REAL BRIDES MAGAZINE

KEEPING UP WITH THE TRENDS

Real Brides Share Ideas

Who Pays For What?

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South Africa’s Exciting New Monthly Wedding Magazine

Real Weddings

Music Makes or Breaks

July 2012 R24.95 (incl. VAT)

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.

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

To advertise call: (031) 765 7314Website: www.realbrides.co.za

Cover Bride: Abby DoubellPhotographer: Jacki Bruniquel

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19

42

4. Jessie & Matt Israelsson

8. Abby & Grant Doubell

11. Keeping Up With the Trends

12. Cayleigh & Warren Strydom

16. Lisa & Juan Impey

19. Who Pays For What?

20. Hollé & Tyrin Whyte

24. Kirsten & Duncan Bruce

32. Jodene & Michael Haack

38. Adri & Russell Benvenuti

42. Music Makes or Breaks

44. Jessica & Carl Adendorff

48. Wedding FAQs

50. Lia & Lorenzo Boretti

54. Liezl & Quintin Grix

‘Like us on Facebook’ 1 July 2012 • REAL BRIDES • 3

“Having a traditional wedding was just not us.”

How long were you together before you got engaged?Four years.

How did you meet?We met at Burn (an alternative nightclub in Durban)

one night. I spotted Matt and told my friends that I

thought he was the most beautiful thing I had ever

seen! I asked my friend, Sam (a bridesmaid at our

wedding), to play wing girl for me. She introduced

herself to him and told him that she knew someone

who wanted to meet him (me). She introduced us and

we chatted for the rest of the night. I fell in love with

him from the moment I met him.

Tell us about your proposal. Our relationship was quite a strange one. We were on

for a few months at a time, then broke up, then got back

together again and so on. But, throughout it all we were

always best friends and always living our lives together.

The last time we got back together was on a New Year’s

eve. The following New Year’s eve (at a friend’s house

party) Matt decided to surprise me. At midnight he

asked for the music to be turned down. Then, in front

of the entire party, he made a beautiful speech and got

down on one knee and asked me to marry him!

How much of your planning did you do yourself?We did virtually everything ourselves, from the décor

to the food, and tried really hard to do it on a budget.

We were blown away by people who offered to help

to make our vision a reality. We went to hundreds of

different places and met many new, amazing and

interesting people along the way.

JESSIE & MATT ISRAELSSON

And now for something completely different. When they originally discussed their wedding Jessie and Matt, being an extremely creative couple, toyed with the idea of having a Manga theme but things changed with time and they eventually settled for a Tim Burton-inspired affair and boy did they pull it off!

4 • REAL BRIDES • 1 July 2012

Photography: Adrian Shields PhotographyCeremony: Chapel on the Hill, Alverstone

Reception: Hillbillies, Botha’s HillBride’s Outfit: Tanielle Rae Klopper-Langton

Jewellery: Sass Diva Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Kapow Boutique

Hair colour & styling: OurselvesMake up: Taryn Fitz-Gerald

Flowergirl’s Dresses: Woolworths – modified by Tanielle Rae Klopper-Langton

“I fell in love with him from the

moment I met him.”

1 July 2012 • REAL BRIDES • 5

Who gave you a hand?So many people were willing to help and many had

really good advice. We were so disorganised (as artistic

types generally are) and some of the people we met

worked really hard to pull together things for us at the last

minute. Not only were we impressed by the generosity

of complete strangers, but our family and friends pulled

together and all worked like crazy to help us create our

dream wedding. We still cannot believe the willingness

and complete selflessness of all the people involved in

this. We made many new friends along the way as well.

This is what made our wedding the most special for us

- besides actually getting married!

Tell us about your Tim Burton-inspired bridal outfits.I wore a Skirt/Bustle/Corset and Shoulder Cape put

together by Tanielle Rae Klopper-Langton. I pieced

together the hair accessories. My bouquet of feathers,

dyed sticks, daisies, roses and deep purple lilies (as

well as the rest of the flowers in the wedding) were put

together by our videographer Jaimi Shields.

Matt wore a bespoke suit. He came up with the concept

along with a designer friend named Jo Yeatman. It was

created for him by Mr B. Gangaram who got the suit

made surprisingly quickly – we were so impressed. To

this Matt added New Rocks (boots) and a hat which

he designed and made himself just a few hours before

leaving for the church!

Your guests got fully behind the theme too?Yes, a lot of them did, which was great and everybody

had a lot of fun with it.

How many guests?About 60 plus.

How long did it take you to pull your wedding together?About four months.

It must have taken courage to break with tradition?Not at all. Having a traditional wedding was just not us.

Our friends and family would have been completely and

utterly amazed had we elected to go the conventional

route.

Could you ever have pictured yourself having a conventional white wedding?Never. I would hate to have to plan a conventional white

wedding anyway – I can imagine that it would take a

huge amount of work.

Who were the people who made up your bridal party?My two friends Candice and Sam were bridesmaids;

Justin was the groomsman (his dad Trevor was the

pastor) and my daughter Autumn and her best friend

Amy were our flowergirls.


Was your church ceremony conventional?Pretty much.

Any advice for brides wanting to break with tradition?Do what’s special for you and not for everybody else.

Honeymoon?We went to the Sani Valley Lodge, which is at the foot

of the Sani Pass.


“Having my Dad walk me down the aisle as my Father as well as being

the Minister at our wedding was a highlight for me.”

How long were you together before Grant popped the question? Three years, one month and one day!

Tell us about the proposal. We went to Cape Town for the Easter weekend of

2011 for the Two Oceans Marathon. We were to meet

up with my twin sister Misha and her hubby Ross

on the Thursday. But, they were only able to get a

flight in on the Friday morning, which meant that we

had the Thursday to ourselves. We arrived in Cape

Town early on the Thursday morning, Grant hired a

Merc (telling me it was just an upgrade, meanwhile

it was all planned!) and suggested we drive the Two

Oceans route. So, off we drove towards Chapman’s

Peak. We got out to take photos at the lookout point

of Cathedral Peak - I think this is where Grant had

planned to propose – but, there were too many

people! So, we got back in the car and about 2kms

down the same route Grant pointed out a great view

that we could take photos from. This is where he got

down on one knee! He caught me completely off

guard!

How far in advance did you choose to have your wedding after the proposal? We were married just under a year later. We both

wanted a Summer wedding, so knew it would have

to be around the beginning of the year and, we

didn’t want to wait longer than we had to. We also

had overseas family to consider, so it gave everyone

enough time to get organised.

How many venues did you look at? We looked at about 500 on the internet and, besides

Netherwood; we physically visited four other venues..

ABBY & GRANT DOUBELL

Durban born Abby relocated to Johannesburg and the move proved to be a good one as she duly got to meet the man of her dreams. They got married in the KZN Midlands recently and whilst Abby had her twin sister by her side, Grant had his identical twin brothers double as his groomsmen!


“If I could change anything, I would

probably try to cast a magic spell to make it all last much longer!”

Bridal gown: Maggie Sottero – my sister brought it from the US.Shoes: Purchased online and brought from the US by my sister.

Make up: Angela Wheeler from Make Up Your MindHair: Jane Guy from Fringe Benefits.

Wedding co-ordinator: Surreal Eventing, Alexis YappPhotos: Jacki BruniquelVideo: Karen Le Grange

Venue: Netherwood, Nottingham Road


How did you go about the wedding planning process? Did you do it yourself?I had thousands of ideas and dreams, but pulling

them all into focus was the hard part. I literally started

planning from the very first day we became engaged.

