The Dress:
It was from Bride and Co, stunning white design with pick me up detail on the skirt.

The Suit:
We bought it from Egdars in Eastgate

The Bridesmaids Dress:
My MOH wore a burnt rusty orange dress from Bride & Co

Colour Scheme:
Cerise Pink, burnt orange

Flowers:
I had arrangements of roses and gerberas, in my color scheme.  They were arrangement on candelabras with crystals beads in the arrangement which made it glitter when the lights were dimmed.  I had pink orgnanza draped from the candelabras stand with fairy lights underneath.  It looked very princess like.

The Transport:
I got dressed at the venue in the bridal suit, so I just had to walk out the door and down the “hidden passage” to the front door of the mystical chapel.  Fi got dressed at our house and him and his bestman (Richard) drove in a white BMW to the venue where the first stop that they made when reaching the venue was the bar for a drink.  I think he was more nervous than me.

The Ceremony:
The ceremony was in the chapel, my minister drove 90km from Carletonville to JHB to marry me.  I only found out later that most guests had arrived late as there was a overturned truck and they had closed down the road for a while.  Everyone knew but no one told me as I had already had so many things go wrong the day before the wedding and I was literally at my wits end.  Well the clock struck 16h00 and it was my turn to take the walk down the aisle, following true tradition, I had to be late…  so the photographer kept me busy taking pictures for 10 minutes.  My dad took me by the hand and we made our way down the “secret passage” towards the chapel door I think daddy was more nervous than me.  Well we made it down the aisle and when I saw my fi I just had to try very hard not to run into his arms, luckily daddy kept me walking slow.  There ceremony was beautiful, saying my vowels I thought I was going to bawl my eyes out but managed to keep all those happy tears back.  Finally the minister pronounced us man and wife and we shared a very special “first” kiss, which I will remember till the day that I die.

The Reception:
The hall looked amazing when we walked in, all you saw where the bright flower arrangements, I was so impressed with how the final look of the flowers looked.  They announced Mr and Mrs Esterhuizen and we walked in.  the venue is absolutely breathtaking, it has this ancient roman feel to it and the owners are truly great.  Carol and Nick!!  They lead us through everything and made sure that each and every single thing was just the way I wanted it.  We really did pick the best venue that reflected our personalities.  The food was amazing too and never once had someone come to me to say something was nice, actually I have had people ask me for the number of the venue so that they can arrange year end functions there.

The Cake:
Since Ettiene and I don’t eat fruit cake we wanted something different and unique, just like us.  We asked Freddie from the platter chef to create cupcakes with the bright pink and orange icing and to put a flower on each cupcake and he did just that.  They were the best cupcakes I have ever eaten, the guest absolutely loved it!!!

Favours:
We made beaded key rings in our wedding colors and had then put on the side plate with a fresh rose next to it.  We also compiled a CD with our favorite love songs on it (most of them were played at the wedding).  Freddie also made me some home made fudge that we put in organza bags on the tables for the guest to take home.  So in total there were 3 favors per person.

Decor:
Décor in the chapel were loads of candles and gerbera in our color scheme, two major arrangements of roses, lilies and gerberas were in the front of the chapel and fresh rose petals as confetti.

Music:
Roy from Starry Night was our dj for the evening, boy is that guy good.  He kept all the guest entertained and dancing till early hours of the wedding.  He had us playing games as well and everyone loved the dj. 

The Honeymoon:
We left the very next Monday for a week in durbs, it was magical.  We spent almost every day at the beach and just relaxed.  It was such a lovely time.

Brides Tip:
Make sure that you delegate!!!  Don’t try and do everything yourself!!!  Make sure you meet with all your vendors and look at their portfolio and ask for references to see if the previous bride was happy with the service.  Most vendors just do you in!!!  Choose wisely and most of all RELAX and have FUN at your wedding!!!

Special Moments:
The best and most memorable moment was the morning after the wedding, I looked at my darling husband as we were about to leave the venue and said to him “babes after all these months of hard planning it is over”, he looked at me and said “love this is just the beginning, I love you”.  I was blown away, and that will always be embedded in my thoughts!!!

Recommended Service Providers:
Benvenuti Wedding Venue – Alberton – Carol: 084 740 2289
Marita Keet (makeup and hair, she travels to venue): 0832735961
Cake and photoshoot snacks – Freddie Green: 071 149 5600
DJ – Starry Night

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