Morning all! Sorry we missed you yesterday - everything got thrown a bit by electrical storms sending the internet out of whack, and in the end I decided to chill out, stop staring angrily at my computer screen, and just enjoy cuddling up under the duvet with the dog and a cup of hot chocolate. Living in the moment, right? Well, today we're back, and we have a gorgeous wedding to share with you all, a mix of vintage and rustic with a touch of high fashion glam, courtesy of the bride herself (what's that expression in the South - the higher the hair, the closer to God?). But while the succulents and garlands and pegs and paper flowers make my heart sing, as usual what really captured me was the sheer joy that came through when Fran told me her fairytale love story (which started, would you believe it, at a party thrown by their ultimate wedding photographer, Heather Steyn!). This is a boy-meets-girl right out of a movie, and the sweetest part was that Matthew recreated the whole thing for his proposal. And if that's how it started, this is one marriage that is going to be full to the brim with romance.

The Honeymoon
Advice for Future Brides & Grooms
Be organised, and stay on top of the admin! My sister and I spent many nights poring over spreadsheets and that way I was never worried about what was going on in terms of budget, invoices, service providers, forms, and schedules. We created detailed, to the minute schedules for the day before the wedding, the day of, and the day after the wedding. The logistics for hiring, collecting, set-up and so forth were easy if everyone knew what was happening when and where! Also, on the day it was less stress for everyone - because everyone had received a copy of the schedules and so knew what was going on!
I would also have to say go with the flow on the day - for example, the speeches took a little longer than expected and so the fireshow had to take place before mains instead of after - I was informed, the kitchen was informed and the evening carried on! A change of plan isn't the end of the world - just go with it! You've planned everything perfectly, and on the actual day it's not in your hands anymore!
Get a wedding coordinator! We couldn't have done it without Nicola from Nicola Jane Wedding & Event Specialist. I don't think it's fair to expect your bridesmaid/s or MC/s to run the entire day - rather let all your guests enjoy the day with you, and leave the behind-the-scenes arrangements on the day in the capable hands of a professional coordinator! My last piece of advice may sound strange - but your wedding isn't all about you! Show your appreciation to those that have helped and supported you throughout your relationship, and in the run up to your day. Your friends and family have held you and helped you, and your wedding day should be celebration of them too! Matthew planned a surprise mini Honeymoon straight after the wedding. The wedding night we spent at Lovane Boutique Wine Estate and Guesthouse, and the next two nights we were in Pringle Bay at Villa Marine. The last night we spent in an airstream trailer at The Grand Daddy Hotel in Cape Town. In April 2014 we went on a longer honeymoon to Thailand for three weeks.

You can see more from this wedding on Heather Steyn's blog.

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Venue: De Ouwe Klok | Catering: Annette Bosch from De Ouwe Klok | Photography: Heather Steyn Photography | Co-ordination: Nicola Gibberd from Nicola Jane Wedding & Event Specialist | Videography: we had guests record the day on GoPros | Cake: Groom's Aunt, Martine Robinson | Flowers & décor: Nest | Stationery: Groom | Bride's dress: Bride's Aunt, Natasha Annas | Hair & makeup: Sara Gray from Tickle Pink | Hiring: Party Décor Hire, Ten of Cups & Events Academy | DJ: Cape DJs | Fire Poi: Lanel Van Der Kolff from The Psychedelic Theatre | Transport: Classic Wheels