Featured image: Behn PhotographyÂ
We might have been in a lockdown, but these couples still enjoyed gorgeous, intimate weddings.
Tania & Kegan Govender
Tania and her now hubby were meant to get married in Johannesburg with 150 guests, but the COVID-19 lockdown meant that they had to re-think their special day or save the large celebrations for a later date. This beautiful couple said their “I do’s” at Colisheen’s Drive-Through Wedding Venue. We chatted with the couple to find out more.
When was your wedding supposed to be?
25 April 2020 – our anniversary date.
What were the main changes you had to make to comply with the lockdown regulations?
We weren’t getting married without our parents, so we decided to get married in KZN, as it was difficult for them to travel to Johannesburg, and we had to limit the number of guests. We couldn’t choose from 150 of our loved ones, so decided to just have it smaller with 10 people.
If you could sum up your wedding day in three words, what would they be?
Happiest day ever!
What is your advice for future brides based on your wedding experience?
Take it all in! Whatever happens… happens. Laugh at everything that goes wrong and cherish everything that goes right! It’s your day – enjoy it!
Did your décor, food or any other elements change much from your original plan?
Yes! Every element changed, from the theme and venue to the flowers and our outfits. Everything changed, but I believe it happened just how it was meant to happen for us.
What are the benefits of having a small wedding?
It was the best decision that we could’ve made – we have no regrets! On the day, you forget all about the details that need to be perfect and focus on what’s really important: each other.
Kendal & Matt Bouwer
Kendal and Matt had originally planned a destination wedding, but the lockdown put a stop to this. Instead, they had a truly gorgeous, small wedding in the Midlands at Bosch Hoek Lodge. We caught up with the couple to find out more about their day.
How did your wedding change from your original plan?
We had booked a destination wedding in Mauritius, so it changed drastically! We never wanted a typically big wedding, so had planned on having 80 guests to celebrate with us and have an incredible holiday together.
When was your wedding supposed to be?
Our wedding was to be on 8 August 2020, and we stuck to that original date. Since I was around 16 years old, I’ve been fantasising about my wedding and I always knew I wanted to get married on 8 August (08.08) as it is double infinity – just a little blessing I thought would contribute to our marriage.
What were the main changes you had to make to comply with the lockdown regulations?
At the time of our marriage, luxury travel was permitted so thankfully my brother from Joburg could drive down to be part of the day. We didn’t have any people other than immediate family at our minimony so a decrease from 80 guests to 20 was the biggest change.
Was it difficult to downsize?
No, it wasn’t. We made the call that our family being witness to our marriage and their contribution to the day was the most important aspect of the day. We scheduled a Zoom meeting so that all of our wedding guests, who were meant to be with us in Mauritius, were still able to be part of our day in a very alternate way.
If you could sum up your wedding day in three words, what would they be?
Intimate, unconditional love.
What is your advice for future brides based on your wedding experience?
It is very easy to get caught up in the frills and frustrations of planning a wedding, especially during such uncertain times, but just remember why you are getting married in the first place: for the love of your partner.
Did your décor, food or any other elements change much from your original plan?
Because we went from an island wedding to a Midlands wedding, the décor and the food changed. Oh, yes, I wore a suit instead of my wedding dress! I want to save my beautiful wedding dress for our larger ceremony that will happen once allowed. The design, planning, and décor were all done by Joelene Botha from Oh Happy Day.
Bongi MaZulu-Msimang Luthuli & Msizi Luthuli
Bongi and her now husband, Msizi, were another local couple who had to adapt their wedding due to the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. They have since had a larger wedding, but their small ceremony will forever be a cherished day in their lives. We found out more about their special day.
When was your wedding supposed to be?
We had hoped to have our white traditional wedding on 17 October, but we couldn’t because we were in lockdown months prior to that date so we couldn’t plan that far ahead and be certain that we could go ahead.
What were the main changes you had to make to comply with lockdown regulations?
The number of guests had to be fewer, but that wasn’t much of an issue as it meant we got to have a more intimate wedding. We only had to plan for 40 people for our intimate wedding, compared to a normal wedding when the whole village is invited. You could have anywhere from up to 200 people or more!
Was it difficult to downsize?
The Umembeso/Lobola ceremony was when weddings were first allowed but a maximum of 50 people could attend. Now how do you limit people in a village? This was the hardest part.
If you could sum up your wedding day in four words, what would they be?
Perfect in challenging times.
What is your advice for future brides based on your wedding experience?
Focus on what really matters. The reason for the wedding is for you to get married to your partner, so put your energy into being husband and wife and stay positive.
What are the benefits of having a small wedding?
A smaller wedding can definitely be a less expensive wedding!
Â
Did your décor, food or any other elements change much from your original plan?
The décor had to meet the COVID-19 social-distancing regulation. Everything else wasn’t affected.