I then came across Alexis Yapp from Surreal Eventing

who was pure magic! In my opinion she is the best

wedding co-ordinator on earth! Alexis helped create

the ‘perfectness’ of our day.

Did you have a bachelorette party? If so, what did you do and what did you enjoy most about it? I actually had two bachelorette parties – one in

Durban and one in Johannesburg! The Durban

theme was Hello Kitty and all the elements were

themed accordingly - I even wore a Hello Kitty outfit

that my sister brought with her from the US. The

Joburg party was themed ‘Barbie & The Rockers”

and we partied all night! Both parties were special

as the themes chosen fitted my personality perfectly.

The girls went out of their way to ensure a great time

was had by all, both young and old, and that we were

left with memories to last a lifetime.

What was your colour scheme? Black, grey and white with a touch of pink.

This colour scheme obviously influenced your choice of bridesmaid’s dresses? Yes! Black is a very flattering colour and doesn’t

date. I also wanted my bridesmaids to be able to

wear their dresses again.

Tell us about your bridal party – who they were and why you chose them?My twin sister and my younger sister were both Maids

of Honour. My best friend Catherine has been a

special part of my life since we were five years old

and we grew up almost as sisters. Then I met Julia

whilst working my first job as a waitress when we

were teenagers and 14 years later we are as close

as ever. Although we both went to the same school,

Jolene is a work colleague but, first and foremost, a

great and loyal friend.

Grant’s best man, Luke, as well as the groomsmen

Tyler and Darren, all grew up with him from school

days. Then there were Grant’s identical twin brothers

Tim and Matt. Although several years older than

Grant, his twin brothers mean the world to him and

he would’ve moved heaven and earth to have them

there for our wedding day. These men each share a

different type of bond with Grant.

How many guests did you have? 200.

Any tips or advice for future bridal couples? Don’t sweat the small stuff on the day… no one does!

Oh, and eat your cake!


Home Weddings• Usingthefamilyhomeasthebackdropcreatesoriginalityandasentimentaltouch• Personalisestheentireaffair

Take Away Cake• Insteadofgivingyourguestsfavours,servingtheweddingcakeinprettytakeawayboxes to have the next day is a great idea• Italsoservesasalatenightsnackonyourwayout

Night Club Areas• Keepsthepartygoing• Zoningoverallisgoodidea.Havinganareafortheolderpeopletositawayfromtheloudmusic and be able to hear each other speak while the younger crowd dances till the early hours• Makingthisareaarevealkeepsallguestssurprisedandvisuallystimulated

Interactive Chef Stations• Addstotheentertainment• Guestscanpickandchoosetheirowningredients

Cake Masterpiece• Overthetopandbeautifulcakescanbedisplayedwhichcreatesafocalpointandaddstothedécor• Placethecakeinthemiddleofthedancefloorforgueststoadmire

Wallpaper Down the Aisle• Addsdetailtosomethingthatistraditionallyplain• AddstothecolourschemeandcreatesachicelementtotheChapel/Ceremonyarea

Monograms on Stationery and Dance Floors• Addsapersonal touchandasenseofcontinuityandsignature to thewedding,especially if youaddabold monogram to your dance floor

Lounge Areas• Createsstylishandsoftseatingareasforlateronintheevening• Greattousearoundornearthedancefloor• Zonesthespaceinaverytrendymanner

Lots of Flowers• Gonearethedaysofminimalisticfloralarrangementsandcentrepieces–thebiggerthebetter• Tonsoftexture,largemassesandabeautifulmixofheightsareamassivetrend

Professional Dancers• Getsotherguestsontothedancefloorandsetsthetoneforaneveningoffun.

Wedding trends come and go. We asked the good people at By Word Of Mouth to highlight some of the current trends.

Photos: Brett FlorensText: www.bywordofmouth.co.za

Keeping Up WithThe Trends


Your proposal was a big surprise?I wanted to go on a picnic before our baby arrived so

Warren organised for us to go to the lovely Makaranga

Lodge gardens in Kloof. We walked around taking

lots of photos and as we were walking over a bridge

Warren stopped me. When I turned around he was

on his knee holding out a box with the most beautiful

ring in it. I screamed and almost fell off the bridge! He

asked me to marry him and it took me a while to take

it all in and eventually I said “yes”! As he stood up

and hugged me our family members poured out from

where they had been hiding behind the bushes – all

clapping and looking so happy and proud! Warren

then led me around the corner and sure enough,

there was a blanket, a picnic basket, snacks and

champagne! It was the most amazing day and an

engagement I could only ever have dreamed about!

How long was it before you got married?We got married two years after our engagement.

Our baby boy was born in September 2010 and we

wanted him to be the page boy so we waited until

he was a little older and able to walk down the aisle.

Did you use a wedding planner?No we didn’t. We had a lot of our own ideas and tried

to do as much as we could on our own. Janine from

Bella Vista was very helpful though and she was able

to throw in some of her own ideas, which really helped

us. A big thank you to Janine for all her reassurance

and help.

What was the most difficult part of planning?Not remembering whose day it actually was and

trying to accommodate everyone else’s needs and

place in the wedding. And, the time constraints of

having only five months to plan our wedding. Luckily

we got everything done in time.

CAYLEIGH & WARREN STRYDOM

This groom had known the bride’s brother for some years and then suddenly found out that he had a sister! The couple ended up at the same party one evening, exchanged numbers and eventually became inseparable.

“Allow your future husband the chance to have his say and

express his ideas as it is after all his wedding too!”


Venue: Bella Vista – www.bellavista.co.zaDress: Shona’s Wedding Collection

Photography: F&C Photography - 0836782020Video: Sam Walford

“Our son Ethan Ross was so adorable in his little suit dancing all

by himself and running around saying “hello” to

our guests!”


Did you have a clear idea of what type of wedding you wanted?Absolutely! It was in our minds 100% but putting it

into play was difficult. We had so many ideas and

plans but to find the specific colours we needed or

the different décor was difficult. But, it definitely came

together nicely at the end.

How far in advance did you send out invitations and how long did it take for people to respond?We sent out our invitations two months in advance. A

lot of people replied as soon as they received them

and some took about two or three weeks to reply.

What was your theme/colour scheme?Our colours were burgundy, white and silver.

How many venues did you look at before deciding on Bella Vista?We had looked at many websites and books but

when we saw Bella Vista on the internet we just loved

it. We went to look at the venue and that left us with no

doubt in our minds that it was the right place for our

wedding. We didn’t look anywhere else.

Why did you choose that particular venue?The views are absolutely breathtaking. We loved the

deck, where the ceremony takes place, overlooking

the Valley of 1000 Hills. We also loved the gardens

where we could have photos taken after the ceremony,

absolutely stunning. It was just the perfect setting

and is a very well maintained wedding environment.

How many guests?We had 51 guests.

Any extra special guests?Warren’s uncle from Australia attended our wedding

as well as Warren’s cousin and aunt who came from

the UK. It was a fantastic last minute surprise for us.

How did you go about choosing your photographer?We battled to find a photographer in the beginning

by looking on the internet and on Facebook, but then

we found a couple who one of my friends had worked

with on a modelling shoot. Their pictures completely

captured us and we were sold. We contacted Frikkie

(F&C Photography) and he sent us their prices, which

were a lot lower than most photographers. But, don’t

be fooled as their work is amazing.

