Natasha and Michael

About the Bride

Natasha Manca, aged 25. Events co-ordinator, living in Honeydew. From the day we met, Michael was all I had ever wanted. He’s the most gentle soul and yet the strongest person I know.

About the Groom

Michael Knight, aged 23. Computer programmer living in Honeydew. I wanted to get married, because I found the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. Why wait?!

How did you meet?

We met through our mutual friend Louise, at a braai. She was our bridesmaid.

How long were you together before the wedding proposal?

We dated for a year before Michael proposed.

Tell us about the proposal

For our one year anniversary on September 5th 2008, we had planned to spend the weekend away together at our family’s farm, just outside of Bela Bela. Mike took the Friday off work to prepare for the proposal. He drove the 2 hours down to the farm in the morning and decorated the entire place with fairy lights and rose-petals and candles, and prepared an amazing dinner.

He then drove back to Joburg to pick me up. When we arrived at the farm it was pitch black and I couldn’t see a thing. He opened the back door and walked me in, holding my hand. I didn’t suspect anything at all, as he had planned everything outside on the front patio.

Mike then told me that I had, had a long, busy day and suggested that I go take a bath while he unpacked the car. When I was done I came out (in my pyjamas!) to find Michael all dressed up in a suit and tie, holding a rose in his hand. He led me though the house to where I could now see a beautiful patio, glistening with little fairy lights and candles and pink rose petals scattered everywhere.

He had elegantly laid out the dinner he had organised earlier that day and we sat enjoying an amazing supper together under the stars.  The entire time we sat there, I was thinking I had such an amazing boyfriend, who would go to so much effort just for our year anniversary!

After dessert, we walked out into the bush to look at the stars. To my utter surprise, he got down on his right knee, took my hand and whispered, “Natasha Ann Manca will you Marry me?”

To this day I still feel a little guilty about my first response, “You’re kidding me?!”... But obviously I said yes and we are now happily married and expecting a little girl in August.

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

We had the wedding a year after the proposal, as we had our heart set on Avianto. Also – a year goes by very quickly with all that needs to be done!

How did you go about the wedding planning process?

Michael and I decided to plan the wedding ourselves. The whole process took about 8 months. We spent many hours researching and coming up with creative ideas to make the day a little different to every other wedding. We made everything from the invitations and hymn sheets, to the guests’ gifts ourselves.

At times the planning was quite taxing on both of us, but we would do it all over again. Being involved in every step was very meaningful to 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?

Mike: My friends planned a whole day and night of raucous behaviour – we started off at paintball with a few drinks, then dinner, with a few more drinks. We finished off the night going clubbing in a party bus – with the rest of the alcohol in Jhb! My favourite part of the night was my friends forgetting to pay the bar bill and having to go back the next day, tail between legs.

Tash: I was surprised to arrive at my sister in laws house, to a roomful of my family and friends. We spent the day opening silly gifts and drinking pink cocktails. My friends then took me out that night and made an absolute fool of me! Luckily it was Halloween, so I wasn’t the only person dressed up like a Barbie that night ! Tons of fun!

Wedding Details

The day started off early for both of us. Michael had slept over at his parents the night before, so he was picked up by his groomsmen and taken for a huge breakfast, after which they went to Avianto to begin getting ready. My bridesmaids arrived at 8am to fetch me, with breakfast picnic baskets, which we ate at the hairdressers.

We then went to the venue and gathered in the bridal suite to start getting dressed. Our make-up artist and photographer met us there and we spent some girly time taking pictures and drinking champagne to calm the nerves.

When the time came, my bridesmaids helped me into my dress and shoes and tiara and we walked around Avianto’s stunning grounds for a while, having some pre-wedding photos of all the girls together.

My maid of honour Carmon drove me to the chapel and after a short burst of rain, the amazing journey began.

The bridesmaids and groomsmen walked in first to a gorgeous chapel, decorated with roses and petals and candles, in all shades of pink. Then the bell rang and I began the walk down the aisle with my dad. It was the longest 30 seconds of my life! I focussed on Michael’s smile the whole time.

The ceremony was short, yet beautiful and afterwards we all went outside for photo’s and drinks. As Michael and I exited the chapel, we were met by everyone blowing tiny bubbles, in place of confetti. We had organised little pink fortune cookies, with a funny message about love, as well as our names and the date printed in each of them – served to the guests while they waited.

After our incredible photographer, Kevin Mark Pass had taken some amazing photos outside; we walked on air into the ballroom, to be met by all our family and friends.  The hall was alive with magic and the decor turned out better than we had ever imagined it could.

We all enjoyed an amazing dinner prepared by Avianto and went on to cut our cake. Michael was very gentlemanly about giving me my first bite and I proceeded to shove his in his face.

Our first dance was to, ‘Beautiful in My Eyes’, by Elton John. We started dance lessons about 6 months earlier which just petered out – so my brother in law gave us a quick ‘how to’, the Thursday before the wedding and it actually turned out wonderfully!

We had placed baby pink disposable cameras on each table, which turned out to be a fantastic way of getting some very special, candid pictures taken by our friends and family. Each guest also received a miniature bottle of Amarula or Whiskey, decorated with tiny skirts and ties to look like a mini wedding couple.

The bouquet was thrown and then Mike went on the throw the ‘garter’. We had decided to do something memorable and instead of my little white garter, he pulled out a size 8XL pair of black granny panties with pink frills. He tossed them into the eager unknowing crowd, which made for some hilarious realisation photos!

We spent the rest of the night dancing with our friends and family, to some great music, played by DJ Small Paul. After which we had our last dance to ‘All for Love’ by Brian Adams and went to our gorgeous honeymoon suite, where we were met with rose petals and pink champagne.

What a magical ending to our unforgettable day!

Tips and / or advice for future bridal couples

Even if you think you have tons of time – start early, you never know when someone may pull out or let you down. Remember to take some time out and focus on why you’re doing it all in the first place– you can get a little lost along the way!

Also – try to purchase your bridal party outfits, rather than have them made – it will save you HUGE amounts of stress and time!

What was the most memorable part of your wedding day?

Natasha: It’s very difficult to pick one moment from the whole day, but I’d have to say our first kiss. The whole room melted away and it felt as if we were the only two people on earth.

Michael: Watching as Natasha walked down the aisle, I almost cried.

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

We spent a two week honeymoon in Cancun, Mexico. It truly is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It’s always been a dream of ours and it was an opportunity we couldn’t miss!

Related Information

•  Gauteng Weddings
•  Gauteng Real Weddings
•  Gauteng Wedding Specials
•  Gauteng Wedding Competitions
•  Gauteng Wedding Venues