Melindie and Alwyn

About the Bride

I am 24 and live in Lonehill, Sandton.  I’m outgoing and sincere and I’m currently employed as a bookkeeper in Fourways, Johannesburg. The reason I wanted to get married was because my husband  and I both wanted to make the ultimate commitment in our life together and love for each other.

About the Groom

I’m 26 and currently reside in Lonehill, Sandton.  I’m a graphic/web designer for a major communications company in Rosebank.  I’m  funny and passionate and always try to see the lighter side of things.  I wanted to get married because I’ve met my soulmate with whom I wanted to make the ultimate promise to each other and to God.

How did you meet?

We met at a friend’s braai in 2007.  After that we made more and more excuses to see each other, after which we started dating for almost 2 years before getting engaged.

How long were you together before the wedding proposal?

We were together for about a year and 8 months before we got engaged at Sun City.

About the Proposal

My husband didn’t say a thing.  He just told me that we are going somewhere on Saturday 20 June 2009.  I begged and begged for some clues but didn’t suspect anything.  On the Saturday morning he told me to pack a bag we are sleeping over, surprised as I was I still didn’t expect a something big not to mention a proposal.  On our way to Sun City I was still clueless to where we are going, and my husband made sure that I looked the other way when there were any signs for Sun City.  About 50km from Sun City I realised where we are going and became quite excited, but still didn’t expect the proposal.  The afternoon we just went for a couple of drinks, watched the rugby and had a real good time.  The evening he started lighting small candles all over our room.  When he was done we chatted in the romantic candle light, and he just kept on saying how much he loves me, how much I mean to him and that he cannot live without me.  Then it happened, he drop to one knee and took out the most beautiful ring in the world and asked me to marry him!

How far in advance did you choose to have your wedding after the proposal? And, why?

We got engaged 7 months before our wedding.  We didn’t really discuss it in detail exactly how long we want to be engaged but neither one of us wanted to be engaged for years. After discussing some options we agreed that February is a beautiful month climate wise and decided that we want to get married then.

How did you go about the wedding planning process? Did you do it yourself? How long was the planning process? How did you find it?

After our engagement we started discussing everything in detail.  We prioritised everything that needed to be done from most important to least important.  After securing photographers, decor, venue etc. The real fun started.  After some hiccups we changed most of our suppliers, our venue etc.  It was traumatising, but in the end everything turned out perfectly!

Did you have a hen party / kitchen tea / stag night / bachelor / bachelorette party? If so, what did you do and what did you enjoy most about it?

Yes we did!  The ladies came together at a hall where they participated in poll dancing lessons and had some drinks.  The men in the meantime went go-carting, had a couple of beers after which they went to a pub.  Later in the evening we all hooked up and just enjoyed the rest of the evening together!  Needles to say it was the best party of our lives!

Wedding Details

Wow where can we start, haha.  On the Friday night before our big day, my one wedding shoe broke...after crying my eyes out my soon to be husband assured me that everything would be ok and handed me his credit card to buy new shoes the next morning.  After taking a sleeping pill I had a good night’s rest sleeping over at my parent’s house.  The Saturday morning I woke up quite relaxed and calm.  After taking a bath we quickly went to the mall to get me another pair of shoes.

My husband took a sleeping pill as well and went to bed early.  He woke up quite early the Saturday morning after which he went to the venue to finalise the flowers, table arrangements and all the little things that still needed to be done.

In the meantime my bridesmaids and I went to the salon to get our hair done, after some misunderstanding, arguments, more tears, tantrums etc. My hair had to be completely restyled, can you imagine! 

My husband started dressing roundabout 1pm and arrived at the church at quarter to two.  He then had to help with the sound check of the church as well as making sure everything was in its place exactly the way we wanted it to be.

At about half past two our first guests started arriving at church while I was still finishing up at Southern Sun hotel with the last minute details.  After all my make-up, hair etc was done the photographers started taking our first photos.

I arrived at the church at about 15h20, 20 minutes late!  Thank goodness my husband survived all the nerves and long waits!  After a very nervous walk down the aisle and seeing how handsome my soon to be husband looked, we had the most beautiful sermon. 

When the confetti was thrown and all the congratulations said we looked up to the sky seeing that it was about to rain!  In panic we rushed to Monte Casino in hope to squeeze in a couple of photos before the rain.  In the end we didn’t have any rain at Monte Casino, but strangely after our wedding we were told it rained cats and dogs all around Monte Casino!

At about quarter to six we arrived at Kyalami Golf Estate for our ceremony.  We danced our way to the main table on Juanita du Plessis’s “Ek lief jou meer” and sat back and relaxed for a couple of minutes.  My husband became more nervous with each speech that finished, meaning his speech was coming closer.  When his turn came everything went exactly as planned!  He said the most beautiful things to me and thanked everybody that made our day so special!

After a delicious main course it was time for our first dance, we practiced quite hard for this and were nervous about it.  We did a waltz on Elvis Presley’s “Can’t help falling in love” and everything went as planned.  The rest of the evening we danced and laughed the night away!  We had so much fun and everything turned out perfect!  We are so blessed and so happy the way our wedding day went!

Tips and / or advice for future bridal couples?

Try to do as much of the planning as soon as possible!  And try to enjoy the experience, everything goes by so quickly!

What was the most memorable part of your wedding day?

The whole experience is just unimaginable!  Everything goes by so fast, and nothing can prepare you for your wedding day!  That being said it was the best day in our lives and if we have to single out one moment that really stood out for me it would probably be the exchanging of our vows.  For my husband it definitely was the moment I walked down the aisle!

Did you go on honeymoon? If so, where? And, why there?

Yes we did, and it was the best experience ever!  It just ended way too fast!  We went to Breakers Resort in Umhlanga and its needless to say we had a terrific time!  The service was excellent, the view breathtaking and the food divine!

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