What do you think worked best at your wedding?Everything went according to plan and there were

no faults or hiccups. Janine and the florist made

stunning settings for us (not too busy) and we are

extremely grateful.

Funniest moment?Warren made his speech and thanked everyone who

had travelled from a far and wide; he thanked Janine

and all the Bella Vista staff for making our wedding

so special and then he sat down… without toasting

his Bride! My mom will never let her son-in-law live

that one down!


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 2738Fax: 031 765 7387

[email protected]

Janine St Clair082 324 9765

www.bellavista.co.za

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

How did Juan go about popping the question?He took me to Australia in December 2010 to meet his

father and family. While we were there he organised

a surprise picnic at Kings Park, Perth where he

proposed to me.

What was the best part of planning your wedding?The best part was being well organised and knowing

exactly what I wanted. My planning was finished

months before the wedding so I was totally relaxed

up to our wedding day.

Your theme/colour scheme – how did you decide?Our wedding colours were silver and purple. I had

always wanted pink for our wedding but changed to

silver and purple when I started planning.

How many venues did you see before deciding on Shalwyn?We had a list of about four places to view. Shalwyn

was the first venue we looked at. We fell in love with

this venue straight away. We only looked at one other

venue after Shalwyn before deciding to book.

What swayed you?Shalwyn is a beautiful setting and their facilities are

amazing. Leanne the owner was also very helpful

and made sure everything ran smoothly.

Did you use a wedding planner?No. Leanne from Shalwyn assists in planning

everything, therefore no wedding planner was

necessary.

How many guests?130.

“Being able to marry the man of my dreams and being able

to celebrate this wonderful day with all our special family and

friends was the highlight of my day.”

LISA & JUAN IMPEY

This sweet couple have only ever had eyes for each other. They met as teenagers at school in Grade 10 and started dating in Grade 11.


Ceremony: Our Lady of Mercy, Kloof Catholic Church

Reception: ShalwynBridal Gown: Shona’s Wedding Collection

Shoes: MiaPhotographer: Justin Erasmus

www.justinerasmus.co.zaHair & Make up: Charlotte Erasmus

“Justin pulled a table and chairs out of his car for the railway photos. Who has

props like that in their car? We really enjoyed

the photo shoot.”


What do you think worked best?Being organised. Everything was just so perfect. I

was totally relaxed, knowing everything was done

and under control and I got to enjoy the day.

Was there anything that didn’t work?No, it was such a fantastic day.

Was there anything that you could have done without?I tried to spend as little amount of money on

everything. We did not have any extras but had

everything that was necessary.

How did you go about choosing the people in your wedding party? I chose my sister to be my maid of honor and Juan’s

sister to be a bride’s maid. My flower girls were family

friends’ children. Juan’s groomsmen were his close

friends.

Were you able to stick to your budget?Yes, my in-laws contributed to my parent’s budget,

which really helped. Weddings are not cheap

anymore.

Is there anything that you would have perhaps changed if you could do it all again?There is nothing we would want to change if we could

have our wedding again. Everything was perfect and

ran smoothly.

Wedding favours?Guests were given decorated boxes filled with

chocolate balls.

Did you have a gift registry?No. We told guests that if they wanted to give us a gift

to make it a monetary gift as Juan and I had already

bought most of the things we needed for our house.

How did you go about choosing your photographer?We met Justin through Juan’s mum. We had a look

at pictures of other weddings he had done and

were amazed by his creativity and how stunning his

pictures were. Justin is also very easy to get on with

and being “camera shy” people he made us feel very

comfortable right from the start.

Did you plan what photos you wanted taken or did you leave it up to Justin?We didn’t really plan what photos to take. We just

mentioned to Justin that we would like to have some

photos taken on the railway track and at Shalwyn and

we left the rest up to him.

Honeymoon?I was very spoilt and taken to Munich, in Germany

and Venice in Italy for two weeks. Juan organised the

whole holiday. It was an amazing experience and a

wonderful way to start our marriage.


The Bride’s Family:Newspaper announcements, invitations & other stationery

The reception, including catering, the venue, drinks and music

Wedding photography & videography

Wedding planner

Wedding favours & wedding cake

Flowers for the ceremony & reception

Bouquets & corsages

The wedding dress

Hair & make-up for bridal party

Bridesmaid’s gifts & accommodation

Transport for bridal party

Groom’s wedding ring

The Groom:Bride’s engagement & wedding rings

His suit

Marriage licence & any other legal fees

The officiant’s fee

The bride’s bouquet

Accessories, like ties, for groomsmen

Accommodation for groomsmen

The honeymoon

Bridesmaids & Groomsmen:The stag & hen’s party

Their own wedding outfits

Their own travel expenses

Gifts for the bridal couple

MODERN spins have been put on traditions the world over and weddings have not escaped the inevitable march of time. Gone are the days when the joyous arrival of a baby girl meant that the proud new parents would one day have a wedding to pay for.

One of the most important aspects of planning a wedding today is to first set a budget and then sort out who pays for what?

Traditionally the bride’s family pays for the wedding and the groom’s family pay the bar bill, but this is by no means cast in stone. To the left is a guideline, if the traditional route is followed.

Who Pays For What?


How long did you have to plan your wedding?We decided in July 2011 that we wanted the beach

wedding that we had always spoken about. So, we

got on the internet, did a little research on venues etc

and set up meetings. By the end of July we hopped

onaplanetoBallitoontheKZNnorthcoasttostart

planning our wedding.

Did you use a wedding planner?We had a small wedding. With it being in Ballito and

us being up in Gauteng we needed a good team.

Rina at the Boat House (venue) was fantastic with

arranging the food and keeping us up to date with

all the happenings. She also referred us to many

people and helped us set up meetings, which

helped so much. We were so fortunate to have her.

Our suppliers were all so accommodating. Between

all these people the day went off with a bang and

there were no problems. We appreciated all their

cooperation, especially because of the distance.

Your ceremony was held on the beach, did you have a Plan B in case of adverse weather conditions? The weather at the coast can be somewhat

unpredictable. We were most fortunate however that

the rain held off, though the wind did get up about

half an hour before the ceremony. At 6 o’clock that

evening the heavens opened! We had a plan B just

in case - a hall next to the venue where the ceremony

could have been held if necessary.

Any particular reason that you chose the beach?Whenever we spoke about getting married we said

that we wanted a beach wedding. We eventually

decided that, as you only get married once, we

would have the beach wedding that we had always

dreamed of.

HOLLÉ & TYRIN WHYTE

Here we have yet another classic case of High School sweethearts as Hollé and Tyrin have been dating since they were 15-year-olds. A ring Hollé spied in a jewellery shop window when they were teenagers popped up years later when Tyrin finally proposed!

“ For our honeymoon we enjoyed a spectacular week in Zanzibar at the Sea Cliff Resort. It was truly amazing and something we will

never forget.”


Venue: The Boathouse, BallitoHair: Hair For U – Chantel

Decor: Status Productions - JillMake up: Wesley

Photography: Barry Bowditch – www.bowditch.co.za

“There may be hiccups here

and there, you may run behind

schedule but enjoy your day, it happens once and it goes so

quickly.”


Your overall theme/colour scheme?I am fanatical about soft pink tones so it was only

fitting to have pink as our colour scheme. It all came

together beautifully without looking kitsch.

Did you stick to your budget?We did not really work with a budget due to the fact

that we decided that we wanted a small wedding. We

have simple taste and did not want to go overboard.

