If you enjoyed this post, please consider donating to mine and my husband’s “honeymoon”/immigration fund and help us get to the UK! Even a small amount would mean the world to us.
Well, we use the term ‘perfect’ lightly. Our wedding wasn’t perfect, but we still loved every single second of it! Your wedding day is a milestone in your life that deserves to be nothing short of magical. One of the keys to achieving that magic lies in choosing the right vendors to bring your vision to life. As a newlywed myself, I’d like to share the incredible journey of selecting and working with the vendors who played a pivotal role in making my wedding day an unforgettable experience.
The Venue: A Scenic Wonderland
Choosing the perfect venue is often the first and most critical decision in wedding planning. My husband (still feels so weird to say that) and I were so lucky to have had our wedding at Eston Farm B&B which we’d stayed at a few times before. Gordon and Michelle are the sweetest couple and so accommodating, from the charming ceremony space under a sprawling tree to the enchanting reception under the stars. They were so supportive and an absolute pleasure to work with. Anything went wrong, they were there to save the day.
The Photographer: Capturing Memories That Last a Lifetime
One of Jeremy’s non-negotiables was that our photographer had to be Chris McCabe, who he’d met while working on a game farm that also doubled as a wedding venue. Chris and his wife, Nikki, were not only incredibly talented but also warm and personable. They effortlessly captured the emotions and details of our day, ensuring that we have cherished memories to relive for generations to come. We can’t wait to see the final photos!
The Caterer: A Feast to Remember
Food is an integral part of any celebration, and we were adamant we wanted to use “Spits Unlimited“, as we had used them before at my parents wedding and my 21st birthday. Wanting a spit braai was another reason we didn’t go for a traditional wedding venue as those normally come with specific catering companies you have to use. “Spits Unlimited” exceeded our expectations. From the delectable lamb to the mouthwatering potato salad and potato bake, our guests raved about the exquisite meal and still continue to do so. Spits Unlimited ensured everyone left with full hearts and even fuller bellies and we can’t thank them enough.
The Florist: Blooms of Love
Flowers add a touch of elegance and romance to any wedding, and to get the exact vision we wanted, we went with two different flower providers. Heleen was the sweetest lady you could ever hope to work with. She provided us with corsages for the moms as well as rose petals to line the aisle and to use as confetti. She even included some flowers to be used to decorate the cake and gorgeous burnt-orange napkins.
However, the flip side of the flower coin was the company we used for the table arrangements, the bride and bridesmaids’ bouquets and the groomsmen’s boutonnieres. There were a few hiccups at our wedding, but this company upset me the most. Initially, Country Glam promised to deliver the flowers at our home on the Wednesday before the wedding. They then informed me that they wouldn’t be able to and would deliver them first thing Thursday morning. Thursday morning came, Thursday afternoon came, still no flowers. The lady then informs me that they’ll be delivered first thing Friday morning. What’s wrong with that, you ask? Well we were leaving for our venue on the Thursday afternoon and wouldn’t be home to receive them. I then had to make a plan to get my landlord to receive them and one of my bridesmaids to pick them up on the Saturday morning on her way to the venue. Way to stress a bride out 2 days before her wedding, guys.
On the day the flowers, which weren’t even the same flowers that formed part of the package I paid for, arrived in a state far from the vibrant and fresh blooms we had envisioned. The disheartening discovery that the flowers were rotten upon delivery cast a momentary shadow on our otherwise joyous occasion. Swiftly faced with the challenge of discarded arrangements, we had to pivot and execute a backup plan to salvage the aesthetic of our special day. Luckily, the amazing owners of the venue, Gordon and Michelle, grow flowers on their farm to sell and graciously let us put together arrangements from some of the ones they had.
I’ve requested a refund from them as I was deeply unhappy with the level of service and professionalism from them and was offered R300 of the R1500 back as that was the price of the rotten flowers. Yay.
While setbacks are an inevitable part of any event, the key lies in adapting gracefully and finding alternative solutions to ensure the celebration remains a beautiful and cherished memory.
Stretch Tent Specialist
A special shoutout to Sphe from The Event Specialist, the magician behind the captivating stretch tent that sheltered our celebration. Your expertise and meticulous attention to detail transformed the venue into a haven of elegance and comfort.
