Alice
How did you meet your husband and how did you get engaged?
I met my husband , very romantically, in our first year at university. We were both studying mechanical engineering and had no idea what we were doing. We got engaged at sunset, on top of a hill, drinking craft gin in the Karoo on a surprise weekend I arranged for him. Sneaky man.
Where did you get married and why did you choose that venue and time of year for your wedding?
We got married at Opstal Estate in Rawsonville, Western Cape. Francois grew up in the area so over the 5 years we dated we had our fair share of Western Cape visits and just fell in love with the area.
What was the vibe of your wedding?
We had a minimalistic theme at our wedding. The colours was olive green, grey and a hint of burgundy. We wanted the main focus to be the vineyards but it also represented our personalities, simple and down to earth people, thrilled by the little things in life.
How did you hear about The Wedding Collective?
My sister told me about it, and she discovered it through Instagram.
What made you choose your wedding dress?
I really wanted something simple yet elegant and sexy but also did not make me feel uncomfortable. When I saw my dress I had a feeling it would be perfect and when I tried it on I just knew. Marie’ also helped a lot by telling me I can add my own sequins or beading to it and then my heart just exploded.
How was your wedding dress experience from fittings to the final product?
It was just amazing. It was calm, comfortable and enlightening. I enjoyed every moment and I never stressed about what the final product would look like and whether or not it would be ready on time.
Do you have any advice or tips for new brides-to-be looking for their perfect wedding dress?
Stick to what YOU want. A lot of dresses will look pretty on you and some people might like them more than the one dress you love but it is not their wedding. You are going to have to look at the photos for years to come so choose the dress that chooses you, not what everyone else chooses for you.
Who was your wedding photographer?
August Photography.
What was your most memorable part of your wedding day?
Seeing Francois’ and everyone else’s reaction when I came down the aisle. I managed to keep my dress a secret from everyone and it was worth every moment.
Do you have any advice regarding the overall planning of a wedding?
It is not as overwhelming as you might think. You determine the amount of stress. If you want to do every thing on your own because you think you are saving money think again. Time has no cost and it’s not worth all the stress it causes. Also wake up on the day and remember that regardless of how much goes wrong today, you will still go to bed with a husband. That is all that matters.