We shopped around for things and our venue, food,

decor, photographer etc were all very reasonably

priced – that is compared to many of the quotes we

received.

In hindsight, did you feel that there was anything that you could have done without?We had nothing that was not necessary. We planned

our wedding very well and did not buy things or

request things that were not necessary. We got the

wedding that we wanted - it was very special and

intimate and everything meant something to us.

What worked best?Everything went very smoothly with no problems.

We had a fantastic MC Damian who kept everyone

laughing and entertained the whole evening. He also

made sure that everything ran according to schedule

and handled everything perfectly so that we and our

parents could enjoy the evening fully.

Was there anything that didn’t work?I cannot fault a single person as our wedding went

like clockwork.

How did you choose your photographer?We were referred to Barry Bowditch by a long time

family friend who lives in Ballito. Barry was excellent

and I would definitely recommend him. He was

in contact with us all the time, before and after the

wedding, and we still have communication with Barry.

He was so accommodating and his assistant and wife

Denise helped co-ordinate the photographs being

taken. It is an honour to have worked with such two

special people who went the extra mile as that is very

difficult to find these days. They have that personal

touch that you don’t find too easily these days.

Did you plan the photos that you wanted taken?A few. On the day however everyone just came up

with ideas and poses and it turned out beautifully. It

also made it so exciting to see the photos.

The highlight of your day?Our day was like a fairytale. It now feels like a dream

but, it was everything I had dreamed of and I would

not change a thing. In fact, I’d do it all again just the

way it was!


“The forest was just a fairytale and I would have gotten

married there even if it was raining!”

How did you and Duncan meet?We met at a night club in Ballito through my best

friend who at the time was working with Duncan at

Zimbali.

Tell us about your proposal.Ah! It was the picture perfect, fairytale proposal!

Duncan organised for us to go horse riding on the

beach in the morning and had planned for someone

to set up a picnic where the horses would drop us off.

Duncan hid the ring in the sand and told me it was a

game and when I found the ring of course there were

tears of happiness as he asked me to marry him and

spend the rest of our lives together.

How long did you have to plan your wedding?I was pregnant when Duncan proposed so we were

engaged for a year and we set a date nine months

before the wedding.

Were you hands on or did you have help from a wedding planner/co-ordinator?I was very hands on and so was Duncan. We did

have a lady who helped us with our decor though

- Sandy Munday from Sweet P. She is a very close

friend of ours and was just a blessing!

What was your theme/colour scheme?We went for an old country vintage theme with pale

greens, pinks and stone shades.

You are based in KZN yet you elected to get married in Clarens in the Free State, explain why?Duncan’s mom lives in Bethlehem and we were

visiting for the weekend and his brother, who is a DJ,

suggested that we go and have a look at Linwood. I

was hesitant as I did not want to get married in the

Free State but we drove through the gates of Linwood

and I was sold.

Did the venue meet all your expectations?More than met my expectations! Once the decor was

in and the candles were lit it was just flawless.

KIRSTEN & DUNCAN BRUCE

Magnificent scenery with the Maluti mountain range as a backdrop was the idyllic setting for this lovely vintage-style wedding held near Clarens in the Free State.


“When the party has started and everyone is boogying, take a minute

and step outside with your husband and revel in all

the joy and happiness that everyone is experiencing because the two of you decided to get hitched.”

Venue: Linwood Guest Farm, ClarensDress: Fatimah Maketha (Icy Rose)

Shoes: PratoMake up: Michelle Kieser

(Divinity Health Spa) BethlehemPhotography: Adrian Shields

Music: Russell Kieser 1 July 2012 • REAL BRIDES • 25

What was it about Linwood Guest Farm that sold you?First of all the forest where the ceremony was held,

then the beautiful old farm house where some of our

guests stayed with us for the weekend. The barn,

where the reception was held, had a old rustic, vintage

feel which is what I was looking for and then lastly the

magnificent surrounding Maluti mountains! Need I say

more?

Your husband is involved in the hospitality industry so, was the food a major consideration?We were very worried about the food! Because

Duncan is in a 5 star establishment we thought that

those farm ladies didn’t know how to cook. (Never

under estimate those farm girl’s cooking abilities!) The

food was amazing. We went for comfort food and the

ladies at Linwood really presented the food well and

you could taste it was made with love.

How did you approach the planning of your wedding – what did you start with?Straight after Duncan proposed I started buying

wedding magazines and made myself a book with

pictures and ideas. I went into planning my wedding

with a very open mind and promised not to stress

about anything. The whole idea of getting married is

about the love and attention to detail and the less I

stressed the more things just fell into place.

Did you blow your budget?Again because Duncan is in the hospitality business,

he has a lot of connections and so we were very lucky

to get the help that we did. But we were well within our

budget! We even had change for our honeymoon.

Was there anything that cost you more than you thought it would?Not really. The Friday night before the wedding, we

had a braai at Linwood for our immediate family and

that was not budgeted for.

Is there anything that you think you could have done without?No... not at all, actually there were a few things I could

have still added!

How many guests?80.

Where did you get your dress?I saw it in a magazine and have a friend (Fatimah

Maketha from Icy Rose) who is a designer. She took

the picture, drew up a pattern and Voila, my dress,

exactly like in the magazine.

Was there anything that didn’t really go according to plan?The only thing we forgot was a cake knife.


inwoodguestfarm

Linwood Guest Farm, situated in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains near Clarens in the eastern Free State, is the perfect venue for a relaxing break, celebrating that special wedding or occasion or coming together for a corporate initiative.

Our spectacular views and countryside hospitality sets the perfect scene for your dream wedding and the tranquility provides for a productive meeting.

Our five en-suite rooms in the main house are tastefully decorated. The lounge, with DSTV and a fireplace, will keep you warm and entertained in the cold winter months. The interior is antique to give you the ultimate experience of countryside chic.

Our four luxury suites offer more privacy for the discerning visitor, with a small veranda where you can relax whilst taking in the view. It consists of one honeymoon suite, two family rooms and one double bedded room. All our suites have a fireplace and a mini bar fridge.

All the rooms have tea and coffee making facilities, heaters, electric blankets and complimentary toiletries and are provided on bed and breakfast basis.

Linwood Guest Farm is a luxury country retreat situated on the Fouriesburg Road just outside Clarens and makes the ideal setting for your wedding day. You can either have the ceremony in our chapel, garden or the fairytale feeling of our forest. We have two different wedding packages available.

For more information call us on: 058 256 1854 or

email: [email protected]

Phot

os: A

dria

n Sh

ield

s

“The most difficult part was not having my mom there and having

to do it all on my own. I’m sure she would have enjoyed it so much.”

JODENE & MICHAEL HAACK

HER Dad was a biker and her late Mum was a hippy so it was almost inevitable that Jodene’s wedding day would wind up as an event full of love and a whole lot of good natured fun – even Elvis was there!

How did you two meet? We’ve known each other since I was about five years

old as Mike was my brother’s best friend at school.

Mike moved to the UK for four years and wanted to

buy a home there. He came back to Joburg on holiday

and I plucked up the courage to tell him that I really

liked him. He admitted that he too had liked me for

years and that was that! My brother was always over

protective and hated every guy that I had ever dated

so he, for the first time, was pleased too!

Tell us about your proposal. There’s a place in Cape Town called Grand Daddy

which has got those old American trailers decorated

by various artists – each one of them is different and

I’d said that I’d love to stay there one day. We went

to Cape Town, which I thought was a treat for our

anniversary, and we drove from the airport straight

to the Grand Daddy. I walked into the trailer that

Mike had secretly booked and there were roses and

champers on the table. I don’t really recall the finer

details as I was crying so much!

