YOUR UNIQUE LOVE STORY & WEDDING DAY VENDORS:
Tell us about your love-story leading up to your special day – how did you meet one another?
We met in January of 2010, at a very close friend’s house in Cape Town. It was a Saturday afternoon braai, and Jonathan had been invited to join by another friend of mine. We’d never met before, despite having loads of mutual friends, so it was refreshing to meet someone new. It wasn’t love at first sight, but we definitely got on with one another from the start. We started chatting on Facebook after we saw one another the next day at a cricket game (he’d actually organised ticket for our mutual friend earlier that week, and she’d given one to me), and then we met for coffee a few days later because I was trying to get some business out of the company he worked for at the time. We ended up chatting about everything other than business, and then made plans to have dinner together in Joburg a few days after, as we were both going to be there for work. Fast-forward a couple weeks later, and we were officially dating.
How did the groom propose?
It wasn’t a surprise at all, he didn’t get down on one knee and secretly plan an elaborate proposal. We’d been together for a few years up until that point, and been through quite a bit together. He had taken a year off and was about to start his full-time MBA, so we’d been discussing the next steps in our relationship and what we wanted to do next. We were actually lying in bed one night chatting about it, and he summed up how he felt about us so beautifully (I can’t even remember what he said, but it was amazing, I might have cried). We decided to make it official on the evening of 9 January 2014, where we went to have dinner at our favourite steak restaurant, The Hussar in Rondebosch. It was just the two of us, eating delicious food and drinking great red wine, so it was very special. We are very non-traditional, so it was perfect for us.
Did your wedding have a theme, if yes please give details: Cocktail Party with botanical-themed decor.
Wedding Planner: My sister, Ash, and myself planned the wedding together. we live in Shanghai and she lives in Cape Town, so it was quite the mission getting everything together. She’s amazingly talented though, and a fantastic event-planner.
Place where Bride got ready: My Godparents’ house in Constantia, Cape Town
Brides Dress: Designed myself and made in Shanghai
Veil: Bought online in Shanghai, which my mom in-law then dyed with Rooibos tea (it perfectly matched, especially my shoes!)
Brides Jewellery: Dear Rae and Swarovski
Make-up Artist: Ash Barber
Hair Stylist: Samantha Canham
Bridesmaids Dresses:I didn’t have bridesmaids, but my flower girl’s dress was from Cotton On
Place where groom got ready: His family home
Grooms suit: Custom-made in Shanghai
Ceremony Venue: The Pavilion, Kelvin Grove
Reception Venue: The Pavilion, Kelvin Grove
Who made your Wedding Cake: Coimbra Bakery
What type of cake did you choose? We opted to go the non-traditional route, Glazed Donuts with edible gold dust – they were a serious hit!
Cake topper: Bought online in Shanghai
Catering Company: Kelvin Grove
Band/ Instrumentals during the day: n/a
Wedding Invite Design: Myself
Wedding Stationary: Myself
Any Other Vendors you would like to mention: Decor by Puccini Creations, cocktails by Brent Perremore
