Michelle and Reinolph

About the Bride

I’m 24 years old and live in Rustenburg. I am a manager & facilitator of a company giving computer classes to 3-6 year old kids. Basically after knowing each other for 4 years, then dating for 5 years, we decided that marriage was a perfect and beautiful option as we knew we were meant to be together. But I really wanted to get married to Reinolph, because he is everything I imagined my future husband should be. I really couldn’t ask for a better man to share my life with!  After the wedding in 2009 I moved to Rustenburg as Reinolph stayed and worked here before the wedding. Although it’s far away from my family, I don’t regret doing so as I would move to the North Pole with him if he asked me to!

About the Groom

I’m 25 years old, and live in Rustenburg. I am a technician doing contract work at a well known chrome mine in Rustenburg.  I wanted to get married to Michelle, because I LOVE HER and we are meant to be together.  We had a long-distance relationship before the wedding and I definitely didn’t want to see her on weekends only, but every day of my life.  I thank the Lord every day for giving me the most precious person to share my life with.  She means the world to me!

How did you meet?

Reinolph and I actually met each other in school and we were “special friends”, you know, we liked each other but never really dated, just went to school functions together etc.  In 2004 he moved to Rustenburg and I was heartbroken as I thought I would never see him again.  On my birthday that year, he drove all the way to Johannesburg just to visit me, so from there on we started dating (long-distance), but it worked out just fine... 

How long were you together before the wedding proposal?

We were together for 5 years, but we have known each other before dating for 4 years. 

Tell us about the proposal

Well, It was the weekend after my birthday in 2007, and of course I wanted him to take me out that weekend and just treat me a bit, but instead he came to my house that Friday (me thinking we would spend the whole weekend in Johannesburg), and he told me that he had some bad news. According to him he has to go back to Rustenburg that same evening because he had to work that weekend. WHAT? I was sooooo upset.

At least he asked me to go with and he would then take me back home on Sunday. But all I had on my mind was that I was going to be spending my weekend with his parents and not with him. I was not very happy with the idea that he would be leaving me with his parents, but they were not even home when we got there. I assumed that they have gone to the family or something and unpacked my bags. 

He called me to the kitchen. Closing my eyes, he opened the door and "Ta-da!", candles were packed around the swimming pool, a picnic blanket was thrown out with rose petals scattered around it and champers on ice were packed in a picnic basket with the nicest goodies. Romantic was music playing in the background... he was so nervous and I was amazed as I was not expecting this. We had some goodies and danced on the music. Next thing I know, he got on one knee and popped the ring out... he then asked me the Big Question!  It was the best weekend after all!

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

In 2007 he proposed and in 2009 we got married.  We decided on waiting about a year to make sure our finances was in order and obviously to have more than enough time to plan the Big Day!

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?

I didn’t know where to start, so I bought a wedding magazine that had some tips. We started off by finding the venue, and nothing came close to Avianto! After that it was deciding on a colour / theme and decor, flowers and DJ. My favourite part of the planning was finding the perfect dress, and I found it! I planned most of the wedding myself, but thanks to Lauren, my wedding co-ordinator at Avianto, we got most of it organised without any problems. She helped us whenever we needed info on something, and Avianto took care of the catering etc. So that also helped us in a big way. I also made my own invites and menu’s etc.  We had a year to do planning, but we really focused on it about 6-4 months prior to the wedding date.  That was more than enough time for us.

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, my made of honour, Carlynne, planned a kitchen tea / ”panty party” for me. It was a bit of both. She made me put some funny but cute things on, like a mini vail and crown, butterfly wings and a bride shirt with messages on from all the ladies attending it. We played games like bingo and “know the bride” questions etc.  That same day the boys took my husband on his bachelors. They made him wear a whole bee outfit, leggings, wings... you name it. He looked so cute! Then they went out to paintball war! They all came back looking like they have been stunned by a bee... but they enjoyed it very much! What we enjoyed the most about it was just to have been able to have so much fun with all those people at once and they all came to celebrate it with us.

Wedding Details

I started my day off going to the hairdresser. I booked into Avianto at about 11 o’clock, but first went to have a look at the banquet hall and chapel to make sure everything looked the way I imagined. In our suite, there were some nice snacks and my make-up artist came to do my make-up. I got all nervous and emotional when I saw my dad in his suit, only then it hit me that I am getting married. The ceremony was supposed to start at 15:30, but my guests arrived late, so I could only go to the chapel at about 16:10. Got to the chapel, and wow, I felt overwhelmed, today is the day! The bell rang, the music started,  my bridesmaids went in and then it was my turn. I heard the wedding march play and I got tears in my eyes as the doors opened and I saw the man of my dreams with a smile on his face. Our service was quite long, but when our pastor gets going, there’s no stopping him. So after about 45 minutes or longer he pronounced us husband and wife, and mwah, my husband kissed his bride!

We then went outside for garden and family photos and we really had some great fun taking pics with our retinue. After the photo session, it was off to the reception venue. Our walk in song was “Walking on Sunshine” as the words and rhythm showed how happy we are!  The evening was opened with a joke etc. After that we had starters, some more jokes and speeches and the main course. We then opened the dance floor with our first dance, which was awkward as my husband had not practiced it with his new shoes, which by the way had pointers as long as ostrich toes. So none of the moves were as practiced. He stepped on my toes more than we got round to doing our dance, but we had a good laugh about it though. 

After that we got round to throwing the garter and bouquet and then dessert and wedding cake was enjoyed.  Round about 23:30 we said our goodbyes to everybody and off we went to our honeymoon suite. The room was so beautiful, with white rose petals scattered everywhere on the bed and carpet, and a hot bubble bath with floating petals awaited us. We cannot explain to anyone how romantic the whole setting was. Only 4 hours to go before leaving for the airport, my husband told me where we were going, so we didn’t really get much sleep, you know, as it would be for all newlyweds!  It truly was the best and most memorable day of our lives!!! 

Tips and / or advice for future bridal couples

If we can give any advice to future bridal couples, it would be to buy a wedding magazine with info on when to plan what and also with a budget planner inside.  It really guided us and everything worked out as planned.  Also, relax and enjoy that day, and yes, something very small could go wrong, but remember, none of your guests are aware of how it was supposed to be, so if something does go wrong, make it part of your wedding, as if it was the way you planned it.

What was the most memorable part of your wedding day?

For Reinolph it was when the chapel bell rang to symbolise that we are now married.  For me, when at the end of the evening, we walked to our suite and he actually carried me inside just like in the movies! Everything was just magical!

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

Yes, we went to Zanzibar the following day for that whole week.  It was a great experience and very romantic. We wanted to go somewhere exotic and far away, with sand and clear waters, so Zanzibar was just perfect, and hey, we are not in Zanzibar anymore, but it still feels like honeymoon everyday!

Related Information

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