How much time did you have to plan your wedding? A year – it gave us time to save as we paid for our

own wedding.

Did you use a wedding planner? No. I did everything myself – I made the buttonholes

and did the table decor – everything.

How did you go about choosing your venue? We’d heard about Shepstone Gardens, then saw it

in a book and my sister had also been to a wedding

there. It looked beautiful, we paid them a visit and

decided that it was perfect. You just don’t expect to

find such a magical place virtually in the middle of

Joburg.


Bridal Gown: De La VidaShoes: Zoom

Hair: Candice at Paul FoxMake up: Anna Pompa

Venue: Shepstone Gardens, JohannesburgPhotography: Donavan Whyte

Videography: De Klerk ProductionsSave the Date & Invitations: Shane Forbes

Catering: Miya’s Cuisine.Cake: Proto Bakery

Mickey & Minnie Mouse ordered online from Disney

“Probably a bad idea to ask for money as some

people gave us gifts and many people didn’t give

us anything at all! ”


How did you choose your bridal party? I had five attendants in total - four bridesmaids and a

bridesman! Mike had four people by his side - three

groomsmen and a groomsmaid! One of my best

friends is a guy and Mike is particularly close to one

of his girl cousins.

Your theme? We both picked a colour. I chose the red and Mike

chose the aqua, colours which pretty much represent

our characters as I’m quite hyper and Mike is calm.

Where did Elvis come into all this? My family love to do dress ups, remember my Dad

was a biker and my Mom was a hippy, and I had

always said that I wanted to be married by Elvis! I do

take marriage seriously but I also wanted our wedding

to be fun – it’s just my personality. The people at

our venue said that they knew a guy who might do

it, Ryan Hogarth. He’s a motivational speaker and

being a commissioner of oaths he can also officiate

at weddings. We asked if he would dress up as Elvis

and he was initially reluctant. So, the idea was put

out on Facebook and the response was so positive

that he was eventually convinced to go along with it.

Ryan’s Elvis outfit came from Scallywags in Alberton

and he really went the whole nine yards. He used Elvis

lyrics like “be my teddy bear” during our ceremony

and when we entered the reception area he led us in

singing “Viva Las Vegas”. He was so good that our

guests thought he was a proper Elvis impersonator!

Did you stick to your budget? No, I don’t think anybody ever does. We spent a

lot extra on the decor and it got to the stage where

enough was enough!

Was there anything that didn’t work or that, with the benefit of hindsight, might have been an unnecessary expense? I bought two pairs of shoes – just in case – maybe that

was not necessary. There was not really anything else.

The highlight of your day? The whole thing. We had just finished the family

photos etc and it started raining. We had a few

more photos taken in the chapel and we then asked

to be given 15 minutes alone before going into the

reception. We used that time to take everything in and

I’m so glad that we did.

Tell us about your photographer. Our original choice was a bit of a disaster, alarm bells

rang when she didn’t pitch up for a meeting and our

venue said they’d help us find somebody. That’s how

Donavan Whyte ended up shooting our photos. I told

him I didn’t want “normal” photos and he played along

with that. I love baking and Mike enjoys mountain

biking so our pre-wedding photos were really different.

We also had a photo booth at our reception and so we

got lots of extra very funny photos of our guests.


Best wedding gift? We asked for money to put towards our honeymoon.

Probably a bad idea as some people gave us gifts and

many people didn’t give us anything at all! My brother

is getting married later this year and we’ve advised

him not to do the same as I think many people are

uncomfortable with the idea.

Honeymoon? We both love to shop and to travel so we went to New

York, which was ten times better than I imagined,

then we went to Las Vagas, which was just crazy and

amazing and then we went to Disneyland in Florida

which is great fun no matter how old you are.

Last word? All my friends had better hang on to their wedding

dresses because I’ve decided I’m going to have a

party every year as I certainly didn’t get my beautiful

dress to only wear it once!


Tell us about your proposal.It was something really different and very funny at the

same time. We went on holiday to Mauritius and the

one day we decided to do an ocean walk where they

put what look like fishbowls over your head and you

walk on the ocean floor.

Whilst we were walking around down there Russ bent

down on one knee and kind of signalled me something.

So, I got down as well, thinking he was trying to show

me something. He stood up, walked on further, turned

around and got down on one knee again. I went up to

him and bent down again. He pointed for me to stand

and then signalled me several different signs which

essentially spelt out “Will You Marry Me Please”! Well,

we couldn’t wait to get back up onto dry land to make it

official! Thinking back now, the setting was absolutely

perfect - swimming around amongst all the beautiful

coral and brightly coloured fish.

How long were you engaged?We were in no rush and were engaged for close to

seven wonderful years.

Did you want to get married at a particular time of year?Yes we did, we tried to get as close to the date as we

possibly could of the time that we first started dating.

What was your theme/colour scheme?Our theme was “Love Is”. We didn’t use table

numbers but made our own table names such as

Love, Hope, Faith, Trust, Love, Liefde, Hoop, Vertroue

etc, instead. So, each table had a mini theme. Our

colours were white, black, silver, red and orange.

ADRI & RUSSELL BENVENUTI

A friendly good-bye hug after a work-related function turned into a long embrace. An underwater proposal and then a fabulous wedding followed several years later.

“During the ceremony the groomsmen “faked” not

having the wedding rings with them! Russ had arranged

for a waiter dressed up in a funny penguin mascot suit to

bring them in! “


Venue: EnGedi – Oasis in the CradleDress: True Brides and Morgan Brown

Shoes: AwolMake up: Make-up by Gwen

Photography: Chilli Pix Photography - EugeneVideo: Warren Anderson Photography & Video Productions

Music: Soundworx & Brothers In Beat (Interactive Drumming)

“We did a sand blending ceremony after exchanging

vows, this was a very special moment. The interactive

drumming session was also a big hit.”


How did you approach the planning of your wedding – what did you start with?We set the date first then went to a wedding expo

with a clear goal in terms of the suppliers we needed

such as venue, DJ, photographer, videographer,

flowers, decor, cake, make up and bridal wear. We

then found a venue, booked a date and met with all

potential suppliers to obtain quotes. After discussing

price and personality fit, we selected our suppliers.

We then scheduled what needed to be done and by

what date. It was just like project management!

Were you able to meet your own deadlines or could you have done with more time?We had around about nine months to plan so

had more than enough time to make the required

arrangements, unfortunately the December festive

period fell in between so we essentially only had

seven and a half months to arrange the wedding.

We did however manage to get most of the important

things arranged inside the first three months.

Did you use a wedding planner?No, we didn’t. However our venue supplied a co-

ordinator to make sure events moved along smoothly.

Did you stick to your budget?Yes, we did. I think the key is to first get an idea of what

things costs before setting a budget. For example,

a DJ is not just R1 500 like some people would

like to believe. We obtained quotes and created a

spreadsheet to help keep an eye on the budget. .

How many venues did you look at and what made you choose the one that you did?The venue was very important to us, especially with

my Dad being in a wheelchair. It was vital that the

venue was wheelchair friendly. We looked at about

10 venues. Engedi was within our budget, completely

wheelchair friendly and their staff were extremely

helpful.

Did the venue meet all your expectations?The venue and the staff were superb. They went out

of their way to make us feel at home.

