“We met through a mutual friend at Wacky Wine Weekend in Robertson. I’d had a few and I thought he looked nice so I introduced myself – twice!” says Amanda. Fortunately, Brett contacted her through Facebook a few days later, and they went on a couple of dates. “Shortly after, I went travelling around South-East Asia for five months, but came home on Christmas Day – and the rest is history!”
“We got engaged just before Brett’s 40th, and plunged right into the planning,” says Amanda. The couple visited 25 venues around the Cape, and felt very confident about their choice of the Oaks near Greyton. “It turned out to be the perfect pick; it’s not only incredibly beautiful but the team there are amazing, and made the process and the day absolutely unforgettable.”
Both Amanda and Brett wanted an elegant country feel for their big day, so they settled on a colour scheme of pale pink and gold. “The original idea was to have hints of gold, but once I spotted sequined fabric in a shop in Somerset West, we were all in for bling! To keep the budget down we decided to spray vases with gold paint, and, believe it or not, Brett did all the flowers! My best friends came for high tea in the morning and made my bouquet, which was very special,” explains Amanda.
“We had many friends and family contributing: my mother’s one cousin married us, while the other gave us 100 proteas from his farm, and his son gave us two kegs of his Striped Horse beer, which was a massive hit with the guys. My brother and his wife own a cake shop, so they did the unique cake. I was unbelievably lucky to have wedding favours from Ceramic Factory, as the owners are dear friends,” says Amanda.
As for her dress? “I originally chose something completely different nearly a year before the big day, and asked the very talented Debbie Henshilwood to make it for me,” says Amanda. But when she actually got round to having it made, she completely changed her mind and went from sleek with sleeves to strapless with acres of tulle! “My bridesmaid and I chose the fabric for her dress together and she had it made to her own design in Joburg, while my mom made the dress for my niece, who was my flowergirl,” says Amanda.
“My advice to other brides is to spend the money on a great venue, and stump up the cash for coordinators for the big day. It made all the difference.”
To see more of Amanda and Brett’s big-day snaps, check out the gallery below.
Service providers: Venue: The Oak Estate; Photography: Dear Heart Photography
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