Michele
We were blessed to have the graceful Michele as a Real Bride and was in absolute awe when we saw how gorgeous she looked on her wedding day! Read her wedding planning journey below:
How did you meet your husband and how did you get engaged?
Surprisingly, Jeandre and I were good friends before we started dating and met each other at University. We often bumped into each other during Residence socials and informal get togethers. I won’t deny the obvious, Jenadre has the most gorgeous blue eyes which had me smitten from the first ‘hello’. Later on, we often met for coffee at Tribeca on Campus between lectures and enjoyed picnics on the lawn outside my Residence. I invited Jeandre to accompany me to a formal dance and we have never looked back since. He proposed to me on a beautiful Saturday morning a few days before my birthday – which truly caught me by surprise.
Where did you get married and why did you choose that venue and time of year for your wedding?
We got married at Erdzak Country Venue in Standerton, Mpumalanga. This is where Jeandre grew up, his childhood home. The venue is sentimental to us as we have shared so many memories on the farm and have family there. The venue is fully equipped to cater for weddings of all sizes and my mother-in-law Hannelie assisted with all the logistics, planning and preparation. The venue was perfect in every way! Planning for the wedding was a real family affair, which made it even more sentimental and special. The lovely thing about getting married at a private venue is that you can really put your heart and soul into the decor, flowers, food and formalities. The wedding was exactly the way we had always envisioned.
What was the vibe of your wedding?
Our wedding was simple, relaxed and lively. The wedding ceremony took place outdoors near the dam, with a thirty second rain shower moments before I walked down the aisle with my dad (a true blessing for our marriage). The reception was held in the barn drizzled with hundreds of fairy lights, a romantic ambiance and flower boxes hanging from the ceiling. We wanted our guests to feel special, like one big family on Christmas eve drinking and feasting together. Therefore, we decided to have two long wooden tables in the reception hall for all our friends and family to sit together.
How did you hear about The Wedding Collective?
The Wedding Collective was on my radar, even before getting engaged. I started following The Wedding Collective on Instagram due to its modern, classic and glamorous dresses.
What made you choose your wedding dress?
From the moment I started following The Wedding Collective on Instagram, it was inevitable that my wedding dress would come from there! The Wedding Collective was my first and only shopping experience. The Astrid dress caught my eye the moment I walked into the bridal boutique. Moments later, we tried the Astrid dress on and it was instant love – chills!
How was your wedding dress experience from fittings to the final product?
Marie welcomed us with the warmest smile and hug on our first visit. I tried on a number of dresses in different styles, shapes and colours. Marie is very open-minded and listens to your taste and preferences. She is focused and gives good advice during consultations. Because I chose my dress on the very first fitting, Marie immediately booked follow up consultations for further fittings, measurements and collection. Her admin and timing is impeccable.
Do you have any advice or tips for new brides-to-be looking for their perfect wedding dress?
Stay true to yourself!
Who was your wedding photographer?
Soif de Vivre Photography (Jana-Minette Kleynhans)
Any other vendors you would like to recommend to new brides-to-be?
Erdzak Country Venue
Hannelie van der Linde (Flower & Decor)
Clare de Lange (Hair)
Michelle Steyn (Make-Up)
Carien Taljaard Claassen (Catering)
AJR Audio (DJ)
What was your most memorable part of your wedding day?
Waking up and getting dressed with my mom, sister and closest friends, seeing my dad for the first time in my wedding dress, walking down the aisle and seeing Jeandre’s facial expression, the wedding ceremony, taking a five minute breather alone with Jeandre before entering the reception hall for the first time as a married couple, seeing all our family and friends, dancing, laughing, crying – everything is memorable!
Do you have any advice regarding the overall planning of a wedding?
Go back to the basics and forget the need to please everyone!