Was there anything that cost you more than you thought it would?Yes, dressing the bridal party - especially the ladies.

Is there anything that you think you could have done without?I’m sure any bride could do without quite a few of

things on the wedding day. However all those little

things add up to make the wedding special and

personal.

How many guests?84 - just our close family and friends.


Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue?My something old and something blue was my

engagement ring which has 13 blue Sapphire

stones. My something borrowed was my petticoat.

My something new was my wedding ring and my

jewellery for the day.

Where did you get your dress and how many others did you consider?I ended up by hiring my dress from True Brides,

because the dress I purchased was only received two

days before the wedding! It’s a long and complicated

story - the moral of which is not to let your emotions

run away with you. Always get everything in writing

as it will eliminate room for any misunderstandings.

Always read the “fine” print!

What do you think worked best?We arranged a photo booth for the guest’s

entertainment while we got our photo’s done. It prints

out the pictures straight away and we also got all

these pictures on a CD.

We cut our cake after the ceremony, which allowed

people to snack on something sweet while we are

taking photos and the cake did not go to waste.

We arranged an interactive drumming session with

Brothers In Beat after the main course and speeches

and this got our guests into party mode.

We didn’t have a traditional guest book but a photo

frame for guests to write their messages on instead.

This we can hang in our home as a reminder.

Do you have any advice/tips for future brides?Don’t forget to get each other a special gift for the

day. Don’t forget that the day is not really about the

food, flowers etc, it is about making the biggest

commitment of your life.

Meet with your service providers, it is important that

you build a good relationship with them and that your

personalities “gel”.

Arrange to have snacks while you are getting ready.

Go for your last dress fitting as close to the wedding

date as possible, because my dress, as happens to

many brides, was too big.

Your MC can make your wedding fun. It is important

that he not only announces what is going to happen

next, but also that he manages the little things in the

background to ensure the schedule runs smoothly.

Get a brief from your pastor/priest on what he is

planning to say on the day. It is terrible for the guests

and the bride and groom to listen to an hour and half

of preaching with no point at the end.

Decide whether you are planning on getting married

in community of property or not. If you get married out

of community, get a contract drawn up by an attorney.

Do this well in advance as it can take several months

to be registered.

Ask the venue to send a plate of food to your room,

this will allow you to enjoy the food after the evening

is over.


Music Makes Or BreaksDJ styleThe first step is to decide what type of DJ you want. There

are many different types of DJ’s nowadays. Most couples

are after a DJ to entertain a mixed age group with a variety

of genres of music at a wedding.

Every DJ has his/her own style. When you book ensure you

talk and plan with the DJ who will play at your reception and

make sure you feel comfortable with that specific person.

BudgetDecide your budget. DJ rates vary based on talent,

personality, experience, music knowledge, mixing ability,

demand, equipment required, venue accessibility (for

loading in/out) and location. Generally speaking, you get

what you pay for in the entertainment industry. Do a little

research before locking a DJ in for your event. Talk to friends

and venues who regularly use DJs. Usually a word of mouth

DJ service is the best to choose. Your guests will always

remember a bad DJ in the same respect they will also

recommend a good DJ.

ExperienceIt’s simple. Ask your potential DJ how many weddings he

or she has performed at. It’s important your DJ has the

knowledge on how to direct the event with the right music

and show to suit the style of wedding you are having. If

they can back up their experience with solid testimonials

and even provide an entire gig on DVD / Video that you can

review, you are onto a winner.

MusicIn the hands of a master, a DJ’s Playlist will direct a room

of people who came for a relaxing evening into a fun and

exciting party. Each song that a DJ plays creates a mood

for each person and the room as a whole. You should have

a say in what music you would like for the night. Make sure

your DJ will accommodate your ideas, plays the music you

want at the event and who will even take guest requests.

The DJ service should provide a music list for you choose a

few styles and songs and also let you choose the music you

do not want played. On average around 20 songs per hour

are played. From experience it’s good to choose say 20-30

must play songs and a few genres to follow. This leaves a

little room for the DJ’s creativity and will give the DJ an idea

of you and your guest’s tastes. The “don’t play” song list is

just as important.

Written ContractA DJ needs in-depth knowledge of your style so he/she can

be prepared for the day. A contract should also be signed

by the DJ service and client to ensure a legally smooth

running event which protects the DJ along with you as the

client just in case any issues arise. For your own piece of

mind make sure you sign a contract and even pay a deposit

(usually 30-50% of total price) for your booking as it makes

it more legally binding when money changes hands.

EquipmentAsk if your DJ service uses professional sound and lighting

equipment. If you can, look at what their setup looks like.

Cables should be hidden, there should be minimum light

trussing and it should suit your style of venue. If you have

paid good money for a nice venue, a DJ’s setup should be

subtle and blend in with the venue.

Summary• ChooseyourstyleofDJandbudget.

• Talktofriends,familyandvenuestoseeiftheyhave

recommendations.

• MakesureyoufeelcomfortablewiththeDJyouchoose.

• Ensuretheyareaccommodatingandwillassistwiththe

style of your wedding.

• Rememberyouarethehirer,ifyouarenothappywith

something, say so.

• Checktheirexperience&equipmentused.

• Ifyouarehappy&confidentwithwhattheydobook

them and ensure you get a contract.

• LiaisewiththeDJleadinguptotheday.

YOU have decided that you want a DJ to entertain guests at your wedding so the next step is to choose a DJ who will play according to your style and who is within your budget.


“Leave certain tasks up to the professionals - if you are not a florist but plan on having flowers then get a florist in. Leave big jobs like draping

up to the experts. ”

How did you and Carl meet?We met at the popular Splashy Fen music festival in

Underberg. Carl was working his Caffe Pronto stand

into the late hours and I was a customer complaining

quietly to my sister about the price of the hot

chocolate ... that is until I saw the sexy barista making

it! My sister did all the talking and very kindly left Carl

my number on an empty paper cup!

How long did it take to plan your wedding? I started immediately after our engagement. With my

busy schedule I had to squeeze in spare time for

myself. I began planning about 10 months ahead of

time. I began by thinking of possible dates and then

began my venue search. I compiled an album of all the

ideas and themes that I liked and worked it from there.

You have your own business which includes function and wedding co-ordination, tell us about it.Carl and I started it several years ago together and

what a special business it is. We pride ourselves in

giving every bride the attention she deserves for

her magical day! We offer everything from flowers,

draping, fairy lights and décor to upmarket linen and

couches. It’s so important that each bridal couple

has a unique wedding, representing their love and

style.

So, you did just about everything for your wedding yourself?Yes, I spent a great deal of time planning my wedding

down to the very last detail. I sat down with family

and close friends months before the time to see who

would like to get involved. My mom being a florist

jumped at the idea! Carl, who is so hands on, was

the greatest help!

JESSICA & CARL ADENDORFF

This couple perfected the DIY wedding and did virtually everything themselves. It does help of course that the bride is a wedding and functions co-ordinator by profession!


Venue: Straven Court, RichmondWedding gown: The Wedding Box

Bridesmaid’s dresses: Made by Shona’s Wedding CollectionHair & Make up: Make Up Your Mind

Cake: Madeleine Tarts (Shongweni Farmer’s Market) Photographer: Kevin Bender (www.kevinbender.com)

Flowers, draping & decor: Speciality Functions and Draping Coffee Bar: Caffé Pronto

“I do believe that no two weddings are the same, and every wedding is

unique. Having a coffee bar (Carl’s business) and couches made our wedding extra special.

