Elizabeth and Pierre

Says Marius of Elizabeth and Pierre's wedding “Classical and elegant - yes, romantic, stylish and memorable - yes, modern with a vintage touch - yes. But conventional - with the full moon at spring tide, bridal gowns by the country's only corsetiere, being chauffeured by your father in his Rolls Royce and a reception at your childhood home on the Knysna Lagoon? I don't think so…”

Arwen's Garmentry had done us proud, my dress was a magnificent blue and pewter corset with a tulle skirt; the skirt started out in duck egg blue, gradually transforming into pure white at the hem and overlaid with a pewter chiffon layer reaching to the floor while my mum, maid of honour and bridesmaid too looked quite fabulous, their corsets and skirts in splendid variations of golds and blues.

Arwen had come down for the wedding so was there to lace us into our corsets, in itself an art! I have to add that the one really fantastic thing about a genuine boned corset is that you can lift your arms up secure in the knowledge that you won't pop out of it!

Something old, something new…? My veil was a 1940's antique, a particularly thoughtful gift from Arwen, my dress new and blue, and my mother had lent me antique pearl earrings which had in turn belonged to her mother.

Pierre and his groomsmen were dashing in dark grey morning jackets and black trousers offset by crisp white shirts. Pierre wore a soft silver waistcoat with a dark silver tie, the groomsmen's waistcoats pewter silver, ties of duck egg blue.

Walking down the aisle with my father is without doubt one of the most special memories I will carry with me forever; a composition of softly flickering candles at the back of the church caught my eye, delicate floral paper fans combined with orchids lined the aisle and two great lush foliage and flower arrangements in stone pots at the altar seemed to be watching over my husband-to-be where he waited for me.

But standing in front of the altar with Pierre holding my hand, knowing that we were about to commit the remainder of our lives to each other, was the most incredible feeling in the world and one which I will never forget - the feeling of absolute happiness, excitement and love was utterly overwhelming.

I had never seen our home on Leisure Isle look so busy, or so beautiful! Sensational floral design and styling harmonised effortlessly with the lush garden surroundings, the tables cleverly arranged in the style of a true garden party, informal and lighthearted under the white freeform tent striking against the azure backdrop of the lagoon.

Pressed metal containers and charming silvered pots overflowed with luxuriant seasonal plants in full bloom, the water feature alive with flowers and candle detail, the tables dressed in white and tiffany blue each with an elegantly grouped centre-piece of flowering orchids, hydrangeas, lilies and roses in old silver and glass.

A placemat with the wording "A jug of wine, a loaf of bread, and thou beside me" a poignant touch at each setting, and in my mother's personal tradition an additional table with full place settings in honour of "absence"…

Marius, I knew from the outset that our day would be memorable in every way and I was right - our wedding was exceptional beyond anything either of us could have imagined, thank you!

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