Odette and Kelvin

About the bride

23, lives in Hartbeespoort, I’m a clinical dietitian – help patients with nutrition related diseases to manage a normal healthy lifestyle through nutrition and of coarse weight loss. Wanted to get married to be able to live together with the one person I am madly in love with and do things the right way.

About the groom

24, lives in Hartbeespoort, He is a pilot for National Airways Corporation. Wanted to get married to be able to spend more time together, go away on holidays and have fun and of course because I love her.

How did you meet?

Went to school together, never even noticed each other. Only after school we bumped into each other at the movies, shops and time and again at a local restaurant in Harties. He fell in love – I had a boyfriend. But he worked his magic and took me for a trip alone in an aeroplane and stole my heart with his charm. We just gel SO well together!

How long were you together before the wedding proposal?

3 years.

About the Proposal

On the 5th of September 2010. On a hot air balloon early in the morning as the sun came up – it was a huge big surprise! How he got me up to go that early in the morning: He lied and told me he had to work that day (on a Sunday – fly skydivers in Carletonville as a side job). I studied at the time and we thus didnt see each other too often. He “wanted me to go with him so that we could be with each other”.  woke up at 4:20 am in the cold!!! And we never went to cartletonville – we stopped at the hot air balloon place =) he went on his knees to ask me as we were decending down through the clouds.

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

11 months. It was the best time career wise and gave us time to plan the wedding.

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?

Did it all myself. Took my time and did lots of planning through the 11 months until I was satisfied that everything was done. Used the internet a lot, magazines and my own judgement. I enjoyed it a lot. The wedding was a big success and i want to become a wedding planner.

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?

Kitchen tea. My bridesmaids planned a surprise kitchen tea. All the ladies were there and i just had to guess gifts and do silly things if i guessed wrong plus i looked like a total idiot with my spice girls shoes that were two sizes to big for me!

Wedding Details

Woke up at 7 in the morning (tried to sleep in late). My bridesmaids and myself went to have breakfast at Maxi’s – felt so unreal to think I was getting married on that day. We went to the venue after that. Drank lots of champagne and ate rescue remedy pills! Took a big bath when I got there (used up all the hot water in one bath and everyone had to shower in cold water – oops!). Went to the reception to see the decor. Our theme was dusty pink, silver and toffee. With a lot of candles for a romantic atmosphere. did my hair first, then make-up and got dressed. In the meantime the photographer arrived. Took some photos of me and the bridesmaids.

We waited for guests who were late and when they were all there. My father and I slowly walked down the path to the chapel. I remember hearing the bridesmaid song starting to play and I couldn’t believe the time has arrived. The doors closed when they were inside and then our wedding march started to play. I took a deep breath as the doors opened and my father and I walked in - such a beautiful moment. We walked in slowly and I remember just soaking up the moment – looking at my friends and family as I walked past them down the isle and smiling at my soon to be husband. Our ceremoy was about 40 minutes – beautiful ceremony although it was a blur at the time. We exchanged our own vows it was very emotional and funny too – special and a personal touch.

After the ceremony guests congratulated us and threw confetti at us! They had drinks, very nice snacks and live music while we were taking our couple photos. An hour and a half later when everyone was in the reception the MC announced our arrival and everyone stood up and clapped hands – another awesome feeling! Starters and speeches followed, my brother sang us a love song on his guitar that he wrote and after that we had dinner. We cut the cake right after dinner and had our first dance. After that we danced, played loads of wedding games (that made the party even more fun) and had a good time with all our friends and family.

Tips and / or advice for future bridal couples?

Make sure that you are 100% happy with everything and if you are not happy with something – say so.

What was the most memorable part of your wedding day?

Everything was worth remembering – it is such a special day and you plan so long! The moment that stood out was my dad walking me down the chapel and walking into the church down the aisle – seeing my soon to be husband standing at the end of it and everyone’s eyes full of tears. it was a really very special moment.

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

Yes!!! We went to Maldives for 7 nights. It was truly amazing. We both dreamed of a romantic honeymoon somewhere on an island and the Maldives is just beautiful. We felt that you only get married once and only go on honeymoon once so we wanted to really celebrate it!

Related Information

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•  North West Makeup