We actually had a queue of guests waiting to get

cappuccinos! .”


Were you not pretty exhausted come your big day?Actually no, surprisingly I was still energetic and

remarkably calm. I was so excited that I was even the

last man standing at my own wedding! For a DIY bride

I felt that that was quite an achievement!

Planning and organising your own wedding for a change must have been an interesting exercise? What did you learn from it?Every wedding is interesting. As a wedding co-ordinator

you often miss the family politics and the drama which

comes with the territory. With my own planning it

was unavoidable, and it is very tiring trying to please

everybody. Fortunately Carl sat me down said “stop”

and reminded me that was OUR wedding, and that I

should do only what pleased me.

What are the questions that brides-to-be ask you most often?How much will a wedding cost?

How did you go about choosing your bridal party?That was very easy for me as I come from a large family

with four sisters to choose from. My sisters Melanie and

Stephanie were delighted to be my bridesmaids and

my third sister Krysten, being the one who originally

gave Carl my number, was my maid of honour! My baby

sister Makenzie was one of my flower girls. Carl chose

his three best friends – Michael, Evan and Craig.

What made you choose your venue?I had a theme and style in mind and from the very

beginning I knew that I wanted a venue which would

be flexible and accommodating. I visited countless

venues that had so many rules and restrictions.

Being a DIY bride I needed a venue which would

allow me the freedom I desired. Straven Court was

that venue. They allowed me to start setting up from

the Wednesday! I was able to pace myself and enjoy

setting up for my own wedding and add finishing

touches.

Tell us about your photographer and why you chose him.Kevin Bender was amazing. We met him several

months before our wedding and he arrived at our

meeting looking very professional, so organised

and ahead of time. He has all the characteristics we

required of a photographer and his gallery of pictures

were exactly what we were looking for.

Did you set yourself a strict budget and did you stick to it?Yes, we stuck to a very strict budget. Our priority as a

couple is to save for our own home so we agreed from

the beginning as to what we were prepared to spend

and stopped it there. This was the hardest part for

me as a bride when there are so many nice things to

choose from. I had envelopes labelled and budgets

allocated to each of my service providers.


QUESTIONS about a multitude of different aspects concerning weddings abound. Here REAL BRIDES answers some of the most frequently asked questions.

My fiancé insists on wearing his lucky yellow socks with his tuxedo. I think this is silly. How do I convince him to rather leave them in the drawer at home?Traditionally the wearer of a tuxedo would elect to wear dark dress socks to match. But, it’s 2012 and in the grand scheme of things, yellow socks aren’t too bad. The only time guests might catch a glimpse of his yellow socks is when he kneels during the ceremony, or while he’s dancing at the reception – and they will probably be amused at his choice. So lighten up. Even if you are having an ultra formal wedding, his sunny socks will add some fun to the happy affair and that’s always a good thing.

Is there any rule that says an engagement ring has to be a diamond? Could it be another stone, like a ruby, sapphire, or emerald?There is no rule to what an engagement ring should be. Diamonds are traditionally the gemstone of choice. First, because they are considered the most precious of all gem stones. Another reason is that diamonds, for the most part, are colourless; making them a very practical choice that would style well no matter what you are wearing. The final reason is that they are the most brilliant reflective gems of all, signifying your love. If you’re considering any coloured gem stone for your engagement ring, you might want to use them in a way to accent a centre diamond.

My mother insists that my two-year-old niece should be a flower girl at our wedding. I think she’s too young. She’s so cute but prone to ‘terrible twos’ tantrums and I’m afraid she might cause a scene and spoil my entrance. What do I do?You are right, toddlers in general can be unpredictable and many can’t really be relied upon to walk down the aisle by themselves. If the processional music has begun and your little niece is not co-operating or is wailing, try having her mom walk down the aisle with her. If she digs in her heels, simply relieve her of her duties and let her sit with her family.

Is it okay to exchange a wedding gift that we don’t want or need?Absolutely. Exchange the gift for something useful. Who would ever know? Just remember to send a polite thank you note.

Do I have to ask an old friend to be in my bridal party just because I was in hers three years ago?Picking you bridal party isn’t about payback or feeling obligated. It’s about choosing to include people who supported you and your fiancé as your relationship grew, and who shared your happiness once you got engaged. The truth is, people change and grow apart.

My fiancé wants to invite an ex-girlfriend, who he’s still close with, to our wedding. I don’t really want him to. Am I wrong?This is never an easy situation. On the one hand, your fiancé wants to include someone who’s important to him; on the other hand, it’s testing your comfort level. If you feel threatened by their friendship, it’s time to come clean about your feelings. If you have never met her, suggest that you get together for a drink or dinner. Not only will this make the three of you feel more comfortable, it should also reinforce that fact that you have absolutely nothing to fret about – after all he did ask you to marry him and not her!

I really hate my name, Beulah. Can our marriage officer use my nickname “Bella” during the vows?Why not? During one of life’s most profound moments, there really is no need to have to respond to a name that grates you! The official marriage license, like all your other legal documents such as your ID and your passport, will still bear your proper given name.

My fiancé, who’s been married before, wants a “no gifts” policy for his guests, since they gave him presents the first time around. How do we do that for his part of the list?He’s just trying to be considerate, but his friends and family should make the decision themselves. There’s no formula that reads Wedding invitation = Present, so guests who’ve already helped feather one nest aren’t obliged to feather another. The best thing you could do is create a gift registry, with a least half the choices in a low-to-moderate price range. You could also register with a charity – that will make both you and your guests feel good.

Wedding FAQs

Got a question concerning your big day? Email us at: [email protected]


Nkuthu Gardens is situated on the banks of the Nkutu River, about 45 minutes away from the centre of Durban. Conveniently positioned midway between Durban and Pietermaritzburg makes Nkuthu Gardens easily accessible from all major roads. Discreetly tucked away from all the hustle & bustle of city life & nestled in a beautiful lakeside setting, our scenic beauty makes Nkuthu Gardens an ideal location for that perfect fairytale wedding.

At Nkuthu Gardens we are able to host both ceremony & reception. This way, once the ceremony is over, guests can mingle before the reception begins with no need for anyone to drive to a different venue. We also offer on site catering & décor which further adds to the

convenience of the all inclusive approach. This ensures that everything runs smoothly under the supervision & guidance of our in house functions co-ordinator.

At Nkuthu Gardens you can be assured of a warm welcome & undivided attention from both management & staff. Perhaps more importantly, it is our experience, commitment and attention to detail that sets us apart. At Nkuthu Gardens, we take pleasure in offering you personalised service with flexible packages to suit your individual requirements. We are able to accommodate parties of up to 180 guests.

Please feel free to contact us for more information.

www.nkuthugardens.co.za • [email protected] 167 Inanda Road, Waterfall • (031) 763 4149 / 082 681 8506

Nkuthu GardensYour wedding day is a day that will

always be memorable. At Nkuthu Gardens, we specialise in making it memorable for all the right reasons.

“There was no theme or colour scheme per se. We wanted a very natural feel. The tablecloths were white linen with stone coloured

runners. The flower arrangements included aloes, proteas, orchids

and desert roses. .”

How romantic was your proposal?Lorenzo took me away for the weekend to a wonderful

wood cabin in the Magaliesburg. Since it was the

weekend of my birthday I had no idea that he was going

to propose. Being Italian, and an amazing chef, he

prepared a romantic dinner and then later we went for a

walk under the stars. He had arranged champagne and

he proposed. It was so perfect.

