Charl and Jeane's 120 guest wedding on 23 July 2011 at the beautiful St Francis Links featured lovely beach elements combined with stunning protea flowers in various shades of pink. DNS Strings provided the ceremony as well as cocktail music.

ATTIRE

Jeane was absolutely in love with her dress! It was a strapless diamond white taffeta dress with a lot of swarowski crystal detail on the bodice. The Chicago dress from the Blue by Enzoani range was her favourite out of the range and she decided to have it ordered from America. The bodice had to be taken in 6cm and seeing that I was unable to fit my dress until 5 days before the weddiing when we arrived in South Africa, it was a very risky decision, said Jeane. It was a huge sigh of relief for her when she managed to get all the buttons closed the first time she tried it on.

Samuel Beck Hair Dressing did an amazing job with Jeane's hair and Marike De Groot finished off her look with beautiful make-up. Her stunning shoes were bought in Las Vegas from the shop Aldo.

Charl decided to buy an Alexandre London suit in Bermuda.

DETAILS

Wilma and Reneé from Patensie did all the decorations as well as all of the flower decorations. They did the most amazing job and managed to get hold of all the flowers the bride needed for her bouquet. It was so beautiful and full of colour, she did not want to put it down. They went above and beyond the expectations we had for the flowers and the venue, said Jeane.

The couple decided on a classic beach themed wedding with plenty sea shells and star fish as part of the decorations. The colours were dusty pink along with all the colours of the natural Eastern Cape field flowers. They had King Proteas in all the flower arrangements. The table centrepieces were large glass vases with sand and shells in them with large white branches sticking out of the vases. The branches had small candle lanterns hanging from them which provided the romantic light in the hall. The Blushing Bride is her favourite flower and it featured in all the arrangements. There were lite pink roses everywhere and she wanted the flowers to be a prominent feature at the wedding to create a friendly loving environment. Nikki Bolton from Cards by Design made all their stationery.

There were two special things that Jeane and Charl wanted to share with us. The first thing was their couples introduction song which was Kokomo by the Beach Boys - Bermuda, Bahamas, come on pretty mamas.... The second things was during Jeane's university years in Potchefstroom, one of her friends bought a blue hair pin. That pin has travelled from wedding to wedding through the years and has featured in every bride’s hair. It's a very special gesture that the previous bride hands to the new bride as a sign of support and it also represents your ’something old’ your ‘something borrowed’ and ‘something blue’

THE CAKE

The couple had a beautiful chocolate ganache cake that was decorated with pink roses. It was served as dessert to the guests.

DIY BRIDE

The couple had an engagement photo shoot on the beach and surroundings in Bermuda. The grooms mother managed to get 10 large antique photo frames for them. Charl made a large easel for on which they displayed the photos at the reception area. Jeane put the ribbons through the pansy shells and attached the ‘thank you’ notes. She also put the engagement shoot photos in the frames and mounted them on the easel.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Cherie Theron never ceases to amaze us. She once again took some incredible photographs of the couple, as well as some beautiful decor pics.

ADVICE

Jeane keeps it short and sweet with her words of wisdom: "You plan for months to make that ONE DAY perfect, but if something out of your control goes wrong, just go with it!! Do not let something trivial spoil the whole day, because you do not get a do-over. :) In the end, the main reason everyone travelled so far to be there with you, is because they love you and want to share the day with you."

Thanks for sharing your wedding with us!

WEDDING SUPPLIERS

• Catering: St Francis Links
• Ceremony Music: DNS Strings
• Decor: Wilma & Renee from Patensie
• Dress: Enzoani
• Florist: Wilma & Renee from Patensie
• Hair: Samuel Beck Hairdressing
• Make-up: Marike De Groot
• Photographer: Cherie Theron
• Reception Music: DJ Mike Marshall
• Reception Venue: St Francis Links
• Stationery: Nikki Bolton from Cards by Design
• Wedding Planner: Liezl from the Links

Would you like us to feature your wedding? E-mail megan@perfectday.co.za for more information.

The colour combination of champagne and dusty pink has become very popular overnight, and with the versatility of these colours brides really are able to customise the palette easily.

For the more daring bride adding touches of the colours to your wedding dress could definitely make a statement. Wear a traditional white wedding gown during the ceremony and add a bow, flower or lace accent in either dusty pink or champagne for the reception.

Combine different shades of pink to give your wedding some interest, adding white to the centerpieces will also lift it a bit.

Lace is the perfect fabric to add as it compliments both colours very well, giving you the vintage feel. Add lace to your wedding invitations, wrap your bouquet stem with it or tie it around the napkins are just some of the ways in which you can use it.

Offset the champagne and dusty pink with either white or cream, add touches of gold accents or even a mocha brown and create your palette to your hearts desire.

After searching for "truly South African" favours on google, I came across The Heartfelt Project and my face lit up after browsing their website with their incredible handmade items. I read the The Story of how heartfelt was started, and I couldn't help but have such respect for Martha Letsoalo who found hope when it seemed all was lost.

With 19 dedicated women, The Heartfelt Project has a long term goal that includes helpin thoushands of women by providing job opportunities and creating a unique brand which is instantly recognised throughout the country. There is no doubt in my mind that these women will make it happen, and I hope that all South Africans can support their worthy cause, even if it's simply by telling others about them.

This is the reason I got all excited:

Their range includes (but not limited to) beautiful fridge magnets and brooches,

Keyrings and bookmarks

They also have an entire range dedicated to our furry friends and animals, (which also includes the big 5)

They have a beautiful wedding favour range which also includes felt bouquets and bouttonniers, all of which can be viewed here

To all the ladies at The Heartfelt Project, Martha Letsoalo, Julie Hadley, Charlene Mphuloane, Grace Letswalo, Cecilia Mafunisa, Johanna Mmatsatsi, Lena Majatladi, Katlego Nkuna, Mina Maluleka, Francie Finn, Samantha Yeowart, Olga Tlhokamoni, Bogadi Katoane, Mananki Ringane, Mpho Molefe, Sinah Ringane, Rosemary Sehoole, Magdeline Dithole, and last but not least Lesego Maluleka, keep up the good work girls, you are a true insiration to all South Africans.  

To get in touch with the ladies at Heartfelt contact Charlene on charlene@theheartfeltproject.com or phone her on +27 0823482988