing the finished product and of course the look on my husband’s face when he first saw me walk down the aisle! Priceless!

Did you stick to your budget?

Yes, we managed to keep under budget while having a full house wedding.

Do you have any tips for cutting costs?

If you can’t plan your wedding yourself, which is first prize, don’t be afraid to negotiate. We managed to better all quotations from suppliers by being persistent. Also be sure to shop around and don’t be scared to support the little guy!

Honeymoon?

We stayed overnight at the venue with family and guests and, over breakfast we recaptured the night’s events. We then left on a flight to Durban to embark on a weeklong cruise to Mozambique, Barra Lodge and the Portuguese Islands.

46 • REAL BRIDES • 1 August 2012

JUDY-LEIGH & ANDREW ELLIOTT “We had a total of 6120 photos from our day! ”

Judy-Leigh was 14 when she first met Andrew (six years her senior) when he was the photographer at her eldest sister’s wedding.

Five years later they met up again – this time at her middle sister’s wedding where Andrew was once again the photographer. He was snapping away and when he was about to take photos of the by then all grown up Judy-Leigh coming down the stairs with the bridal party, Andrew stopped, lowered his camera and turned to his Mom (also a photographer) and said ‘Is that Judy-Leigh?’ They duly went on a first casual date and sat chatting for so long that the coffee shop closed up around them!

Tell us about your proposal.

On a trip to the Seychelles, Andrew managed to surprise me by proposing in a ‘movie’ type way at the poolside of the presidential villa at the Banyan Tree on Mahe. He said he had a surprise present for me and asked me to look away. When he asked me to turn around again there he was on one knee asking me to marry him with the ring sitting in a pair of Jimmy Choos! (I am a shoe addict!). We then had a table set up on the poolside for a romantic dinner for two – the villa was on a cliff top overlooking the Indian Ocean plus this all happened at sunset! We spent a week at the Banyan Tree and it was the most amazing time.

How did your planning go?

This was a relatively easy part although with Andrew being a wedding photographer he had 10 year’s worth of wedding do’s and don’ts - there was no Bridezilla but rather a Groomzilla! We both have similar tastes and knew exactly what we wanted. Plus we had all the best service providers in mind, we booked them early, told them what we visualised and we left the rest up to the professionals! We had so many fun days and nights preparing and planning our wedding.

What was your theme/colour scheme?

We went for an elegant theme with a rather stark palette with black, white and charcoal grey as the base - the only colour was the red roses on each table. We both love the filigree/damask pattern and this tied in so well with our theme.

How many guests?

190.

48 • REAL BRIDES • 1 August 2012

“ Have your say in order to convey your vision but when it comes to service providers, leave the professionals to do what they do best.”

Ceremony: Kingswood College Chapel, Grahamstown Reception: Nitarah Nature Reserve, Southwell District Bridal gown: Bridal Flair, Port Elizabeth.

Shoes: Louis Vuitton, Cape Town Waterfront.

Hair: Cutting Lounge, Grahamstown.

Make Up: Estelle Cunningham, Port Elizabeth.

Flowers: Val Hill, Flower Thyme, Kenton-On-Sea. Photography: Jen Elliott (primary); Tammy Freeman-Elliott (decor); Clint Muller & Studio 68, East London Video: Studio 68, East London.

Entertainment: Craig Hort, Enjoy Productions, Port Elizabeth.

1 August 2012 • REAL BRIDES • 49

With your husband being a photographer, there was obviously a strong emphasis on this aspect of your wedding?

Of course! We woke up to rain on our wedding day but by the time we were ready it had cleared and the weather became calm and mild. Andrew and I got ready at the same guesthouse and he took many of my before photos, plus we had the majority of our couple photographs done before the ceremony as we had many locations to get to. If we had not done this we would have kept our guests waiting for three hours! Thankfully we had Andrew’s Mom, Jen Elliott, as our main photographer so we were really comfortable and relaxed. With many instructions from Andrew to his mother we got the most amazing photos. We then split for an hour, did touch ups and the next time I saw Andrew was at the front of the Chapel – what a magical and unbelievable moment. Thank goodness we had our fantastic videographers to capture this as this really does go quickly and it’s great to be able to look back on the ceremony and watch this life changing event. Having our photos shot before the ceremony did not take away from the moment of us actually getting married - Andrew said it was not what I looked like on the day that would be the memory but rather the moment of marrying me and becoming my husband that would be the memory he treasured. After the ceremony we proceeded to a location close to the reception venue for more photos. This was quite quick as the majority of the photos had already been taken plus our guests were occupied with drinks, music and canapés until we arrived. Having a photographer for a husband can be a pain at the moment of having the photos taken but it is the best having all these wonderful memories captured for a lifetime.