Terrific Cake Topper and Welcome Sign
Amidst the wedding planning ups and downs, there were some bright spots that truly made a difference. A special shoutout goes to Dear Audry, who played a pivotal role in making our day extra special. They crafted a beautiful welcome sign that set the perfect tone for our celebration and also designed a personalized cake topper that added a unique touch to our cake. We’re grateful for their talent and dedication, which added a special touch to our wedding and created lasting memories.
Sanitation Service: Sanitech (Not Recommended)
While we are grateful for the essential services provided by Sanitech in delivering portable restrooms for our wedding, we regret to share that the experience did not meet our expectations. Unfortunately, the facilities ceased to function after only four hours, causing inconvenience and disruption during our celebration. I also haven’t received any further communication from Sanitech even after emailing them about the incident.
Pre-Wedding Pampering: Arabella Salon
Amidst the hustle and bustle of wedding preparations, a heartfelt thank you goes out to Arabella Salon for their exceptional services in the week leading up to our special day. Their expertise in nail care, eyebrows, and eyelashes left me feeling pampered and polished, enhancing my confidence as I walked down the aisle.
The DJ: Setting the Mood
Keegan from “Keegan’s Sound and Lighting” provided the tunes for our special day. He seamlessly transitioned between our chosen songs, ensured the dance floor was never empty, and created an electric atmosphere that had everyone dancing the night away. While he may be young, this kid is definitely going places.
The Officiant: The Heart of Our Ceremony
The solemnity and joy of our ceremony were beautifully orchestrated by our officiant, Jonathan Payne from “The Wedding Celebrant“, who is also a good friend from my theatre club. His heartfelt words, wisdom, and ability to connect with us as a couple made our ceremony a deeply meaningful and memorable experience. Our guests were raving about him for days after the ceremony. With more than 30 years of experience, Jonathan added a beautiful mix of humour and sentiment into our ceremony – and also doubles as a great MC!
Hair and Makeup: Beauty for the Bride
Lucy Kelbrick and my good friend, Farheen Adam turned me into a glowing bride. Their expertise and artistry transformed my vision into reality, making me feel like a princess on my special day. They were not only skilled but also calming, helping me stay relaxed amidst the excitement. Lucy was so efficient she arrived a whole hour earlier for fear that there would be traffic and she was so patient with my rather chaotic family.
The Wedding Cake: A Sweet Finale
Our wedding cake, lovingly crafted by my best friend, Kerren (I have a lot of crazy talented friends, okay!), was a masterpiece in itself. The cake not only looked stunning but also tasted heavenly. Each bite was a sweet reminder of the love and commitment Jeremy and I were celebrating. The cake cutting ceremony was a highlight of the afternoon, and our guests couldn’t get enough of its deliciousness. Kerren, unfortunately, no longer bakes cakes but makes amazing bookish-themed merch over on Fable & Fiction Creations. Check her out!
Decor by Settings: Transforming Dreams into Reality
Settings, our decor company, played a pivotal role in creating the enchanting atmosphere we had envisioned, despite a mishap or two on our part. Settings website is filled with individual decor items for you to choose from to add to your cart. This gives you total freedom and creativity to truly make your wedding exactly how you want it. From the tables to the lighting, their attention to detail and creative flair turned our stretch tent into a dreamy wonderland.
The Dress: A Fairytale Gown
Last but certainly not least, finding the perfect wedding dress is a dream come true. We struggled with this at first, with how crazy expensive wedding dresses are. We went to boutique after boutique, trying on a total of 20 dresses, but could find nothing I liked. Everything was also over R5k – and that was just for renting! I was fortunate to discover “Tanielle’s Sewing Room,” where Tanielle made my very own dress exactly how I wanted. Her expertise and skill made the experience truly magical. She only had two weeks to put it together and she worked day and night to make it happen – with the added pressure of working on Jeremy’s waistcoat and my miad of honour’s dress as well. Her time, effort, and loving lectures on the use of boob tape and keeping hydrated on the day will never be forgotten by my maid of honour and I.
Our wedding day was a fairytale come true, thanks in large part to the talented and dedicated vendors who transformed our dreams into reality. Each played a unique and essential role in creating a day filled with love, laughter, and memories that will last a lifetime. If you’re planning your wedding, take the time to choose your vendors wisely, for they are the artisans who can turn your vision into a magical reality, and don’t forget to find an officiant who will make your ceremony truly special.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider donating to mine and my husband’s “honeymoon”/immigration fund and help us get to the UK! Even a small amount would mean the world to us.
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Chante JVR 
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