It feels like I waited forever for this wedding! Since Elaine & Manfred’s engagement session earlier this year (click here to see Elaine & Manfred’s Duncan Yard e-session), it feels like I’ve been counting down the days to their wedding! I just knew it would be something creative & beautiful. They are such a cute and loving couple and I was really looking forward to working with them on their wedding day! They decided on Kiepersol Wedding Village in Parys as their wedding venue & said their vows on the 27th of October 2012.
Mr & Mrs Smit decided on a romantic forest theme for their wedding day and they did a great job with all the decor! The venue was a perfect match for their theme and even the rain on the day really suited the look and feel! The whole day felt like a fairy tale. The ambience was amazing & everyone was so excited and truly happy for this couple.
Here’s Elaine’s version of how Manfred proposed:
“Usually we make a big deal of birthdays and because Manfred celebrated his birthday on the same weekend that he planned to propose, I expected nothing at all. Come to think about it now: this birthday bash was so much different than the others! We hired the most romantic venue and invited more guests than ever. There were champers and candles and it seemed as though friends were keeping me busy. The venue had an outside boma with a huge bonfire. Two friends came to ask if I would accompany them to the bathroom. My best friend, trying to distract me, told me about troubles she had with her in-laws (which was untrue). We talked for what seemed like ages. There was a knock at the door and she cut her story short. We left the bathroom and to my surprise all the guests had moved from the outside boma area to inside. Still I thought nothing of it – I just thought that we were having an early dinner. Manfred stepped forward, took my hand, and led me outside. There were fairy lights all along a little walkway and bridge. Suddenly I knew… We walked to a little island on the pond were there were more candles and heart shaped rags. He went down on one knee and proposed. By this time my eyes were so tear-filled that I couldn’t even see the ring. It was so overwhelming, I didn’t hear a word of his proposal, I just sobbed and said ‘yes’! By this time the crowd was cheering! It was so special. Definitely a day I will never forget.”
Mrs Smit has some tips for future brides planning their weddings:
- Choose your bridesmaids carefully… they take a huge weight off you shoulders!
- Planning is essential.
- DIY adds a personal touch.
- Be flexible and willing to bend some of the wedding ideas.
- Make the groom part of your planning and ask him for his input.
- Stay organized!
- A good photographer is important since it is all you will have to remember this amazing day by.
- The MC is what makes or breaks the atmosphere at the reception.
- Do not leave things to the last minute, it will add to your stress and give you pimples!
That’s all such important advice! I had such a great time photographing this wedding – Elaine & Manfred really pulled off a fantastic day – I’m so glad for the both of them & this wedding exceeded all of my expectations! My team & I are so grateful to have been a part of this magical wedding day. Since the first day of meeting these two, it was clear as day that they are meant to be together. Congratulations, Mr & Mrs Smit, we wish you a lifetime of happiness & magical moments together!
Ceremony & Reception Venue, Catering, Cake, DJ & Flowers: Kiepersol Wedding Village in Parys, South Africa
Bride’s Dress & Headpiece: Bridal Designs in Johannesburg
Bride’s Shoes & Groom’s Outfit: Sedgars in Vereeniging
Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Jann Esterhuizen
Bridesmaid’s Accessories: Klein’s
Hair & Make-up: Bride
Musician: Christiaan Kruger
Photobooth Props: Handmade by bride
