Weddings Abroad

Sarah and Garry’s Real Life Wedding

 

Sarah and Garry

16/12/2006 – Granny Mouse’s Country House in the Midlands, South Africa.

Sarah and Garry's wedding photos

 

How and when did you meet?

Garry and I met in London six years ago. Originally we are both from South Africa.

How old are you both?

Garry is 27 and I am 24.

Where, when and how did he (or you!) propose?

Garry proposed to me when we went back to South Africa for Christmas about four years ago. He proposed in one of our family’s chapels. We walked in to have a look and there were flowers everywhere and candles up the aisle as we walked up and I turned around he was down on one knee.

Did you have hen and stag celebrations? If so, what did you do?

Yes, we had two each, one in the UK and one in South Africa.

How did your groom help with the wedding planning?

He helped research into service providers, and put up with me.

Did you use confetti to plan your wedding? If so, how did the website help you?

Yes, we did. We also purchased the wedding speeches book and ordered stationery and got some great ideas.

Did you buy any confetti products for your wedding? If so, did you visit a store, buy online or by mail order?

Yes we did. We also visited the store, but preferred shopping online as it was convenient and more of a selection.

Tell us about your outfit, and where you bought it.

I bought my dress in Marlow. It was handmade in Australia. It consisted of all lace with little crystals sewn into the lacework as well as a lace jacket and sash.

Did you have bridesmaids? If so, who did you choose and what did they wear?

I had five Bridesmaids who were all family and friends. They wore champagne gold dresses.

Who did your groom choose for his best man and ushers, and what did they wear?

Garry had five groomsmen who were friends from school. They wore black trousers and jackets with a white shirt and gold cravat and waistcoat.

Did you have a civil or religious ceremony?

We had a religious ceremony.

Where did you hold your ceremony?

We held our ceremony at Granny Mouse’s Country House in the Midlands, South Africa. They have a chapel overlooking the river and mountains

Where did you hold your reception?

The reception was also held at the hotel.

Did you have any special wedding transport?

No.

How many guests did you invite to your wedding, and did you have a separate evening guest list?

In total we had 105 wedding guests.

Did your reception have a particular theme in terms of colour or style?

Yes, the theme was white roses and gold.

How did you incorporate this in to your table settings?

We had white rose arrangements on the table, with gold overlays, gold chair ties, and gold base plates. Each guest also had a single white rose or fern on the back of their chair and on top of their menu.

Did you give your guests favours?

Yes, as it was close to Christmas, each guest was given a glass Christmas bauble with red and ivory rose petals in it. The bauble hook was personalised with our names and wedding date and these were placed in gold chiffon bags

Describe your flowers (bouquets and table decorations). Who was your florist?

The table decorations consisted of white roses in long tall vases. The bouquets were lovely. Mine was champagne/yellow roses and my bridesmaids’ were white roses.

What did you choose to have on your menu? Did you have an outside caterer or did your venue handle the catering?

The venue handled the catering. After the ceremony the guests were entertained by the sting trio as they drank champagne and ate canapes on the balcony. Then once in the reception later on there was a four course meal.

What did you choose for your wedding cake, and who made it?

Our wedding cake was made by a family friend who makes wedding cakes. Three layers – chocolate, vanilla and carrot cake.

Did you have any entertainment during the day or evening?

Yes, we had a sting trio to entertain the guests, and then a DJ to party on until the early hours of the morning.

Did you have a gift list? If so, who did you have your list with?

Yes, we did.

Where did you spend your first night and honeymoon? Who did you book your honeymoon with?

Our first night we stayed at the hotel where we got married. We had basically booked the whole hotel out for the weekend so it was nice to have breakfast with all the guests the next day. We then spent two nights on the beach and then four nights in Zambia, followed by a further two and a half weeks in South Africa

What was your most memorable moment of the day?

The whole day….

Did you experience any ‘nightmare’ moments in the run up to your wedding or on the day?

Yes the gold overlays which we wanted were delivered and were the wrong colour. We eventually got the right ones.

Is there anything you would do differently, or any advice you would give to other brides?

No, relax and enjoy your day. Allow plenty of time to get ready so you do not rush the important bits…

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