My Wedding

Who can forget it? Not me... It was such a great day, all my guest still talks about it. Everything was perfect; I wouldn't trade it for anything but instead would love to leave it again. God was there in the very beginning of our planning...

The wedding was only planned in 3 months. The planning wasn't that easy but and will leave that for another day. Me and my husband planned everything ourselves. We couldn’t afford a wedding planner and I wasn't doing anything better so I had to plan it myself. Choosing the colours of day, choosing which designs to go for was quite hectic on its own but worth it. Let’s not forget the cake!

I loved the colour turquoise so much but wasn't sure how to add it up on the theme of the day. But for the fact that I didn’t like just a plain white dress, I knew there and then where turquoise will come in. I and T both choose my dress from GF Couture in Fourways. The first time I put the dress on I knew that was the One. I did suggest to the lady who was at my service, Dineo that I needed to add something to the dress to make it classier and perfect. At first they didn't understand but at the end they saw that I knew what I was talking about. Turquoise! That colour did make wonders to my dress!

My husband, Thabo, designed the invitations. They were so unique and different. He designed the program and menu as well. I loved them the design looked exquisite. He used KgolagonoIT services to get the invitation and menu done.

Well I decided on the menu and we both choose the decor. It was hard but we both knew what we wanted. We found the right tent with flooring, the perfect decor too.

In our cultures as black people, the wedding takes place 2 days the whole weekends, so you can imagine the expenses for two days the brides and the grooms place. Luckily at the groom’s side the arrangements were done mostly by my mother-in-law. They decide on using the lodge instead which made things easy for them. I went to the lodge just a week before the big day to finalise how I wanted the settings to be like. It was indeed a beautiful lodge, Oasis Lodge. The nicest thing about it was the package included a bridal suit, nice!

Like I said it wasn’t easy but it was worth it! It was seriously stressful; no bride is supposed to go through all that. Sleepless nights and stressful days, no ways! It becomes stressful in all the ways, financially, emotionally and physically. Not everything comes out the way you want it but it you keep pushing for the best. Lots of compromising comes in but always settling for the best.

Then come the last Thursday before the wedding... That was the only day I was able to do my hair and concentrating on my beauty or need I say looks? My hair didn’t cost me an arm and a leg. My husband taught me that not everything has to be expensive to be classy; all you need is an expert!

I went to Sunnyside, Dr Dread, did my hair, nails, eyebrows and eyelashes for only R450. Yep, R450! Nice huh? I found my shoes at Stuttaford for R250 on sale, lovely! On the last day nogal!

Friday morning, now that’s when reality hits, it was scary and great at the same time. I couldn’t stop smiling the whole day. Refilwe, my best friend helped me pick up my dress. She found a hair stylist to do the flower girls hair, she picked up the cake. And lastly she played my favourite song and it was convenient for that time... Wow what a friend?

It was 16:00 when the bride’s maid arrives at my house, then few minutes later the make up artist arrived. Believe it or not we tried our make up on that day, last day. My cousin Bonolo arrived. Her beautiful daughter was one of my flower girls together amongst my beautiful daughters.  Then we started making a checklist... What? I couldn’t believe I forgot a fascinator, or hair pins, or anything to make me look like a real bride. What do we do now? That was the question that came next. Luckily I choose the right bridesmaid. My maid of honour and cousin went to Centurion Mall, they ran around the mall until they find the perfect stuff to use, hair pins. To top it all they bought the groom and bride glasses, cake knife set and pillow ring as a gift. Where would I be without them?

Bonolo went to pick the starter menu at Carlswald Spar and dropped them home for me. Well she has been such a great help from the beginning. When I panicked, she was there to cheer me up. She even teamed up with Refilwe to organise a bridal party 4 weeks before the wedding to bring the mood closer. It was such an intimate party, less than 10 people but it turned out to be a blast! Apparently I had a black out only because it was the first time I drank alcohol. Anyway I am not going into details on that one...

All of a sudden it was Saturday, 30 April 2011... Everything was coming together for the first time? By that time you scared of how is everything going to turn out, the decor, the clothes, the tent, food, people...you name them. Dress, make-up and jewellery coming together for the first time… Very scary, but the excitement was overwhelming. We all dressed up!

My husband was such a great man through all the process. He wanted me to have all that I wanted but approved everything, from the dress I wore, the shoes, the hairstyle I had, including how the make up should be done. I know, he loves style and he does know style. He liked to say 'stick with me you will know better', well he still says it if I go with his choice.

It was time. No turning back. We had to use whatever we have and that was it. Well, we were ready. We all dressed up, we all looked good, my angels were perfect not forgetting my handsome ring bearer, my son... My husband and his groomsmen were so handsome and stylish... the rest was history; check the photos...

All went well; we danced like it was our last day on earth. Come the 1st May, we painted Polokwane Red! We are still the talk of town. WE WERE NOTHING BUT THE BEST...

All thanks to:

Designer Mebala Couture, they designed our traditional attire and the bridesmaid first dresses,

Tshepo, for the groomsmen's suites,

Ditiro Events, for the décor,

Elite Marquees for the Bedouin tent.

Kgolagano IT Services, for invitation cards, program and menu, and photography,

Eugene, for videography

Bridal Party

Bridesmaid; Portia, Witty and maid of honour Josephine

Groomsmen; Kgopotso, Jimmy and Tshepo

Great friends;

Refilwe, my best friend, for being there at all the times,

Godfrey and Sam, thank you guys for being such a great help

The biggest thank you to Bonolo for making sure all goes well

                        

Thank you to my hubby who made everything possible for me, despite all the arguments we had during the planning he made sure all work out well for our big day. I won’t forget my parents, brothers and my mother in law; they all provided such a great support system. Sis Tebogo, thanks for the great food you served my sister.

Thank you to all the guests and everyone who has been part of the wonderful days of our lives.

Thank you to the Almighty who showed great love and support!

Lots of love to you all!