How many photos did you actually end up with?

We had a total of 6120 photos from our day! Needless to say we shall never forget one single moment! When children arrive we’re not quite sure where we will put their photos in our house!

Highlights of your big day?

We entered the reception tent to the song ‘Walking On Sunshine’ – it was so happy and upbeat and an ode to both our family’s businesses, which were not related but aptly named - Sunshine Juice (a fresh juice manufacturer) and Sunshine Fruit and Veg (a wholesale fruit and vegetable store and supplier). It was obviously meant to be that our paths crossed!

The reception went off so well, from the amazing vibe, energy and cheering as we walked in; the great food; excellent music and the fun atmosphere (it was a serious party!). We really could not have asked for more on the day – it was perfect for us. Having so many family members and friends all in one place celebrating with us was the most magical experience.

Wedding favours?

A gift bag which included a small frame, a candle, sweets, mini personalised Jack Daniels whiskey, a cellphone charm and flower seeds, all in a drawstring shoulder bag decorated with an ‘I do’ motif.

50 • REAL BRIDES • 1 August 2012

How did you choose your ceremony and reception venue?

Both my sisters got married at the Kingswood College Chapel in Grahamstown and we all attended school there so it was so special to have our marriage take place there as well. It is a place filled with many happy memories. As a reception venue we wanted something in nature in a beautiful Eastern Cape setting so we decided to go the traditional route with a white marquee set up on Nitarah Nature Reserve some 24 kilometres from Grahamstown in the Southwell district.

The tent was set up on the banks of the Kariega River in a stunning valley.

Any special touches?

We sourced hearts, words and crystals to hang in the trees surrounding the marquee. We had a sweet table heaving with sweets, chocolates, fudge etc.

We thought our guests should not go hungry on the night so we had cupcakes at each place setting; the aforementioned huge sweet table; wedding cake plus dessert of crème brulee and let’s not forget the starters and mains – which were savoury!

Honeymoon?

Our honeymoon was in two parts – Andrew had a wedding to photograph the weekend after ours so we went to a place close by which would not require too much travelling – Prana Lodge in Cintsa, which is close to East London and the start of the Wild Coast.

It was perfect as it was stunning and tranquil – just what we needed. The second part of our honeymoon was at Princesse Bora Lodge and Spa, Sainte-Marie Island in Madagascar. This is a wild and interesting place and made a great venue for our trash the dress shoot. Although a sea snake wrapped itself around my ankle and our outfits smelt of algae it was well worth it as we had even more stunning photos!

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Wedding FAQs QUESTIONS about a multitude of different aspects concerning weddings abound.

Here REAL BRIDES answers some of the most frequently asked questions.

I’d like to include readings at my wedding ceremony, but I’m not sure how they fit in or who performs them.

Having readings is a lovely way to personalise your wedding ceremony, adding sentiment and bringing a new voice to the proceedings. As it’s considered an honour to be asked to perform a reading, this always gives you the perfect opportunity to include a close family member or supportive friend who has so far been kept in the sidelines.

However, this isn’t a time for shy types so be sure to choose a confident speaker who will deliver your reading in a professional manner.

There will usually be one or two readings and the timings of these should be discussed with the person marrying you. Remember that whether you have a religious or civil ceremony, you should also have all the readings approved by the person marrying you.

I’d like to get married in Mauritius. What do I need to consider?

Make sure you research your destination thoroughly before you book and check that language barriers won’t cause problems. Many tour operators can be a great source of information and point you in the right direction.

Most importantly, make an appointment with the country’s consulate or embassy to check the exact documentation requirements you need to be married. There will be paperwork to fill in and bear in mind too that rules vary from country to country. As long as your marriage is legal in the country where you wed, then it’ll be legal anywhere.

I’m going to have about 150 thank you notes to write after my wedding. How can I make them all personal?

