How he popped the question:
My gorgeous man told me he had a special date day planned for us he drove me to the coast where we went for a yummy lunch at Umdloti and then horseriding through the sugar cane fields over looking the ocean, it was stunning...
Afterwards I thought we would make our way back home but instead Eric blindfolds me and leads me by my hand to a picnic spot at the stables that he and the stable owner had set up - yes they were in cahoots from the beginning!!
So with a small feast of wine, fruit, cheese and biscuits we sat down to snack and look at the ocean out in front of us. It was quite funny cos by that stage I was just about dying of thirst so i tossed the pink serviette out of my champagne glass so eric could pour me some.. and only then did i see my ring and a proposal written onto the serviette.. well that was me, I was so happy, cried like a baby and well.. the rest is history.. And we are more in love now than we ever were before our wedding day. Marriage has been the most amazing experience of our lives and each day just gets better.

The Dress:
Stunning off white, Spanish style dress with rouging in the front and rose detail with silver stitching in the bodice. Very vintage style and very romantic. I had a chiffon bolero jacket to wear with it - not one for going bare shouldered. I bought this from Belles of Hilton.

The Suit:
My gorgeous husband wore black pants, pink shirt, black braces and a black beagle cap - very stylish and romantic.

The Bridesmaids Dress:
Simple two-tone green dress with baby doll style and cup-sleeves - lovely.

Colour Scheme:
Pink, green & silver

Flowers:
All flowers pretty and pink - lilies, roses, daisies. Our florist was Joan - she lives in the farm next to Calderwood Hall and boy is this lady talented. Our flowers and decor was simply gorgeous. I used white gift bags with pink and white checkered ribbon as handles instead of vases - this way each lady got to take one home with her..

The Transport:
None

The Ceremony:
In the gardens of Calderwood Hall under the beautiful gazebo, overlooking the dam.

The Reception:
In the function hall at Calderwood. Stunning room, drapped completely with a arch shaped area situated over a pond - this is where our main table was so it was kind of outside the hall.. beautiful.

The Cake:
Chocolate Ganache by a stunning young lady called Kim Westbrook
- she is on the Calderwood Hall supplier list.

Favours:
Pink heart shaped Belgium chocs wrapped in fancy edged tulle circles and decorated with a rose.

Decor:
Light weight velvet runners, two shades of green. Martini glasses with pink and white almonds. I used cupcakes with pink marshmallow icing as name places.. very decorative and lovely.

Music:
Live musicians and dear friends of ours called Derek, Carl & Haylea played the guitar and electric piano while Carl and Haylea sang for our guests. This was in the garden for the ceremony and at the reception. This added so much class to our special day and they all sang like angels.

The Honeymoon:
Road trip to Knysna

Brides Tip:
I would tell all brides to just enjoy the day - delegate delegate delegate.. But most importantly, don't worry about things going wrong, no-one else will know its gone wrong, and who cares anyway, you are there to get married.. let others worry about things that need to be worried
about.. In the bigger scheme of things, IT REALLY DOESNT MATTER!!!

Special Moments:
A moment that stands out for me, was actually the morning of our wedding.. i heard my hubbies car drive in and i went racing down the stairs and outside, running after his car.. I was overwhelmed to see him, on the morning of our wedding.. It suddenly seemed so real at that point, i was so emotional. I think the whole day is really stunning but it kind of gets away with you.. for us both, the most special moment was when we read our vows to each other, we had spent a whole day writing these and discussing them so they were very special to us, it was very emotional. The other most wonderful moment was when all the guests had left and we went up to our room at about 8pm that night.. we ran a bubble bath, popped the champagne and had fun opening our gifts.. that was a wow moment for both of us.. wow, we are finally married, we are husband and wife, together forever.. It was again another moment where i was very emotional. Here is was with the man of my dreams, on the night of our wedding.. it was too much for me to take in.. hee hee, took a really big sip of shampers! I think it was at that exact
point where we fell more in love with each other.. as husband and wife. Most awesome feeling on earth.

Recommended Service Providers:
Venue: Calderwood Hall. info@calderwood.co.za. 033 - 997 1926
Florist: Joan Stewart. dornoch@mweb.co.za. 082 808 3931
Musician: Carl Ellis. carlellis@executivemail.co.za. 072 104 0464
Musician: Derrick Zuma. innerbeats@gmail.com. 073 351 5066
Cake: Lady Kim Westbrook. kimw87@yahoo.co.uk. 082 977 7686
Hair & Makeup: Wanda Beckett. 082 359 8348
Favours: Rachel. info@theweddingshop.co.za
Minister: Graham Anderson. lifedesignministries@wandate.com
Photographer: Trent Saunders. www.trentsaunders.co.za

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