Hen’s party / kitchen tea or pamper party?I had a pamper party. It was held at the St. Francis

Links and we all had pedicures done whilst having

a champagne breakfast. I was spoilt with the most

magnificent lingerie as well as other lovely gifts. It

was such an enjoyable morning.

The best surprise of all was the gorgeous lingerie set

that my sister in law gave me. It is in exquisite cream

lace with a blue ribbon and diamante detail. My

husband certainly loved it! I would highly recommend

Liza Clifford Professional Bra Fitting Studio to any

future brides – www.lizaclifford.co.za.

You are a medical doctor by profession, how did you ever find the time to plan a wedding? Did you have a wedding planner?Lorenzo and I planned the wedding together and we

had so much fun doing it. Work does keep us very

busy but we managed to find time with ease.

How long did you have to plan?We got married almost a year to the day after we

got engaged. However, since we moved from

Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth during the same

year, we only spent about six months planning.

LIA & LORENZO BORETTI

There is not just one doctor in the Boretti household, there are two! Lia and Lorenzo are both medical doctors and they met whilst studying at University.


“Lorenzo and I designed and made our

invitations. We had so much fun making them and they were

magnificent. We only had a few to make so it allowed us to put a lot of effort into them.”

Ceremony & Reception: Big Time Taverna, Cape St. Francis

Dress: Lady MarmalaideLingerie: Liza Clifford – www.lizaclifford.co.za

Shoes: My sister surprised me with shoes from London

Make up: Marike - St. FrancisPhotography: Family

Stationery: Homemade


Where did you find or look for inspiration or did you have a good idea of what you wanted?Lorenzo and I are very family-orientated people.

We wanted an intimate wedding where we would

be able to spend time with our guests. This was the

essence of our wedding and all decisions followed

this plan. We initially had a very large guest list, we

then reviewed it and decided we wanted the people

at our wedding to be those who were integral parts

of our lives and the ones who would support us

through the tough times etc. We decided to have a

‘weekend’ wedding. We also felt that if we had fewer

people we could ‘spoil’ them more. We hired beach

front houses in St Francis for our guests to stay in.

Everyone arrived in St Francis on the Friday and left

on the Sunday. It was wonderful.

How many guests?We had a total of 30 guests. Very small but I would

highly recommend having an intimate wedding and

having just the people who are involved in your lives.

Our guests were our family members and close

friends. All were very special.

What was your priority in terms of planning?The venue was a priority. We wanted a small venue to

provide an intimate atmosphere, which would also be

child friendly. Lorenzo is Italian and I am Portuguese

so we also wanted great food.

Tell us about your venue.The venue was the Big Time Taverna in St. Francis

Bay. It is a Greek restaurant on the canals and it

has the most magnificent views and such a warm

atmosphere. We went there for lunch one day and fell

in love with it. The owner is so accommodating and

friendly and the food is amazing.

What did you find to be the most difficult part of planning your wedding?Strangely enough, it was finding a priest. We are

Catholic by religion but had just moved to Port

Elizabeth and therefore were not familiar with anyone.

St Francis is also a small place so there are not many

priests based there. We eventually found a wonderful

priest who was very happy to marry us and he gave

us wonderful pre-marriage counselling.

Did you stick to your budget?Yes, we actually had some to spare!

The Eastern Cape weather has a tendency to be windy, was this taken into consideration, and was the time of year important to you?Yes, the area is renowned for its wind! This was

certainly a consideration and for this reason we opted

not to have the wedding ceremony on the beach. The

wind is unpredictable and can be very unpleasant.

We chose the time of year that suited our work as well

as the weather. We wanted it to be warm.


Tell us about your proposal.Quintin was moving to Lydenburg to a new job and

I helped him move all his furniture from Benoni. The

plan was to help him unpack, stay overnight and then

go back home. That evening after a hard day’s work

unpacking, he proposed by saying: “I’ve got a house,

a fast car; all I need now is a wife”. And that’s how it

happened!

How long was it before you got married?We got engaged in June 2011, and we married in

February 2012 so eight months. We just knew that

this is what we both wanted, and that there was no

reason to wait.

How far in advance did you send out invitations?About three months in advance.

How long did it take for people to reply to your invitation?Less than a month. Our guests were very excited to

attend the wedding and we even got some responses

on the same day that some people received them.

Did you use a wedding planner?Yes, yes and yes. It was the best decision ever. We

used Siann Backhouse from the Wedding Guru.

From our first meeting Siann knew what I wanted

and she made sure that I got what I wanted. She just

understood me and she made sure that my “picture

perfect wedding” dream came true.

Did you have a clear idea of what type of wedding you wanted?Yes! I wanted an elegant but fun wedding. I like

things plain and simple. As long as there were red

roses I was satisfied.

LIEZL & QUINTIN GRIX

This lovely couple have been an item since their school days and they started dating way back in November 2005.

“It started raining just as the ceremony was about to start. I

had a horse and carriage waiting and was escorted by an usher

under a massive patio umbrella!”


Venue: Oakfield FarmWedding gown: Oleg Cassini

Shoes: SoloHair: Fringe Salon - Daniella

Make Up: Lynn Reece Professional Make-Up - Cecelia Photography: Chilli Pix – www.chillipix.co.za

Music: Blast Entertainment - Craig

“Don’t let anyone influence your decisions and

judgements. Always remember that is your wedding day and it should be your fairytale.”


What was your theme/colour scheme?The theme was black, white and silver with a touch

of deep red. I chose a very simple colour scheme

because the venue already had its own character.

Adding more to it would have spoilt the whole idea. I

added silver for a bit of “bling”, and for colour I added

deep red roses.

How many venues did you look at before deciding on Oakfield Farm?We had a look at six different venues before we finally

decided. All of them were unique in their own way, but

they didn’t have that something that we were looking

for. When we entered the gates we both got that fuzzy

feeling and just knew that our wedding was going to

be at Oakfield Farm.

Why did you choose that particular venue?It met all our requirements. We had a “little long”

list that needed to be met before we decided. For

instance, I wanted a chapel for the formal ceremony

and not a closed church. I wanted a semi-outside

wedding; I wanted waiters to serve the food and

drinks and I wanted trees and a nice garden for

the photos. Oakfield had it all. They made sure that

we were treated like royalty. The way they handled

everything before the wedding was so professionally

that it convinced us that they would deliver.

How many guests?We had 96 guests including suppliers and children.

How did you go about choosing your photographer?We reserved quite a large part of our budget for a

professional photographer as photos are the only

thing you have left after a wedding. We looked at

a couple of photographer’s portfolios. Chilli Pix

(Eugene) was recommended to us and we also

attended a wedding where he was doing his job. They

are very professional and put you at ease. We had so

much fun during the pre-shoot and the wedding that it

didn’t even feel as if Eugene was a complete stranger.

Did you have a clear plan of photos that you wanted or did you leave it all up to your photographer?We wanted very natural photos – we didn’t want to

look like puppets that had been placed in certain

positions. So we left it all in the capable hands of the

photographer and his crew. They did an absolutely

wonderful job.

Are there any areas where you think you could have perhaps saved a bit on your budget?No! Everything was worth every cent. Never settle for

second best.

Did you set up a Gift Registry?No, we had a post box set up at the function hall.

What was your favourite gift?$$$!


Kamantha and Arisha are waiting for your call on 031 561 2211Please quote Ultimate Romance.

Email: [email protected]

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REAL BRIDES MAGAZINE

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