Today’s real wedding is from Wesley Voster Photography. If you’re into DIY projects  then you will just love this wedding. The decor it sooo pretty! It’s filled with loads of ideas and inspiration. We just love Olivia’s whole look, especially her hair. Oh, and those shoes…

Olivia and Devin said their vows in Plettenberg Bay at the end of last year. The weather did not play along at all, as it was pouring with rain and they had to move the location of the ceremony. Well, we think it made for some beautiful pictures (and you kow what they say about rain on your wedding day…)

Tell us your love story? When and where did you first meet?

Devin and I met in London at a friend’s barbeque near the end of 2008, we shared our first kiss on the strike of new years eve under a patio sliding door and have been inseparable ever since!

Please describe the proposal. Did you suspect anything before he popped the question?

We spoke of getting married about six months into dating so we both knew it was going to happen soon and because I knew what I wanted as an engagement ring, Devin and I worked with the jeweller for quite some time. But I still wasn’t expecting it on the day! Dev proposed in the beautiful Battersea Park, one of my favourite places in London, with a picnic spread and beer. I was lying down when all of a sudden he was on one knee asking me to be his wife. It was very romantic and afterwards we cycled to My Old Dutch for pannenkoeken and cappuccinos, smiling over our secret.

What was the highlight/s of your wedding day?

It was all so special, it’s difficult to single things out but I’d have to say our vows and the speeches by Devin and both of our dads were very special. I also loved getting ready with my gaggle of bridesmaids and my mom!

Any advice for brides-to-be?

Look for as much inspiration on the internet and blogs so that you can have a good idea of what you want for the day. Get as many family members and friends involved, it makes the day so special as you realise how many people will do anything for you! Ask for what you want, most people will do things they normally don’t, because it’s a wedding! (Both of our rings were bespoke and not something the jewellers normally produce)

Where did you get most of your ideas and inspiration from?

Mostly from the wedding blog Ruffled, as well as the blog Green Wedding Shoes.

What was the biggest obstacle/s you had to overcome while organising your dream wedding?

We planned as much as we could from London but only landed in Port Elizabeth three weeks before the wedding – I don’t think I realised how much still needed to be done and those three weeks were stressful! You’re irrational and land up fighting with everyone when things go wrong

Any time saving or organising tips?

All the info and pictures I collected for the wedding I saved into separate folders which helped. Once again get friends and family who understand your ‘style’ to help out, you literally cannot do everything yourself. I had loads of help and each person had a certain thing or area they were helping with.

Any hints for other brides on how to keep your wedding budget friendly?

We used my parents’ friends’ farm for the ceremony which didn’t cost a dime, they also provided home-made lemonade at the ceremony! I ordered my dress in a sample size and then my mom altered it (cheaper than made-to-measure). I got my brilliant friends Stephanie Beyers and Dieter van den Bergh of Silverspoon Clothing to make the bridesmaid dresses and my mom made the flowergirls’ beautiful dresses. I ordered the flowers wholesale and Stephanie’s amazing mom Riana arranged them for us (at last minute too, as my friend who was meant to do them, dropped out three days before) We also used our iPad and iPhones for all the music which eliminated a DJ. For the stationary, I designed the invitations and seating plans myself and printed them locally, and recruited my dad and sister to make the name tags. I also hardly bought anything for the tables, using my parents’ vintage cameras, a friend’s typewriter, old Italian books from my great aunt etc. We bought the cheapest candles we could find and Emily Moon supplied the candelabra, linen etc. Silverspoon Clothing also made the Thank You gifts which were anchor key rings for the older men, cameo brooches for the older ladies, moustache brooches for the guys and fox head brooches for the girls.

What song did you choose for your opening dance?

‘I loves you Porgy’ by Nina Simone.

Were any of your family members or friends involved in the wedding and what were their contributions?

So many people were involved! Both of our family’s helped enormously as well as the bridesmaids, groomsmen and other friends. We definitely couldn’t have done it by ourselves!

Did your wedding preparations include any DIY projects?

A lot of it was DIY. (please refer to the no.9 keeping the wedding budget friendly) I helped hand pleat the bridesmaid dresses.I hand picked all the table décor to follow the table themes of: The Photographers table The table of Birds The Botanists table The Travellers table The table of Love Letters The Tailors table The Readers table Which all reflected who Devin and I are and things we love .

How does your wedding reflect your personalities?

We’re both relaxed and like to have fun and we like beautiful things

What are you looking forward to now that you are married?

We’re going to move back to London in February after our very long holiday in South Africa, find a home and start saving to travel! Thailand is our first stop for a proper honeymoon and then Europe. We can’t wait to travel and experience everything together.

Bridal Accessories: The garter my mom made from left over lace from her wedding dress, vintage necklace is my sister’s

Bridesmaids dresses: Silverspoon clothing

Cake: A carrot cake and carrot and vanilla cupcakes by my aunt, the cake decorations by Rebecca Lilley of  Cakes Beck Makes

Church: pastor Kola de Klerk of Knysna married us in the open air

Coordinator: – Décor: mostly all vintage finds from around the house or borrowed from Stephanie. Birdcages from The Lemon Tree Factory Shop in Port Elizabeth, wooden logs from a nursery

Dress: Catherine Deane/Archangel

Flowers: Flowers P.E: email: flowerspe@agnet.co.za  Arranged by Riana of Riana.B Interiors (she’s not a florist but only did it as a favour to the couple)

Food: amazing food by Emily Moon River Lodge

Hair: Debora Fini of Plettenberg Bay  email debora1972@hotmail.it

Hiring: Chairs and lemonade jugs and tumblers: Events and Tents

Make-up: Carmen Weir of Glam, Port Elizabeth -carmen.glam89@gmail.com

Photographer: Wesley Vorster Photographer

Rings: Olivia’s engagement ring: John Lawrence Jewellers Olivia’s wedding band: late grandmothers wedding band, resized

Devin’s ring: Francarlo Jewellers

Shoes: Olivia’s shoes from Office and Devin:  converse

Stationary: Designed by Olivia and printed locally.