Time has just flown by, to think 6 months ago we were out in sunny South Africa confirming Grootbos Private Nature Reserve as our wedding venue…. and now – in just under a month I will be getting married! So much has happened over the last 6 months – planning a wedding from abroad is a little harder than I first thought – but we are almost there now.
Flowers – booked! We have chosen South Africa’s national flower the Protea, with a selection of the rugged fynbos that is indigenous to the local area.
Our photographer – Wesley Vorster is a true talent, and we can’t wait to see what magic he creates.
Hair and Make Up – has been booked through Nikkila Mann who has worked internationally, excited to see how she is going to transform me!
Our music is being supplied by Hein Van Solms who is the evening DJ and then we have a local Marimba Band who will playing during and after the ceremony.
We are flying out with Emirates – even though the flight is not direct, we get 30kg’s of luggage and they are very accommodating with bringing my wedding dress on board. We land in Cape Town – pick up our Avis Car Hire and head into Cape Town for 2 nights at the Cape Royale. Some last minute shopping, a spray tan and make up trial, then pick up the suits and we head across to De Kelders. We are in De Kelders for 3 nights before checking into Grootbos the night before the wedding.
We wanted to do something a little different regarding our South African Hen and Stag Do – so a group of our friends and family are joining us in a Shark Cage Dive!! We have booked this through Shark Diving Unlimited – they have given us a discount as we are a large group, and that we are celebrating our wedding!
Our wine is being supplied by Buitenverwachting Wine Estate situated in Constantia – we are trying to impress our friends and family who are coming out from abroad! We have tried to keep our menu South Africa with all local produce – we have Tomato and Tarragon Soup, Sparkling Wine Sorbet, Roast Loin of Karoo Lamb, Potato and Sweet Garlic Puree with Vanilla Confit Tomato and Green Peppercorn Jus, Gorgonzola “Sandwich” and then an Italian Wedding Cake – Zucotto.
After the wedding we head back to Cape Town for a one night stay at the beautiful Twelve Apostles in Camps Bay. We check out early the following morning for our flight from Cape Town up to Kruger Airport. We will spend 3 nights in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve – two of which are at the gorgeous Chitwa Chitwa Private Game Lodge and the other night is being kept a secret – due to my fiancée planning it. Sabi Sands is a very exclusive reserve which is well populated with plains game and has the Big 5 – lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant. You are almost guaranteed to see all of the Big 5 during your stay! Very exciting!
We head back to Johannesburg for 2 nights with my new husbands family and then back to the UK. The next time you hear from me I will be Mrs Wheeler and hopefully have some photo’s to show you!!
For more information on your South African wedding please do not hesitate to contact us
