We met in primary school. He & his family moved to S.A from Taiwan. He was 1 year ahead in school. Our paths didn’t cross a lot. High school was different. Johnson asked me out every day for a year, but I was not allowed to date yet . When I was 16 & allowed to date, we went on our 1st date! We have now been to gather for 11 awesome years. We have had 11 years of beautiful dates! We are soul mates, BF’s & madly in love ! His parents left SA 5 yrs ago. He was meant to go but refused because he didn’t want to leave me! I’m so glad he stayed. With out him I’m incomplete. After 10 yrs he came to his senses & decided to propose! The proposal – Nov 09, when it was raining none stop! His plan – to go up in a hot air balloon safari & propose during sun rise. Unfortunately all we had was 3 epic failed attempts due to bad weather! 3 Saturday mornings in a row!

He is no extremist, so it was odd that he was so dedicated. I felt sorry for him, so the next Friday I left work early & surprised him with an evening picnic. Right there he confessed about the balloon, whipped out the ring & proposed! I said YES! June this year he wrote off his car & had emergency surgery. I’m blessed God left him with me, I can’t wait to marry him on 02.26.2011, can’t wait to move in together & start a life with the love of my life.

My tips on wedding planning.

I am Portuguese and my fiancé is from Taiwan! This has been a challenging wedding to plan and I have done it on my own. We have 37 guest from overseas, and several others from areas surrounding Gauteng ( we have 189 guests). We have had to bring in traditions from both his and my side in order to respect both parties. With the Asian feel it is so easy to go over board and then you have a kitsch wedding with no class! Especially when you’re dealing with red , which is traditionally the only colour you want to use as it represents good fortune. I spent the better half of 2010 looking for quotes for every thing. I think this is the best thing I could have done!

Ladies, take your time. Spend time researching and gathering info and prices! I have limited input and involvement from those around me. I felt it was just confusing me and everyone was really re-living their wedding , or planning their wedding vicariously through mine ! Its your and your fiancé’s day and it should represent you to. It should be a day of what means a lot to you, what you value, and its your 1st time, 1st day as a married couple so make it about you two!

This article was posted by Celebration.co.za - South Africa Wedding Guide.