All that’s expected is a few sentences showing your gratitude and saying how nice it was to see them at your wedding.

People really aren’t going to be sharing notes, so you can confidently repeat yourself. Happy thanking!

My wedding is in six months time and my married sister, who is to be my maid of honour, has just announced that she’s pregnant. As she’ll be 8 month gone by my wedding, should I ask her to step down?

No ways! Your sister is pregnant, not sick! While she might not be able to knock back the champagne at your hen’s night, she can still fulfil traditional maid-of-honour duties, such as attending your dress fittings with you, joining you at make-up trials and actually organising your hen’s night. If she is taking strain your bridesmaids can always step in to lighten her load.

When my sister got married she was still waiting for invited guests to RSVP just 10 days before her big day. How can I get around this problem for my forthcoming wedding?

While some people are just plain forgetful or disorganised others are just downright thoughtless. These days most bridal couples send out a “Save The Date” the object being to request guests to diarise the date. This is then followed up by the formal wedding invitation. Once the formal invitation has gone out don’t be afraid to get on the phone, or email, after two weeks. Better still, delegate the job to a family member. Waiting for RSVPs can stall your plans, stress you out and mess up your budget.

On my wedding day I want to have tiny fresh rosebuds woven into my hair but my hair stylist says it is not a good idea?

Sounds lovely but your hairdresser is probably right. Even if it is a cool day your head naturally generates a fair amount of heat which might cause the rosebuds to open. This could leave you looking as if you have a rosebowl on your head! A better idea would be to shop around and find little silk roses to weave into your hair instead.

We are working on a very tight budget and I’m doing my own make-up for my wedding. Should I still provide a make-up artist for my mum and bridesmaids?

My Gran insists that I wear a string of pearls, which are a family heirloom, on my wedding day.

They have been worn by generations of brides in our family. Trouble is pearls will not suit my bridal outfit. How do I get around this without hurting her feelings?

If you are a dab hand at applying make-up then why don’t you plan a couple of fun pre-wedding get-togethers with your mum and bridesmaids and teach them how to do theirs?

Explain that they will not go with our gown and ask her to wear them for you instead. Or, weave the string into your bouquet but, just don’t forget to remove them before you toss it away!

Got a question concerning your big day? Email us at: robbyn@ramcom.co.za 1 August 2012 • REAL BRIDES • 53

MICHELLE & OLIVER BURN “We sprayed some white gerberas with blue flower spray as you can’t get them in blue. They lasted all day and looked stunning!”

MEET our sportiest bride to date – Michelle is a triple Springbok! She has Protea colours for Lifesaving, Canoeing and Surf Ski paddling and has competed in numerous world championships around the world. Oliver too is a highly accomplished paddler so it was a love of the ocean that brought this super sporty couple together. They were an item for 11 years before getting engaged on a sand dune and then tying the knot at a rustic venue just a stones throw from the beach.

What took Oliver so long to propose?

We met through surf ski paddling and had been in a relationship since I was 16. We both always seemed to be so busy. I was also studying and travelling a lot. Oliver said he had been considering his proposal for a year or two but that the time just never seemed right! In September last year I went to compete in Singapore in the world canoe marathon championships. While I was away he told me that I needed to take leave in December. In the long weekend before Christmas we went to Thonga Beach Lodge (KZN Elephant Coast). We had a picnic on top of a high sand dune overlooking the rock pools and Oliver proposed. He was very nervous, but what an amazing moment!

How long were you engaged?

Just less than 5 months.

So, your planning was tight time wise, did you use a wedding planner?

We didn’t use a planner, we basically did everything ourselves – with the help of my Mom, sisters and a few other people. We didn’t want anything too over the top. Our flowers, including bouquets, were just large bunches of colourful gerberas which were all put together by my aunt who used to be in the flower business. We actually even sprayed some white gerberas with blue flower spray as you can’t get them in blue! They lasted all day and looked stunning!

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“Buy in bulk where you can, it’s cheaper and make lists, they are critical to the smooth-running of your wedding.”

Venue: Umtamvuna River Lodge Dress: Pink Chilly Bridal – Durban North Bridesmaid’s dresses: Designed by me, made by my super Mom Shoes: Melissa, I bought them online.

