"Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairytale." I have no idea where that quote comes from, but it pretty perfectly sums up how I feel about today's wedding. A couple of years ago, I shared this love story, which belongs to my friends Sven and Louise. What I didn't know was that their wedding wasn't the end of the bigger picture love story. Because while we were toasting the happy couple with chilled rosé, the wheels of Fate were turning in the background. Who would have known that bringing together Sven, Louise, their planner (Faye of Poetry Weddings) and their photographer CC Rossler (who happened to be a friend of Sven's friend Gary) would ultimately lead to Faye and Gary finding their very own fairytale? There's something kind of magical about that. Serendipity. So I'm super excited to be sharing Faye and Gary's rainy, romantic Midlands wedding (beautifully captured by CC, of course!) with you today.

A few years ago, I was coordinating a wedding for a university friend of mine. Upon meeting her fiance, Sven (about a year before their wedding), he mentioned a certain friend of his who he wanted me to meet. I was in a relationship at the time, so was not particularly interested. However, Sven, being a bit like a dog after a bone, would not let this idea rest until we finally agreed to go on a blind date (about 4 years later!) His main three reasons that we would be perfect for one another were that we were both from small towns, loved water skiing, and that Gary loved desserts and I loved baking. This, in his mind, was a perfect match. Turns out...he was right! However, Sven cannot get all the credit. At their own wedding, I met their photographer (and Gary's best friend's wife), CC Rossler. She too had Gary in mind for me. It was, however, only years later that she approached me and wanted to know if I was available and willing to meet with him. Although I was fairly intrigued, again, the answer was no! However, God had other plans. At a wedding in 2014 where Louise and Sven were guests, I finally agreed to meet this highly eligible bachelor at a strategically planned 'dinner party' in June. Wedding Style We are both from small country towns so wanted a down-to-earth wedding. Our colours were inspired by the wildflowers which we'd both seen in the fields at home - cosmos. Simple but elegant and very natural was what we were going for. The colours were dusty pink, peach, charcoal, and cream with a touch of claret. We used home collected bottles, grandmother's vintage ribbon and lace, and gorgeous rose runners on wooden tables. Lots of soft lighting and 'country-picked' style flowers ensured the romantic ambiance.
Less than six months later, Gary proposed while we watched a beautiful sunset from a Cape beach, and three months later we were married! I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends and to serve such a mighty God who has plans far bigger than my own. Both Gary and I are older than average, and wished to wait for the exact right person - what a privilege to have found each other at long last!

You can see more from this wedding on CC Rossler's blog.

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Venue: The Glades Farm | Catering: Highway Function Hire | Photographer: CC Rossler | Co-ordinator: Faye Moor for Poetry Weddings and Events | On-the-day co-ordination: Charlene Rautenbach | Videographer: Josh Hundermark | Cake: Chateau Gateaux | Flowers & décor: Faye, Brenda Horne & Kerry Dinkleman | Bouquets: Ester Dobbin | Stationery: Faye & Lauren Webb | Bride's dress: Brenda van Jaarsveld | Hair: Hair by Kristi (Kristi Wood) | Makeup: Meryl Kaumpek | Bridesmaids' dresses: YDE | Necklace and slingshot favours: Local crafters from Project Gateway | Groom's attire: TM Lewin; Belle & Bravado | Hiring: Highway Function Hire and Kerry Dinkleman | DJ: Tyron from Sound Mechanix