David and Celeste

Date: 5 September 2009
Venue: Southbroom

How did you meet?

We met in 2006 through my niece, who David had known since school days.  We’d actually met years before but thought nothing of it – or each other – at the time.

How did he propose?

David proposed totally out of the blue in late 2008 during a super luxurious weekend away in the Sabi Sands.  He was procrastinating after dinner and eventually, with the 5am game drive looming, I insisted on going to bed.  Back at the room, I returned from brushing my teeth to find him with a big sparkly ring in front of me, asking me to be his wife.   

How did you decide on your venue?

After toying with the idea of eloping, we eventually settled on a beach wedding with only close friends and family.  We both have many childhood memories of holidays at the South Coast, and love Southbroom’s quiet, honest charm.  After staying at Coral Tree Colony guesthouse during one of our location-scouting weekends, we just knew we had found the place for our special day.  Dave and Liz of Coral Tree are the warmest, most generous hosts who went out of their way to make not only the day, but the entire weekend, special for us and those guests who stayed there.

What was the style or theme?

We wanted the day to be intimate, relaxed and totally unpretentious.  We wanted the day to stand out in our memories not for all the effort and stress of planning the event, but rather for the time we got to spend celebrating the moment with each other, and our friends and families.  Barefoot on the beach seemed just the way to go!

It turned out exactly as we wanted, since nearly all our guests had travelled down to the wedding from Joburg, so everyone was in a holiday mood – and everyone managed to turn our wedding into an excuse to get away for a few days.  I highly recommend destination weddings for exactly that reason.

The flowers?

We used predominantly white proteas – I love their honest, unpretentious beauty, as well as that they are so very South African.  They were complemented with stunning roses, fynbos greenery and pittosporum.

Favourite moments / highlights?

We awoke early on the morning of the wedding to find the wind howling, and a panicked wedding planner convinced we would have to move the ceremony indoors.  We trusted our instincts, and an hour before the ceremony began the clouds parted, wind died down, and the most gorgeous weather arrived – just for us!

Having the ceremony facing the ocean, with the waves rising and falling, was incredible and the best sight-and-sound backdrop one could hope for.  

A big hit was the blackboard we used in place of  a guest book – a friend took pictures of everyone with their wishes written on the blackboard, these are some of the funniest and most treasured memories from that day.

Sharing the day with our son was so, so special.  Having a child gives you a totally different perspective on marriage.  We count ourselves so lucky that our little boy was a part of our day (and our photographs).

My advice to brides-to be

The day is fleeting – only two things remain – your memories, and your photographs.  Don’t skimp on the photographer, it’s the one tangible record you have.  And you won’t make happy memories if you’re stressed – so hire people to take care of the things you don’t enjoy, and focus your energy on the things, and people, who make you happy.  

Oh – and eat more cake!  I wish I’d had more than a mouthful!

Bride's little black book

Caterering: Coral Tree Colony (039 316 6676)
Fashion / dress maker: Joss Bridal (073 264 1611)
Photographer / videographer – Stuart Dodds (083 789 5283)
Cake: Cakes Divine (Hendrik) – Uvongo – 072 385 4633/082 588 3439
Décor: Designer Décor South Coast (039-316 8384)
Flowers: Did them myself, bought from Flowers Direct
Stationers – Missy & Co (011 640 3992/083 292 7795)
Hanging Hearts: The Heartfelt Project