Photography: Jon Ivins – www.jonivins.com DJ: Executive DJ’s (DJ Ross) Make up: Candice Mathee Hair: Hair International, Ramsgate

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Did Oliver weigh in with ideas and help out or did he leave it all up to you?

He was really good and contributed some great ideas and did a lot. He’d actually get quite offended if I just went ahead with something without telling him!

I was so happy he got so involved ... after all it was OUR wedding!

What was your theme/colour scheme?

It actually took a while for people to grasp my vision.

We wanted the look and feel to be rustic, relaxed and vibrantly colourful with no formality.

Tell us about your bridal party – who they were and how you came to choose them?

My eldest sister Claudia was my Maid of Honour and my middle sister Judy and my close friend Sharday were my bridesmaids. Oliver kept it small – his best man was his brother Keithley.

What was the most difficult part of planning?

Getting people to understand the vibe I was going for! Like our wedding cake – I had a definite idea of exactly what I wanted and after quite a bit of frustration I finally found Cakes Divine in Uvongo to make it up as I wanted it. They set it up on the day and it tasted amazing too! Time was a bit of an issue but my mom and sister work for a school and they did quite a lot of running around for me during their holidays. My biggest challenge was trying to find all the items I had in mind for the wedding. I often had to settle for my second choice.

And, did you manage to stick to your budget?

We didn’t really set a budget. We knew what we wanted and just decided to find the cheapest way to achieve it on each item. My parents were so generous but we didn’t want to go overboard with spending and everything worked out quite well. We spent a bit more in some places, for instance I paid a little more than expected for my dress but then we did save on our DJ choice – who did a fantastic job on the day!

Is there anything, with the benefit of hindsight, which you think might have been an unnecessary expense?

Not really. I think our money was generally well spent.

When I was buying all the sweets for the sweetie table, Oliver and my Dad were concerned that I was going overboard and the sweets would never all get eaten.

Well, on the day those goodies were such a hit and were gone in no time! The real winners were definitely the white easter eggs and the choc brownies.

How far in advance did you send out your invitations?

We sent out an email “Save the Date” about three months in advance as some of our family live in the UK and needed to book tickets. We then sent out invitations about two months before.

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How long did it take people to RSVP? Lots of people didn’t RSVP – they just assumed that we knew they were coming to our wedding! I made up a list of people that we weren’t sure of and when I called many of them said “of course we’re coming!”

So chilled! Maybe it’s a Durban thing?

How did you choose your venue?

We wanted to get married in April or May, because we knew it had to be outdoors and therefore less chance of rain, and we looked online for something beachy and rustic. We venue-hopped along the KZN coast from north to south and also looked at a couple of inland venues. We found the Umtamvuna River Lodge quite by chance as we were looking for a place that had square tables as very few venues actually do. It was in fact the last venue we looked at.

It just fitted the bill perfectly – especially being close to the ocean where Oliver and I spend so much of our time.

How many guests?

85.

Any special guests?

My maternal grandparents came from Joburg and I’m so glad they did as my grandpa, who wasn’t at all well, actually passed away while we were away on honeymoon. I’m so glad we got a photo of the whole family whilst he was still with us. My aunt and cousin and Oliver’s aunt and uncle came out from the UK and my Dad’s cousin from Germany, whom I had never met, just happened to be out here at the time of our wedding. Oliver’s brother came from his work on rigs off Africa which was great as we don’t get to see him that often.

What do you think worked best?

Ours was not like a normal wedding as it was small and more personal. One of the key things was our MC , my brother in law, who played a vital role. He kept everything going along really well which helped create such a happy vibe. He did a great job.

I also made loads of to-do lists – I’m a freak organiser!

I had lists of absolutely everything to make sure that everybody knew exactly what to do and when and how to do it on the day.

Was there anything that didn’t work?

The small hiccups tended to go by unnoticed. I did however find out later that our cake actually fell over!

I had wondered why some of the cup cakes had no decorations on them!

How did you settle on your photographer?

We didn’t have much time and I was a bit worried as all the best photographers get booked up in advance.

But, I need not have worried. We’d both got to know Jon Ivins through sports photography – he’d shot us a few times for various magazine and newspaper articles. We asked if he could shoot our wedding and he agreed. Jon did a great job, he was all over the place and we are very happy with our photos.

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